1 Day in Melbourne

Well, I finally made it to melbourne - this is the first time I checked mail in a few days.  It was pouring when I arrived yesterday evening.

Was a shame I couldn't stay longer in sydney for the oz day celebrations with Mags and Noel and for the fact I didn't get to say a proper goodbye to them!  In the end the time is running out fast.  I drove the princes hwy down here - brautiful drive and stopped in a few beaches on the way - got scorched yesterday at one of them.  I have only today to check out all of melbourne and tomorrow I'm doing the great ocean road... supposed to be beautiful - 12 apostles etc. The day after I am heading to Hamilton in the grampians where I meet my mate Kylie whose parents live in the grampians.  The day after that I fly home with Kylie on the same flight ... sob .. sob.

I now realize that 4.5 weeks really isn't enough to see even a 1/4 of this country.  I wish I could have stayed longer :-(.  Ah well,  next time I'll just quit my job and come here for a proper stretch.

Anyway, from what I see of melbourne so far I really like it.  Alot of small streets with many dinky little coffee shops and a real chilled out retro feel about the place.  Heading down to st Kildas now after this journal entry.  Thats supposed to be a really cool place.

Had trouble getting accomodation as the tennis is on and town is packed.  Got a backpackers alright near the central station - it's more like a big shed with rooms separated by a cardboard wall.  Only solution is to have a dose of beers before heading back to sleep tonight.  There's supposed to be a good jazz and blues club between exhibition and russell st called the bennetts lane jazz club.  Might check this out later this 'avo.