Melbourne...Part Three

Today, wine tasting was on the agenda. There are several vineyards in the yarra valley, around an hours drive from Melbourne, most of which offer tasting for nowt which is a nice way to sample some of the great wines of the region. Or a great way to get leathered for free if you're on a hen do. Then on the way back, a most unexpected sight...an old man, stood on his balcony in only his y-fronts, watching the traffic go by. Damn my slowness in trying to get the camera out.

In the evening we ate at a favourite haunt of the Kwai's...the Deck. Wow. The best restaurant meal I've had in a long time, and very reasonably priced. For those thinking of paying a visit I recommend the sirloin and chocolate souffle. Not together, obviously. The meal was superb, service top drawer and all for $70 each (around £30).

Stomachs full and sighing contentedly, we moved on to the casino, owned by the freshly deceased Kerry Packer. We stopped for a rest along the way, and I realised this was to show me the impressive display of the fire-breathing water features. Once inside, we briefly flirted with the idea of cash poker tables before we settled on the roulette. Whilst I performed my magic trick of turning a $50 bill into a $100 bill, Ben and Nicola left empty handed. Unlucky.

Fiery fountain

It's only been a flying visit to Melbourne, but to say I'm impressed with the place would be a big understatement. Ben and Nicola have been perfect hosts and the city itself has something for everyone. I'd be surprised if I don't drop anchor here at some point in the future.

How about a bit of aussie buzz word bingo? Guess how many of the following phrases I heard during my few days in Oz...

* GOOD ON YA
* YOU BEAUT
* YOU LITTLE RIPPA
* FAIR DINK'UM
* BONZA
* FLAMING GALAAA
* YOU LONG HAIRED GREENIE LEFT WING YAHOO

5 out of 7 as it happens. And I presume the only way to hear the last 2 would be to meet Alf Stewart in person.

It's been a pretty action packed 10 days and I'm very happy with all that I've managed to do and see. It's also been great to visit James before he left Seoul and Ben and Nicola before they left Melbourne. I've also learnt that to do 2 massive nights on the trot is proving quite difficult these days (I remember when it only took me a couple of days to get over 2 weeks in Kavos). All that remains now is to get that 6th flight of 6 and go to my new home...