Jase & Reens Excellent Adventure: March 2006

Melbourne Farewell Party - Aftermath

Posted: Wednesday, March 29 2:13 PM by Jase

[Photo Gallery of friends who came to the Oxford Scholar - 49 photos]

Well, what a cool way to go out!

Last Saturday we farewelled a number of friends from:
- Irene's Work Friends (CTI)
- Irene's School Buddy's (Academy of Mary Immaculate)
- Mutual Uni Friends (RMIT & Melbourne Uni)
- Jason's School Buddy's (Lakeside Secondary College)
- Jason's Basketball Friends (Melbourne Uni Basketball Club & The Pacemakers)
- Various other friends from other walks of life

After being informed by the Pub management that pending the number of customers they usually close at 9pm on Saturday's (being a uni pub), we were a bit concerned about having a sufficient turnout to keep the place open. As it turns out, upwards of 60-70 people dropped past at various stages of the night so the place was packed! (Big huge thanks to everyone who came).

The fact that Jason (Moore) and Melanie (Fidler) agreed to hold mutual birthday parties at the same venue at the same time certainly helped! (Note to self: Will have to have more mutual parties in future - the atmosphere was great!). PS. Happy birthday Jase & Mel!

Well, tomorrow (4pm) is our flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia so we are really excited! Hope to keep you guys up to date!

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Melbourne Farewell Party

Posted: Wednesday, March 22 10:24 PM by reens

Having paid for and confirmed our Melbourne > Kuala Lumpur > Los Angeles flight for the Thursday the 30th of March (as per our itinerary), we are organising to have our going away party the Saturday beforehand! A reminder that it's THIS Saturday!!

What: Jase & Irene's farewell party for friends
Why: Because unless you come to the UK, you are unlikely to see us for a number of years
When: 8pm, Saturday, March 25th 2006
Where: The Oxford Scholar, 427 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Hope you can all make it =]

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Melbourne, Australia - What to do and Where to Eat (Recommendations)

Posted: Friday, March 3 1:37 PM by Jase

Whenever we meet backpackers whilst on holiday, they invariably ask for our recommendations about Melbourne, so here they are:

What To Do:

Aussie Rules Footy: Go to any AFL game at the MCG between the 'big 3' Melbourne clubs: Essendon, Carlton & Collingwood (Regular season matches between these clubs draw 80,000 fans and the buzz of the atmosphere around the ground is electric)
St Kilda: Catch a tram to St Kilda from Melbourne for a scenic walk down Fitzroy Street by the beach. Check out the cake shops, consider some clothes shopping or stop past The Esplanade to catch a band.
Brunswick Street: Catch a live music gig at The Evelyn or stop past Bar Open for a beer. Have dinner on a sidewalk cafe (or The Vegie Bar) and enjoy the Bohemian side of Melbourne. A trip to Brunswick Street is NEVER complete without a souva from The King!
State Library of Victoria: You can enjoy one of the finest free tourist attractions available to Victoria just by wondering in to the State Library and exploring - it's huge and there are always awesome historic & contemporary exhibits (eg. Ned Kelly's armour). Chilling out in the vast La Trobe Room with a classic is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.
Torquay: On a hot weekend, Melbournians love to get down to the beach for a swim and Torquay is probably the most popular destination (however locals will often skip the crowds and head to a nearby alternative - anywhere along the coast will do the trick). The traffic to get there is always chockers so try to bypass the Geelong CBD if possible. A cold eskie, QueensCliff Fish & Chips & Ice-Creams rounds out a perfect day at the beach! (Look out for the fly's!)
Queen Victoria Market: Any given Saturday, the Victoria Market is the place to choose from a wide variety of cheap, quality, fresh meat & produce (the Deli section is fantastic). On Sunday's, it also has a vast sampling of stores devoted to typical market-style ware (clothes, touristy artifacts etc.).

Where To Eat:

