Melbourne

Well after spending only 1 day in Canberra.. Emily and I headed off to Melbourne!
First thing first... I was a little perplexed as to why people love the shopping so much??? I can understand if you have HEAPS of money and want designer clothes... but I realize Perth is great for shopping!
I LOVE the food and coffee the most!!!! an amazing array of cuisines and you ask for a long mac.... and guess what?????
you actually get one!!!!!! (not a long black with a dash of milk... c'mon Perth people... get it right)
Michael Dunjey.... you would love Melbourne!
We got there on a friday night and went to the hotel (right on Flinders street just near the station) and then took a walk over to crown casino and along the water!
on sat we spent the morning having prob the best breakfast I ever ate! then shopped around a bit. Loz and Brett came to pick us up and took us to their block about an hour away from the city. it was really nice to see the countryside of melb.
we then went to the docklands for a wine and nibbles and then back to their place in sandringham for dinner (and WAY too much wine!) we took a train back to the city and proceeded to drink more cocktails down in the hotel bar!!!
on sunday (feeling a little seedy!!) went to the victoria markets and spent the morning there. it was a big version of the freo markets... not my ideal.. but we had fun! we then caught up with some of emilys Manila friends for yum cha (again not my fav past time - well emilys either - but the conversation was great.. and great to hear some stories about Manila!) we then went on to Brunswick street for some shopping/eating/drinking coffee! I found dunjey some great shirts... he will love them!
we then went back to our hotel for room service (we got a $100 voucher with our room booking... so we used it on food and drink... we don't normally order room service!) and had an early night
we then got a phone call at 11.30pm saying that they had a noise compliant from our room! we were both asleep and really annoyed and he realized and was very apologetic. (I was still mad!)
the next morning (Monday) we headed off nice and early to Chapel Street. Again... good to see desinger clothes... but who can afford them?????? I found a tea house (now as you may know... I like tea. I like tea bag tea. Not loose leaves... I find them to strong.) BUT I tried some Chinese herbal tea and really loved it. It is not what I normally drink... but I bought some and am really enjoying it! Then we found a cool restaurant............

and I had Mexican and Emmy had a salad! Then we went on to the "outlets" which were pretty much non-existent on bridge road (sorry holly!) and so we headed back to the city to rest, change and head out again to Lygon Street.
we had the BEST italian meal there. This lady accosted us into her restaurant and said that her mum worked in the kitchen and if we went in we would have free wine and bread.... So we went in!
I had Lasagne and it was soooooo good. Just the right amount of meat and pasta. the wine was decent too (I thought it would be really bad cause it was free!!) emily had a creamy pasta and that was really good to. we then had Gelato (words can not describe how good it was!) and then headed home for well needed sleep!
On tuesday we went to breakfast with another of emilys work ppl from Manila. we then checked out of our hotel and stored our bags and off we went to tackle the city and china town one last time
we started by going for a hot chocolate at a place called max brennas... now I have heard about this place before and im not sure if I ordered incorrectly... but it was only ok for me!
we then headed off to china town to get some gifts and have some lunch. after lunch we heard of another choc cafe from loz and brett... so we thought we would try it (I thought that... emily hates chocolate and just wanted to know which one was better!!!!) so we went to Koko Black for a chocolate. we waited 15 mins just to get an order in (and it wasnt that busy) and then another 15 to get the drinks! Well let me tell you.... it was sooooooooo worth the wait! I dont think I have had a drink that I was so overwhelmed about! It was better than good! I mean... wow!!!!!! I said it was like drinking drops of heaven! even emily tasted it and said it was good! I wish there was one in Perth! Who wants to open one with me??????
hee hee
we then went to myer (I lost my foundation and we think it was knocked into the bin when the cleaners were cleaning our room... but if you know me... I cant go anywhere without foundation!) so we got some foundation (sold to me by a really good looking-very gay guy) and then headed to the airport to come back to Canberra!
will post more on Canberra soon
aimee
xxxxxx
ps... I miss Perth, hannah and all my friends and family!