We set the alarm a little earlier than we needed to this morning, because last night we'd already decided that the Elizabeth Hostel wasn't the best hostel we'd stayed in, and couldn't wait to leave. Thankfully, there was nobody else is our room - otherwise it would've probably been unbearable. We got up and got ready, had breakfast and then hit the streets of Melbourne in record time!
Today was Melbourne Cup day, which is a national holiday here in Australia, and some of the shops were shut, so we started by going to the State Library to use the free internet. We surfed the net, checking on the details for tomorrow's flight to Tasmania, then left to play in the November sunshine.
The weather was beautiful today and there were thousands of people buzzing about, all in a good mood, when we got to Federation Square to watch the horse racing on the big screen. We got there about an hour before 'the big race', so we put our bets on and then sat outside and ate a picnic. When it was time for the race there were probably about 3,000+ people in the Square all cheering for their horse. We'd already heard from Nikki's Dad and he'd told us who he thought was going to do well - and against my better judgement, I believed him (have I learnt nothing in the last 9 years?). I backed one horse called Mahler to win and bet on another, called Purple Moon, each way. Nikki bet on a horse called Eskimo Queen to win (but only $1) and backed two more, Mahler ($8) and Master O'Reilly ($6), each way.
Watching the racing was quite exciting - and there was a great atmosphere. Apparently there were about 130,000 people at the actual race: but it was $50 to get in at the track! The race was won by a horse called 'Efficient', but Purple Moon came in second and Mahler third - so at least we won some money back (I got $9, but Nikki's not collected hers yet).
Afterwards we decided to take a walk down towards the MCG (the Melbourne Cricket Ground) to have a look around. On the way we passed the Melbourne Sky Wheel, which is a giant big wheel, and had a ride on that - it was great, we had brilliant views of the city. The MCG was closed so we came back to town and then just hang around in Federation Square where there were still loads of people milling about.
Tonight we went to a pub by our hostel for a few beers and then later on caught a taxi to the airport. We had a brilliant time today, and what better way to finish it off, then to spend it sleeping on an airport bench? That's right - we didn't want to spend 20-odd-dollars on a hostel and then have to get up at 3am... so we went there tonight and slept there instead... oh, how comfy!
Watching the Melbourne Cup in the sunshine... beautiful!
1 comment:
Your Mum/MIL works for a big bookie and has inside knowledge and you ask your Dad/DIL for his opinion as to who would win?
sheesh!
Post a Comment