Operation Roxy - In Progress

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Melbourne Take Over!

What an amazing weekend! I have never had such a good time.
We just didn't stop!

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THURSDAY

Thursday night Loz and Nick arrived from Sydney on a virgin flight and we headed into the city
to our lodgings for the weekend.

Unfortunately the Mecure decided to screw us around on our entry and charged us more than the rate we booked at. Had cancelled our booking for not being there by 6pm (why were we asked what time our flight arrived on the website if they don't listen) AND they downgraded our
room and charged us extra for the 3rd person! (We had it booked for 4 people) But we settled anyway.

Got up to the room and then decided to check out wha
t was open in town. We started off at Transport opposite Flinders st Station and then moved on down the river to Crown before walking back home again. This is where I discovered that Panadeine Forte and Alcohol don't mix. I was wondering why I felt trashed before I finished my 1st drink. I was lucky not to be sick!

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FRIDAY

Friday morning started with a buffet breakfast in the hotel, before we decided it was the day for a drive to Phillip Island.

With all the traffic etc we got there at 1:30pm and settled in at the local pizza place for one with the lot. It was divine!

It was pouring all morning so we were very happy when we came out to find that it had cleared up and we raced towards the go karts. This has changed a bit since I was a kid. They used to be in Cowes and indoors! Now it's at the race track (which is not the whole of Phillip Island despite what those who haven't been there thought apparently) and it's a miniature version of the racetrack. It's awesome!

It was so wet though so we basically slid the whole way around the track. Poor Loz was given a 6hp go kart so she was a bit off the pace which would have been super frustrating.

From there we were all a bit wet and cold and ready to head home as we had a dinner booking and thought we were running a bit late.
Got home and had a bit of extra time so the gorgeous Nick set up my wireless router for me and now my hard drive recorder works! PLUS I am sitting in the easy chair with my feet up tping away on my laptop which is awesome!


Then we went to "The Social" in Mornington for dinner and drinks. What a nice cosy place. WITH an awesome cocktail menu too!



Unfortunately I decided on driving for the night (boo
hiss) So I had a French Martini with my entree and switched to Diet Cokes. We met up with another one of my best friends, Rikki and a friend of hers Bianca who I hadn't met before and all had great meals and a good time. I had an awesome meal of Morton Bay Bug tails and a creamy pasta, while Loz had a house special Chicken Breast on a strawberry Risotto. And Nick the Lemon Pepper Fish Skewers.


After dinner there was a guitarist start playing some really good music in The Social so we sat and listened to him for awhile and then moved next door to The Bay Hotel (The Social and The Bay are joined together). I couldn't believe how young people are! I am sure that half of those in there were under age!


While the band was setting up I discovered a little back room called "The Vodka Bar." Inside we discovered Vodka Infusions. I have never heard of such things! But what delights. THIS was when I was starting to spew about the decision to drive. I settled on demanding Loz buy a Musk Stick and a Chico Baby Vodka Infusion and tasted hers. (It really didn't take any convincing :p) They are amazing! Something I have researched today to learn to make myself. YUMMMOOOO

The Band at The Bay was pretty darn good with some easy rock and oldies playing it was great. Me being the crowd phobe though I didn't last long in an area where people are pushy and rude and wanted an exit fairly early on. I think we left around 11:30 and headed back towards our hotel.


After parking the car we all decided we were darn tired and couldn't be bothered heading back out again (it was COLD!) Dropped into bed contemplating our age amongst other things for dropping into a warm bed so early.

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SATURDAY


We started off at the Tourist information centre at Federation Square. I hadn't been downstairs before and I was pretty impressed with the place. I bought some more Secrets cards which are pretty handy and we grabbed a couple of brochures for things to do before looking for Breakfast.

Breakfast was at some cafe in the square. NO idea which one. We stopped for some photos beforehand and I was starving by then :p I polished off a Big Breakfast as I couldn't decide what I wanted for the life of me.
Then we caught a tram or two up to the Queen Vic Markets. It's unbelievable how much time you can spend there! We didn't get half way through before it was lunch time! Loz bought some clothes as did I and I got Storm a new collar and bought me a single seater hammock! While Nick bought a really nice ring. I was so upset when the coat I had seen only went to a size 14. (That's not going to happen this season) But it's a good reminder of what I let slip.
We went to Blue Fire Grill at Docklands for lunch. They carve the meat at your table. It was so funny us in a posh restaurant in our market clothes carrying our shopping hauls around with us. Me in a HSV jumper (of course, it's my favourite!) We didn't fit in but it gave us a giggle and we really enjoyed our lunch. It comes highly recommended but it does cost. We were all suitably full though turning down any chances of their gorgeous dessert menu.