Red Silks (Asian - CBD - $8 lunch): The Nasi Goreng ($8) and the daily lunch specials ($7.80 for one of the four specials of the day with a free Sago) are best of breed here! Open very late on the weekends and has the perfect outdoor eating balcony for nice summer days. Address: 101/200 Bourke Street Melbourne CBD (just West of the Hungry Jacks on the corner of Russell & Bourke - Go up the stairs towards the Chinese cinema to find it)
Shanghai Village (Dumplings - CBD - $6.50 main): THE place to go for cheap & Dodgy! Steamed, Fried, Pork, Beef, dumplings, dumplings & more dumplings! In general, order dumplings to share with Shanghai noodles on the side (eg. 5 people - order 3 plates of fried dumplings, 1 plate of steamed dumplings and 1-2 plate(s) of shanghai noodles). Stick to the dumplings - other fare on the menu is nowhere near as rewarding. Address: 112 Little Bourke St Melbourne (between Russell & Exhibition St)
Don Don's (Japanese - CBD - $5.50 main): Ever ordered a dish that was delivered before you have even counted your change? Not even McDonalds can top these guys on efficiency and it is probably the cheapest feed in Melbourne! At $5.50 for a Sukiyaki or Teriyaki Don (Rice with Beef or Chicken), repeat business is guaranteed! Address: 321 Swanston Street, Melbourne (It is a tiny place with a Red shop-front just South of the Swanston/Little Lonsdale st corner - perfect for a take-away to sit on the State Library Lawn)
OBento (Japanese - CBD - $7.50 main): Slightly pricier then Don-Dons at $7.50 (Gyu Don - Beef with Rice & Noodles), the difference is in the taste - probably the tastiest cheap take-away lunch in Melbourne. Address: Shop 315, Melbourne Central Complex, LaTrobe St, Melbourne (There are Two Obento take-aways at the Melbourne Central complex - one is in the upstairs food-court)
Stalactites (Souvlaki - CBD - $7.50 main): Probably second place to the King (see Souvlaki King below), but they still spit a fine souva ($7.50 open 24 hours). Address: 117-183 Lonsdale St, Melbourne (Corner of Lonsdale/Russell st)
Dessert House (Savoury - CBD - $7 dessert): Awesome savoury and dessert pancakes - hard to get a table at any time due to all the international Asian students who love this place. There is stuff on the menu you are not likely to find anywhere else in Melbourne! Address: Midcity Arcade Shop 18/ 200 Bourke St Melbourne (Between Bourke & Lt Bourke St)
Thanh Dat (Vietnamese - Springvale - $8 main): Typical Vietnamese restaurant gold - Cheap & Good! Address: Shop 22, cnr Buckingham & Windsor Avenues, Springvale
Thy Thy (Vietnamese - Richmond - $8 main): Terrific & Cheap Menu - as with all Melbourne Asian restaurants, make sure you are very clear and unambiguous with the waiter - Ordering 'tailored' dishes that are not explicitly on the menu is bound to end in tears. Address: 142 Victoria St, Richmond
Ha Long (Vietnamese - Footscray - $8 main): Try the Rice Paper Rolls With Prawn & Pork or the Spring Rolls as an opener and then feast on a superb Lemon Grass Chicken with Riceor Phôû boø (Rice Noodle Soup with Sliced Beef) main. Address: 74 - 76 Nicholson Street, Footscray
Souvlaki King (Souvlaki - Fitzroy- $7.50 main): Surely Australia's best Souvlaki (especially at 4am on a Sunday morning after a few beverages) is spit-roasted here at the King ($7.50). Open 7 days/24 hours, post clubbers can pack this place tighter than Bell Street Macca's! Address: 311 Brunswick St, Brunswick (Near Johnston st - 10 minutes from the city on the 112 West Preston tram)
Vegie Bar (Vegetarian - F - $10 main): Meals for under $12 here are not only healthy & delicious, they are HUGE! Address: 378 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
I Carusi (Gourmet Pizza - Brunswick - $14 main): Melbournes best undiscovered gourmet secret! From the street, you can hardly tell it's a restaurant but step inside for some wood-fired pizza action! Address: 46a Holmes St Brunswick East
Casa Del Gelato (Ice Cream - Carlton - $5 dessert): Summer in Melbourne means Gelati on Lygon Street! Go for a walk down the touristy strip and you are sure to be propositioned by the Restauranters to sample their fare (however apart from Dimatinna's -see below-, Lygon street food is generally over-priced and not that great). Address: 163 Lygon St, Carlton
Dimatinna's (Pasta - Carlton - $18pp Shared): Owned by former Footscray AFL Footballer Paul Dimatinna, this place knows how to cook a pasta! Try splitting a pasta platter and going for a selection (our favourites are Chicken Carbonara, Marinara & the Dimatinna special!). Address: 306 Lygon St, Carlton
Skinny Dog (Pub Fare - Kew - $17 main): Victoria's biggest Chicken parma meal (~$17) is best approached following at least two days on a starvation diet - it's that big. Many student chicken parmigiana guides will attest that the Dog dishes up one of Victoria's finest. Address: 155 High St, Kew Junction, Kew (Catch the 48 or 109 tram for a 20 minute ride there from the city)
Napier Hotel (Pub Fare - Fitzroy - $16 main): The Steak Sanga & Bogan Burger (~$16) is the tastiest pub fare I have tried in Melbourne - It's Huge! Also, make sure you get the flavoured mayonnaise for your wedges - definitely worth the extra $1. You will probably want to call ahead to book a table (ph. 9419 4240), because this place fills up very quickly - even on week-nights! Address: 210 Napier Street Fitzroy
Bhoj (Indian - Templestowe - $15pp All you can eat Banquet Mondays): Really authentic Indian ingredients in a relaxed environment. Ordering the banquet between two is humanly impossible to finish! Address: Shop 14, 114 James Street, Templestowe

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