Melbourne to be Wild

Thought I would make the post titles a little more interesting. Today is officially my last day in Australia and its been a good run. Just spent the last week and a half in Melbourne and really like the city. The first 5 days I spent in the St. Kilda area which is about a 20 min train ride from downtown by the beach. St. Kilda is a cool place made up of a healthy mix of artists, bikers, backpackers and prostitutes. Another cool thing about the area is one evening walking along the beach I saw a group of people taking pictures and went over to see a bunch of penguins, which I was excited to see in the wild. Melbourne is a big sports town so I decided last week that I needed to check out a cricket match that was being played. The Melbourne Cricket Grounds stadium is located in a sort of sports arena plaza area where there is the soccer stadium, competition swimming pool and the Australian Open Tennis courts. Although it was cool to go into the MCG and walk around, I quickly realized that I am not a fan of Cricket. I can see how it could fun to a game with your friends on a sunny summer day and just hang out and drink beers, but the game is too long for me. Its like the more boring version of baseball which I didn't think was a phrase possible, but regardless I gave it a shot and it was worth seeing. After a few days I left the St.kilda area because it was so far from the city and, despite the positive of cool people, the hostel I was staying at was filthy and i woke up and realized I had my first run in with bedbugs. Moving to the downtown area it was nice being within walking distance of everything. I spent a couple of days checking out free museums, markets and other things. I was still waiting for my card to be sent so I could really move anywhere, so I got a little bored for a few days. Melbourne is a great place for working while travelling, but like any city you can only wander around looking at things for so long. Finally yesterday my card came in the mail and I bought a ticket to Bali, Indonesia (and a $12 flight from Jakarta to Singapore fro visa reasons). I am just starting to realize how different tomorrow is going to be from yesterday and am super excited. I love Australia, but it is very similar to the United States and I am looking forward to a new culture, some adventure and a far more favorable exchange rate. I'm going to savor the last few hours of semi-cool weather for a few months and then head to the Airport. On the other side.

Some final notes on Australia:

• There are loads of Germans here because I guess this is the place that everybody travels to take a year off. Often times I would find myself in a dorm room with all or mostly Germans. The Australian government just stopped giving out working holiday Visas a few weeks ago.
  
• The backpacker meal is pasta or stir fry and I am so sick of both (again excited for Asia)
• I didn't see a Kangaroo, but I saw a Wallaby, Monitor lizard, Hand-sized spiders, Bearded Dragons, Snakes, All types of Lizards, Bats with 3 foot wingspans, Turtles, and tons of crazy colored birds and Cockatoos
• I am not a fan of the Australian coin money with the 50 cent piece being way too big and bulky and the most expensive 2 dollar coin being the smallest and very easy to lose
• Melbourne was founded by a guy with the last name Batman and in its early days the city was called Batmania (and its pronounced how you hope it would be)
• You would have to be rich to be a alcoholic here
• After a month and a half I am still having close calls getting hit by cars from looking the wrong way before crossing the street
• Kangaroo is really good to eat if done right. I had it as a steak, sausages and burgers. Its super lean and better for the environment
• I think I have met a traveller from every single country in Europe and people from every part of the world and have learned so much just talking to them about their lives and travels
  
• I think there is a man in Australia who is the most intersting man in the world's twice as intersting older brother: XXXX Beer
  
• Favorite Australian phrase: "No worries" , pretty much sums up their layed back, friendly lifestyle