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We arrived early at Melbourne Southern Cross Station (I met the boys at the station in Canberra and we got the same bus to Melbourne). After dumping our stuff in lockers for the day we got the tram to St Kilda where we had a look around and breakfast!!! We then went to sort out arrangements for the Great Ocean Road and met Liz, wandered along the beach and past Luna Park where we saw the Neighbours Tour bus pulled up outside a theatre where Carmella was talking to a crowd!!!! We booked a hire car and then caught the tram into the city where we looked around Federation Square and went to buy a tent and sleeping bag for the next few days on the G.O.R. We met Eric (who we met in Mongolia in the Ger Camp) and he took us back to his where we stayed the night before heading into the city to pick up the car to go!!!!
It took a while for Liz to get the hang of the car (Hyundai Getz) but it didn't take too long and we were off!!! Liz was the only one driving as she is over 25 (and none of us are!) so it was cheaper! We stopped off in Torquay, where it was really windy and got some lunch before heading off. We stopped off at a couple of lookout points and went down to a beach where Sam threw his boomerang and it landed in the bushes on the cliff face so him and Liz climbed up to rescue it! (see pictures!). After that we stopped off in Lorne before heading down to Apollo Bay where we set up camp for the night. We went to the supermarket and got 2 boxes of wine and beers as well as BBQ food and then went back and made a night of it!!! We even thought it would be a good idea to put on fake tatoos which were hearts etc etc. Must say the boys looked very macho!!!
The next day we left and drove onto Port Campbell via the twelve apostles and other sights including a lighthouse we drove to but didn't end up going in as there was a massive charge. But all was not lost as on the way there we stopped to look at koalas in the trees and ended up seeing one climbing down the tree and crossing the road right in front of us it was amazing!!!! It was a long day of driving so when we got to Port Campbell we set up camp, went and had fish and chips and had an early night!
Next day we left early and drove back along the coast the way we came and went to a tree top walk in Otway before stopping off at Loch Ard Gorge. We stopped for lunch in Lorne and I did some sunbathing while the others did some surfing. Liz picked up a nasty looking bruise (see pictures) and after that we headed to the supermarket to pick up some food before going to the campsite and setting up for the night. The setting was magnificent with cliffs around. We wandered down to the beach which was beautiful at dusk and then went back and had our BBQ. When it got dark the sky was clear so there were so many stars out it was amazing!!!! I have never seen a night's sky as magnificent it could literally take your breath away! We had another early night.
Next day we drove back from Lorne to Melbourne without really stopping although we stopped at a service station for some breakfast before dropping the car back in Melbourne around 1pm. After that we dumped our stuff back in the lockers at the Southern Cross Station and did some more sightseeing in Melbourne before meeting Kathryn (Eric's girlfriend) to take us back to theirs (Sam went to meet his family). We dumped our stuff and then went out again to meet Eric after work in the city and some of their friends in an Irish bar where we had a couple of drinks and some dinner. We then went back to Eric and Kathryn's and watched the film 'Hitch' before going to bed.
The next day (the saturday) Karl left early to catch a train out to see his relatives. Kathryn and I went into the city and looked at a few sights. There was a museum with a great relief on the exterior wall (see pictures) and then we went to the library to see the amazing reading room. Whilst we were there we also saw a really interesting exhibition on the history of Melbourne. We met Liz, got some lunch and wandered along the river bank before going to an exhibition in one of the buildings on Federation Square about films and their sets. A large area was dedicated to the film 'Australia' which was really interesting. After that we headed back to Kathryn and Eric's and got ready to go to Phillip Island. Liz came too aswell as a couple of Eric's friends. It was a long drive (about 2 hours) and once we had bought tickets we went on the hunt for food. After a c ouple of failed attempts (driving to areas which looked really built up and turned out to be just houses!) we ended up in Cowes (Phillip Island is twinned with the Isle of Wight and has many of the same town names such as Ventnor and Newport). After the food we drove back to the Penguin Parade and the watched the fairy penguins coming in across the beach to their shelters in the dunes behind. It was amazing and really interesting to watch! For the first time since China however I had to dig my fleece out as it was rather chilly on the beach!!! After the long drive home I fell asleep straight away!
