My arrival in Australia late last night was uneventful. Well, besides getting into somebody else's bed. I got to the room at 1 am, and it was dark, of course. I could see the nearest bunk; somebody was sleeping on top, but the bottom was open, so I climbed in and tried to go to sleep. Shortly a couple guys came in noisily, and I heard lots of giggling and complaints that "somebody's in my bed." Now I'm still learning hostel etiquette (actually, I don't think there is any), but usually you leave some stuff on your bed to claim it. So I just pretended to be asleep, and that was that. I tried to sleep in the next morning, but there was a constant stream of people getting up once it was 7 am. Tomorrow I will wear earplugs.

Once I got up, I engaged in my favorite new activity, walking around a new city checking out the sites and the people. I really like Melbourne, and it's my favorite city I've been to on this trip so far. It's very cosmopolitan and multicultural, not too big, and there are lots of arcades, narrow twisty streets lined with cafes. I went to one and tried two things I never had, pumpkin soup (excellent), and a long black (Aussie coffee -- espresso with water, very strong).

I sorted out my bus situation and ended up booking a couple tours. I realize this contradicts what I have written before, but without my own transport, a tour is the only way to see the stuff I want. Plus, they are shorter tours, so I shouldn't get burned out on them. First up is a three day trip to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians, which will take me to Adelaide. Next is a day trip to a winery. Finally the piece de resistance, a seven day outback adventure to Alice Springs. The last one was expensive, but it includes food, accommodations, and park entry fees. Also, once you start buying bus tickets and trips to places like Uluru and Kings Canyon, it starts to get expensive. So I'm just doing one big tour to cover everything. Unfortunately I have to leave on Friday, so I'll only have one more day in Melbourne. From Alice I'll fly to Cairns where I'll use my bus pas to get to Sydney. I'm still not sure where I'll stop, since my time will be limited.

The hostel I'm staying at, Toad Hall, is wonderful, the best place I've stayed so far. So it will be three nights of pleasant relaxation for me.