We arrive in Melbourne (Melbin), Australia at 7:00 am and meet with our group about 8:45 am to get off the ship and explore the wonderful city. We met our driver, Bill, and our tour guide, Simon. They are nice and funny with lots of jokes along the way. Most of them are just to make fun of the New Zealanders! Simon tells us about the 6 most important dates. In 1770 the Discovery was made. In 1788 is when they started sending the convicts. In 1831 Melbourne was established. In 1851 the Gold Rush happened and made Melbourne the richest city in the world for the next 20 years. More gold was extracted from Victorian gold fields here than during the California ’49 gold rush. In 1869, the world’s largest gold nugget was found and called “The Welcome Stranger”. That is what made the city so popular. In 1901, all of the separate colonies became one and named Australia. In 1908, Cambria was made the new Capitol. We drive along the Yarra River and stop at the Sherbrooke Forest, home to lyrebird, crimson rosellas, cockatoos and kookaburras. After feeding the cockatoos we walk along the Lyrebird Trail for a nice 20 minute hike through the rainforest. After visiting the gift shop we continue along into the wine country for lunch and wine tasting. First stop is the “Puffing Billy Steam Train”……it is an old train that we took through the hills and vineyards. We arrive at the Rochford Winery where they pick their own grapes by hand and bottle the wine on the property. It is a beautiful setting and they are getting ready to host a large concert with Hall & Oats. We taste some good wine and then we are treated to a wonderful lunch and more wine! As we make our way back to the ship we drive through the city to see the 2nd tallest apartment building in the world. It is so high I would never live there! Back on the ship at 4:00 pm and we set sail for Sydney at 5:00 pm.
Tonight we are celebrating Rich and Audrey Stewart’s 55th wedding anniversary at the Skywalker Lounge. Congrats to them…..what a wonderful occasion to celebrate. The Stewart’s provided us all with wonderful drinks and appetizers before dinner.
At dinner we were serenaded by out waiters and I did notice that everyone at the table has cut back on their food intake. I do believe we’ve all hit rock bottom. On the way back to our room we decide to stop by and pay our respects to the casino. I managed to get a straight flush on “Let it Ride” so I took my winnings and went to bed. Tomorrow is a sea day.
Melbourne, Australia Fun Facts:
Melbanians want you to know that it was founded by free settlers and not convicts. Melbourne has about 4.1 million people who live here. Approx. 80% of the population lives within 100 miles of the coastline. In 2009 there was a horrible fire where 250 people were killed instantly. They were having multiple days over 100 degrees and with the oil in the eucalyptus trees the heat from the fires turned people into ash in seconds. The smoke was killing all of the grapes in the vineyards. The average price of a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house is about $600k. Most of the lots are just about ¼ acre and made of brick veneer. Many people come to Melbourne to go to Medical School. It is such a prestigious place to learn that just to register it costs $120k and after about 6 years of school you would have spent about $500-$600k. The drinking age is 18 years old. Our bus driver suggested they add a “Can you drive drunk” test to the driving test!
Red Rooster is their Kentucky Fried Chicken and Hungry Jacks is their Burger King. Starbucks didn’t make it here…..they opened about 50 of them in Melbourne and only 9 remain.
Australians call Ice Chests (Eski’s) and New Zealanders call them (Chully Buns or Chilly Bins)!
Australians also call windshields (windscreens). They have a special meal here called the “Pie Floater” which is Meat Pie floating on Split Pea Soup topped with Catsup…….OMG, I’m gonna throw up!
There are hidden cameras at random stop lights and if you get a ticket it costs $175 and 1 pt. off your driving record (for 5 miles over speed limit), $250 for 10 miles over and 2 pts. off your record, $400 for 15 miles over and 3 pts. off and if you are caught going 20 miles over the speed limit your license is revoked. Simon also told us that there is a big Heroin problem here too.
One final joke from Simon…..”What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back? A Stick!”
Ok, a few last words……Hello Friend (G’day mate), Well Done (Good onya), and True, Real (Fair dinkum)!
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