Today was my first day off in a week, and I was not about to pass up a sunny day, an early breakfast and a chance to explore the city. After getting up at 10am I headed out for my first Jasper breakfast in over a week. I then headed down Elizabeth Street once again.

Passing a barber shop about half way down, I decided it was finally time to grab a hair cut out here. I headed in and the results are available for the world to see in todays photo album. Pleased with the results I continued on my original journey, to head to an Optus shop and sort out some mobile phone issues.

Before leaving the UK I removed the SIM card from my old iPhone 3G and formatted it ready to use as a test and backup phone whilst I am out here in Melbourne. However, without checking, I brought it out and discovered that I could not test without a SIM card in. In order to get a UK SIM back into the phone, I needed to buy a Micro-SIM adapter - and upon advisement from Optus I set out for China Town.

China Town is in the North East of Melbourne CBD, and presented a perfect excuse to go and explore an unexplored part of the city. After taking a look at the map, I decided I would extend the journey out into Carlton and visit the Royal Exhibition Gardens.

I had a great 3 hour walk through the city and Carlton, snapping photos as I went. This really is the part I love about being out here, exploring. I see a street I havent been down and instantly want to head down it just to see where it goes and whats at the end of it.

It is exactly a month since I landed in Melbourne, and it has definitely not lost any of its charm on me. Any time I get to explore a new area I treasure it and cant help but stop every 5 seconds to snap a new photo and take in the atmosphere of the area. After visiting Carlton I headed back to the Hostel.

This weekend is my birthday and I will be 25. For my 25th, Tom and Jill are taking my out for my favourite food - Indian! I really can't wait! Speak to you all soon,

Ian.