And then came Melbourne...

I arrived in Melbourne at 7:00pm on January 26th...better known as Australia Day. Aussie Aussie Aussie...Oi Oi Oi.

I had pre-bought a patriotic Aussie shirt for the occasion like all good tourists, but was concerned I'd miss the festivities as most people get an early start on the day. However, my worries were short lived when I opened up my dorm to find four Irish lads drinking on the floor and already taking "the piss" out of me as I walked in. I should have read the warning signs better and walked away!!


But no...as I've mentioned before...I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer and graciously accepted their invitation to go drinking with them. I was also meeting people from my last tour for a mini reunion...we were now an international group of misfits determined to make Australia proud on it's special day.




I soon found out that most Aussies celebrate Australia Day with BBQs and house parties...and it's the tourists aka backpackers that let loose. We really don't need a reason to drink, but when one presents itself...game on!! We saw fights, pole dancing, people falling down, more Jager Bombs then I can remember, Australian flags everywhere, smashed glasses by the dozens; new "relationships" forming and all that just from our group. The rest of the night is pretty hazy and most of us could still be found in bed the next day at 3:00pm in the afternoon. And Tim...you'll be happy to know...I did have a rare hangover. I am VERY confident we made Australia proud!

The next 7 days found us partying like rock stars. The typical routine was ONE drink after dinner and leave the bar at 2:00am in the morning. Happy hour is a very dangerous thing. Who can say NO to $3.00 pints; $5 jugs; $5 Jager Bombs and free champagne for the ladies or men dressed like ladies...and no...I didn't dress up...but many guys did. Let's just say my bank account and liver never left Melbourne...and when I say Melbourne...I really mean St. Kilda as I only managed to make it into Melbourne city centre twice in my week stay.

It's a bit of a shame I didn't experience more of Melbourne as it comes highly recommended by most and the pictures I took show a multi-cultured, highly energetic big city with a laid back attitude. I will find myself in Melbourne again in the future.

I still haven't recovered from Melbourne and don't expect to for a few more months. There were close calls with the police, barely avoided personal injuries; McDonalds at 3:00am most days; gorgeous women; gut rot and other things I won't mention in this forum. But what I really found in Melbourne were great new friends. I thank my lucky stars for getting out alive.

Me...

Believe it or not...a few of you asked for these...the rest of you never wanted to see them ever again...pictures of me. And yes...all of these pictures could have been taken in front of a green screen and super-imposed...but really...who would waste their time in doing that? Believe it or not...I actually have been in Australia for 4 months. Have you missed me yet?


I can't believe I leave Australia this Friday for New Zealand. It feels like I've been here for just a week or two. Bizarre!! I leave with amazing friends, sites and stories...and yes...they may be lies...but you don't know that! To my diving friends...you guys rock...and I can't wait until or next diving adventure. I'm hoping to see Whale Sharks when I get to Thailand. You don't get to see them every day in Embro.



The "fire starter" shot just goes to show you that Cdn boys are one with the wilderness. Although...it's not really that tough to start a fire in 40 degree weather, but it did give us some light in the Outback. The Groovy Grape gang can thank me later.

Soren and Lars...the Danish duo have shown me a great new pickup trick. Ask the best looking girl in the bar to take a picture of you and your mates and then try to chat them up. OK...maybe it didn't work in this instance...but they tell me it works often...maybe just not in my lifetime. Unfortunately...my camera (once again) sucks and doesn't really fit into my jeans pocket...so I struck out before I started.

V for victory...I guess. I never try to make fun of different cultures...except for my buddy Natigo (aka Tim), but Asians often give the victory sign when getting their picture taken. I've asked a few Asians about it...but none of them have a good answer as to why they all do it...I guess it's just tradition....and who can question 1000+ year old tradition. FYI...NO alcohol was involved in this picture or the one above. OK...may MEL and TIM had too much too drink...but I won't tell!

Yes...this picture looks stupid, but it was only part of the story. I admit this wasn't the only condiment I had to "shotgun", but it was all for national pride. Would any Embro boy or Cdn shy away from a drinking challenge...I think not. FYI...I won both the mustard and BBQ sauce "shotgun" competition. O CANADA!!!!!

And if anyone is still reading this blog posting with all these pictures of me...you need to get a life. However, for you diehards...(especially the male contingency) you deserve a reward.

I offer you the Swedish Twins...

The Great Ocean Road...

To those of you who have commented on my tardiness of keeping up my blog...I already warned you that there may be unplanned delays such as jail. OK...I haven't found myself in jail yet, but I'm sure it's just around the corner. And unbelievably (is that even a word?) I haven't found myself in a morgue or hospital either...the next blog will explain more.



I have seen many amazing sights on this adventure, but the Great Ocean Road (between Adelaide and Melbourne) should be a "must see before you die" experience for everyone. And don't kid yourself...some of you are closer to death than you know. Herpes Simplex 10 is a killer Yabo...you better book your Honeymoon down here to make sure you get to see these sights. And don't worry...I'll take care of Jacy when you're gone!




I grabbed a three day Groovy Grape tour along the Great Ocean Road expecting another 4:1 women to men ratio which I experienced on the two previous tours and was pretty disappointed it was closer to 50/50. It's a good thing there were a few cuties like Carla to keep me entertained.




I"m probably going to let the pictures speak for themselves as I think they're spectacular...even if I say so myself. And yes...for those Doubting Thomas'...I've taken the pictures myself. The first few pics are of the Grampians Range...more rocks and more climbing...like I didn't have enough in the Interior. I was also pleased to find out that THE FLIES seemed to have traveled with me so my Australian wave is second to none!

The rest of the pics are along the Great Ocean Rd. And Kim...I did break down and include another Koala shot even though I promised not too. The difference here is that these were the first Koalas that I actually saw in the wild. I think we saw 5-6 in total. Pretty cool!

The first night of the tour we stopped at a caravan park where kangaroos congregrated at night to chow down on the grass in the park. I estimated we saw about 20 kangaroos within 20-30 ft of us, but was told that was a slow night. I guess the Kangaroo Bar was happening that night...maybe they extended Happy Hour and the roos couldn't find the caravan park. Hey...it happens...I know!

The "twelve apostles" (left) were a pretty neat sight...but since there are only 10 rocks still left...shouldn't we change the name? Just a thought...maybe something like the "10 Drunken Aussies" since they are prone to falling down. I think I'll pass it along to the Australian Tourism Ministry. If you want to take part in the naming of these rocks...drop me a comment and I'll include it with my submission. However, if someone other than me wins...I get a cut.

Another funny sight were the penguins which took about 30 mintues to get themselves organized to come ashore for the night. They would start to walk inland only to be swept away by the next wave. They were also like the Marines as they left no one behind. If one penguin didn't make it ashore...they would all run back into the water. Man...I wish I had friends like that. I wonder if they'll adopt me. I better practise my swimming some more.

Once again...here's my chance for fame with the "money shot" picture. I hope you enjoy. And remember...the Great Ocean Road is a must see.

And then I arrived in Melbourne on Australia Day and all hell broke loose!!