G'Day from Melbourne!
Trip Start
Nov 12, 2008
1
4
44
Trip End
Ongoing
Where I stayed
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Our first impressions were that we had landed back in the UK, everything looks and feels so familiar but everyones talking in a funny accent.
We did'nt do much the first few days as Hong Kong and the flight had really tired us. So we mainly just found our bearings (and some $4 red wine!!) and had a look around!
So the weather in Melbourne is pretty much the same as the UK, but even more predictable!!! We had all four seasons in a day. We would go out wearing a jumper, 5 minutes down the road take it off because of the heat, then 5 minutes later put it back on because it was windy and raining - really bizarre weather!!!
Location of the hostel was really good, it was a short walk away from the city and the shops but far enough away so you didnt have all the people and the hussle and bussle of the city. We were surrounded by nice parks for BBQing, relaxing and we even went jogging a few times!!
So the first thing we done was head on down to Ramsey street! We decided to make our own way there instead of doing the tour - our lonely planet guide to Australia gave us the directions - it is the bible when it comes to traveling! So Ramsey street is really called Pin Oak Cresent. We had to catch a tram to Vermont South which is about 20 miles away. We got off at the wrong stop though and ended up walking 3.5 miles to get to Ramsey street, knackering or what! worth it in the end though, got some good pictures and we couldnt believe how small Ramsey street actually is!!! looks huuuge on TV!
Suz really wanted to go to the Chill On bar which is an all ice bar! the cocktails and shots are served in ice glasses and there are lots of ice statues and even the furniture is made of ice! They gave us boots, a coat and a timer as you could only stay in there for a maximum of 30 mins because it was -12!!
Rhys wanted to visit the Old Melbourne Gaol which is a prison that has been around since the 1800's and has had all the famous bushrangers and criminals of old go there at some point! The place has hung over 130 people including the legend Ned Kelly! Rhys got to try on Ned Kellys armour and we seen where he was hung. The place it self was quite creepy, its not somewhere you would want to go. We also had a free tour with an actress who played the part of a prison officer which made you experince what it was like to be a prisoner!
We also went shopping in Harbour City which is a new shopping centre opened by Victoria Harbour. The place was dead so it was great for us jobless types having the shops to our selves!
To round off Melbourne we did The Great Ocean Road tour which was a 340 mile round trip that took 14 hours to complete! We had to get up really early and be ready at 7am (ok not that early for you workers, but it is for us travellers!!). It rained the whole 14 hours! so we were cold and wet but we still had a great time. Our tour guide was called Bernie - he looked like Santa Clause, talked like Rolph Harris and was brilliant. He kept us laughing and the tour interesting with his never ending knowledge and funny political views! During the tour we visited Bells Beach (this is where all the surfers hang out), fed parrots and saw koalas, saw the 12 Apostles, trekked through Maits Rest Rainforest, explored Loch Ard Gorge and saw the remains of the rock stack called London Bridge!
