We both felt like we were going on holiday today. We were catching the ferry this evening to Tasmania where we're going to stay for three weeks. It's a holiday within a holiday. We checked out at 10 and left the arrogant Germans behind (for now anyhow) and we drove into Melbourne. The ferry doesn't leave until 7.30 and we can't check in until 5. We had decided to park just a short stroll from the city centre near Albert Park. We thought that it would be an easy place to park at and leave the camper for the day. The traffic wasn't too busy and with the help of Tom Tom the drive was easy and took about half an hour. I had to concentrate really ******* the roads with tram lines on them as when a tram stops you have to stop behind it to let the passengers across. We got to Albert Park easily having only gone wrong once. It was really easy to park and with it being Saturday the parking was free. I needed a wee and had to find a toilet. We misread the park map and trundled off in the wrong direction. We found ourselves going through the middle of a public golf course but carried on and went to the toilet at the club house. We had gone in the wrong direction along the park away from the city centre so now had quite a long walk. It took a while but it was great to be on foot and soak up the city. Melbourne really is a big city, far bigger than I remember. It is much bigger than Manchester and a lot of it has a feel of London about it. We eventually got to the River Yarra that meanders through the city centre. The river in one direction is full of cafes and restaurants and the other way there is open space and parkland leading along to the MCG. We were hungry by now and needed food. We wandered down past Flinders Street Station. This is the main railway station and I remember it from 20 years ago. It is a beautiful old and striking building. We then stumbled across Degraves Street which is a narrow alley full of quirky and interesting places to eat. The place was full of graffiti, so very Melbourne. We were tempted to eat here but as it was pricey we got some yummy sandwiches and a coffee from one of the cafes and went to sit by the river and watch the world go by. After lunch we went for a walk down the river bank and sat in the long grass and listened to music and just fooled about. We then wandered back to the city and as it was gone 4 we walked back to the camper. We had a ferry to catch. We have had two very different days in Melbourne and have seen two different sides to the city. We both really like Melbourne, it is a fabulous place, very friendly and with a great ambience. We can both see how it has been voted the world's most liveable city. It was only a short drive to the ferry terminal at Port Melboure, it took us ten minutes. Check in opened at 5 and we were there at about five past. There was already a queue going in which we joined. We could see the big ferry waiting. We were both very excited, especially Jay who was smiling uncontrollably and bouncing up and down in her seat! The queue moved slowly but after about 10 minutes we got to the security checks. We were asked whether we had any firearms or ammo, any fishing gear, any filled jerry cans or any fresh fruit and veg. We had none, Jay had left her gun in the UK, thank god!!!! We were asked whether we had any LPG which we do have in a compartment in the side of the van. The security guy needed to see it to make sure it was strapped and secured properly. After a bit of tinkering we were allowed to proceed further along. The next queue was for the check in desks and we had to wait here about half an hour. We had a great view of the ship and we were becoming more excited by the second.Typically whilst in the queue Jay announced that she needed a poo! This was really good timing as she hadn't been for three weeks! Strange girl but at least she wasn't trying to wipe her finger prints off a paracetemol packet!, don't ask!!!!!!!! We got through check in okay and then we were in the queue for boarding. I had to drive up a very big ramp and then we were on the ship in our little camper. We were directed where to go and then got out to explore the ship. Before we could leave the car deck there was a final security check where we were scanned. This was done by a very friendly chap who when done said to us both 'too easy', a very Australian thing to say. We had booked 'Ocean Recliners' rather than a cabin as this was the cheapest way of getting across. The seats were in a room with about 200 other seats. The seats were big and comfy and with reading lights. All was good except for a woman with a face like a slapped fish who was complaining about everything, 'Why couldn't we have all been seated together?, We're all going to suffer with this air conditioning etc etc. She shuffled out a while later with her face to the floor. We half expected to see a large splash in the water when she topped herself, she did after all have a very large bottom! We sat in here until the ship set sail and watched the Melbourne skyline get smaller and smaller. Jay then went for her poo. As she hadn't been for 3 weeks and had somewhat of a backlog I suggested that she might want to evacuate half of her bowels on the port side of the ship and the other half on starboard. If it had all been done in one go I had awful visions of the ship becoming too heavy on one side and tipping over! When Jay had come back and with the ship still upright we then went to celebrate the beginning of our Tasmanian adventures by going for a drink in the bar. We both had a beer and listened to a couple of guys who were singing and playing the guitar. They were really good and we both sat there as happy as pigs in ****. The happiness was going to our heads so we both had another beer. The beer then got to our heads. It was getting late now and we heard an announcement that the food service was stopping soon. We wobbled our way round the ship to the Captain's Table Restaurant. We were very hungry by now. This restaurant was a hot buffet. We both got a large plate for $25. You could then proceed to stuff as much food on this plate and was physically possible. There was quite a lot of food left but as we were the last people there to be served this really nice young lad serving was encouraging us to really pig out. He said that what was left would go to waste and we didn't want that. I ended up with three pieces of battered fish, about 6 chicken wings, 5 slices of roast beef, potato salad, green salad, a beetroot and a bread roll! Jay had chicken curry and rice, 3 slices of roast beef, potato salad, one fish but two bread rolls, the greedy pig! The food was a real mega mix of stuff and it worked really well. I don't think we'd have eaten like this if we'd not been tipsy but what the hell! You only get a ferry to Tasmania once in your life! As the food was $25 we couldn't leave any so we scoffed the absolute lot. We sat there at the end of the meal like stuffed pigs, but we were very happy pigs! Jay then needed another poo, I headed towards the lifeboats! The ship was out of Port Philip Bay now and in the open ocean so the ship was swaying a bit now. We staggered back to the bar bellies bulging! We just had coffee though and watched the two brilliant musicians again. Eventually we swayed back up to our 'Ocean Recliners' and tried to get some sleep. Luckily the whining woman had already passed out!