We drove through Melbourne and stopped overnight in Geelong at Blake and Sandra's amazing house to see their beautiful family. Stella was overjoyed to have 2 girls to play with and Malya and Harper were great big sisters and entertained Stella all evening. Thanks girls!
We left our the X-trail and camper at their house and with the pram, backpack containing Stella, portacot, suitcase and laptop case we caught the train into Melbourne.
Fitzroy
Day 1 - We hopped onto the Number 11 tram which took us to stop 17 in Brunswick St. Hello Fitzroy! This was to be our home for the next 6 days as Uncle Ramon and Auntie Jamie generously offered their apartment for the weekend as they were headed to NZ. That night we had drinks and a BBQ and Uncle Greg and Jamie's friend Kyra came around too. It was a great night catching up with the family and we were totally pumped for the weekend as we discussed places of interest, shopping and things to eat!
Fitzroy
Day 1 - We hopped onto the Number 11 tram which took us to stop 17 in Brunswick St. Hello Fitzroy! This was to be our home for the next 6 days as Uncle Ramon and Auntie Jamie generously offered their apartment for the weekend as they were headed to NZ. That night we had drinks and a BBQ and Uncle Greg and Jamie's friend Kyra came around too. It was a great night catching up with the family and we were totally pumped for the weekend as we discussed places of interest, shopping and things to eat!
Day 2 - First coffee in Melbourne - perfection. Stella played in the park and in the afternoon we all went to the Queen Victoria Markets. They were amazing! We ate $3 Turkish Borek's and Stella scoffed fresh fruit from the organic markets. Janelle had a quick massage and we bought some produce for dinner. That night Janelle's workmate buddy Carmen came around for dinner. Carmen had only moved to Melbourne 2 weeks prior and was exited to have a catch up with old friends. The girls made plans to go into town the following night to check out "White Night" while Zane and Stella would stay home.
Day 3 - Off to Stagger Lee's Cafe for breakfast where we had rice porridge with vanilla, lime, passionfruit and flowers. Not what we would usually order but it looked amazing and tasted great. Smashing coffee. The place was so cool it didn't have any signs on the brick walls just a little blackboard at the door. We went into the Melbourne Museum for the afternoon. It was awesome. We were there for 3 hours until Stella was over it but you could easily spend the whole day there. On the way home we called into a Tiki bar called "Luwow" which had a Southern Seas theme. Loved it! Ordered a Mai Tai and right on cue Stella woke up and wasn't happy. Went home and on the way Zane called in for a beer at "Naked for Satan". Stunning views over Melbourne from the rooftop bar. Carmen came around and collected Janelle and they went out for some pintxos and a drink back at Naked for Satan. and then went into town to check out the annual event White Night with 500 000 other people. Throughout the city there are light shows on the buildings and stages with entertainment and dancing. It was a late night and a souvlaki was needed to make it home after lots of walking and catching the wrong trams.
Day 4 - Went to Stagger Lee's again for breakfast with Carmen. Zane had breakfast tacos and then finished of the girls Spanish hotpot and poached eggs with avo. We said goodbye to Carmen with the promise to catch up when we get back from Tassie. Zane headed off to Soundwave. It was a big walk and on the way he passed the University where a bunch of students were welcoming students for O - week when he hears "Hey Dockray". It was Mitch Stent - St Andrews school captain from 2011! Small world. Then at the gate for Soundwave Zane met Kyra - Jamie's bestie from Thursday night! Soundwave highlights - King Parrot, The Bennies, Steel Panther, Ministry, Dragonforce and Faith No More! Then a big walk home and a midnight souvlaki. Janelle and Stella had a day of shopping and a lunch date. Then they went to church which was in the Hoyts Cinema at Central Station.
Day 5 - The Fitz this morning for another amazing breakfast and coffees. Zane had the burrito and eggs, Janelle had the spanish omelette and Stella got vegemite on toast! We had a midday sleep before jumping on the tram and heading into Melbourne city for a look. We met up with another of Janelle's uni friends Taryn at Mamasita's a very busy little Mexican restaurant on Collins St. We arrived at 530pm so got a table but by 6pm it was full and busy. We ate a few tasty plates and gasped at the bill! Great dining but you certainly pay for it! We finished the night off with some great desert and Stella chased birds in the city square and loved running around the revolving doors. We were impressed by the herb and veggie gardens that were on display throughout the city. Definitely want to get our gardens happening when we get back to Cairns.
Day 6 - For our last day in Fitzroy we wanted to explore the streets around Brunswick St, shop, eat and enjoy. We strolled along Gertrude and Smith St and shared a turkish gozleme. Janelle popped into a few health and organic shops while Zane looked at some antique and vintage collections. There is a big market for retro/vintage stuff, they charge top dollar but some of the woodwork/workmanship was pretty average.
We dined at Rice Queen and ate some chicken "ribs", dumplings and pork belly. We went into a Thai restaurant, sat on the thai cushions on the floor and shared a curry. Stella loved the idea of sitting on the cushions and felt the need to sit on all of the surrounding tables. We got some takeaway for Ramon and Jaimie for when they arrived home from NZ and went home to put Stella to bed. Ramon and Jaimie were stoked to have food on arrival and we had a great time exchanging travel stories. Thanks so much guys for letting us have the apartment, we absolutely loved Fitzroy and can't wait to come visit again.
We dined at Rice Queen and ate some chicken "ribs", dumplings and pork belly. We went into a Thai restaurant, sat on the thai cushions on the floor and shared a curry. Stella loved the idea of sitting on the cushions and felt the need to sit on all of the surrounding tables. We got some takeaway for Ramon and Jaimie for when they arrived home from NZ and went home to put Stella to bed. Ramon and Jaimie were stoked to have food on arrival and we had a great time exchanging travel stories. Thanks so much guys for letting us have the apartment, we absolutely loved Fitzroy and can't wait to come visit again.