Trams and tollways (evening)

Let's start by saying that the trams blow. They are too crowded and way too slow, with stops every 100m. That's the 16 to St. Kilda anyway. And let me just say... the beauticians must do a roaring trade here dehairing the Greek population, haha.

Anyway, St. Kilda reminded me of Cottesloe pretty much. Beach, cafés, and crowds. Only more eateries in St. Kilda. Had lunch at 'KL Café'; which I would had recommended until we paid the bill. The food was great - very authentic. But with the bill, we were charged for a the main servings, even though we were given the "$8.50 lunch menu".

Apprently, because I didn't say that I wanted the 'lunch serving' ...blah blah. 20 minutes of arguing later, the owner  says "I will call police" ... "Oh, nice... and you'll pay for my half-hour of waiting for them to turn up?".

Long story short (too late), we met half way and let him know that we would tell all we knew to avoid the place because of their attitude and incompetence.

Fun.

After the incident, I took the mandatory photo of Luna Park, and then we trammed it over to Southern Cross Station and on to the Epping line to hit up the bro-in-law.

He took us on a drive.

Ended up out in the Yarra Valley to give us an idea of what it looks like. Looks like I could have some fun traipsing around the hills on an extended stay. Great scenery, and it was a pleasant surprise.

Back in the car and he belayed us to Williamstown for another look-see. Nice as well, but it was kind of similar to WA scenes again... We have lots of water remember :P

Dropped off and train home, I cooked some dinner, packed for the morning, and that as they say, was that.

Awake at last. Had to have a sleep-in since we didn't get in until the wee hours of the morn.

We met Clint and 'the boys' for dinner at South Bank. Went to 'Bear Brass', which was alright. Good value for meal size, but I'm a critical diner. Don't get me wrong, I will eat literally anything and I don't criticise cheaps eats. But if I pay more than $20/plate, then I have my rights... so here goes...

Dips with Turkish bread were a mixed bag. From my ingredient detecting palatte, the spinach, feta, and parmesan was ok, the sundried tomato, capsicum, and parmesan was overpoweringly parmesany, but dip number three was delectable (corriander and eggplant I believe). My meal was a confit leg of lamb with tomato chutney, potato salad and chorizo. The lamb and chutney worked well.

The potato and chorizo worked well. But together... a big contradiction... What were you thinking chef?

Another little pet peeve... the potato salad wasn't potato salad, but just friend potato. And the chorizo wasn't chorizo, but kranskj. Hmm.

Overall, it was good though - I did enjoy it and it shows Melbourne's promise. As a plus, the bar guy didn't know the answers to my beer questions, so he gave me half a midi ('pot' over here?) as a taster. On ya.

After a heart feast, we needed lubrication and hit up the 'Elephant and Wheelbarrow' (we have a namesake in Perth, dunno if it's the same) for several pints and some critical analysis of Melbourne fashion. Which can be best desrcibed as, err, eclectic.

It seems as if not many people own mirros over here, hah.

Not being nasty. Some are well dressed, some aren't. A lot just don't have a clue about colour. There's such a mix - I felt over-dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, haha.

Honestly, from my first couple of days here, I'm a little confused. Melbourne is great but if it weren't for the English being spoken, I wouldn't know I was in Australia. I would actually say that Melbourne reminds me more of Seoul than it does Perth. Bizarre.

And speaking of Seoul, I got seriously addicted to green tea ice-cream over there. Like a two cone a day kind of thing. Moving on to KL, I didn't know what to do with myself. Then I discovered Starbucks and their Green Tea Frappucino... I was in Heaven.

Then for the last 12 months I have been tossing and turning, suffering major withdrawl and depression.

Now... I've been saved. Starbucks exists in Melbourne. Green Tea Frapps exist too.

I had my first for a year yesterday and I nearly fainted... I'm on a venti as we speak. What will I do when I go home?