Surprise trip to Melbourne

We had a fantastic trip to Melbourne for a surpriise looonnngg weekend - think Thursday to Sunday. It took a lot of planning from Wanda and a strong degree of not investigating from Alistair. He accidentily discovered the destination but remained clueless about the schedule of events. 

First stop was the accommodation - the 40th floor of a CBD residential tower. The westerly views were magnificent, as was the location, well-appointed apartment and the in-house facilities (think pool, hot spa, sauna and steam room), just near the Queen Victoria Markets (QVM). They were a perfect place to have lunch, sitting on a terrace in glorious Autumn sunshine, overlooking the hustle and bustle of the market.

Surprise 1 was a belated birthday present to Alistair from Immi (thank you!). Tickets to the recording of Spicks and Specks at the ABC studios. We saw the taping of the final show for the series, and Alistair was frequently called on by the warm-up comedian Ben Lomas, before the show and during the reset breaks, to continue a humorous banter that kept the audience's energy levels pumped. We even got to participate in the final activity of the show/series - a very badly performed line dance sequence with half the audience!

The joy of that centrally located apartment was the fact that the city was on our doorstep. We had a leisurely breakfast in the apartment, consuming provisions bought from the QVM the day before (scrambled egg and prosciutto bagels, if you'e interested) before heading out to explore. We caught the tram up to the University of Melbourne and walked the grounds and halls of academia that Alistair attended over 40 years ago, purchasing a uni mug to add to our collection. Of course, lots had changed. We then returned to the CBD and visited the gorgeous State Library, enjoying the grandiose architecture. A stroll through the city streets, arcades and laneways (stopping for the obligatory coffee) took us to lunchtime and the second surprise of the trip ... a date with some of Alistair's family - Aunty Eli and cousin Pru. 

A pleasant conversation-filled few hours flew by, fuelled by delicious Lebanese food and wine. A post-prandial explore of the street art on the laneway walls was an enjoyable way to burn off some of the consumed calories. A spa and swim at the accommodation's facilities also helped raise our activity data.

A sound-and-light experience at the Immigration Museum was a last-minute decision that was very enjoyable. We hopped on a tram down to Flinders Street (loving the fact that there is free public transport for all of Victoria for the time we are here due to the 'fuel' shortages) and lay on bean bags while Vivaldi's Four Seasons blasted out to clever illuminations on the elegant columns, pilasters, pediments and walls of the former Customs House Long Room. It was a sensory overload but terrific. A supper of dumplings, watching the twinkling lights from the apartment, rounded off the day.

Saturday started with a relaxing breakfast in the apartment, before Surprise 3 - a Gangsters, Brothels and Lolly Shop guided walking tour. We explored an interesting part of the CBD, Little Lon, and heard about the madams, criminals and complicit coppers from times past. Our guide Michael was knowledgable and very entertaining. We then hurried back to the QVM for Surprise 4, meeting up with an old school friend of Alistair's, Andrew. It was fantastic to fill in the events that had occurred since we last met. After another swim and spa and rest back at the apartment, we ventured back out into the night for Surprise 5 - a birthday dinner courtesy of Imogen, at Patsy's Wine Bar. This nearby restaurant prides itself on its fresh ingredients and fancy vegetarian menu. 

Sunday was Surprise 6 - a brunch gathering of many of Alistair's University friends at Lux Factory in Brunswick. Alistair had an inkling that there may have been a get-together but didn't know who would be there. A few hours of personal catch up rather than just Facebook updates was a fantastic way to end our trip to Melbourne. An Uber to the airport, a trouble-free boarding, flight (we were comfortably seated at the front of the plane) and quick disembarking meant we were in the car in under 15 minutes from landing.

We met up with Queensland friends Noel and Cathy in The Rocks, Sydney for a casual drink, dinner and chat on our way back home, which was wonderful bonus catch-up on what had turned out to be a fantastic, busy, very social and fun weekend.