One month on - Big, Fat and Juicy

We were unfortunately sad to have found out that the beautiful animal park, Healesville Sanctuary, and its area, that we’ve visited two weeks ago had been partially devastated by the recent bushfires. On that day we saw many exotic birds, koalas, kangaroos and even some platypuses.

Last Saturday, we went to the huge Telstra Dome to see the soccer final qualifier between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. Melbourne having already won the 1st leg by 2 goals, I’ve sadly lost interest after at the end of the 1st half, once Melbourne Victory had scored another 3 goals… But Rob was still cheering for our team, and getting pissed off with me spanking him with my big inflated hand. Final results Melbourne 4 - Adelaide 0. Go Melbourne! We’ve planned on going to the MGC to see some Aussie rules in March - Richmond Tiger vs. Carlton - can’t wait!

On the culinary side, what a feast! Meat and sea food are a lot cheaper than in the UK, and lot more tasty. We’ve became fan of tender kangaroo’s steak which taste a bit like horse steak, king prawns straight out from the local port, giant red peppers and the juiciest melon ever. I’m trying to be creative when cooking dinner and have already noticed the positive impact on our health (fitting again in my tight dress) and skin (feeling as soft as baby‘s bottom)- eat healthy - go cherry!

For the music fans, here are two great local bands to follow:
The Band Who Knew Too Much
The Big and Horny

And check out our latest pics on Picassa to find out how much we're having with the seashells.

Week 4 It's not all about love and fresh water

This week, I’d like to reassure everyone on the fact that we haven’t lived of love and fresh water all this time - it’s just that there’re far too many interesting refreshing places here, that it’s hard to know where to start.

So, starting from our street’s corner, “the Great Britain” is a very large pub with a delightful beer garden. No sofa or table matches the other, the deco and furniture must have come from your granny‘s lounge. The only place where you can ask for a pint of “piss”, they’re own brew - which tests rather nice. Uhmmmm… gooood pisssss.

Moving on in direction of the city centre, several other chill bars, with no pretension what’s so ever, all serving a range of Australian and Tasmanian beers with funny names like little creatures, blue tongue and boags.

One of your favourites is “the Corner”, a 2 storeys pub with roof terrace which accommodate the greatest rock gigs in Melbourne. Anything from local pop-rock bands to super star heavy - dead core - metal international bands (Bullet for my valentine, Alice in chains and NIN, etc…). Not surprisingly, after all, ACDC started in Melbourne. We still got to find a gig to go, but need to check the bands on YouTube first, cause I don’t know any of them from name.

In the city centre, where the space is very limited between all sky-scrappers, all good bars - from trendy cocktail bars to bohemian caves, are located in the alleyways - or laneways as they say here.

You’ll think I’m joking, I’m not. We’ve learn that if you’re looking for a cool bar, you should look in the most stingy laneway and behind the biggest smelliest bins. The “forgot its name”, a perfect example, was absolutely wicked. An outdoor dancing area with DJ had been improvised between 2 buildings. Packed with people jumping up and down at the rhythm of the music - trainers and comfy clothes strongly advise as you’re after all dancing between rubbishes piles, and god knows where the grey water under our feet was coming from.

"The Croft Institute” was the weirdest and most scary bar we’ve ever been to. At the end of a laneway of a laneway, that place is coming straight out from an horror film, looking like a deserted old hospital where experiments on children were taking place, including an old hospital bed in the ladies loo and hundreds of test-tubes on the wall. The bar-man, that you should call the doctor, is serving bloody scary cocktails. Apparently it’s packed over the weekend, but was empty when we were there. I would never walk into that bar alone, unless caring an axe with me.

North of the centre, within Carlton and Fitzroy areas, Brunswick Street is the most bars per streets populated area. More jazzy, arty, bohemian types, we’re going back there tonight to see a rock (classic 50’s) band.

In conclusion, there’s definitely a different drinking culture here. No binge drinking, seating at the same table for hours is allowed, as those bars are so fascinating that you want to see as many of them as possible when out. Pub crawl - hourray! But most importantly - you need a map with you, cause otherwise, you can never (re)find those bars.

