my 2 weeks in melbourne

It was so great to have time to catch up with my good friend Sosan and spend time with her and her baby, Aria, as well as Matt and their dog Prima! Originally, I was planning to stay for a week or so but ended up extending my stay for 2 weeks just so I could spend some more time with Sosan and Aria!

Unfortunately I didn't take as many photo as I would like to because my little camera was dropped on the lens in April so the camera doesn't focus well on scenic photos :( so a lot of the photos that I took while I was out and about in Melbourne are out of focus, which really sucks because I just got the camera before coming to Oz! However, I was able to get a few shots one night with my SLR... you'll see the difference haha.

Anyways, my first weekend in Melbourne, we went out for some shopping at Chapel Street and it was a really nice and sunny day. There are so many great boutiques and unique shops along this street.. you could probably spend a day here just going through all the shops. Then they got Matt's mom to babysit Aria and we went out into the city for a few drinks. We were all wanting something casual but then it turned out to be a really fun night! W cruised around the city for a bit trying to decide where to go and to find some parking and then we decided to start with a couple drinks at Transport at Federation Square.

Federation Square - Meeting Place

Night out with Matt and Sosan

Then walked along the Yarra River over to the Crown Casino (www.crowncasino.com.au) to check out some places there. The Crown Casino is huge, with high end shopping, restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs and of course a big casino, all under one roof! It's a pretty nice place for some night life and we went into a bar called The Pub and they played pretty good music and we just had a few more drinks and danced and had a good time!

For most of the 2 weeks I was there, the weather wasn't the greatest. It was cloudy, rainy and cold! But we still made an effort to go out into the city a few days during the week.

I loved the little alleys and streets filled with cafes and restaurants and there are so many of them throughout the city. The public transportation system was great too. It was so easy and efficient to get around everywhere. We went to Melbourne Central for some shopping. Another day we went to the Queen Victoria Markets for some cheap purchases and then we went to the Docklands as well for a bit of outlet shopping.

One of the little alley ways with cool cafes and restaurants

Melbourne Library - didn't get a chance to go in to have a look though

Melbourne Central

Queen Victoria Markets

For the rest of the days we didn't go to the city, we just relaxed and chilled at their home when it was really rainy, or else we would have a browse around nearby neighbourhoods. It was nice just to be around a familiar face and catch up. I could have went out for some exploring on my own, which I had planned to but the weather was pretty miserable during the time I was there, so I was happy to just relax with them. And also, it was a nice break from the quietness of Old Bar! I did get a chance to do a day trip tour to Phillip Island to see the famous Penguin Parade (I'll put that in a post on it's own).

Cute little Aria and Prima

A treat that Sos and I had while out for a coffee

Matt and Sosan got me into watching Masterchef and now I'm hooked on it. My last weekend in Melbourne we went out for Matt's brother-in-law's birthday. Went to the Crown Casino again but this time we went to a club. The music was just alright, nice club but I don't think we had as much fun as the weekend before. They took me to an AFL (Australian Football League) game, which is really big in Melbourne. It's a pretty easy game to pick up and like - a bit different to Rugby. Had some Italian food at Lygon Street after the game for my last dinner with them and then dropped me off at the airport!

Another night out at the Crown Casino - Fusion Nightclub with Matt's sister, Beck and bro-in-law, Daniel

At the AFL game at Etihad Stadium

I had a really nice time in Melbourne, and I will definitely have to go back again when the weather is nicer and perhaps to go see the horse races where we get a chance to get all dressed up and wear those cool hats! I also want to go back to do the Great Ocean Road trip.

Federation Square

One of the skylines along the Yarra River