WITH A CHERRY ON TOP!

Thursday, November 26th (Happy Thanksgiving!)

Kevin

We boarded the Greyhound bus right away,
Arrived in Melbourne the very next day.
Already having a place to stay,
We then rode the tram to the YHA.



We checked into our room, it was comfy but small.
The staff was friendly and let us make a phone call.
We contacted Maarten by Facebook and Noah by phone
To see if they were tired of traveling alone.

We invited them over for dinner that night
To make sure that their travels were going alright.
We then popped the question to see what they'd say
And asked them to join us for the next few days.

First we would walk towards the 'burb of Fitzroy
Stopping first at a park where we heard some loud noise
We would all crack up laughing at our good luck
To find ranger chasing girl chasing dog chasing duck.



We would then be so lucky to bump into a street
Filled with the sound and smell of some great Latin treats.
We would dine on paella and then move our feet
To salsa, merengue and other great beats.

We would then move on and continue to stroll
Down the main plaza and through the small roads,
admiring the street art and incredible vibe
Despite the rain, the streets were alive.



We would then quench our thirst as we sat in the pub
Reminiscing and talking about things that we love.
We would then head for Bimbo's in the pouring rain
To dine on four dollar pizzas and start talking again.

When we were finished and our stomachs were full
We headed downtown which we thought would be cool.
The reggae show that we wanted to see
Ended up not being, as advertised, free.

So we reckoned we'd given it a pretty good go
And decided to end on a positive flow.
Maarten to Nomads and us to Oasis
We'd settle into bed with smiles on our faces.

The very next morning it continued to pour
But that did not stop us from leaving the dorm.
We decided to meet at the main train station
And take in a display about the films of this nation.

After two hours of being entertained
And marveling at the knowledge of film we had gained
We then moved outside to freshen our brains
And realized that there was a break in the rain.

We sauntered around in the streets for a while
Then boarded the free tram in cheap tourist style.
It did a tour of town center with narration included
And stopped in a far corner leaving us totally secluded.

So we then walked some more till we found Chinatown
And Maarten pointed out the best dumplings around.
That made us hungry so we decided to flee
To the grocery store to buy something to eat.

We decided on burgers, a real Aussie treat.
Ours had great spices and were made from lamb meat.
That night we discussed a change in the plans
We rent a car, drive to the coast and work on our tans.



So, the very next morning we arrived in an office
Rented a car and stuffed it with all of us.
We would head down south with our moderate load
And take a tour of the Great Ocean Road.




While driving along the edge of the cliff
We'd stop many times and take lots of pics.
The scenery is stunning, some of the best we have seen
Peppered by stops for some local cuisines.



The fish and chips meal that we would eat one day
Would leave everyone feeling heavy and Noah quite gray.
We would continue to press on after a lovely stay
In the small little town of Apollo Bay.



The next day was filled with laughter and jeer
As four of us drove to Port Campbell from here.
Once again we would make many stops
Taking in the surrounds and admiring big rocks.



The least of them known as the Twelve Apostles
But do to erosion only eight stand colossal.
At the end of the day we would again rest our heads
In a brand new Backpackers with comfortable beds.



That morning we left for our final day
Of touring the coast in this magical way.
Noah would keep us entertained
With clips off the ipod that we'd have to name.



A picnic lunch by the side of the road
And a chance encounter with a blue tongued lizard.
We finally pulled back into Melbourne that night
And decided a kangaroo roast would be a delight.



Dinner was great and our friendship grew tight
Though a little bit sad as it would be our last night.
We said goodbye to Maarten and Noah and gave them big hugs
And told them we could not wait till we'd again see their mugs.



By this chance encounter they would become great friends
And consider traveling together till their work visa ends.
Idalis and I have a flight in the morning
So it's off to New Zealand which will be anything but boring.

We hope to go tramping, they hope to pick grapes
Whatever happens we will always be mates.
A new chapter opens as another will stop
But not without ending with a cherry on top!