[vitaminp]

Hi all, this is my first TR attempt, comments/suggestions very welcome, enjoy!

Background

I had stupidly decided to leave Vancouver on a Friday afternoon, fly YVR-LAX-SYD-PER, arrive back in PER at 3pm Sunday and go straight back to work on Monday. The numbers on a spreadsheet I was “working” on were becoming a blur when I was jolted awake by my phone buzzing across my desk. It was two mates, calling to tell me they were seconds away from booking some flights on Tiger, PER-MEL-PER for $170, leave at midnight Thursday and back on Sunday night. I thought of my bare savings account and bloated credit account (s) (thanks entirely to Canada) but I was persuaded, and hey, it was still 2 months away!

TT 7709
PER-MEL
Seat 13C

After two months of solid work/uni I was ready for a weekend off. I organised Friday off work and prepared myself for the flight leaving at 12.25am. I wanted to get to the airport well before the 45 min check in cut off to try and snag an exit row seat. So Mum dropped me off at about 10.10pm. PER Domestic was a nightmare, made even worse by the road works at the moment, reducing the speed to 40/25km and one lane for a few hundred meters of the road leading into the airport. I walked past the QF terminal, thinking about the points I was missing out on L but still just a little excited that I would be trying out TT’s newish A320. It was also the first time I was flying a different domestic airline, having been a QF customer all my life.

There were four people ahead of me in the line and two check-in desks operating. I asked the very nice lady behind the counter if she could do anything to move me from my pre-allocated seat of 20C to something a bit more spacious. We eventually settled on exit row seat 13C, and she said 13B was unallocated.

At about 11.55pm boarding was called and we took the walk out to the tarmac and across to the gleaming VH-VND. I always love boarding a plane via the moveable stairs; I think it adds to the excitement a little! The A320 cockpit looked awesome, and the cabin still had a slight “new car” feel to it.

The leg room in 13C was similar to that of a QF 738, and I marked off a small victory when the door was closed with 13B vacant. The crew went through the safety demonstration and the Captain welcomed us on board. A quick taxi out to the runway and after a fairly short take-off roll were away at 12.35. After what seemed like a pretty slow climb the in-flight service started. I didn’t take anything, and went down to see my mates in row 20. It was not a pretty sight. All are 6’ plus and seeing them cramped into the tiny seats was not fun. One of them came up next to me and I’m told it made it slightly more bearable.

The flight was about 70% full. Spare seats dotted throughout the cabin, and about three full rows down the back. On a walk down the back I saw someone try to lay in a row, but got moved on by the crew, as “those seats are taken”. They were, because 10 min later two crew members were sleeping in them.

Soon enough the Captain was telling us we had started our descent into MEL. We landed at 05:55. Walked along the tarmac to the TT arrivals hall, which is basically reclaimed car parking spaces surrounded by chicken wire fence and a demountable toilet block. The wait for baggage wasn't too long and I am fairly sure the gates leading out of the arrivals area are the same ones used at the entrance to MEL Zoo!!


DAY 1 – MEL

Caught a taxi into the city and arrived at Punt Hill Apartments in Flinders Lane. We left our baggage and caught the tram out to St Kilda for breakfast. I have been following the Aug 08 AFF gathering schedule and saw Greasy Joe’s as the breakfast venue. However, when we were there at 7.30am it was closed. It looked open, but a knocking on the door and waiting around for a bit proved fruitless. We went down Acland St and found another place I can’t recall the name of.

Spent some time walking down St Kilda beach and out along the jetty. Purchased a slice of Pecan Pie and the almost unpronounceable chocolate creation from a cake store with pictures of Thorpie on the wall. Although it was 9am, boy was it good!

