I had surprisingly enjoyed my time in Canberra and arrived in Melbourne in high spirits and luckily things were good to me that day I arrived back in what is now my second favourite city in the world. I didn't do too much on Monday because I really couldn't be arsed to so next day I saw it was cloudy out and not overly warm so I thought I shall go to the city I so enjoy.

I heard the motor show was on and made my first stop there and had a good look round the affordable cars from all different manufacturers to the elite of the Lamborghini's and Ferrari. After that I made my way along the south bank enjoying a look at the new side of Melbourne. All of what you see there is less than twenty years old as before it was all factories and industrial eyesores but now it's a vibrant cosmopolitan area full of Cafes and shops and one mammouth Casino complex all owned by Crown.

I then made way to the North side to find some lunch and a coffee before going up the Eureka tower which is the world's tallest residential building. Eighty-eight floors up you can get spectacular views of the city and I spent an hour or so up there just absorbing it all.

Next day I went on a tour to the Yarra Valley which is Victoria's prime wine region. I had chosen a wonderful day to do it too and as we visited four wineries and tasted as many as we could we also had time to take in the wonderful scenery and weather. On the tour I got talking to someone staying at the hostel and to my surprise found that she was only 18! I take my hat off to anyone that young travelling the world, I had planned to return to Melbourne to take in the parks so offered to show her the sights of Melbourne I knew the next day.

Today I met her in the city as I had some important washing to attend to before I would leave and as we met in Federation square we watched a rather comical street performer before heading around looking at various things. After lunch and more touring we split as she headed to the beach and I to the botanical gardens.

I really enjoy botanical gardens due to their seeming tranquility in the middle of a bustling city and a great way to relax. It's also nice to see families enjoying the weather and the surroundings together and I just wish we had places of beauty that as a family we could all pop to for the afternoon.

I'm now ready and prepared to leave Australia and head up to the northern hemisphere for the first time in 2008 and gradually get closer to home. Singapore here I come!