She Wants It Her Way

Within 36 hours of coming into Australia, love for the city and adventures is an understatement.

After my 4AM excursions, I woke up on Sunday at 2PM. It took 15 minutes of being awake before I was summoned to go on a road trip with two wonderful gals from England and Belgium. We made our way to Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, home to the world's smallest penguins and one of the largest Little Penguins population. I have so many pictures from the exhibition and landscape, but I don't have the USB for my camera. :( I will get them up ASAP, but you can check out the website linked in the mean time.

Might I remind you that it is winter in Melbourne, so the summer clothes I brought are not helpful during my outdoor escapades. As my new mates were adding layers of clothes in the bathroom, I found a sign that I found quite amusing hanging:


Take from it what you will. All I know is the staff said that syringes are best placed in the yellow box than on the floor where people can step on them.......

It had been about 40 hours since I arrived in Melbourne and I still hadn't eaten anything. After seeing penguins, I finally gained an appetite and we headed to Australian franchise: Red Rooster. They sell tasty chicken that is roasted -- not fried.

Since I had conquered jet lag from staying up until 4AM the night before, I had no trouble falling asleep at a reasonable time (by 2AM) after seeing the penguins. With a bar downstairs, it's hard not to pop in and see what's happening and who's there. The bar has a pool table and a small alleyway for smokers to convene (the "hip" spot). One thing I've noticed is that everyone rolls their own cigarettes here. I don't smoke cigs (and at $13/pack, no one here should either), but it's definitely a difference from the U.S., where you will rarely find anyone rolling their own cigarettes (too classy for that!).

Since my appetite was back, I decided to go for a snack at 7/11 (there's one on every corner). I bought a Vitamin Water for AUD$4 (about $5-6) and the other drinks were around the same price. : 0 I looked at the shelf of chips and was confused. I had never heard of any of the brands...where were the LAYS?!!?! Of course Doritos made their presence without as many options.

Day 2 of Australia: I am going to Belgium. That's the consensus. So now that my next trip is decided, I'm ready to continue this one :)

Also, I plan on improving my French now that I am surrounded by so many speakers of such a sexy/romantic language.