>This weekend sees Mardi Gras descend on Sydney in all its camp out-there glory, with the parade happening on Saturday afternoon. No sooner do two Queens depart several thousands take their place ;p I hadn’t intended to go hence my being in Melbourne with plans to travel on to Adelaide, but I met two girls (twins no less) at the hostel. They were staying in my dorm and yesterday we went to Melbourne Zoo (which was pointless…cost $22 for 1.5 hours of not a lot – but i have a few photos of kangaroos and sleeping koala’s). Anyway, they are headed up to Sydney this morning for 4 nights before heading on to Cairns. I’ve also received many messages saying I’d be a fool to miss out on the party atmosphere, which is quite heavily family orientated too, so I am taking 3 days out to return to Sydney before travelling on to Adelaide probably Monday (Mum/Dad…I paid for the flight on Visa…deduct from one of my accounts as appropriate pleeease. thank you).

Detour aside, I went for dinner yesterday evening with one of the twins (the other was tired and apparently is a fussy eater so it was just the two of us – sounds like my sister on holidays :p). The bill came to $70 for the two, not bad given we had 3 glasses of wine each in that (might as well have bought the bottle hehe). Emma (the twin I had dinner with) is travelling for 4 months of so, including NZ, so there is a possibility that we might meet up along the way. Her sister, Julie, is only here for 2 weeks before returning to the dreary UK – just as well as she is not partial to hostel living and ‘exotic’ cuisine – which apparently includes pasta dishes lol. Never mind.

What else have I done? I’ve not done any swimming since being here. I don’t know where there is a pool near by. Took a walk to the QVB market yesterday morning before going to the Zoo (afforementioned) and. The day before I spent 2 hours walking around the National Gallery of Victoria. I find myself visiting all these galleries (I did in Sevilla, Paris and Sydney) but find myself wandering aimlessly, never knowing how long to pause at any one painting/photograph long enough to appreciate its qualities. Not being a huge art fan my visits of art galleries turn out to be more like supert-market dashes. I have some photos of a picasso and I think Rothko…although I may be wrong on the latter. I just wish I could find a place to upload these photos (but Gill, you will be disappointed. I am no more bronzed than before).

This is all for now. I will see if I can upload some photo’s when I am back in Sydney – I know a place where it is possible…and free.

>Twelve and a half hours later. Yes, that’s right. TWELVE AND A HALF HOURS LATER, one stiff neck, arched back, cramped legs, a bus driver less a few screws later (not that I’m sure he had them before), I have arrived in Melbourne courtesy of the overnight service provided by Grey Hound, from Sydney.

First impressions…well, for a start it rained this morning so things are a little damp (that is not to say I got wet, but the ground is). The sky is alive with threatening clouds with whispers of blue being strangled as it fights to break through. I’m staying at the Urban Central hostel for 7 nights. The Grand Prix comes to Melbourne in 3 weeks or so, so I’ll be looking to leave before then, Adelaide being the most likely destination. I may or may not drive the Great Ocean Road, it depends on the cost of hiring a car and leaving it in Adelaide. I seem well placed to price car rental where my hostel is based. Right now I am just killing time until I can check-in at 2pm. I have left my backpack in the hostel storage whilst I wile away the hours exploring the streets. Found an internet cafe where you can organise Neighbours tours, with internet access costing $4/hour….in Sydney I was paying between $1.80/hour and $2.50/hour. To think I thought Melbourne would be cheaper. Think I need to shop around some more…I could have sworn at the hostel I heard someone say it was $8/hour, but that could have been them enquiring for two people?

