Day 168 (Thursday 22nd May 08)

Arrived in Darwin in the early hours of the morning. Very strict customs coming into Australia. You aren't allowed anything made of wood or any food. Luckily we managed to get through without any problems. Checked in for our flight to Melbourne and went through security. The guy stopped Mark and did a random explosives test, must have looked dodgy! Found it very weird while we were sitting waiting to board our flight, back in civilisation! Feeling like scruffs in our travelling clothes. Boarded the plane at about 2am, again not a bad flight but not much sleep. Arrived in Melbourne and it was 4 degrees! Very cold and as we were on a budget flight we didn't even get a terminal to wait for our bags in, it was outside for us! Found our way to where we could get a bus to our hostel and got dropped right outside. Checked in and took advantage of free wireless to check emails. Got a big shock finding out Hector had been put down. Em was devastated. After using Skype we then tried to get some sleep. Later we went out to find some food, Em looking like she had been punched in the face as her eyes were so swollen from crying. Got the tram into the city as we needed to start finding some clothes for work. Didn't get very far as Em wasn't really in the mood but she found a jumper. Got a subway and took it back with us on the tram for later at the hostel.

Day 169 (Friday 23rd May 08)

Nice to have a sleep in a bed and not trying to sleep on a plane. Got up and checked emails again, making the most of the free wireless. Em looking a mess still! Had a reply from someone at Jackson Apartments about looking at some fully furnished apartments so rang the guy and arranged to meet him. Walked to McDonalds to meet him stopping at Safeways on the way to get some food. He took us to 2 short-term lets that were fully furnished and we decided on the second of the two as it was nicer. We went back to the office with him and signed what we needed and paid. Another girl then took us back to go through the different things with us and we were left with the keys. Walked back to Acland Road and set up a bank account. Em then went for a much needed haircut. Afterwards stopped in Nandos for some food and walked back to the hostel.

Day 170 (Saturday 24th May 08)

Went out for some food and got a really good bacon and egg sandwich on the corner of our road! Crossed over to wait for the tram to take us into the city. A day of shopping looking for work clothes again. This time we went to the Direct Factory Outlet. Managed to get all of Mark's clothes but only got a pair of boots for Em! Walked around the city afterwards seeing how the city came to life on the weekends, lots of street entertainers and horses and carts everywhere. Managed to make it to the tourist information in Federation Square just before it closed and bought a month ticket on the public transport for us both as we will need it for work. Then got the tram back to as near our flat as possible. Noticed that we are definitely in the red light district! Ugly prosititues hanging around the corner opposite us. Left our clothes in the flat and walked back to the hostel stopping at the pub on the corner for food.

Day 171 (Sunday 25th May 08)

Up earlier today to get ready and check out. Walked with our bags to the flat and dumped them there. Went straight out to Aldi to buy food and cleaning products. Only took about 15 minutes to walk there but a lot longer to walk back as we had so much to carry and very heavy! Cleaned the flat, unpacked our backpacks and went to use the washing machines. Later out to find somewhere with wireless so we could use Skype, didn't have much luck and in the end had to settle for just outside a supermarket which was very noisy! Quite late by now so stopped for some food on the way back to the flat.

Day 172 (Monday 26th May 08)

Had a chilling out day today. Finished cleaning the flat and didn't go out until later as Em not feeling great, getting a cold as not used to these temperatures! Mark cooked his much awaited steak for lunch that we both enjoyed very much! Popped out down to Acland Street to sort out some more money for our Oz bank accounts and to see if we could get a Oz sim card from the post office, already closed so have to go back another day. Both tempted by the many cake shops in Acland Street so stopped for a really good cake! Walked to Inkerman Road and used the internet, then back to the flat to have a snack.

Day 173 (Tuesday 27th May 08)

Early start today as we wanted to get the bus that we would need to get to work to see if we would get there in time. Unfortunately it was pouring with rain so decided it would probably be better to go tomorrow as no umbrella yet. Watched TV until the rain stopped and then headed back into the city to hopefully finish off the shopping that we needed to do. Em got her clothes sorted which pleased Mark. But he had to stop her from buying too much as she was getting into buying new clothes. Also spotted some Ugg boots! Stopped for a sandwich and a smoothie and walked back to get the tram. Got off at Acland Road to go to the post office for a sim card then back to the flat. Our bank card had arrived which Mark was pleased about as it meant we had a letter to prove we lived at that address so we could go and get DVDs from the rental shop he had seen down the road.