We headed back into the city with a plan of going to Koko Black but managed to get their during a chocolate tour. Totally insane! So we walked back to our hotel

Outside David Jones in Bourke Street Mall were the Free Hug people. I have seen
them on You Tube before and GEEZ they are popular! Who could resist?

Then we caught a taxi out to St Kilda pier to jump on a boat to see the Penguins. Our Taxi driver stuffed up. We almost missed the boat. And then it was full of kids having a Birthday party. It rained the whole time and the spotlight didn't work. Im sure the boat was almost not seaworthy. Then I got pissy cause there was a nicer boat we could have taken from Docklands with No kids, and a spotlight. But hey Nick and Loz had a ball we saw penguins AND it had "character".
Hot chocolates were the immediate call of the day though as soon as we disembarked before jumping on a tram back to the city.

When we got back to the hotel I could feel my layers thaw as I jumped into the hot shower. (Loz and Nick kind of know what I'm talking about when I say it's cold now)

Then it was time to hit the town again.
We went through the secrets cards to figure out a couple of places we definitely wanted to visit then narrowed that down and ventured on from there. 1st Stop was the Ding Dong Lounge. But at 9pm at night they wanted us to pay a cover charge. We'd all previously decided pooey to that so moved on to the next on the list.

The Red Hummingbird opposite the QV building on Russel Street. Cosy with a big cocktail list, but not your normal stuff. The rooftop terrace
is lovely though. The music more suited for a wind down than a start to your night however so we wandered on.

A flip of the coin found us wandering down Lonsdale Street and as we passed Tattersalls Lane I decided to drag Nick and Loz down the dark alleyway to a place I had been past a few times but never stopped. "Section 8" is a funky bar next to "Shanghai Dumpling" It's a modified shipping container that's been thrown into a former corporate carpark with chep pellets modified to make seats and tables for patrons. The drinks are great contain generous amounts of alcohol at reasonable prices and the bar staff was cute. All were happy so we stayed until closing (about 12:30pm) by which time I was a bit the worse for wear and a little hungry.
After a Macca's stop we tried to go into Cookie but apparently someone had it booked for a 30th birthday party. Boo! So we moved onto Crown. I lasted until about 3:30am when I piked on Nick and Loz and left them at the Velvet Bar. The super cocktails looked tempting but I was stuffed!

My Taxi driver thought the speed limit down flinders st was 100km/h and sat on 90 the whole way. (I thought 40 was quick through there maniac!) When Loz and Nick finally packed it in for the night (5am) they too got a phycho who they thought wasn't going to make the corner onto Spring Street. I never heard them arrive!

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SUNDAY

Sleep In!


Even thought there are posters through out the hotel advertising a 2pm checkout on Sundays we get a call at 11am asking when we will be leaving. Huh? Oh apparently you have to let them know (why can't they put this on their posters?)

After this it was time to pack up and head for a recovery breakfast. We drove down to St Kilda to Grcoery Bar. At the recommendation of the beautiful Phil. (Miss you heaps babe!) Then it was time for the jump! Yup we did it!
All 3 of us did 2 jumps from 7 storeys high! It is an awesome experience and one I am keen to do again many many times. (So which bloggers are up for it?) Nick showed graceful elegance his first trip down and he looked like a pro. Loz lost it a few times and kept spinning off the wall. And Jadey "doingk" I did a full 360°C turn at one stage and hit my head on the building. (That's what the helmets are for) The second jump was much better! We suceeded in making it look fairly easy. I am sure we could get better and better with the more jumps we do. It's a shame the weather turned or we could have done another one. I'm pretty sure when Macca moves to a Sydney location we will show up too :)

Thanks again Macca! www.rapjumping.com


Then we finally got to make a stop at Koko Black. And onto the Eureka tower.
We went out on "The Edge" I wasn't all that impressed. But really things like that should be done before you jump off a building rather than after in a day :) It was something you had to do if you had paid to go up there though I'm sure.
We had dinner at Shanghai Dumpling, some buns for dessert and headed to the airport. I was a tad early so we headed for the viewing area to watch the planes fly in over our heads. It's such an awesome experience.

Dropping the guys off at the airport was so hard! I blubbered and cried. Loz and Nick gave me a taste of my friendships I have left in Sydney. And we had such an awesome time with so much more to do on our list we didn't even get to!
It really is hard.

I miss my boy (who didn't come on this trip) like absolute crazy! And I just wish I could have more time. Soon it will all happen. It's just never soon enough huh!

I hope you are all well! Hugs and Kisses!

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