So do I like Melbourne? Hell, I sure do! From her contrasting architecture of the days past and present, wide open spaces between buildings, great shopping variety and numerous little cafes where one could waste the afternoon away in.
But before I start on Melbourne, I would like to share my thoughts about service onboard Emirates.
I think some sort of tragedy must have struck every single Emirates crew at the same time BECAUSE THEY JUST DO NOT SMILE.
And they must be holding a Fastest Server competition among themselves to break the monotomy of their job because the speed at which they were flying from one passenger to the other during meal service was just amazing. The food cart would bang into seats along the aisle several times, which I'm sure is a tactic to wake slumbering passengers. If the passenger is asleep, the crew cannot serve him his meal, and would thus lose the competition.
Because of the time difference between Singapore and Melbourne, it was 4am Singapore time when the crew started serving breakfast. I was woken by the stench of food - you know how I hate food smells in the cabin - but my Indian neighbour was still in dreamland.
The stewardess came beside us and realised my neighbour was still asleep. She called out to my neighbour a couple of times and then poked her in the arm to rouse her. She was THAT determined to serve.
My neighbour woke up to a food tray being tossed into her hands. "What is this?!" she fumed, and the stewardess replied, "Your breakfast" before flying off to terrorise the next passenger. I was pretty sure my neighbour was not questioning the thing that was tossed onto her lap.
The crew looked even more murderous on the return flight to Singapore. I figured they must have lost the Fastest Server title or that personal tragedy took a turn for the worse. Asking for a cup of water would get me dagger-stares.
Anyway, enough of hell. I want to reminisce the good stuff.
Although Melbourne was a lot colder than I had expected and prepared for, the chilly air made it so comfortable to stroll down the river and around the city centre.
There were a couple of buskers, from live statues to musicians, along the river, and they were pretty good ones. This one almost had me fooled. I really thought he was just a statue.
It was a good thing I was housed at Crown Towers, as it puts me within walking distance to the restaurants and shops along the river and in the city centre.
While I had a great view of Melbourne's cityscape from my room on the 28th floor, nothing beats seeing the architecture up close.
Flinders Street Station is just one of the beauties, and I found several more old-time buildings nestled among modern ones.
Bloody, even the graffiti that lined some of Melbourne's alleys is so cool.
I found time on Sunday morning to walk around the city centre a bit with Irene and she brought me to a Vietnamese restaurant for pho. She claimed it is the best she has ever had. I say Madam Saigon on Liang Seah Street in Singapore does it best for me.
This bowl of bland pho does not come cheap, by the way. It cost me A$9 (S$11.40). But heck, life in Australia is never cheap. I paid A$2.40 for a small bottle of Evian from 7-Eleven, and it was the cheapest brand of mineral water I could find. :(
Irene had to leave me after lunch for a meeting, so I went about on my own and lost my way. The good thing about losing my way is that I found this stretch of shops with my favourite brands, brands I used to love when I was schooling in Perth.
The stronger AUD is not in my favour so I had to restrain the shopping monster in me. I ended up spending under AUD$300 at Portman and a little more on bits and pieces at other shops.
That was pretty much all I had for free time and shopping in Melbourne because the shops close early and it was past 7pm by the time I was done with the trade show and my stories every day.
Oh well, at least I had friends to hang out with every night. :)
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