Day 174 (Wednesday 28th May 08)

Another early morning again to try and catch the bus to work, luckily it wasn't raining this morning so worked out ok. Got off past our stop as we weren't really sure where we were but in the end found Specsavers so now know the way we need to go. Got a bus into the city and walked up to Federation Square to get the City Circle Tram around to see the sights. Found out that the first tram wasn't until 10am so had a look around the shops. On the first tram got to see lots of the city, lots of amazing buildings. Got off at a couple of the stops to have a look around. Tried to find some socks as we both need more but found this amazingly difficult! Had no luck at all. Headed back to catch the tram and booked the Neighbours tour for the following day on the way. Back to the flat to watch one of our films and then had to drop them back to the shop. Down to Acland Road to use the internet and then popped into Safeway, managed to find some socks in here! Back to the flat to have some soup and chill out!

Day 175 (Thursday 29th May 08)

Very early start this morning as had to be in the City by 8:30am to be ready for the neighbours tour. We were early for once so used the internet! Good tour but we didn't know much about what was going on in neighbours, especially compared to everyone else on the tour! Met one of the stars, Jamelle, for photos and autographs. Then onto see the outside sets they use. Weird seeing the different places as the school they use is actually a school for foreign students and the houses are actually where people live. Cold morning but good. Dropped back into the city and went to try and find where the old Lovells shop used to be in Bourke Street. Not too sure exactly where it was but very different to how it used to be, big office buildings now! Stopped at IGA and then got the tram back to near the flat. Had a sandwich and watched a film. Made some yummy food!

Day 176 (Friday 30th May 08)

Chilling out day today, watching a couple of DVDs and making spaghetti bologanise for lunch. Into the city to Starbucks as we thought we would be able to use free wireless for Skype but we were wrong so had to pop to the internet cafe across the road. Caught the tram back to the flat and made some food. Chilled out and watched a film.

Day 177 (Saturday 31st May 08)

Out for a walk down to along Fitzroy Street, saw lots of the weirdos that live around here! Then walked down to the beach and along the pier. Nice to see the sights in St Kilda. Nice sunny day with lots of people out and about. Good view across to the city from out on the pier and looking back at St Kilda. Carried on along the beach and then headed back towards Acland Street passing the Luna Park then back to the flat. Made some lunch and put did washing. Ironed clothes so we are ready to start work then watched a film. Walked along the the DVD rental shop and dropped the DVD back then went to use Skype to call home. Ended up getting a good pizza where we were using Skype as it was getting late and the smell of pizza was too tempting.

Day 178 (Sunday 1stJune 08)

We had a lazy day chilling out watching Prison Break 2. Later walked along to Aldi to do our food shopping for the week. Cooked some food when we got back and then started to worry that maybe we were meant to be at work tomorrow rather than starting on Tuesday as we hadn't heard anyone talking about the bank holiday. Decided to pop across to Base the ask the guy working there and he said that the bank holiday was next week not this week. We quickly checked our emails and it definitely said we would start on the 3rd June as the 2nd was a bank holiday, so not really sure what we should do. In the end decided that we would make sure we would be ready to get the bus and try calling Specsavers before we had to leave. Had a nice glass of wine infront of the TV.

Day 179 (Monday 2nd June 08)

Up and ready for work but couldn't get through to anyone at Specsavers before we had to leave to catch the bus. Nice friendly bus driver and we managed to get off at the right place. Just another short walk and we were at Specsavers. Don't think they were expecting us and later found out they weren't expecting us until the week after even though they had got confused with the dates but we still started. Once we had finished our day tried to find our way back to where we could get on the bus to take us back to St Kilda but we missed it! After walking around for ages after trying to find another way back we ended up having to get a taxi as there was no chance we were finding another way! Won't make that mistake again! Had something to eat and chilled out after our first day at work.

Day 180 (Tuesday 3rd June 08)

Another working day, this time made the bus there and back! At least now we know where we need to get the bus back from. Made something to eat when we got in and then went across to Base to check our email. As we were leaving saw a manky looking prositute in the pizza place where we were using the internet. Decided maybe he was a pimp, the guy that runs it! Back to the flat.

Day 181 - 183 (Wednesday 4th June 08 - Friday 6th June 08)

Back to working life!

Day 184 (Saturday 7th June 08)

Went into the city for shopping today! Mark wanted some jeans and we were both looking for a birthday present. First went to hopefully get the Ugg boots that Em was going to get from her Mum and Dad but when we got there they said they had sold the last pair yesterday. Em was really disappointed so ended up finding the internet and after a while of looking found a pair so ordered them! Carried on with our shopping looking around lots of shops. Also walked to where Lovells used to be in Melbourne and took some photos of how different it looks years on. Mark found some jeans and Em ended up buying another pair. In the end Mark bought Em the other pair of Uggs that she really wanted. After a lot more looking round shops and walking around the city we got the tram and walked back to the flat for some soup.

