Some of our students used to think Australia Day is April Fool’s Day! Finishing work on Friday afternoon, we tasted a sizzlin’ lunch, tested the Blue Mountain coffee in the newly discovered campus cafe, and toasted to our survival of another week, (ignore that the bus driver nearly killed us, starting to drive away as we alighted!)

Easter was next on the calendar, and our crew were doubtful the bunny would find us here in the big smoke. More likely a dragon would. In true Aussie style, a little holiday was planned, and we headed for the seaside town of QingDao. Our train had obviously been updated with a wonderful TV and no volume control. The “find a hotel” project got derailed as our stomachs began to rumble.

Last Thursday night I enjoyed dinner with 1 of China’s top 5 people, a meal of the top 3 dishes ordered from the restaurant’s top 10 list. Time for a little variety, there’s only so much great Chinese food one can handle. The posh hotel buffet lunch certainly filled our bellies. Just one more choc-coated marshmallow stick for the road…

An evening stroll along the pier to walk off the lunch kilos. There are hints of St Kilda pier and for the first time in ages, I think of home…

With 3 Chinese kids, I played some hacky sack out front of the St Michael’s church on Easter Sunday morning. Mornings in China start from 6AM for me! Somehow it’s easy for others to get up and practise their tai-chi, a sword version, fan dancing, and similar physical activities at the crack of dawn. I spotted an elderly man practising his thrusting – use it or lose it, that’s his motto!

Fruitless shopping is a popular past-time for many locals. I have to admit, I’ve joined in, but like most males, my shopping is exclusively results oriented. The latest success was an incense burner and a few sticks. At long last, my days of showering with drains stinking of sewer stench are over!
Read the rest of this entry »

Like everything, there are pros and cons of the transport systems in this town. This is the technical term for a transport breakdown in Melbourne. The upshot is, we get compensation… well, kind of.

Monthly and longer ticketholders will get compensation from Connex for January for the large number of cancelled and delayed trains.

If you’re feeling affluent and want to improve on the cons, feel free to put your money where your mouth is. Melbourne’s transport companies only get 35% of operating costs recovered from fares. The Public Transport Users Association are awaiting your investment.

The free W-11 tram cruising around the city circle has got to be the best thing since sliced bread. If you’re craving for a momentary return to my favourite spot in India… then look no further – literally – jump on board and close your eyes as you boogie your way down the aisle to the Punjabi beat.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Failing that, or you happen to be working every Friday night, a vision for your sore eyes: not such a busy street on Vimeo