Punt Hill - South Yarra Melbourne

... couldn't find this massive river. I started walking but think I was heading the wrong way. But back along the South Bank, it was great, the sun was out and the place was very lively. There are loads of restaurants and bars, and people were milling about. In the end I was pikey (again) and ate in the food court (I was too hungry to wait till the restaurants were open). A large veggie Thali for $11...really nice, and the ambiance added to the experience. And by that I mean ...

... on reception with some more of my 'hard of thinking’ behaviour as I first took and then decided not to take the option on the hotel parking. I think I may say $2 by this action – then again it may cost me $2 more – whatever it was not worth all the agro!

I headed out with confidence of ‘town must be that way’ and fortunately was not too far wrong. First stop was a bookshop as I am afraid ...

... typed assessment or ordered in for scientists from USA suppliers. results of these proficiency tests are shared with the police states and also NATA are advised of the results for their state inspections. There is a fee payable for this proficiency testing and to give you an idea of the costings involved, NIFS spent $27,000 for the first half of this year and a further $28,000 in the second half on purchasing tests. There is currently no ...

... chokolate cakes and chokolate croisants.

Melbourne is a good base for seeing the great ocean road further southwest - it is supposed to very scenic. And around Melbourne there are also some of Australias best vineyards, I didn't visit any of them. So there are still a few things undone in Australia.

When I was packing my bag the last day in Melbourne, the lady I shared with came up to the room quite upset. Someone had stolen all ...

... at lunchtime. Peter picked me up from the airport and on the way back to Brighton we did a detour round Albert Park where the Formula 1 Grand Prix is held. The Lakes as per all Aussies are fanatical about sport! We skirted round the issue of the Ashes briefly, not wanting to rub their noses in it!!

It rained pretty much everyday I was in Melbourne; first time I has to put my hood up on my jacket. Spent a ...

... and slang.

The typical Canadian from his viewpoint is conservative, laid-back, friendly, easy going, not as adventurous (more inhibited than Australians) but more cultured than Americans.

Other distinctions between the two cultures he has seen are that Australians are hard to get to know unless a group specifically lets you in and welcomes you, he in particular saw this ...

... Mel didn't have long so have to leave us after our drink which meant we had to find our own way back. We were armed with maps and she did leave us instructions to get into St Kilda so we decided to catch the tram there. It was a really nice day so we walked around St Kilda, passed Luna Park and along the beach to the pier, before going to get our feet and nails done. With time flying by we caught the tram back to Wei's for a home cooked meal. After tea Sara came and ...

... corner without even being told to go after watching his older brothers being told to do it!! So cute!!! Scott's brother Glen who is in London, suprised the family by knocking on the door in a Santa outfit and pretending to have lost his raindeer. His sister answered the door and said she is from New Zealand so she doesn't know the area but then his mum came to the rescue by pretending to be a raindeer with some "funky" antlers ...

... because it was cloudy. At least we'd managed to complete the 10km base walk before 10am... - After defending Penguin biscuits for years (in the cross continental Penguin vs Tim Tam debate) we've now concluded that Tim Tams are infinitely superior. Next up is Christmas in Wodonga, a hot air balloon flight and New Year in Sydney and a road trip in a campervan down the east coast. Happy days.

... in Carlton Hotel. He liked horse races and always seemed poor, but a warm-hearted, middle-aged guy. On the Chrismas eve, Josee, her friend, and I went to Crown Casino and Cinema Complex just to drink and play pool in the bar. Riza and Dino from Iran and South Korea were friendly to me and went to a beach together. Things are comparatively expensive in Melbourne, but I fully enjoyed the lively life.