On the sunday Kathryn and I went into the city again to go to the Eureka Tower Viewing Platform after looking around the markets on the river side and the Laneways (much like The Lanes in Brighton). We also did 'The Edge' which is an area of the building which moves out and which is completely made of glass so the views are amazing but not one for the faint hearted or those suffering from vertigo!!! I have a photo but forgot to take a picture of it to put on facebook before sending home...so you will have to wait to see me to see it!!! After that we went to the Crown Casino where I was ID'd to get in to go on the slot machines!!!!!!!! We also went to the convention centre and saw some classic cars which were rather impressive!!!! After that we walked to the BP petrol station where the day before I had agreed to meet one of Dad's business contacts, Tony Crisafi. He and his wife and son met me to take me a picnic in the botanical gardens in Williamstown (a district of Melbourne - it's oldest in fact!). What they didn't tell me until we were almost there was that their family reunion was to be attended by 40 people!!!! In the past there have been 70! They were all really friendly and the food was amazing (traditional Italian - the family is Italian). Tony took me for a walk around Williamstown and then they took me to look around different areas in Melbourne including Lygon Street (the Italian street where we got a pizza!) and a suburb called Toorak where Harry Potter himself apparently has a home (average prices in that neighbourhood are $3 million!) After that we went back to the Crisafi's for a hot chocolate and a piece of traditional Italian birthday cake - lots of cream and profiteroles!!! Tony also showed me where I worked so I could tell my Dad! He dropped me back to Kathryn and Eric's in Heidleberg.
On Monday I was in the city really early to meet Liz at the Flinders Street Railway Station for the Neighbours Tour!!! The tour started at 8.30 and we were taken to the school that used to be used (not any more now that they charge!) as well as seeing other random areas of Melbourne that have been used including the studios (although we did not go in). When we arrived at the street they were filming so we had to be really quiet. We watched from the end while they were filming a scene involving Paul Robinson's arrest. Whilst waiting he actually waved at us which was rather exciting! We then met the actor who plays Lucas but at first I had no idea who he was as he wasn't in it when I left home in October. Once it was explained to me that he was also the original Darren Stark and had been in Heartbreak High as Rivers I was more impressed and had a picture with him as well as getting his autograph! I have since watched Neighbours while in OZ and saw him on it so it was worthwhile!!! After that we did the usual photos outside everyhouse and with the sign before heading back to the city (with a Neighbours DVD playing in the bus (there and back!) showing old clips. On the way it was Toadie and Dee's wedding. On the way back a celebration of the 1000th episode which was in the 80s!!! In the afternoon Liz and I wandered the streets of Melbourne for a while before I got the train and bus back to the Kathryn and Eric's where I got ready for the spectacle that was Neighbours Night!!! Sam's Uncle drove him over to drop his stuff off and then took us back into Melbourne where we met Liz and Kathryn and Eric and the tram stop to go into St Kilda. Karl met us there as his train back from his relatives got into the city a little later. We had a drink before going in and then we were sat at a table right by the bar. The stars we met were Karl Kennedy (of course!) and Steve and Miranda Parker who I must say both look a lot younger and attractive than on the show!!! There was a pub quiz (in which we came 4th!) before the meets and greets and then Karl's band played. After that we got the tram back.
Tuesday was a quiet day - our last day in Melbourne. I went to meet for Liz for breakfast. We did the circle tram which is free and got off at the Melbourne Museum which was really good (but had far too many stuffed animals for my liking!!!). I then caught the bus back to Kathryn and Eric's to sort out packing etc etc. We had spag bol for dinner and then watched some Harry Potter while Kathryn and Eric were out at Netball. We then had an early night as we had to be up at 4am to go to the airport. Kathryn and Eric were really kind and took us at such a ridiculous hour. We flew with Quantas to Sydney and then onto Christchurch. The flight was good and was nice to get food and comfy seats. At Sydney Airport we even saw an Airbus 380 which is HUGE!!! It really is incomprehendable!!!!
Australia has been amazing and we have been really fortunate to stay with and be shown around different areas by lots of people down the coast - so many thanks to: Rach & Jonny, Caitlin & Madonna (and the Locke family), John & Barbara (and Jasmine & Lewis), the Crisafi Family and Kathryn & Eric. You have all been so hospitable and I have had the most amazing time being shown around the areas you live in!!! xx
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