Day 185 (Sunday 8th June 08)

Had a lazy morning watching Prison Break 2. Made some lunch and then went down to Acland Street. Went to Coles to get our food shopping done and had a wander around Acland Street. Did our washing and popped out to use Skype later on.

Day 186 (Monday 9th June 08)

Stayed in the flat most of the day, tidying up and ironing. Watched more Prison Break! Popped across to Base to use the internet and then back to make flapjacks. Nice to have a long weekend and will be a short week at work!

Day 187 - 190 (Tuesday 10th June 08 - Friday 13th June 08)

Fun filled week at work. Once finished on friday caught the tram from Fitzory Street and went to find the hotel Mark had treated Em to for her birthday. Not far from where we got off the tram so checked in and we really pleased to be in luxury! Left our things in the room and went down to the restaurant for some food. Mark had a really tasty rack of lamb and Em a really good steak. After a bottle of wine headed back to our room to chill out in luxury!

Day 191 (Saturday 14th June 08) - Em's Birthday

Up early to make it down for breakfast which was really good. Em very pleased with her Uggs that she had choosen from Mark. The weather wasn't looking that great so after walking up to the top floor to see the view over Albert Park went back to the room and watched a really good film. As we had forgotten the camera we then took the tram back to our flat to pick it up. Mark then sneaked into the post office to buy and card and wedding magazine for Em which she was very pleased with! Back at the hotel chilled out whilst sorting out the laptop from when everything was lost earlier in the week when Mark was trying to load on his exam cd. Used Skype to call home then got ready to go and find somewhere for a meal. Got the tram to Federation Square then walked down to the river. Lots of restuarants to choose from and they all looked good so after walking all the way along and back found somewhere. Had a really good meal with lots of good food and very much enjoying the Alaskan crab leg! As by now it was late we decided to get a taxi back rather than the tram. Both had a really good day.

Day 192 (Sunday 15th June 08)

Down for breakfast again and very busy this morning so had to wait a while. Back to the room to collect our things together and checked out at about 12:30pm. Caught the tram back to Fitzory Street and walking back to the flat saw a couple of people who were obviously having problems from their heavy drug use that weekend! Straight out once we left our things in the flat and walked to Aldi to do our food shopping. It was then back to do the washing, ironing and some study!

Day 193 - 197 (Monday 16th June 08 - Friday 20th June 08)

Another week at work. After work on Friday stayed for the monthly BBQ, nice to have free food, drink and talk to some of the other people.

Day 198 (Saturday 21st June 08)

Up early to get to Fedex to pick up Em's boots. Then onto the Victoria Market to have a look around. Lots of nice things but we were good this time and didn't buy much. Found some good cheap fruit which was nice. Got the tram back into the city and saw that there was a protest going on. Decided we were going to go for a horse and carriage ride so after looking around at the different horses with their carriages picked on the guys and he took us out. Had a bit of a diversion because of the protest but went up to the park and then back to the city. Both really enjoyed it. Got the tram back to the flat, managed to get to Aldi before it shut and back to do some washing. Then across to use Skype at Base.

Day 199 (Sunday 22nd June 08)

Had a bit of a lazy morning and a look through some wedding magazines which was good! Studied in the afternoon.

Day 200 - 205 (Monday 23th June 08 - Friday 27th June 08)

Another fun week at work!

Day 206 (Saturday 28th June 08)

Went for a walk up to Carlise Street and Chapel Street. Ended up buying a few things and having a long walk around seeing more of St Kilda. Stopped at Aldi on the way back to do our food shopping and lugged the bags back to the flat. Managed to get a bit of study done and then popped out to use Skype. Had some soup and chilled out infront of the TV.

Day 207 (Sunday 29th June 08)

A nice lie in the morning, got a bit of study done. Then ventured out to Albert Park. Got a bit of a walk around the lake before it started to rain so headed back to the flat. More study, watched a film and had a yummy jacket potato.

Day 208 - 240 (Monday 30th June 08 - Friday 1st August 08)

Counting down the days until we leave work and are back on the road. Managed to book our flights home and cheap campervans for Oz and NZ.

