Thursday 1st May
Got off the plane in Melbourne at around 9.30. Apparently there had been a drought there, however it didn't look terribly dry to me. It was cold and wet! After dropping our gear off to
Oasis YHA we wandered down to a local cafe (in Errol St) - Errol's Cafe - great service, yummy food. We spent the rest of the day looking around the CBD. Melbourne CBD is set out in a grid with these cute little alley ways full of surprises. My favourite alley was one filled with tiny healthy food cafes. We bought some lentil and vege soup from a cafe come kitchen that had large urns of different delicious soups. It was the perfect meal on such a chilly day.
Friday 2nd May
Friday we hired a couple of bikes and took in sights around the perimeter of the CBD. Dockside, Southbank, MCG, a hundred different sculptures.
The Saxophonist in the tunnel on Southbank
At around 1.00pm dark clouds rolled across the sky, the heavens opened and it poured thundered and hailed. As Cindy and I huddled under shelter we amused ourselves watching people dodge the giant puddles that formed.
We spent the evening at Dracula's, a cabaret style dinner. A bit of fun. Some pretty good skits. And the evening finished with a bit of a boogie on the stage / dance floor.
Saturday 3rd May
Today was the highlight of my trip. We were out the door at 8.00am.
Down to Errol's for fruit salad, a croissant and a hot chocolate then off on our bikes for a trek along the Merri Creek. Actually after yesterday's bike ride my bum was 
feeling somewhat tender. Along the Merri we came across Ceres. This was an organic food research place that sold yummy wholesome food and a composting toilet also known as a long drop. I thought it was slightly nicer than a long drop as you couldn't smell nor could you see what had fallen down the hole (like some long drop loos I'd seen). When the trail along the Merri ended we biked through
the suburbs. Some of the old homes were amazing - so grand, stately. The call of Ceres long drop took us away from this detour. And after the long drop stop we biked back down the Merri to the Yarra River to where it met Victoria St and then back to the YHA. I found the biking exhilarating and so much fun - hooning down the hills and skiddies in the grass.
The evening was spent exploring Melbourne's night life. Silk Road is worth having a look at. Its a bar with murals on the ceiling, chandaliers as big as cars and floors so shiny you nearly see up the trouser legs of the men and up the dresses of the ladies.
The casino was unreal. First time in a casino - blew me away the amount of money literally thrown away. I suspect some of it was in fact drug money. A chance to clean it, to turn it into legal money. Every hour outside the casino there was a display of giant fire balls. It was one of those ooh aah moments. Especially when a seagull flew over one of the fire ball chimneys at the most inopportune moment, and got engulfed by a fire ball - ouila - charcoal chicken!
Finding somewhere to dance was a little challenging. The clubs were mostly for the younger people. And as we were just about to join the queue for one of these clubs a very kindly person suggested that we try somewhere more grown up. Finally about 1.00am we found a club and managed to get a couple of hours of dancing in.
Sunday 4th May
Somewhat jaded from the night before we did the morning ritual of breakfast at Errol's. Then with all day tram passes we headed into the city. There was a fantastic market on Southbank. It was filled with locally made craft. My favourite stall was selling hand spun wool - angora bunny wool, bamboo, merino, silk - and the most gorgeous woman with a passion for all things fibre to sell my yarn.
Back on to the tram, down to St Kilda's beach to another market. I was kind of marketed out so enjoyed this a little less. The salad from the Irish pub was very welcome as were the over friendly patrons who took a shine to my gorgeous friend.
Monday 5th May
I missed my family terribly and whilst I was grateful to have a wonderful weekend away - I was so happy to see my girls and Shane again. On the way to the airport Shane asked the girls if the brought tissues suspecting I may have tears on my return - and I didn't disappoint them - It was just so wonderful to be with them again.
A special mention - I loved this drumming man.....
The view from our bedroom window
