Melbourne-a fleeting visit, bye bye Oz!!

The 23rd of July I landed in Melbourne airport after a three hour overnight flight from Perth. I arrived at about 6.30 am and my international flight home was at 21:30 that night. I decided I had to see Melbourne as I didn't know when or if ever I'd be back in Australia again. I left my backpack into the airport's storage area! God that red osprey bag with the mayo head band hanging off it has done some amount of travelling.
I hopped on the sky bus outside the airport and the fare was 30 usd return. It was a freezing cold July morning but I said I'd make the most of it. As soon as I got off the bus I found an information centre. I told him my story, it basically being that I had a few hours to kill in Melbourne and what did he think was the best way for me to spend my time. He recommended a few things such as Eureka Skydeck 88, St. Kilda, Chocolait cafe and Bourke Street for shopping. With my little map I began to make my way through the streets of Melbourne. This was the first time throughout my travels I was really and truly on my own. It was quite a strange feeling. I have a good few friends in Melbourne but unfortunately with them working and my limited time in the city I was not able to meet them. Also due to the weather I had to give St. Kilda a miss.

H&M Bourke Street

Eureka Sydeck 88

Melbourne has somewhat of a European feel to it. I must state that the only parts of Europe I have seen outside Ireland and the UK are Amsterdam and Paris however this is the feeling I got from the place. I felt like I was in a city 2-3 hours from home not a whole 24 hours away. The first thing I did was sit into a cafe for a cup of tea. I was perished!!!! I even had a second cup!
As I was leaving Oz sooner than expected I said I'd better not go home empty handed so I went to Australia's only H&M store on Bourke Street. I had heard before I went to Australia that the clothes out there weren't great. I have to say I now believe this to be a bit of a myth. I saw lovely bits whilst out there and the Australians would beat the Americans in the style stakes any day!!
Being the typical tourist I took a stroll over Queen's Bridge and headed on to the monstrosity of a building that is Eureka Sydeck 88. It is the southern hemisphere's highest viewing platform. The admission fee is 19.50 aud. I spent a good while up here. The views are fantastic and I did have to charge my phone!!
When I was in Australia I developed a real sweet tooth (the probable cause of the 4kg weight gain) and as recommended by the nice man in the information centre, I visited the Chocolait Cafe in the Hub Arcade on Little Collins Street. It was hands down the nicest cup of hot chocolate I have ever had and is a must for anyone visiting Melbourne.
After this I decided to head back to the airport. As I said in my first travel post I do love airports!! On the way to the bus station I passed a little church on my left hand side. Allan, the relative who wasn't well in England had sadly passed whilst I was in Perth. I said I'd go in and light a candle for him. I walked in in the middle of mass. There was an Irish priest saying it. I suppose it did me no harm to stay.
After the quick mass I arrived back in Melbourne airport, picked up my trusty red osprey bag and went through security. I sat there eating chips (my favourite) and reflecting on the past 7 months. The ups and the downs, the highs and the lows, the friends that I made, would I ever see them again?! The future is obviously uncertain but one thing I do know is that travelling is one of the best things I've ever done. It's opened my mind completely and has changed my outlook on a lot of things. I would advise anyone to do it, even if you headed off for 2 or 3 months you won't regret it.
It was time for me to depart Australia. I was now set to embark on my 24 hour journey via Dubai and London. That day I left a lot of special people behind me in Oz. Luckily for me though I have plenty of folk I am fond of on this side of the world too. Ireland, it's good to be back!!

xoxo