Next Saturday, the 14th Feb, we’re going to see a soccer game at the massive Telstra Dome… uhm.. Wonder whose happy St Valentine day it’ll be.

Week 3 is bra less week

Beginning of our 3rd week (the wi-fi café manager is my new best friend and has my usual table and morning coffee ready for me every day at 9am), we enjoyed a 3 days long weekend for Australian Day.

Chilling Saturday night on the lawn of the Royal Botanic Garden, with the pic-nic, where we saw Baz’s Australia latest film… When the film began, a group of large birds started to circulate above our heads… They were very BIG birds.. Oh no… They were no birds… but BATS!

Spent Sunday on Brighton beach, south east of Melbourne beach, miles of clear water and fine sand with view of the city. I’m learning to walk with my first ever pair of flip-flops - it’s difficult - will give it another try before switching back to trainers. 3 hours and 4 swims later (once with black swans next to me), we were forced to head back home when realising that both our body had became as red as they could be - ouchhhhh…. And yes, got some serious sun stroke feelings in the evening, forcing me to sleep on the only parts of my body which was not hurting me, the tip of my nipples and my two thumbs.

Monday was a day of pure patriotism. The Aussie flags were flying high in the sky, the army band marching down the main streets, the jet planes circulating above us, and Rob was simply jealous of my newly purchased Australian cap which may me looked like a native already.
Tuesday morning, preparing myself for a temping job interview in town, I realised that I was so sun burnt that I could not wear a bra… oh bollocks! Bra-less I went - don’t think they’ve noticed )) And worst, it looks like I’ll be bra-less for few days according to the doctor at the chemist. Note to myself - must get a “protection 60” sun cream for our next trip to the beach.

The temperatures are still raising, up to 41 degrees this week - a record for the season since 100 years according to the national news.

Week 2 - The Good, the Bad and the Weird

1st day in aussie land, 27 hrs of travel, 48 hrs without sleep and 5 plane meals, we safely arrived to Melbourne on the hottest day of the year so far - 38 degrees (been hotter since). Without any rest, we went on a hunt for a flat and found one after almost passing out on the street, due to exhaustion and over-heating.

Efficiency “a la australienne”, it was easy to open a bank account and move into new home the following day. Allowing ourselves some rest, we headed straight to St Kilda beach where the water is warm, the sand burning hot and the beer very refreshing - few words came to mind: “ah ah ah sucker!”

Took few days off to explore the town and its beautiful areas, including the Royal Botanic Garden, Albert Park and Lake, the whole east corner, the city centre and some of the north. Including some of the weirdest and eclectic bars on earth.

Met up with my old good (tall) friend Suzie for few days while Rob started working on Monday. Having not yet internet at home, I’m using the café on the corner for their free wi-fi while job hunting intensively till the weekend.

Some new things to get used to: the f***ing heat, the 3 mins shower rules and water restriction, the buildings looking completely different next to each other, the insects (been told to use some products to protect the front of the flat and windows against unwanted crawling guests) and finally the traffic

The best bits: Kangaroo steak, orange juices, the space, the green spaces, the tan on my body, the polite and friendly Aussies, sports facilities are so so so amazing (note to myself: got to get fit again), the birds, the colourful flowers, the clean streets… and yes, the Australian beers!

The bad things: uhm.. Let me think… nope.. Can’t think of any!.. Of yes… We still haven’t learnt how to surf properly, but after all, we’ve only been there for 8 days! Rob will have to go first, just in case of potential shark attacks.

Where we live: got a small but nice, modern and clean fully furnished flat (enough kitchenware to open my own restaurant or bakery) - guests will have to bring their mattress to stay in the lounge unfortunately as the sofa is not futon. In a tiny quiet street, at 3 mins walk from East Richmond Station and walking distance from everything, including Olympic centre, city and commercial streets (even got a French patisserie near by). It’s the type of flat called “Californian style” - ground floor of a little complex, with our own private mini court.

G’day mates… and no worries.

Week 1 - The Beginning

27 hours later... too tired to write but this is where it all started for Mr & Mrs Whitehorn.