Melbourne, Mar31 to Apr3

So we finally decided to travel off the east coast of Australia and fly over to the southern city of Melbourne.

Despite the brisk fall weather, it was worth every moment.


I jumped a fight and planned to meet Vivian and Kim (friends from UMass and Wheaton respectively...they go to JCU in Townsville) in the airport. After delayed take-offs and bad weather, I landed in Melbourne airport around 12.45am, found Kim & Viv, and made our way to our car rental.

After some skillful driving by Viv, we found our hostel (by far the nicest one I've stayed at). It was about 1.30am, but hey - we're only in Melbourne once, right? So we made our way to the Crown Casino.

Casino...with fancy drinks and shady men.


Our hostel with the most comfortable beds.

The next day, the three of us got up early to walk the city and surrounding areas. Beginning in Southbank, we found our way through the downtown area, Federation Squ, Chinatown, the old Mebourne jail, through the shopping areas, Carlton, and finally...Abla's. :)


Kim & I on the Yarra River in Southbank.


It was reaaaally cold there.
...Though I dunno if that justifies wearing these, guys.


Kim & I looooved the horses.


Searching the city for the old Melbourne jail, all for Viv's sake.


Melbourne, Origin of Footy, we had to visit the AFL Hall of Fame


Um, free krispy cremes? Yeah, we had to take advantage of that one.


Flinder's Station


Skinny men on the side of the road.


St. Paul's cathedral.
Apparently, I was really excited about this one.


Site seeing, Cpt. Flinders


Viv, Kim, & I in Federation Squ. with all the Grand Prix stuff going on in the background.
...because we really cared about that. ;)


Visiting Chinatown, stopping for lunch on the way.
If only we knew Abla was coming...


So, my Aunt and Uncle that are now in the States used to live in Melbourne, and my Uncle's cousin still does. Ok...so my Uncle's cousin's mother-in-law started a Lebanese restaurant 27 years ago, and she still runs it today. It's won awards and is well known through Australia to be some of the best Lebanese food. Viv, Kim, and I found the restaurant by luck, although it opened at 6pm and it was only 4pm at the time. Luckily, a woman saw us from the kitchen, and we asked for the owner, Abla. She welcomed us with open arms, acting as if all three of us were her own granddaughters. This place is by reservation only, but she didn't hesitate to bring out anything that was ready in the kitchen. We ended up spending an hour and a half with her, chatting over the best food I've had in my life. Needless to say, two days later we made our way to her home to give flowers and a card for making our trip that much better.

After our 60min walk back to our hostel, stuffed from our early dinner, we showered and got ready for our night on the town with our Irish and English hostel roommates, Andy and Dan.

Hostel Happy Hour...Viv got a little too excited.


Kim, Andy, & Dan figuring out where to go for the night.


And Kim was so intrigued with the boys beatboxing on St. Kilda St. ;)


Hostel 309


Oh you drunk butts ... Happy in ReBar.


I would tell you what is going on...but I have no idea myself.


Aaaand after 4hrs, they were best pals. :p


Roomies


Finally drinking with the little one again.


Chuggin' it down...


...two seconds later...


...and two seconds after that.


Kim joins :)


Clearin' the floor at ReBar.


Two-ies.


All I remember is being lifted off the ground.


MOther-Goose!


Viv: You won't party boy.
Who said reverse psychology doesn't work?

SO Sunday morning comes. None of us want to move...Buuut we get up, and get movin' towards the Great Ocean Road - an 8 hour roundtrip along the southern coast of Australia seeing some of the most unique sights in the world.

Driving on the left side of the road, and the car, was challenging at first, but we all did it (with more or less success...Viv liked to run stoplights, Kim drove off the side of the road, and I tailgated massive gas trucks only to come within inches of crashing). Nevertheless, we made it without a scratch.

Viv gasing up our car for the ride.


10&2 Viv, 10&2.


Just a little FYI...


3s


Roamin' the great ocean ... RipCurl Pro Surf Contest


Why it's called the Great Ocean Road...


Bell's Beach


Erekine Falls


Falls


Eagle Rock


Beach

The major attraction of the Great Ocean Road...

The Twelve Apostles


Unreal.


We found them :)


Kim & I jumping for joy!


I got really anxious and starting running...


Havin' a little fun in front of the Apostles.


Viv & Kim.


Viv & I.


3-bies.


A future Apostle? ;p
Gorgeous.


Unbelieveable sunset.
Just in time.

After this, we made our way back to the city via farm roads (dodging milk trucks and gasoline tanks) and after three hours, found our hostel around midnight. We walked a bit down the river and passed out early from the long day of traveling.

On the river Sunday night.

When we woke up on Monday morning, we checked out of our hostel and drove to the Botanical Gardens. After a short walk through, we went shopping and found ourselves contemplating a piercing...We're only in Melbourne once, right?

Afterwards, we visited Abla once more bearing a few thank-you-gifts, and we met her daughter-in-law...my uncle's cousin. She'll be in Pittsburgh for short while, and I might be as well. Such a small world...

Gateway to Botanic Gardens


Impulsive decision...

Thanks gurls, I had a blast. See you in a few weeks!



BYE MELBOURNE!