Melbourne

Last week, Adrian and I went to Melbourne for a few days. It was not your average trip to Melbourne. It was far more exciting and adventurous, involving close encounters with highly territorial wildlife, adrenalin-pumping spectator sport and perilous journeys through streets where greasy men loom out of the darkness and try to entice you into their overpriced restaurant..

Seriously though, this was a very fun four days. Read on!

Wednesday

Flew to Melbourne a la Virgin Blue. Arrived at King Street Backpackers! Bit prisony, but I rather liked it. Wandered down Flinders Street way and got pizza.. the waitor was very very sneaky. Traffic was rather loud that night! My goodness. Melbournites just don't sleep!

Thursday

Went shopping at the DFO on Spencer Street. Didn't buy much. Later on, wandered down to Southbank and onto Crown. I love Crown! We saw Shrek 3 (funny as), wandered round the shops and gaming stuff, and had cocktails at a rather deserted bar called M9. Then a lovely but cold walk back to King Street, taking gorgeous photos of beautiful glittery Melbourne at night on the way.





Friday

Checked out of King Street, because Adrian had booked us into a nicer place for the second half, which I did not yet know about. Had a coffee and then caught the City Circle tram, which promptly broke down. So, we got the next one (of course the first one magically got going again at this point) and made it to our next hotel, the Grand Chancellor. It was much lovelier! 4 stars as opposed to King Street's maybe half a star? ;)





Wandered over to Melbourne Central and then the QV Markets. After that, it was coffee at Hudsons. That night it was Lygon Street for tea. Now here is where the sleazy greasiness came in, not the food, but my goodness the spruikers! They sure were keen for us to eat at their restaurant. I mean, I know we're popular, but sheesh ;) Anyway, our choice was good and we had an outdoor table with a heater... mmm.





Then it was IMax, to see Spiderman 3 on the 8 storey screen which is the world's biggest. Woah it was large. Prior to the movie, I took photos of Adrian jumping off a step (it was more amusing than it sounds) and after the movie, we bumped into a nice male possum outside! He didn't like us getting near his woman and got a bit territorial (see photo - but don't be alarmed). Then back to the hotel.

Saturday

Walked to Federation Square and happened to hear a Zulu choir performing, which was awesome. Today was the day. The big game. The reason we came to Melbourne. Hawthorn versus Sydney. Of course I support Hawthorn and Adrian is a Sydney fan, so it was game on! We approached the MCG with awe.. (ok, not quite) but not before stopping at the Giant Sky Wheel on the bank of the Yarra, from which we got great pics, if the darn thing would just stop swinging!





Walked the rest of the way to the G. I'd been to the Dome, but neither of us had been to the MCG. We got there early and got several comments like "you two won't be talking after the game" (not such an odd statement.. I'm not a happy chappy when my team loses!) We had great seats on the first level, and to cut a long story short, I saw Hawthorn lose for the first time. Adrian was rather joyous but a very noble winner at the same time :)





The game was brilliant.. a few too many free kicks Sydney's way and we were surrounded by Swans fans, meaning I had to cheer extra loud to drown them out, but all in all the atmosphere was great. We then wandered back to the hotel, thoroughly cheered out.





Sunday

Up at 6am to taxi ride to the airport and fly home. It was a beautiful day and the clouds looked like a fairy floss blanket below us, with the sun big and golden above it. Very pretty indeed. As the plane landed in Hobart, the air hostess made certain we knew we were back home.. "outside, it's a nice and chilly 5 degrees.."

For Adrian's version of events (and better photos), click on his link on the left-hand side.