Hi, sorry for my absence, but a combination of a family reunion with my mum bro and siser Maya, the many things to do in Melbourne and the struggle of finding accommodation in this wonderful but packed city (because of the Formula 1 Grand Prix) has taken all time away from me. We actually went to the Grand Prix today and it was amazing - the cars were stunning and so loud and powerful, zooming past us on the track. We had ear plugs in but on the occasion I did take them out my ears felt the pain!

We finished the Great Ocean Road yesterday (I drove for about 3 days) and that was beautiful - we all enjoyed the sea air, the coastal scenery and beautiful coastal and forest roads. Even though it was very breezy a lot of the time, the weather was generally sunny. The coast goes on forever on this drive and the colour of the ocean is very different to everywhere else I've seen - it's a deeper blue...but still very rich in colour. The sand is fine on most beaches and we found most of them secluded which was wonderful. Swimming however was a complete no no because the water was FREEZING! We also saw the famous twelve apostles which are 12 (or so) pieces of limestone cliff which are freestanding in the ocean because of erosion to the cliff face. Various other beautiful formation like caves and arches (one called 'London Bridge' because of a previous double arch), make it very difficult to drive more than 15 mins without stopping atleast once. We also took the forest road diversion to 'Beech Forest' where there is a beautiful treetop walk in the Ottway National Park. It's a lovely walk on a metal walkway high up in the trees. Apart from that, in the city we visited the Aquarium which had these huge sting ray which were bigger than me, the Rialto tower with 360 views of Melbourne and our friends which we met in Laos took us around the foresty Dandenong area to a farm where we fed Koala, Kangaroos and various other creatures I've never seen in my life. They ate out of our hands which was scary most of the time. We also had cockatoos and other colourful birds doing the same at the bird park. At SkyHigh at the end of the day we watched the sun go down over Melbourne city from the hills, it was beautiful.

Sorry about the short entry but I have to catch a flight to Alice Springs tomorrow early to see Ayres Rock and then we fly to Cairns so must get some shut eye...