Back to the apartments to check in and have a rest. Three in each apartment, with two single beds and a fold out couch ($50 ea/night). After the sleep I needed a hot chocolate and found a café in one of the lanes adjacent to Flinders Lane. We wandered around the CBD having a look. My shopping needs on this trip were limited, but I am always on the look out for a funky pair of sneakers. Went to a store on Flinders Lane that sells LRG clothing (one of my fav brands) but the prices were sky high compared to Canada/USA and with the $ doing its stuff now, its far cheaper to have my friends there send it over.

After a carton was purchased and consumed we went out to Lygon Street for dinner at Il Gambero. The food was reasonable, although I felt the pizza lacked something. After dinner word on the street said Caledonian Lane was the place to go. “S*** Town” is basically a stairwell that has been converted into a club/meeting place but it really is just a stairwell with a tiny room lit by candles housing a dance floor. “S*** Town” looked and felt like someone had found an abandoned warehouse, smashed out some bricks for a tiny bit of light, lit some candles and invited all their friends for a wild house party!

I was super impressed with the DJ, spinning some awesome tunes. I was more impressed when the girl behind the desk serving drinks was looking at me weirdly. When I went to get my next drink she thought she recognised me as a football player. Now in my mind I know it’s not nice to lie, but when the lie brings prospects of free drinks, then surely it’s justified?? I didn’t correct her assumption, and added that I play in WA. This is tecnically correct, because I often kick a football with my mates! I didn't think I was very convincing, especially when I gave her my real name (d'oh) but it seemed to pay off because I didn’t pay for a drink for the next couple of
hours .

(Later found out that “S*** Town” is not the holder of a valid liquor licence or the correct approvals from Melbourne City Council)

Went to St Jerome’s which is just next door. I loved that place. Everyone was nice, there seemed to be a good vibe in the air, and it’s completely different from everywhere in Perth!

I don’t know what it is with MEL and places starting with “La”. But I went to about three or four on Friday night. La La Lounge (?) La de da’s and a place that may just have been “La”. However, given my state of inebriation, it’s entirely possible it was just the same club!

We also went to a place called The Croft Institute, which is a three level club themed like a hospital/asylum. It’s a little freaky, but was good fun. The bar staff were really nice and again, the place had a good vibe. I love the laneway places in MEL, it’s like every lane might hold a hidden gem, or just be full of dumpsters. In some cases it’s both!

At about 4.30am we were at another place I can’t remember the name of, and decided to call it quits. Home via Lord of the Fries for a cone of chips and a mini burger. Passing out in bed at ~ 5am.

Next – AFL Legends Game, The worst club in MEL, Photos, and a less than comfortable trip home.

[QF009]

Originally Posted by vitaminp

I have been following the Aug 08 AFF gathering schedule and saw Greasy Joe’s as the breakfast venue. However, when we were there at 7.30am it was closed. It looked open, but a knocking on the door and waiting around for a bit proved fruitless.

Might be a bit too early for brekkies? Or maybe only for certain clientele.

Crofts Institute is a great choice! V atmospheric and the whole set up (including the convoluted laneway to get there) has awesome character. And was one of the possible venues for after dinner drinks on AFF gathering Saturday, but alas they charge a cover of $5 after 10pm and I don't think people will be impressed by that. And I wouldn't want to be in a hurry to finish dinner by 10.

[oz_mark]

Originally Posted by QF009

Might be a bit too early for brekkies? Or maybe only for certain clientele.

Supposed to be open at 7.00 am. But then they are on St Kilda time so who knows.

[QF009]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

Supposed to be open at 7.00 am. But then they are on St Kilda time so who knows.

I wouldn't know either as I've never been there for breakfast before midday....

Rest assured though that the Sunday brunch will be at a rather sensible timing.

[vitaminp]

I think we may have interrupted staff brekky! 7.30am did not feel very sensible to me! Rest assured I made up for it on Sat and Sun with a 1pm breakfast .

Totally agree about Croft, even if it took quite some time to find it..."just go up there, right, left, right...end of alleyway..no end of the other alleyway"..I really loved the set up of the middle floor with the toilets in office type arrangement.