Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hey All.... wow, feels like forever since I wrote one of these entries so hope I am still interesting, informative and occassionally humerous...
So, after one last big old sesh in Sydney the night before the big off we set off for Melbourne feeling slightly hungover and pretty emotional about leaving our lovely home and Bondi buddies. Luckily we had a speedy trip there however on a bargain flight and arrived in just over an hour - hurrah - beats a 12 hour coach trip any day. Now it was proper back to basics with our first dorm experience. Upon entering our 8 bed room we felt like we had been hit in the face with a BO soaked cheese bat due to the dude festering on the bunk above Grant - lovely. Ah well, lets explore we thought and set off for a wander round St Kilda, the trendy beachside area of Melbourne we were staying in. However with the temperature pushing 40 degrees - prob the hottest we have had since being away - we decided sightseeing would have to wait. Just then, as if the call came directly from heaven itself, my T-Wells buds Bry and Vic called to say we should come visit them at their campsite just outside the city... complete with swimming pool!! Now this possibly being the best news we had ever heard, we ran onto the nearest tram busting with excitement about the swimming pool joy. However, after travelling for 40 minutes the tram terminated and we looked around to find ourselves in complete suburbia and "as far away from your intended destination as you could probably be" was I think how the tram dude worded it. Worst news ever. Well, after another 3 hours of tramming, bussing and eventually jumping in a taxi we finally arrived at nearly 6pm and decided after a quick dip in the pool that probably the best thing to do was just get drunk - excellent decision. Needless to say, after firing up the barbie, the goon did floweth and we sat around being entertained by Bry's tales of menfolk on her trip so far, including a certain experience involving the England cricket team - great story!!
Next day we carefully studied the tram map before jumping on and heading for the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground for those of you like me who didn't know about this being like the most famous sacred bit of grass in Australia ever or something). We took a tour of the grounds, given by a 90 year old volunteer guide called Bruce who was full of facts and probably helped build the place with his own bare hands - legend. It is absolutely massive and we got taken round all the 'backstage' type areas (man, I'm really not down with all this sports speak but you know what I mean) like the practice nets, lounges and media centres etc. Ah, Grant has just told me to say that while on this tour he spotted some dude called David O'Leary who is apparently some kind of famous football manager guy - obv means nothing to me but Grant was very excited so I assume any footy people out there will appreciate this.
Well, how could we possibly top this famous sighting we thought.... well, by going to the 'Neighbours Night' of course. This is basically a weekly thing in Melbourne where some of the cast members from that famous show come to a pub and meet English backpackers in a kind of 18-30's holiday type atmosphere. Now, this being advertised as the cheesiest night ever we arrived stylishly late and hung back putting out the vibe, however before long found ourselves barging for the best spot to catch a glimpse of our 'heroes'. I was praying that Harold and Lou would grace us with their historical Neighbours presence but after a 2 hour build up we were greeted with the sight of 2 pretty young people I had never seen in my life (Janelle and Boyd for those who are in the know). However, all was well again when the awesome legend that is Toady stepped into the spotlight - hurrah!! Muchos drinking followed as we had photos with the 'stars' and mingled with fellow 'fans'. I think I may have offended the Janelle bird at one point when she came over and asked if I wanted a photo with her but me not knowing her from adam said 'nah, you're alright love'! The best was yet to come however with Dr Karl Kennedy stepping onto the stage with his band The Waiting Room and bringing down the house with a great rendition of 'Who the F*ck is Susan' among other classics - what a legend.
A wander round Melbourne city centre was on the list the next day, taking in the sights of Federation Square, the river, Queen Victoria Market and Carlton park. We next headed over to Fitzroy, the trendy bohemian district full of hippies and lesbians, well that was just our table at a bar we went to but am thinking that was fairly representative - brilliant.
Now while all this culture and sightseeing was fab, we did have one last thing to tick of our Melbourne list and that was a trip to a certain Pin Oak Court, or Ramsey Street as you might know it better. So, jumping on the Neighbours fun bus like a load of specials we headed off in search of the little street in the middle of suburbian Melbourne. We first visited 'Erinsborough High' or an English language school for foreign kids who have never heard of or seen Neighbours, then some parts of the set at the Grundy studios, then finally the tiny little cul-de-sac itself. Now it really is mini and only has 6 houses in the street but standing outside them is kinda wierd and I kept getting flashbacks of all the times you have seen it on TV, like those really old credits where they are playing cricket in the street and Paul Robinson hits the ball through the window etc! Muchos photos were taken then we jumped back on the bus to head over to meet Dr Karl in St Kilda where we had more pics taken and even got an autograph - how lucky are we?!! Needless to say Grant could barely contain his excitement.
Next day it was time to leave Melbourne behind and we set off to get our hire car. Within 10 seconds of pulling out of the hire car place we came the first junction and I screeched 'GRAAAANNNTTT' as we nearly got smashed in the side by some moustached Aussie dude in a Ute. Hearts beating like mad we changed our pants, gathered our composure and headed off on our road trip to Phillip Island, down the Great Ocean Road and on to Adelaide...
Linz x
- comments