Week 4, Australia and Vietnam: Melbourne and 20 hours in Ho Chi Minh

The experiences:
So far, after another long train ride, I've slept A LOT. I definitely am getting my first bout of home sickness. So I'm laying low for a bit and reading a ton more which lead to my first first world problem freak out. I wanted the new Kindle from Amazon.com, but they don't sell it to Australians so I bought it in the US and my mom sent it to me. The crazy details of this charade I will leave out so I still end up looking like a half way decent human being but I feel badly. However, having booked most of my train journeys now in India I know that I'll be on one train for 2 full days from Amritsar to Mumbai so it might have been appropriate to be a sissy.

Melbourne is a fantastic city. And much more of a city than a tourist trap. After a gchat with the lovely Courtney I decided it was time to explore. But it was a little late so I decided to go to the mall (way cooler in Australia) grab some food and see Fifty Shades of Grey. Seriously people, what's the big deal. Film wise it was a great adaptation of the book and the actors did a phenomenal job--everything was just how I remember. I would definitely watch it again...although next time with tequila because I've learned that sometimes it makes things even better :).

In my burst of energy I decided to book tickets to a show. I narrowed it down to Dirty Dancing and Strictly Ballroom (directed by Baz Luhrmann). Since the latter is an Aussie original I decided to go for it and was not disappointed. It was a fantastic production, beautiful staging and more sparkles than I've seen in my life. I bought a shirt that says "there's more than one way to cha cha cha" and toasted with champagne. Earlier that day I'd wandered the city Megan Kennedy style and hung out in Federation Square, Town Square and Queen Victoria Market. Aussies really know how to do public spaces (and people watching here was more entertaining than in Sydney).
Her Majesty's Theater, Strictly Ballroom

Federation Square Description

Federation Square

My last day in town I took a 12 hour tour of the Great Ocean Road and saw the 12 Apostles (really 8 limestone formations cut out along the southern coast). I opted for the 15 minute helicopter ride to see the Apostles best and I will say that this is now my favorite thing to do. Amazing, fabulous, loved it. We climbed Gibson Steps, complete with motivational quotes along the way. We ventured through a rain forest, caught local wildlife in the trees and lawns, and traveled home on the Great Ocean Road. The story behind it was quite interesting (click the link to learn more).
Feeding Parrots

Scenic crepuscular rays

A kangaroo adopted by the neighborhood

Sleeping koala

Gibson Steps 

Gibson Steps

Gibson Steps

Gibson Steps

Gibson Steps

Me at the Gibson Steps (in front of an "apostle")

Helicopter pilot in training
Historic Marker

Off to the airport for the next leg of my journey. I had a long layover in Vietnam so I opted to spend the night in a boutique library themed hotel. I wasn't prepared to see Vietnam at all given I only spent 20 hours in the country, but I found that they are extremely proud of their fruit and most interested in making your stay the best. I think "housekeeping" came to my room with a new gift every 10 minutes after arrival. I had the best sleep I've had in a month mostly because I was alone in a room and finally got to see the Oscars and some trashy American TV (read: CSI).
My room's theme in Ho Chi Minh City

The rest of my journey included 3 hours in China which I can only describe as depressing and flights where I was alone in first class and another where it was just me and a French gentleman. I was so sick of Chinese food--in case you missed it, I finally admit I don't like Chinese food in Sydney. Upon arrival in Delhi I was to meet the driver from the Ashram at gate 4. I swear the inner markings for these gates are different from the outer ones. Strangest thing and I wasted 20 minutes just looking for the guy. But alas by 2am I made it to Vrindavan where the journey will pick up in my next post.

The lessons:

  • Don't stop looking for your driver because he may be beyond the next barrier.
  • Seeing movies in foreign countries can be fun. Like Sundance one of the Aussie cinemas does assigned seating, only they pick the seat for you.

Interesting:

  • China Southern sent someone to escort me to where I needed to be in the airport...a little weird...but that's what business class gets you
  • Everything at The Nunnery (my hostel in Melbourne) was clever. See my package delivery notice.

Yes it used to be a nunnery, but now it has a neon sign

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