So I landed some time ago in Melbourne, determined as it were not to think too much of it.I was going to use it as a springboard, after seeing Allie for a week, to somewhere hot with beaches, palm trees and surf boards, possibly with a yoga retreat.

Melbournites are somewhat fanatical about Melbourne - it's so cultured they say (culture? show me the beaches; and let's put it into perspective, it's still Australia), European (hmmm been living there for the last 30 years) and cool (quite and I've had 3 very cool winters in England - hardly distinguishable from the summers).

However my resolve crumbled and I heart Melbourne big time, postponing my departure four times.

I landed after an anxious flight from Christchurch. I told the check-in attendant I was scared of flying, laughing nervously as I did, that such a fear was irrational.No, he responded, there's so many things that can go wrong, he could see why I'd be so scared, though he sat me at the back sagely explaining if there was to be a crash I'd be safer there.

Luckily all went well and with Allie collecting me I finally got to meet her adorable, charming daughter Hope.At Allie's I led an idyllic lifestyle of late mornings, meditation, reiki, yoga, running along the merri creek through lush Eucalyptus and Manuka trees passing flocks of parrots, reading, baking and cooking - OMG - I had turned into a laydee wot lunched!!

I managed to time my arrival with the Melbourne international festival which meant lots of comedy with Allie, just like old times.I was also incredibly touched to be asked to be her bridesmaid, even more so when I saw the dress I was to wear, very red and very mad men!With Allie and her fiancé Carl spending their evenings with Hope, I decided to do a bit of solo exploring.I had heard a lot about couchsurfing, a network whereby travellers stay with the locals on their sofas and which also organises social events. Sounded like a big hook-up website to me and the fact that you have to tick a disclaimer acknowledging you understand that it is not a big hook up website did little to alter this notion.

I looked online and saw there was a party at a rooftop bar in the city that same night.As I queued to get in I felt how, I imagine, I would feel on an internet blind date.Finally getting into the bar I wandered around wondering which people looked like they might be 'couchsurfers' - trying to spot fisherman's pants, dreads, Peruvian hats and bongos.Fortuitously, the first person I asked was a 'couchsurfer' and I met a whole bunch of interesting, chatty travellers and locals all seemingly normal (ok, well at least three).That evening led to an invite to a bbq the next day, which led to an invite to a leaving party the next evening, then to a birthday party, to a music festival and before I knew it I was sucked into the couchsurfing zeitgeist. Hanging out at coffee shops by day and partying all night - like being back at university - without the lectures (or three part-time jobs).

I found out there was a volunteers meeting for the first ever regional Melbourne Burning Man event.As I am going to the daddy festival in Nevada this year I thought it would be fun to get involved.I went to the meeting and when asked what skills I had, responded that I was, well pretty good at bossing people around (given that I didn't think they needed to list any debt ; )I was duly appointed a co-ordinator and as a few people dropped out, I assisted little raven, charged with performance / stage management - effectively putting the stage schedule together, liaising with artistic types and making sure they had the right equipment.Really great fun, and I met a whole bunch of interesting people, learning a lot about the subtle nuances of an 'artists' ego in the process. Whilst together the co-ordinators of the event focused on catering, performers, infrastructure and licensing, it appeared no one was charged with marketing.As a result there appeared to be more volunteers than ticketees, still I had an awesome night - I had black angel wings - what was not to love.

Given that I was spending so much time at Natasha's (Melbourne's couchsurfingGrand Poobah) in Brunswick, it made sense for me to officially become a couchsurfer myself.I was made incredibly welcome by the wonderful Nat and all the other beautiful people living and permanently hanging out on Burnell Street.Her house always had an open door and someone opening a bottle of wine, with various sleeping arrangements including for Dave, a tent in the shed.I shared the lounge with Owen, an Irish Woody Allen who kept me permanently entertained (even though I did fail in my mission ; ) and two cats.The evening meal was usually eaten communally with everyone (and there were usually a dozen) contributing something before heading out to a gig, salsa night or party.A totally different (to me at least) way of living, which just worked.

Since no-one really appeared to have any gainful employment, post burning man organisation, I slipped back into my cafe lounging lifestyle. Melbourne is a great city for hanging out, lots of cool coffee shops tucked away in little corners next to boutique bars, art galleries and intimate music venues. However the thing I like best about Melbourne is the people. I was really taken by how warm, interesting, generous and open-hearted the people I met were.It's been a truly positive, educational and life-affirming experience.

However, my Melbournian lifestyle was not really sustainable...probably.I had figured after seeing Mum in Western Australia I would mosey over to Queensland for some winter sun before heading back to Victoria.However my friend Tamara gave me a much better idea, rather than Queensland, hop overto join her in Bali for a bit.I mean, I love Bali and this time I will avoid getting sucked into the Kuta fishbowl drinking, karaoke singing, Sari bar shimmying vortex.Instead I have a cunning plan for Tamara and I to set up a holistic therapy retreat, tapping into the influx of American babyboomers following Elizabeth Gilbert / Julia Roberts. Either that or some volunteering.Watch this space.

G'night mate

Kerry x