>On three occassions I have left my keys in my room whilst I have used the facilities in an ajoining room, and three times I was fortunate there was someone in the room to let me back in. But this afternoon, finally, it happened. I got in the shower then realised I’d left my bloody keys on my bed. I hoped that someone would have been back at the room by the time I had finished with the 3S’s alas it wasn’t to be. Towel clad and toiletries in hand I had to go to reception to get a spare key. As I walked to the lift I was hoping it would be empty. Not to be. There was a guy there looking somewhat suprised by my attaire (or lack of). I said jokingly I was on my way to a beach party (it was advertised in the lift) before admitting to locking myself out. If that wasn’t bad enough…when I reached the ground floor there were half a dozen or so people waiting to get in. One girl turned to another and asked if I had just got out of the shower? Very observant of her I must say. I then had to walk through the common room (passed more wandering eyes) to reception upon where I was greeted with “locked yourself out?”. I was so embarrassed I wasn’t quick enough with a come back so just said yes, asked for the key and sheepishly made my way back through the common room, avoiding the lift this time and used the stairs…to be greeted by some bloke asking if I was going to the beach party!! Doh

>This is becoming less a travel log and more a personal views blog . God help if I get a job. Could you imagine the content? p

Saw another movie yesterday afternoon at the Dendy Cinema, Circular Quay (a whole $1.50 cheaper than greater union on Geroge street, at $14 a show). The film, Perfume: The story of a murderer, based on the novel of the same name by Patrik Suskind, follows the tale of a frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, as he seeks to capture and preserve scent. Wikipedia has a fuller synopsis of the movie. Worth a watch, more so than Apocolypto (or what ever that other movie I saw was called).

Just back from another 8 lengths of the local pool. It’s barely 2:24pm and already I am tired. All this swimming seems to do nothing for my stamina, and leaves me feeling a little worse than before I start. Remind me why people exercise again??

And to add to something I missed off my “what I miss” list…..my car!! I’ve only seen one Hyundai Coupe (Tiburon here). Is it being used? I expect at least 5k miles on the clock before I return (preferrably miles not driven by my dear sister, not that I’m saying she can’t drive…she can…just not my car ;p) Names of cars lead me on to something else too. How much do car companies spend on rebranding bloody cars? Vauxhall here are known as Holden, and many of the other cars, manufacturer name aside, have different model names too. I’m sure there are cost savings in sticking to one name for a model globaly? No doubt they argue that some names can cause offence or do not market so well in some countries. You’re losing money faster than you can sell units. Talk to the hand because I’m sick of listening to down beat profit warnings and boo ha about trading forecasts and losses, especially when there are obvious savings!

I have been thinking about purchasing a laptop here too. Found a great place near China town, at the upper end of George Street, by Capital Square. On the first floor there are around 10 shops or so that sell computers/laptops and all manner of hardware. They didn’t have much that I liked but (as I’m more style than substance as many of you surely know) I have seen a laptop (dual core running Vista) in Sony Central for AUD$1300. Reasons on a postcard/via email as to why I ought not to buy it :p

>I’ve been thinking recently what I miss about the UK. Besides the family (that goes without saying!), I miss the things I have come to take for granted.

For first world country that can be considered “western” there are several niggly things that to me make this place second rate to somewhere like the UK. Banks. There are tens of different banks dotted around the city yet you have to be careful which ATM you use else you’ll be charged. How arcane is that having to pay to withdraw your own money!! I think I recall being told when I picked up my account stuff from the bank that they even charge to deposit money. I mean. They hold my money, which they themselves invest and loan out to make a profit, and then have the cheek to ask me to pay to use it!

Then there are shops. Everywhere are signs stating you may be asked to have your bags searched before leaving the store – in some places you have to leave your bag behind a counter. There seems to be an assumption here that everyone is a thief. I guess we didn’t export the UK criminal justice system here along with the convicts all those years ago. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? suspicion beyond a reasonal doubt?

One thing I don’t miss is the weather! Except today. It was like being in the UK. I regret not packing my umbrella now. I have enough of them at home! Looks like I’ll have to buy another. This morning I awoke to torential rain. Then it eased. Great, I thought, I’ll go take a walk to China town. When I left the shopping centre it was throwing down again! Not happy. I sit here writing this a little on the damp side. Never mind. At least it’s warm.

Finally, thanks Gill for the comments. I’d respond in person but I’ve forgotten the email address (which I thought I’d remembered). It would appear kelly is becoming an international vagabond too, but with a purpose….to study (with the exception of the skiing trip!). Good to hear the family are well.