Travels Down Under:
Journey through Victoria

Friday, April 15, 2011

* Albury, New South Wales, Australia to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia *

The weary adventures awoke in the mildew smelling dorm room of the Albury YHA, rolling out of bed, but with a restful sleep. Downstairs the showers awaited them, after which they made omelets for breakfast while preparing for their journey onwards through Victoria. The women from last night, and two new girls, joined them in conversation during breakfast as they prepared to figure out their routes. As some new coastal route ideas were presented to them. They headed off shortly from Albury onwards towards Melbourne. Sir Thomas Leaf found the “Koala” crossing signs a bit humorous as they scanned the treetops for koalas during their drive across the countryside. They saw a few antique cars pass them by and upon stopping at a rest area, saw an old fashioned “meals on wheels” service vehicle with high prices for their meals so went on to their budget and made tuna fish sandwiches. The lady running the cafeteria bus jumped to the conclusion that Sir Thomas Leaf and Sir Bluey Bee were “mates” and not in the Australian manner of “mate” but as a gay couple. They corrected her and she apologized for jumping to the conclusion. Perhaps it was Sir Leaf’s floral shirt with pink. After the rest area, they proceeded on the road towards Melbourne. Within hours the humorous duo made it to Australia’s Metropolitan Mecca of Melbourne. As entering they saw a Toyota van that had a car dealership sticker on it saying “Blood Toyota”. What an Odd name thought Leaf. To get their bearing since they got a little lost, they pulled into the “free” WiFi spot at a McDonald’s to do some Google Earth for directions. Since Sir Thomas Leaf has boycotted fast food in his life as of late for health reasons, he always “cringes” when he enters such facilities. He took a peek at the menu to see how Australia’s outrageous prices would be on dollar menu and meals – much to his horror they were quite pricey compared to the U.S. After gaining directions from the internet and from Sir Bluey asking kind blokes for directions, the adventurers were back on track to Lady Sciencequeen’s flat in Melbourne. Sir Thomas Leaf was quite impressed with many of the street murals in Melbourne. They finally found their way to the flat, and was greeted with many smiles and hugs from Sciencequeen. After dropping the bags and social greets, the three of them headed off to “Lentil as Anything” – a fabulous Indian-style vegetarian buffet that’s All you Can Eat price tag is to pay whatever you feel by dropping donation money into a pay box in a dark corner of the hallway when you enter or exit the establishment. What a innovative idea Sir Thomas Leaf thought thinking he’d like to make a seafood buffet at his and Wendy’s future Mermaid temple someday. The explorers were greeted by a possum blindly climbing up and down a tree by their table. As they were quite satisfied with their meal, Sir Bluey Bee with his smoking charm, lured back a few Australian students to join in their conversations and for a photo moment. After Sciencequeen, Sir Thomas Leaf, and Sir Bluey Bee returned back to the flat, they had a nightcap, conversation, and games until they were worn out. Big day awaited them tomorrow.

Remainder of the Story, Photos and videos below the cut:

4/15/2011: Albury YHA,Albury, New South Wales, Australia

Dorm Room, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

Dorm Room, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

recreation area, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

recreation area, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

dining area/kitchen, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

dining area/kitchen, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

swimming pool, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

dining area/kitchen, Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

Albury YHA, Albury, New South Wales. April 15, 2011.

Australia flag and air freshener, Albury, NSW; April 15, 2011.

Driving Around Victoria:

Beechworth Bakery antique car on the highway in Victoria. April 15, 2011.

Beechworth Bakery antique car on the highway in Victoria. April 15, 2011.

Beechworth Bakery antique car on the highway in Victoria. April 15, 2011.

Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Koala:

koala crossing, Highway scene , Victoria, Australia

koala crossing, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Driving Around Victoria:

countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

antique car, countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia Koala:

Koala crossing/ antique car, countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Koala crossing, countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Driving Around Victoria:

rest area; countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Sir Bluey Bee at the rest area for lunch; countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Sir Thomas Leaf at the rest area for lunch; countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

countryside, Highway scene, Victoria, Australia

Melbourne

Highway scene, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Highway scene, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

“Blood Toyota”; Highway scene, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

“expensive Bic Macs”; Australia economy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

street murals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

street murals, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Stephanie Sciencequeen, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Stephanie Sciencequeen, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything

possum, Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

possum, Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

possum, Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything restaurant , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.

Lentil as Anything restaurant, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. April 15, 2011.