Hi everyone,

Thanks for logging on to my web site and leaving me messages, its great to read them.

So for the last week I have been staying with family just outside of the city. I have had a great time and have been really spoilt. I have seen some great out of the way beaches, Seaford and Mornington which I will have photots to show you soon. As well as Mornington market but was more of a craft and food fair kind of thing, it was really good. But one of the biggest bonuses was the fact that they had a pool! A beautiful one at that and I have to say I did spend quite a few long afternoons topping up the tan and swimming in the pool.

So now I have arrived back in the city, oh boy it has been hot!! I got here on Thursday afternoon and I walked down into the city to get my barings and took lots of photos. It is really easy to get around here as there are lots of trams which run very frequently. Melbourne has deffinately got a different feel to it than Sydney, it feels alot more relaxed and I think I prefer it. Melbourne has a huge eating outside/coffee society here and every where you turn there is a cafe, restaurant all nearly with chairs and tables outside. Really cool atmosphere I love it and if you don't have time to sit down then grab a smoothy from the nearest juice bar.

On Friday the hostel was running a free bus to St.Kilda beach which is on the bay not far from the city so decided as it was going to be another hot day perhaps some sea breeze would be good. I had already seen most of St. Kilda earlier as my friends I had been staying with had shown me around, so this time I was able to just sit on the beach. I managed hour and half but then had to leave as it was too hot. But before I left I did go in the sea which was beautiful but had to run across the sand as it was too hot to stand on!! Felt like a right burK! But the cool water was worth it. So before the bus came to pick us up I just had enough time to have an ice cream!!! They have the most amazing ice cream places here with way too many flavours to choose from but I'm slowy working my way through them!!

That evening I went Lygon Street, which is Mebournes version of little Itlay. The street is lined on either side with restaurants and cafes, so treated myself to dinner, eating outside of course, it was lovely with charming waiters.

Today I got up really early and made my way to Rialto Tower to the 55th floor and the Observation deck whare you get a 360 degrees veiw of the city, quite amazing. From there I made my way to the Crown area where there were market stalls selling things in celebration of Chinese New Year, the year of the pig! (Today is their new years eve and the city has a big chinese community here and part of china town is closed off to transport for the celebrations.) I then went across town to china town to check out what was going on there, more stalls. So descided to call it a day and walk back to the hostel. Stopped off on the way at a huge market they have here nearlly every day called Queen Victoria market. It has a huge indoor fish and deli market, lovely. Out side is the fruit and veg and loads of it. Have decided to try and start cooking my own meals in an attempt to save some money!!

So now after freshening up I am about to head off to China town again for the evenings entertainmnts and fire works.

Will hopefully put photos on tomorrow.

Stay in touch.

Rachael.x