We arrived in the evening and it was Kat and Helgas last night with us so we went out for a nice meal in the St. Kilda area. We had a bottle of wine to share and enjoyed a civilised outing for once. After dinner we went back to the hostel and had a fairly early night.
The next day there was only me and Nat left. We went for breakfast along Acland Street which was massive and then walked around the area. We decided to catch a tram to a better shopping area. We asked at our hostel where to go and decided to go to Chapel Street. We knew which tram we needed to get but it wasnt that straight forward. We expected to get on, tell the driver where we wanted to go and pay them, but this was not how it worked. We got on the front of a very busy tram where it became clear you do not talk to or pay the driver. We couldnt really move as the tram was that full so we couldnt figure out how to pay before we came to where we needed to get off. So we just got off! We looked around the shops and Nat bught some jeans from the newly opened, first ever Top Shop in Australia. We also found a cinema so we bought tickets to see the Inbetweeners and went to get a jacket potato before it started. The film was really good and very funny. fter the film we then had to figure out how to get back to the hostel. This time the tram was not very full at all so we managed to find the ticket machine. However there were quite a lot of choices to make and we werent sure which ticket we wanted and what buttons to press. So once again we didnt pay! It was quiz night in the hostel so me and Nat entered but suprisingly we didnt come in the top 3!
The next day we went into the city to have a look around and meet Nikki. We asked at the hostel what kind of ticket we needed on the tram, so we got on fully intending to pay this time. However this time the ticket machine was out of order so we couldnt pay. We got off at Federation Square and met Nikki at Flinders Street Station. We went to sit on a piece of grass next to the river and watched a man working out with his personal trainer. A helicopter also came and landed very close to us and flew off again. After about an hour we went across the river to the Southbank and walked along the river. We then went to have a quick look round the National Gallery. On the way out we went in a 7 eleven shop to get a drink when a guy ran in, grabbed a load of stuff and ran out again without paying! We continued to look around the city a bit more before heading back to our hostel. In the evening I met up with Michael from Adelaide and he took us to a nice restaurant along the river. After 9pm, on the hour, every hour there is a fire show along the river where these concrete tower blocks shoot a fire flame out of the top in a pattern and sequence. There were about 8 blocks and would take it in turns to shoot flames and then all at the same time and they would vary the size of the flames at different times. It was really spectacular.
The next morning we bumped into Gertie in the hostel and invited her to come to the Victoria Markets in the city with us. A staff member from the hostel was also coming to show everyone the way. This is where we learnt to buy your tickets from the 7 eleven shop before you get on the tram. We arrived there and explored the markets. In the front part there were lots of fruit and vegetable stalls. They were all good priced, alot cheaper than the supermarkets. There were also lots of meat and fish counters at good prices too. Well worth doing your shopping there. Further back there were lots of clothes stalls, jewelery stalls and souvenier stalls. We spent ages walking around as the market was massive. When we decided to leave we went back to the tram stop and got on the right numbered tram ... but on the wrong side of the road so we were going the wrong way! We eventually realised and got off to get back on one going the other way. One day we might actually figure out the trams! That evening it was ladies night in the Base bar so me and Nat went along. We had a few buckets each, thats right we were drinking out of buckets-the kind you use on the beach for sandcastles. It was a good night and we got free sunglasses when we bought the buckets.

The next morning we were meeting Nikki and her friend from home. We had rented a car for the day and were driving to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade. We left about 10am and it took roughly 2 hours to get there. There is bridge across to the Island so we drove all the way across. We bought a 3 pass deal that enabled us to go to Churchill island and the Koala conservation santuary as well as to see the penguins. We first went to Churchill Island. There is an old house there that has been kept in its historic condition. So you can look around and see what it was like many years ago when people actually lived there. We also had a ride around the garden in a horse and cart. There were many barns where you could go and watch the blacksmith at work or go to see the cows being milked. We had a light snack there and then headed to the Koala sanctuary. Here we walked along raised boardwalks and spotted Koalas in the trees. One had a baby. We then did a short forest walk on the ground before driving to the sea at Cowes. There we sat on a grassy bank next to the beach soaking up the sun. We treated ourselves to fish and chips and attracted lots of seagulls to surround us while we ate them. After that we drove to the place where the penguins come. As we still had a little bit of time left we went to see if we could spot any seals first on the rocks, but we couldnt. We went to the beach at 8:45 to wait for the penguins. There were steps for us to sit on and we were told to keep quiet and not take photos. We sat watching the sea as it gradually got darker and darker. Then all of a sudden a few penguins appeared at the edge of the sea. The huddled together and waited for a few more to arrive. All of a sudden they made a charge towards the beach and the grassy area behind it. They were really small and the sea was quite a long way out so they had a long way to go. They got so far when a seagull scared them so they all turned around and ran back to the sea to wait for more penguins. They obviously believe in safety in numbers. They tried again and got further, however a couple got left behind as they couldnt keep up with the group. The group made it to the grass but the couple that got separated hid behind a rock for a while. As there was a seagull between the grass and them they decided to run all the way back to the sea even though they were almost there. We watched several more groups make it and few stragglers run back to the sea to regroup. Eventually they all made it so we got up to walk back up the walkway to the car park. As we did so there were penguins waddling up the grass next to the walkway trying to find their burrow. They were so cute and didnt seem scared of us, which is wierd considering they were scared of a seagull sitting on the beach. I guess they are used to humans and know they wont hurt them. It was now about 10pm and we made our way back to Melbourne getting back about midnight.

The next day we went into the city, had a look around a few shops and sat in Federation square for the afternoon. We watched the free entertainment of an african drumming band and dancers. I then went for devonshire tea before going to get ready for a night out. We started off in the base bar and then headed into the city to meet Nikki. We went to a bar down a small alley way that had amazing graffiti on the walls but it stank of wee!! I then went to a restaurant at about 2am and had pizza. Not a take away we actually sat in the restaurant at 2am!

The next day me and Nat had a chill out day and went to the cinema to see the film New Years Eve. The day after that I went to meet Liz, my aunties neice. She came to St. Kilda and we went for a drink in a cocktail bar. We then went to a quite posh restaurant for something to eat as Liz' friend worked there. However we werent impressed with the starters as they were very small portions for very big prices! We ended up going to McDonalds as we were still hungry and managed to fill ourselves up for less than $5.

The next few days we just spent looking in the shops and sitting on the beach. We went to the cinema again. On Friday night we went to meet Jesse in the city who we had met in Melbourne. He was taking us to a warehouse party. We didnt get in until 7:30am the next morning!! We then had to check out and do a seven stop trip on trams, buses and trains to get to where we had to pick up our campervan and meet Nikki. We didnt quite make it as once again we got on the wrong train in the wrong direction! Luckily Nikki got there, picked it up and came to pick us up.

So we set off to Bendigo for Christmas.