Great Ocean Road and Fun in Bendigo

Wow, I have a lot to get through. This past weekend Lorena, Stephen and I went into Melbourne to meet up with Scott, Evan and Andy for Evan's birthday. It took us forever and we almost ran out of gas getting there but we pulled up to the hotel and knew that the night was going to be great. Scott gets these free VIP hotel rooms at the Westin every two weeks and we managed to sneak our way into his. It was awesome. We didn't end up going out until 1:30 am and when we got to the club the bouncer asked us if we had been drinking (singling me out specifically) and then one of them took me over to the side and explained to me how and why they knew that I was drunk. The funny thing was that I had a glass or two of wine and was probably better off than anyone there. It seems to be an ongoing theme for me I guess. It's really frustrating because it's not like I am out of control. I am really just standing there.

So we get into the club and three girls keeping looking over at me and smiling. They were moderately attractive from across the bar so I smiled back. Eventually they made their way over and told me that they were from Norway and one of them told me that they thought I was super cute. I, on the other hand, did not find them that good looking from up close so I made small talk and they eventually walked away and I got back to dancing. I got pretty mad when I saw a creepy guy dressed head to toe in something out of a Marilyn Manson music video with pig ears on top of his head dancing around and I was the one that was questioned at the door....interesting.

We end up going to another bar at about 2:30am to meet up with this girl that Andy wanted to see and we had a lot of fun at that bar. Stephen and Evan were trying their hardest to talk to these two girls but they weren't having it. A few other girls approached me and asked me if I was the guy from the Hangover and, of course, I said yes. Wouldn't you? I took a picture with them and it was all good fun. At about 4 am they started playing Motown hits and we went crazy. It was awesome! We ended up getting into the hotel room at about 5:15 am so us waking up early was doubtful at that point.

We ended up leaving our room at 11 or 12 I think. We parted ways with Stephen and headed off to the Great Ocean Road. Saturday was fairly overcast and a bit cold. Lorena was freezing but the rest of us were alright. The sun finally came out towards the end of the day and we saw a Kowala Bear in the wild! That was about as exciting as the drive got because all of the landmarks were after the place we were staying. So we get to Apollo Bay, the town we stayed in, and went to our hostel. Scott had never stayed in a hostel and wanted to check it out before we paid. That didn't fly with the angry German lady who was running the place and after that she pretty much hated us. We went out that night to the Apollo Bay Hotel Bar. There was live music and the most rediculous people there. One guy drank his drink out of his boot, another guy fell over the speaker and random people wanted to talk to us because we were American, I guess.

Sunday, We did the rest of the drive. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Although, we all got incredibly sunburned. The flies were horrible but it was all worth it because the coast is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. We ended up having to rush back to Melbourne so Lorena and I could catch the train to Bendigo at 10:15 pm. We made it just in time and we got on the train only to find dozens of drunken teenagers who had just got finished with watching the Cricket match. One of the kids didn't stop talking the entire 2 hours. We literally were plotting ways to kill him.

Monday morning, we watched the Super Bowl and because we are in the future here we already knew the Saints were going to win! I was happy that they won and that we actually got to watch it live.

Yesterday, we went into Bendigo because Ness wanted to buy some electronics. I told her over and over again that she needed a Flip camera so she decided it was a good idea so she got one and I also suggested that it was pertainant that we had walkie talkies so that we could be in constant communication so she got some as well (Stephen and I had so much fun with them). She also got a new computer. We went to a camping store as well and it was like kids in a candy shop for Stephen and I we literally wanted to buy every single thing in the shop but we didn't...don't worry.

Today, we went on a tour of the gold mine that backs up to Ness's proerty. It was awesome. We got a VIP tour down into all parts of the mine, to the processing area, and everything like that.IT was interesting to see the contrast of the old mines in Colorado that you can take tours of and this actual working mine. It is a lot more sophisticated. It's pretty crazy that every 3 days produces one gold bar...it almost seems like a waste!

Lorena goes back to Sydney tonight but likes it so much here that she wants to come back and go to New Zealand with us as well. We told her that she has to plan the New Zealand trip if she comes because we couldn't be bothered.

My parents are putting their house on the market and want to be all moved into a new place before I come home. I am coming to terms with that and actually getting really excited because that means I won't have to do any moving what so ever. I'm guessing Matt is kicking himself for moving back to Dallas at this time!

The trees out here are amazing. They are all several hundred years old and are these great massive things. I don't know if its because I have worked with kids for so long or I'm just a kid at heart or what but the only thing I can think of when I see these giant trees is "Man, that would make a SWEET tree fort!!!!" Stephen and I go around some times and pick out the best ones...haha. Maybe we've just gone crazy.

Aussie word of the day:

Fair Dinkam (Not really sure how its spelled) means really like "Oh really?"