This is it, the last & final up date...

Hi Guys,

Well, in about 5 hours I'll be at home.... So this is it, the last & final update you'll get - well from this trip anyway :o)

Ok, time to test the memory again. I had to up date my travel journal yesterday afternoon, I haven't done it since Kakadu (2ish weeks ago..?) & it was rather
hard to remember what I'd been up to - I think I'm just going to have to go back through all the emails I've written you :)

Tuesday we did the great ocean road. It was pretty cool, lot's more rocks (or what was once land) that look impressive! The 12 apostles, London bridge, bay of islands plus a few others I can't remember the names of. When you see them in photos they look cool, but in real life - soooooo much better! Then on the way to Melbourne we stopped at bells beach & a few other bays on the way.

Tuesday night I stayed at the YHA that was about a 20min walk from the city so
needless to say I changed accommodation & ended up staying at a place right in the heart of the city :)

Wednesday it reached about 38oC, it was just a bit hot & not what I expected of Melbourne! I did a city sights tour which was ok but was really for grandmas & grandpas so I wouldn't recommend. At least I still got to see the sights. Then in the afternoon went to the dandagong ranges(I can't even remember if that's what they're called or how to spell it - I'm sure some one will correct me - Dave, Ian?? ;)

The tour was advertised as "walk through the ranges see waterfalls etc", once again for grandpas & grandmas we drove for about a hour & a half & got off the bus for 30min & fed some birds / parrots (which were pretty cool I must admit) then got back on the bus & that was it, not really worth the trip.

Hit the casino Wednesday night with a girl I met in Adelaide & I didn't lose any money which is always a good thing :)

Thursday, having a bit of trouble with this one... I know I slept in (that's the great thing about staying more than one night in a place - you don't need to check out early!) & that it was cold & pissed down with rain. I think I pretty much spent the day shopping - quite proud of my self actually, I only brought 2 tops that didn't cost a fortune - yes, it took a lot of self control!

Thursday evening (5.30) I took a tour to Phillip Island to watch the penguin parade. It's amazing how tiny they are! You're not allow to take photo's of them cause the flash blinds them. After they made there way across the beach I was watching them from the board walk & this girl goes to her friend "I just have to take a photo - the flash won't go off" so she takes the photo & guess what - the flash goes off. I must say I wasn't impressed! but what can ya do...?

Friday I went to the Queen Vic markets, they're pretty big & have all sorts. Walked round the city a bit more, Melbourne's pretty easy to get around. I met up with a friend I made form Surfers last night & we went down to Southbank. The casino has these fire flame things that go off every hour which are pretty amazing, we were underneath one & you can really feel the heat! The one thing that I would have loved to do here was go clubbing but I suppose there's always next time. I treated myself last night & stayed at a hotel - I tell you what after getting used to a dorm room & sharing a bathroom with a million other people you really appreciate the finer things in life :o)

Today I caught a tram to St Kilda beach but it's raining. According to the weather experts a few days ago, today was supposed to be really, really hot.... I basically just walked through the shops then jumped back on the tram to the city. I'd planned on spending some time on the beach but the rain ruined that for me so now I'm sitting in a Internet cafe trying to waste some time till my airport pick up in a few hours :)

Well, I think that's it - the last time you'll have to read these giant emails (well for a few months anyway :o)

Take care guys & for those of you in Sydney hopefully I'll see ya soon!!!! As someone who's just come back form holiday I'll have to bore you all with my photo's next, hehehe! I wonder what's worse - getting emails form someone that gos on & on, or having to look through 500 odd photos... ;) Don't worry the photos will be completely optional! If I get it together I'll post them on the web so you can all see them :)

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEARS GUYS!!!!!!

Lot's & lot's of love,
Rach xoxoxoxox