Eugh, whatsapp needs a number. FFS.

OZDATE (it's like Update but with Oz at the beginning because I'm in Australia and Australia is referred to as Oz, geddit?) 1:

Arrived in Sydney late last night and managed to get to a Vodafone shop and buy a Sim without a phone number (lol).

Before that, though, we had customs where we found out that 1 carton of ciggies is over the legal limit for 2 people! It's 25 cigarettes each, mother fucker. Seriously...

Also, got 3 packs of Mongolian Beef Jerky taken away, which doesn't matter to me because I was gonna give them to Shaba, Skerret and Face. Sorry guys.

Anyway, I volunteered this information on my forms and shit, then struck up a nice convo while we did the bag stuff. Final result, customs officers gave the missus and I some extra packs of ciggies each before discarding the rest. Result! Kinda.

Also, chatted with the flight attendant about how awesome Persona 4 and Kanji is when he saw I was playing with m' Vita and asked what I was playing. His fave game of all time, he just stood there in the aisle chillin' while we discussed our fave moments, and my missus rolled her eyes before telling me "I don't get what it is about that game" once Sky Dude had left.

Anyway, after getting the sim we then went outside for nicotine, before grabbing a taxi to the hotel. Hotel was only a 10 minute drive away (not even that, really) and ran to a cool 30 bucks. Fuck...

Once at the hotel we had some more fags (bliss) then tea (good selection - I started with a cheeky Peppermint before finishing off with a Lemon and Ginger, the missus went straight English Breakfast which is crazy because it was like 12 midnight - I married a rebel!). I did try the instant coffee but it tasted like arse.

One all-too-short rest later and the lady and I are back in Terminal 2, ready for our flight to Melbourne. We had breakfast - she had a muffin, I had a sandwich - and coffee. Sandwich was tight, muffin wasn't, and the coffee was...funky...and not in a good way. Still, at 5:50 in the morning after only a handful of hours sleep, coffee is coffee.

Unfortunately our flight has been delayed, so we gotta wait for a bit. As a result, I can now do a STATISTICAL ANALYSIS of AUSTRALIA based on my collected data this far:

100% of Australian Taxis are overpriced
33.33% of Hotel Service staff carry Bic Lighters
100% of international flights into Australia arrive on time.
100% of Australian Domestic flights are delayed by at least an hour
90% of airport security, customs or check-in staff smile
33.33% of all coffee drunk by tourists in Australia is instant coffee and, of that, 100% tastes bad.

Incomplete list of coffee searching in Melbourne.

CBD, shabby mentioned some, but I'll add some others.

Little rogue are my goddamn people. Just next to Melbourne Central, which you'll go past every time you hit city from Carlton.

They also have a place called shamble coffee. Other side of the CBD.

Plantation has a couple of outlets, they're solid.

Padre is a mini chain, very solid. The one at the Vic market in particular.

There's a bunch of other nice places, my hood and nth Melb, have auction rooms, and a bunch of others, Carlton itself I'm rusty on.

Of the other chains in the city, streat and urban fox or passable, not sure if they're in the city, but jasper coffee are OK too.

Dodge anywhere selling the big Italian brands.

As far as suppliers go: small batch (from auction rooms/St Ali) is always a safe bet, padre supply as well, rumble coffee roasters.

There's heaps of others.

Also, even if you don't drink soy. Check which soy they use. Bonsoy ftw, anything else, danger will Robinson, danger.

Also, re Saturday if it's only going to be a small event if Face and Sker are MIA then I'm happy to do a luncheon so you can do a proper anniversary dinner (I mean I'm happy to do lunch for that either way!).

There's some good restaurants in Carlton and surrounds for a nice celebration meal. Places like Town Mouse or Saint Crispin.



Oh, and if you're cheese fiends then you need to hit Milk The Cow in Carlton too. Pidapipo for your gelato too. Well until you go over to Gelato Messina on Smith St.

Got tomorrow's itinerary sorted.

@Skerret - will you be joining me, the missus and Shabs on our drive or will you not be available at that time?

Thread needs moar pictures dammit!

Imgur app on iPhone is simplicity to use and works a treat for me.

Hallo pals, tonight is out but tomoz may be different, keep posting times and places x

I'll be in the city from mid afternoon tomorrow most likely - feel free to pm me if you want mobile number or whatever, otherwise I'll keep my eye on the thread

Hang to which drive are we referring Cint; when and where

Ah. Yeah no way could I have made that, left work at 6:40 and airport by 9, home b'10.

What tomorrow's plan? You MUST do a brunch

Good heavens man you run a tight trip

So it's dins at 6:30 then?

Or MoVida

Cinty liked the look of Meatmaiden so gonna go there. I was gonna make the booking. Judging from the website they have spots so should be fiiiiiine. Then booze. Well booze and food then booze.

Nice one, thanks.