The " Big Wet" in Melbourne
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2008
1
51
93
Trip End
Jun 20, 2009
Melbourne,
Victoria,
Australia
Thursday, January 8, 2009
My Auntie Eileen and Uncle Neil lived in Melbourne with their 3 kids Neil, Ciara and Stephanie. We were looking forward to meeting up with them and to our two buddies from Ireland Beth and Tower.
Eileen was going to put us up for the first few days so she met us at the train station and we headed back to her's. Living so far away we don't get to see so much of each other so it was great to meet up with all the family over the week and catch up. We were fed like a king and queen over the week and spoilt rotten
Wet Melbourne
. For a couple of smelly back-packers it was fantastic to wake up to a fry up in the morning and home cooked meal in the evening with Lydia especially delighted with the gravy and myself about the H.P. sauce.We headed into town on the tuesday morning and as the rain began to pour we imagined it would'nt last long, after all there is severe water restrictions here like no watering of gardens and 4 minute showers etc., so no doubt it would subside soon. Alas after spending a couple of hours at the ACME exhibition on movie set designs ( which was cool ) we came out into the streets to an even heavier downpour. This rain continued for the most part of our week in Melbourne and although it restricted some of the things we would have liked to have done ( such as visiting the beach-side area of St. Kilda ) it gave us great ammo when talking to our Aussie friends who constantly gave out about the weather in Ireland.
Tower and Beth took the day off on wednesday and came and picked us up at Eileen's. We drove up to an amazing vantage point overlooking the city and bay called Aurhur's seat. We could'nt figure out between us who Arthur was but the sun came out on his seat so he must have been a good chap. We made the most of the weather leppin around an obstacle course and getting lost in a maze, then we drove back into the city and went for a meal in Beth's local ( an Irish bar no less ).
On thursday we went over to my cousin Neil's house for a delicious meal with Eileen and the cousins. We were given plenty of advise for our up-coming journey along the Great Ocean Road which would take us back to Adelaide again
With Auntie Eileen
. Neil and his girlfriend Kim had just been on a similar trip up that way so gave us lots of tips and directions.After helping to put up the Christmas tree and heading out for lunch with neil, Eileen and Steph we headed of on the train to spend friday and saturday night in the city at Tower's parents place. We had a big Melbourne night out which culminated in the massive city Casino. Myself and Tower had a great night on the Blackjack tables while Lyds and Beth were in equally impressive form on the Pokies.
Our last day in Melbourne was spent realxing with some DVDs and pizzas while an almighty storm whipped up outside. We had to deal with the disgraceful situation of our car rental company phoning us up less than 24 hours before we had to pick up the vehicle to cancel on us. They said there had been a mechanical fault with the car and that it would'nt be ready till next tuesday. Instead of offering us another car they told us that at this time of year they were booked up so good luck. After spending an hour on the phone to their various different branches and offices complaining we had to go and try and find a last minute jobbie with another company. Moral of the story is to stay away from Apollo rentals in Australia or anywhere else for that matter. we lodged a complaint with Tourism Australia but their was little else we could do. not a pleasant experience to end our Melbourne time on but at least we had the crazy storm, record rain fall and the fact that we would be sleeping in atent for the next 3 days to look forward to.
