Well... Were we in for a treat today or what!! After a relaxed morning just pottering around, we headed to Isika Day Spa at the Crown Metropol (yes, still part of this huge complex we're staying in!! It really does have EVERYTHING!!) and we're treated to a relaxing massage - Mum 30 mins as she'd never had one before, and 60 minutes for me & Auntie Kath... although I didn't want it to end! It was HEAVEN!! We followed that with some girlie chat time over lunc...

It's dangerous having a shopping centre within your hotel complex!! Today started with Mum and I going for a little wander through the Crown complex (which consists of three hotels - the Crown Promenade where we're staying, the towers and the metropol, as well as a casino, shops, cinema.... to be honest, there I can't think of anything this place hasn't got!) After buying a couple of tops, we walked a little more and found ourselves on the promenade right besid...

Another day, another adventure! Today we decided to go to the opera, and saw Aida at the Arts Centre Melbourne. While going to the opera wouldn't usually be my "cup of tea", and it was in fact my first ever, the show really was spectacular (and it helped that we had absolutely brilliant seats! Thanks Auntie Kath!). We were lucky enough to catch the final performance in the afternoon matinee. On our return to the hotel we went in search of somewhere to have an e...

I love that around every corner in Melbourne there is something new to see and explore! Today started off with a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria (Shona, you will be very pleased we did this!) to see Monet's Garden: The Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris. Today was the first day it was showing, so of course we were one of the first there!!! Next stop was to make our way to Chadstone Mall, so after a little bit of a wait at the taxi stand we had our ride - C...

So we arrived in Melbourne, quickly found our ride to the hotel, where my lovely Auntie Kath and Uncle Pat were patiently waiting to greet us. After lots of big hugs we checked in and went up to our room on the 22nd floor of the Crown Promenade for a brief look around the room, before joining them again for a glass or two of champers. After a little "freshening up" we met Auntie Kath (or as her Great-niece Emma would call her, "Kat") in the lobby and went in se...