Melborneo

We've changed. Gone are the days of not really caring what your hostel bed looks like or who's in your room, eating from the not-so-clean plates and sleeping through noise. We are officially old. In fact, we had to go buy our own mugs yesterday for infection control purposes. I was even tempted to go and buy a packet of flashwipes, however perhaps that was taking it too far. I fear our hostelling days may be coming to an end! Noooooooooooo

Despite this however, Melbourne is fab. It's quite different to Sydney - definitely more multicultural and definitely colder! Lots of cool areas to explore here. St Kilda (where we're staying), Cartlon (which is near the uni and similar to Glasgow West End) Fitzroy and Chapel Street are places that we have on our to-do list. All can be explored on the free tram or bus which is pretty good.

Yesterday we made it round half the tourist bus route taking in where various things are for future trips to the city. Rod Laver Arena and MCG - check. Federation Square - check. Melbourne Museum - check. Docklands - check. We hopped off at Queen Victoria Market, an institution in Melbourne which had some very interesting items for sale! Food market is amazing. I know where I'll be going for my touristy t-shirts and an inflatable crocodile!

With a little help from our Lonely Planet friend, we found a cool bar for an aperatif - the roof terrace above Cookie which is also an open air cinema. Quite studenty but we could see why it was so popular, the views are great. Then onto a chinese 'Supper Inn' in China Town, tucked away down a dark alley which was extremely tasty and hugely popular. Yum Cha.

xx