Day 241 (Saturday 2nd August 08)

Up very early to go and rent a car for the day to go down to Phillip Island. Left with our car at about 9:30am the guy telling us we didn't need a map or anything as it was very simple to get there! Soon got lost and headed in the wrong direction for about an hour. Gave up and decided to go and ask in Hertz. Very nice english man who had been to Guernsey years ago, he gave us directions and a map that was in their lost and found. We were soon on our way again heading in the right direction. Stopped in a shopping mall for some water and a walk around. Ended up arriving in Phillip Island at about 1:30pm. Headed out to the far end of the island to The Nobbies, soon realising how big the island is. Had a look around and then went into the centre to buy our tickets for the Penguin Parade and find out what else there was to see. Bought the 3 parks pass which allowed us to see the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and the Penguin Parade. Had a go on the seal cameras which was really amazing. The cameras show live footage of the seals on Seal Rock about 1km from where we were. You can move the cameras around and zoom in and out, there were thousands of seals which was really interesting. Had a quick coffee and onto the Koala Conservation Centre. It was great to see the Koalas in their natural habitat, sleeping up in the trees. We were careful we didn't see any of the snakes that it warned you about as they don't have an anti-venom! It wasn't long before we then went onto Churchill Island as we were running out of time to get back to the Penguin Parade. After driving along a gravel path and then over a small bridge we were in Churchill Island. Drove over a cattle grid into a field with all of the highland cattle and then up to the house. We had a walk around seeing the different animals and the house that Churchill used to live in. Unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time as they closed at 4:30pm but we saw the cute baby goats and lambs. Then drove back onto Phillip Island and done to the Penguin Parade. Arrived at about 5pm and had a bit of a wait in the centre building before they let us walk down to the stands on the beach. Passed a lot of the penguin burrows and had to wait on the beach for about an hour in the cold and wet before it was dark enough for the penguins to start coming out of the sea and crossing the beach. It was magical to wait them come out of the water and cross the beach in huddles for security. After watching them here for a while we walked back up the path to see them waddling to their burrow which was amazing. Fascinating animals. Very enjoyable day, started our drive back to Melbourne. Stopped for some food on the way and at Coles to do some food shopping. Arrived back at about 10:30pm and went to drop of the car in the guy's lock up down the road. Dropped the keys through the whole in the shop door and walked quickly along Grey Street back to the flat.

Day 242 (Sunday 3rd August 08)

After our long day out yesterday had a lie in, chilled out and watched a film. Did some study and sorted things out a bit for when we leave. Went over to Base in the evening to use Skype.

Day 243 - 253 (Monday 4th August 08 - Thursday 14th August 08)

Not long left at work! Leaving work on Thursday was a really good feeling knowing we will be travelling again.

Day 254 (Friday 15th August 08)

Up early to get to the testing centre in the city for Mark's exam before 9am. After Mark finished his exam he was very pleased as he had passed so we stopped on Acland Road on the way home to get some cakes. Back at the flat finished drying the clothes and sorting out the stuff to go home in the post. Later on walked down to the post office to send a second parcel of things home so we can hopefully carry the rest to Sydney. Em then went and had a haircut deciding to have a change and go brunette which she is now not sure whether she likes it or not. Back to the flat to try and squeeze more stuff in our bags and tidy up!

Day 255 (Saturday 16th August 08)

Have to be checked out of the flat by midday so up early to have breakfast, clean, shower and make sure our towels etc are dry to somehow fit into our bags. Luckily we were ready waiting for Anne-Marie to come to check the flat over and give us our key deposits back. Not really sure how we have fit everything into our bags, well almost! Got our bags on our backs and walked down to leave the appartment block when we realised it was pouring down with rain. Didn't fancy struggling all the way to the tram stop with our heavy bags in the pouring rain so called for a taxi. Got dropped at the bus station and sat in the waiting area for a while. After a while of hanging around, sitting in the cold decided to try and squeeze as much of our stuff as possible into a locker and just carry the rest of the bags to find somewhere warmer to sit. Ended up spending the rest of the afternoon in Starbucks then going to Nandos for something to eat before getting our bags back and waiting for the bus. We were all on the bus ready to go and the bus driver couldn't get the bus started! Thought we were in for a long night at the bus station but luckily after calling an engineer out we were on our way only half an hour late. Very different bus journey's here compared to south-east asia! Good roads, safe driving and good updates from the driver. Got some sleep before we made our stop at about 12:30am. Just before we made our stop saw a massive submarine in the middle of this town. The driver said that the Australian Navy were giving out submarines so they cut it in half then trucked it up and placed it in the middle of this town. Very weird! Stretched our legs and got something to eat before we were on our way again.