Hello!

They let me into Oz........after a couple of bag scans, an immigration check as well as a bomb swab test!!! A little excessive I thought!

Anyway after arriving in Melbourne I found a hotel in St Kilda. I picked that area of town because I knew that was where the Neighbours night was being held that very night! So after a couple of hours sleep (I didn't get much sleep on the plane as was sat near some kids and a baby), I went down to the Neighbours night. The pub was full of British and Irish people - mainly either 18 year olds or 21 year olds on gap years, I found that very strange after being very much in the minority in Asia. At the pud quiz night I saw Harold (who is actually very witty and tells rude jokes), Toadie (who is much better looking in real life) and Rosetta (a new character). Later I also stayed to see Karl Kennedy's ban callled Waiting Room - that was all very surreal listing to Karl singing "I predict a Riot". Anyway it was good fun and I met some nice people there.

The next morning I went on a tour of Ramsey street, the high school and some of the sets (just to get a total Neighbours experience). They were filiming so we didn't get to go up the street but it looked tiny. Also I got to hear a bit of gossip - apparently the guys from Little Britain filmed a cameo last week, so watch out for Lou and Andy in the background in about 6 months time!! I also got to meet Janelle who in real life is actually studying for a degree.

That afternoon I met up with Pauline (I couldn't persuade Pauline to come to the Neighbours night - no one in Oz actually watches it!). We spent the evening going around the sights of Melbourne. It really is a nice city.

Then yesterday we drove down the highway to Peterborough so that today we could go back via the Great Ocean Road and see stuff like the 12 Aposals. That was very nice. We had a lovely time.

Tonight I went out for dinner with Pauline, her fiance and her parents. It was really nice. I saw the biggest ice cream I have ever seen in my life (and apparently that was the smaller version). I am so full now!!

I'm off to Cairns tommorrow which is a real shame - I wish I had longer to explore Melbourne. Oh well there is always my next trip!?!

Love Louise x.