Farewell to the Games – Melbourne’s atmosphere is addictive! There are so many different people from around the world supporting one another, chatting in the streets, and hanging out in pubs long into the early morning hours. One of my favorite parts about the Commonwealth Games was just seeing the sports enthusiasts that were dressed so extravagantly. There were wigs of every color and shape, painted faces, chests, and backs, flags hanging everywhere, and some people who wore nothing but flags! It was entertaining to just sit in the Federation Square and watch people drift by and wander around.
Aside from the spectacle of the Commonwealth Games, Melbourne offered much delight to the humble backpacker. Our hostel on Flinders Street (downtown) had trivia nights, movie nights and an occasional free shuttle to the beach. The city tram left from downtown and it was a quick, easy trip out to St.Kilda, the supposably hip suburb of greater Melbourne. I found parts of St.Kilda to be quite seedy, though the Esplanade was pretty to walk along. I even managed an early morning run on caffeine-fuled morning!
A Little Cosmopolitan – Coffee culture seems to be part of life here in cosmopolitan Melbourne. There are coffee shops along every street, many with sidewalk service, water for your thirsty pet, and comfy chairs that just beg a longer stay. I think I’ve mastered the epic list of coffee choices here in Oz. Though I miss my flavored coffee creamers, I have to say that chai lattes, flat whites and the occasional short espresso are addictive and tasty.
Melbourne reunion: meeting of the travelers
I finally met up with my some friends I met seven months ago in Asia. Ashley H. accompanied me on a few SCUBA dives in Koh Tao, and Gwenda was a fellow volunteer on Koh Phi Phi island. They were both staying in Melbourne, working full time to save money for further travels, and we caught up at a local pub one evening.
It’s amazing how people come and go in your life as a backpacker. You never know who you will run into and where in the world you will meet again. We will all be going our different ways shortly, but we hope to meet back up again in Brisbane in a few months.
And we’re off again.…..Tasmania is my next destination. I’ll be meeting Gwenda in Hobart for ten days of touring the beautiful island. I think we are planning on renting a small car and just driving around for the extent of our time in Tasmania. I’ve heard wonderful things about Tasy so I hope it meets my expectations. From there, I have no plans! Perhaps a trip up north is due. Backpackers do tend to chase the sun, don’t they?
