While the cat's away, the ratties will play!

Andy has been at work for the last four days, leaving me to do my thing! Which has included the immigration museum, bank visits, Captain Cook’s house, Fitzroy gardens, shopping (both food and clothes) and lots and lots of walking. I have truly pounded the pavement. Not one tram this week.

Immigration museum (Wednesday)

The day predicted rain, so I planned to be inside as much as possible, my feet also hurt after foolishly wearing sandals (thongs here) for the first time on a long walk the previous day, so something close to the hotel was also in the plan.

On our initial arrival in Melbourne we had walked around town, and had come across the immigration museum but turned it down due to feeling rough, sleepy and in no position to read and digest information, therefore we gave it a rain check. So as the rain was coming, I decided to cash that cheque.

The rain held off until I was safely inside the museum, the ticket price was a reasonable $8 for access to the 1^st and 2^nd floors, the ground floor (shop and cafe) were free.

Now... the bigger the coin the higher the value, except with Australian dollar coins, remember this when paying for your ticket, otherwise you will become unstuck, a bit like I did. However this was easily resolved and I passed up the stone staircase to the first floor where I was greeted by a short video.

The museum follows a simple route which you find in the map you are given with the ticket. I was interested to read the timeline around the second room, telling you of immigration numbers and policy from the 1800’s to now. In the centre of the room were several personal stories of different immigrants and their journey and life in Australia.

The third room is the best, and for two important reasons which I will come to later. When you enter this room you have to head straight ahead and this resulted with me entering a boat. The boat is awesome, the insides change through the ages as you walk on, showing you what it would have been like to immigrate and travel to Australia in different times.

One awesome thing is the toilet shown in the boat, only because they play a soundtrack of people using it! Hilarious!

Also around the outside are portholes containing animals which have intentionally and unintentionally immigrated to Australia and for some reason the rats are shown as travellers on the boat in little outfits, doing activities! Also hilarious!

The museum continues with information about specific policy decisions over immigration, with a multiple choice video were you have to choose if the person is accepted or rejected for a visa – I failed this as I would have accepted them, I am really quite soft.

Upstairs was a display about West Africa, which was interesting and I had the opportunity to do some stamping (paper and ink stamping, not feet). All in all it was worth the money, very educational and a good ratio of things to read and do. It gets 4 Stacey Stars*.

*Stacey Stars have only just been invented, hold on for more details.

ZOO...

We couldn't have had better weather (sunny and 25 degrees). So off to the zoo we went, after stopping off at Queen Victoria Market for last few bits to add to the picnic we were having (meat for andy's sarnies and some fresh fruit).
It was a whole day out, plenty to see and do, a few things for andy to read. Favourite animals (in no particular order) - meerkats, wombats, koalas
But the rest were good too, it was really relaxing walking round.

Our lovely abode

A toilet in the corner of every room, some rooms are fully padded, and a lovely exercise yard... sorry... courtyard.
If you are wondering, this isn't our new place! We will have a place in Port Melbourne on the 20th December.
These are photos from when we went to the old melbourne gaol, a fab morning out. We were both very scared of the policewoman who came to arrest us (this is part of the fun of the tourist attraction - they pretend to arrest you and put you in jail).

Alrighty then... these blogs are all appearing on one day because the internet is expensive in this hotel, so we now have a dongle! Love that word. Wifi is now here and I can access the internet in my room, rather than paying $2 for 20 mins on the computers in the lobby (always imagining someone is looking over my shoulder).

The orange juice needs some explanation. After arriving I began to sneeze, alot. It was hayfever and it was awful, the worst I have ever experienced. I read in the newpaper today that it was the highest pollen count they have had in ages and that people with asthma were filling the hospitals, however some rain has dampened this down. On wednesday, it was andys turn to feel poorly and he took to bed after we had been out exploring the suburbs in the morning. I won't go into too much detail over andy's illness, but you can imagine...
Then as the hayfever wore off, I have had the pleasure of sneezing due to a massive head cold!

So... even with all these setbacks, we have been busy looking for an apartment and travelling the city (especially by tram as you can see in the photo).

Our Hotel

Down under

Well... It was a very long flight, the first half up to Singapore was ok as it was time to sleep and that was exactly what we did (as best you can in a seated position). There was a short stopover in Singapore, only an hour ish. The next section of the flight was a bit harder, the seats felt less comfortable even though they were the same ones (muscles started to cramp and ache), we should have slept again but the ol' body clock was saying it was time to get up and awake (so many films were watched).
The flight was 20 hours ish, so having left the UK 10pm Sunday and taking into account the time difference, we arrived in Australia, Melbourne at 7am their time. The weather was hot, hot, hot and reached 34 degrees.
We found our hotel, but there were no rooms ready. So we left our luggage and ventured out into the city. We decided on a drink to start, only orange juice *vitamins and minerals* to keep us healthy (this is a joke as you will find out). Decided to find the tourist information and pick their brains and leaflets/maps. Found out about the free bus and tram tours around the city, these were popular with andy and myself as it involved sitting down. 1 and a half hours later and we had seen all the major sights (at least I would have if I hadn't fallen asleep on the bus). At this point we decided that we would have lunch and then go back to the hotel and demand a room as neither of us was capable of doing anything else without sleep.
By 2pm we were asleep tucked up safe and sound in our hotel room. Zzzzzzzzz

Sitting on lawn chairs

At this moment I am not on the lawn chairs... they are in our front room as the sofas have gone. Right now I am in McDonalds, mostly due to needing some lunch, and no longer having anything in the kitchen to make lunch with, but also because we have no internet at home.

The house is pretty empty with only one move day left to go - and still plenty to be stuffed in the suitcases. It's all starting to feel real now - and the enormity of moving to the other side of the world for 2 years is exciting, but a bit unerving now it is so close.

Andy finished his job yesterday and enjoyed his leaving do, Stacey also sneaked out with the science department...Fab time had by all. Big thanks for all the cards and gifts, they are much appreciated.

Well... might not be able to comment again until we are on the otherside of the world, hopefully will be able to take pictures and get them to you asap.