Beaching

Monday, and I boarded a tourist bus around Melbourne (for free, naturally! I wouldn't associate myself with actually paying for stuff) and saw the various landmarks from behind a UV protected window in an aircon aided bus. I think the bus driver was trying to be helpful when he spoke over the prerecorded info onboard, but only served to speak over it and make an unintelligible noise.

Jumped off at the Rememberence Shrine, a huge Mayan temple-like thing in the middle of wide gardens. It was a little bit depressing unsuprisingly (I don't know how they can make an attraction out of it, even if they do have exhibits and things), but I was told it was worth a look and it seemed to be a respectable thing to do. One thing that drew my interest was how Ozzie troops were sent to the fields in Europe with only shorts and a shirt - the Red Cross provided extra clothing and allies provided their weapons.

Back on board the tourist truck, I bathed in the air conditioning for a mile or so, before we reached the start of the loop and I searched for a a fabled food court for luncheon, on recommendation of an elderly lady who looked rather wise. 2 pieces of pizza and Fanta for $9, a semi-bargain! Interestingly, Oz Fanta tastes more like Orangina, a fizzy drink from my yoof (I remember drinking it in the local swimming pool (with the bestest flume and a deadly slipperly route down a ramp to the changing rooms) out of a pear-shaped glass bottle) in Laaaahdun town. Its a phenomenon we rarely have in the UK, food courts, but most foody places are within these buildings. Well it seemed busy, so some business plan must be working. Fed-up and completely happy, I trundled off to the NVG (National Victoria Gallery). One of the things that fascinated me here was the Mayan/Aztec sculptures. I think it was becuase I looked at this type of art/imagery and culture in year 10 for an art project, but viewed everything totally through a computer screen. I'm thinking of a tattoo using Aztec and Mayan styles, but I dunno yet, and I have to be 100% (Don't worry Mum('s), I won't rush into it).

Did (another) guided tour around parts of the immense gallery/museum and couldn't get the guides pronunciation of antiques out of my head - "Ant-eye-kyews". Well wierd. Also picked up that some Ozzies, generally from 'up north' say 'yous' instead of 'you' when addressing more than 1 person... Anyway, enough eloquence analysis.

Australian's also watch Simpsons heavily, which is good for the Eve'. Look out for 'Drawn Together', an adult cartoon that Oz and the US has, but I haven't seen it yet on UK Freeview. Also good for a warm eve' - VB! Victoria Bitter, a lager, which I have suprised myself in liking, and all people seem to stock it. Fosters is also considered old fashioned and outdated, too; the idea of it being a true Aussie drink is 95% marketing for the UK!

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Following day, a Chewsday, I visited the Queen Victoria Market, which is like Camden Market (ie cheap clothes and tourist tat) except, er, australian. And more teatowels. Had fun going around nearly identical stalls trying to get a $3 item down to $2.50 (About 2op off). Petty or what??? Good exercise for the wheelin' and dealin' muscles within though. Top tip: the ultimate threat is showing mild interest then total disinterest after a price has been given, even if you haven't offered your price.

Saw some big spiders, big (3m) squids in vinegar or something and other stuff in cases in the Melbourne Museum during the afternoon, which peeled a whole $6 from my greasy mitts. Good place for old and young, with buttons and games and videos. good exhibit about the disturbed mind and artisic visions it can provide - abstract, scary and odd pieces created by crazy people, along with an attempt at deciphering it's meaning.

Spent a lot of the afernoon under a big palm tree reading a book, HA! Bet its cold in the UK.
Did the same this afternoon (Wednesday 5th) on the loverly beach of Port Melbourne (Melbournians pronounce it 'Melbun').

Strange things happen! This morning I met up with Margot, (get ready) my mum's cousin's wife's sister, who took on my mum when she was on her gap year in Oz about a trillion/30 years ago. Apparently I also look just like your mother. Nice seeming someone who can tell tales on your own mum!

Finished today with a couple of beers with Nina's 2 sons, Brent and Mitch (2nd cousins), watching the 2 dogs running round like madmen and one getting a little bit of lipstick.