Tuesday, April 28, 2009

melbourne

Finally decided to pen down words on Melbourne.

Plans had actually been in the books for over a month since early March, but week after week I was let down, till a point where I decided that I wouldn't be going anymore. From there I started to make plans for other things to do over that period. A few days before my leave was to start, prices for a return ticket plummeted to a low of $400, at this point, it was just, "let's go la." 2 days later, I was there at the airport, not for work, but on my way to Melbourne.

Right now, it's supposed to be Autumn in Melbourne, and boy was the weather so nice there. It's the biggest thing that is calling me back to Melbourne now. We rented a car there, and with the help of our friendly GPS, found our way to a hotel cum service apartment building. Went to a particular room, and dished out a rude awakening to the occupants, that was to be our abode for the next week.

I feel like I'm telling a story here. Anyway, the few places I went to was the Dandenong Ranges and Phillip Island. The rest of the time was mostly spent in the city with friends.

Sky High on Dandenong was the coldest place, coz we were quite high up, and it was really really windy and cold. The view compensated it all though. Overlooking the western part of Melbourne, I think, which was definitely like looking over the whole of Singapore and more. The journey there from 'home' was about a 45km drive, which took about 1.5hrs. From the top, you could see Melbourne Central, and 'home' was about 10km the other side of the city, so it was really like looking across Singapore. Look at how small we are.

Phillip Island was the most adrenaline pumping one, go-kart racing was awesome. Freaking cold though, going at almost 60kmh with your hands exposed to the cold. You can probably do that in Singapore too, but the experience should be very very different, climate and track.

The rest of the time was just hanging out with friends, like dinner and clubbing and drinking and visiting the casino. Activities at night are almost at a complete zero, so if not at any of the above you can really just go home and sleep man. Super boring. Seems to be the downside of the Australian nation, at least when I was there. Shan't mention the weather in summer or the water supplies and stuff like that that didn't really affect me.

Oh, I rented a car yeah, and I swear the driving there is wonderful! EVERYONE gives way, well almost everyone at least. Few people speed, and when you need to change lane, someone will definitely give way to you, sooner rather than later. Petrol is also cheaper there, and cars are a lot bigger there too.

Did I mention that drinking is so much cheaper there too! A bottle of wine cost like 3.99AUD at the cheapest. Probably taste like crap, but still cheap! Portions of food there, for whatever price, are large. Cheap drinks and lots of food, I could live there man.

I wanna go back. When I returned home, after stepping off the plane onto the aerobridge, I really wanted to get back on the plane and fly back there. It's the weather, it's the culture, so different. I may be going back again at the end of June, but still contemplating it. Have to decide soon though.

Oh and not forgetting to metion the number of people I didn't meet up with when I was there. For those that didn't know, please don't skin me alive if I go back.

Posted by charles at 9:37 AM