The highlight of the Summer is the Commonwealth games as this is where Australia can win LOTS of medals. They happen to be happening in Melbourne and with the exception of the steel fish in the water, the odd flag around town and the little signs at the touristy things, the media is making more of a fuss than Melbourne....
Anyway arrived into Melbourne by 10am and went to see the city in full swing... We were close to the Queen Vicotia Markets, had a quick look, had breakfast and off down town and after a very quick look around some of the shops... Maria had found a free bus trip, a free boat trip and a free tram trip around Melbourne and was determined to do all.... So we did... Nearly fell asleep on the bus though as it went around so we got off at the stop for the observatory and grabbed a coffee... there you knew the Commonwealth Games was on in Melbourne!!!! Signs , posters etc everywhere and my favourite - on the boards where they tell you what everything is in your view, there was a list of the event venues in your view.... Just what you need to know when your in Melbourne.
Having consumed some coffee we headed to finish the bus route... and do it again with the commentary this time and then went in search of the tram to see some more.... Back to the hotel and a quick nap and not so quick getting ready we were out to the Casino, for food and some gambling. I finally got to play blackjack... Min bet was $25.. So I placed one bet... Won!! Got given out to for not doing things right, placed another bet lost and left the table!!! Slot machines and ya lost more money.... Sunday morning, it took Lorraine a while to get going, headed for a boat cruise up and down the river and passed the 'fish' of the commonwealth games - they were cool!!!! We headed out to St Kildas to the markets, the shops and the cafes before headed back for a quick change and out to meet more cousins for a bite to eat and a LOT of alcohol.
The following morning we went shopping on the famous 'Bridge Rd' finally getting there for deluxe cheese on toast and dodging all the closed roads due to the games.... lots of shopping later we headed to the airport on a bit of an adventure - we missed our turn off and well I kept driving... In the generally direction of where I though the airport should be.... then I spotted a bus that seemed to know where it was going and yip I found the airport... the fact the bus was an airport express bus was beside the point...... Back to Sydney, a night out and Maria flew out after a hectic hungover packing session.....
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