In an exotic land looking for Adventure (1)

I've been in Melbourne for little over a day now and frankly this time I have not adjusted well to the international time difference. Again this morning at 2 am I am wide awake when I ought to be sleeping. But really it is so exciting to be here, it is so familiar and yet there is so much I have yet to experience.

When I arrived in Sydney, and then Melbourne, the airports are like any other in Canada or the US. I could have been anywhere,but for one big difference the intercom kept repeating what seemed to be a hundred times, last call for flights leaving, calling patiently for straggling travelers to get to their gate. Each time the intercom blared "this is the last call". Then proceed to call out again, and again, a few seconds later for the same flights.

We spent the first day in Melbourne at the aquarium to see the funny penguins and other exotic aquatic life (http://www.theage.com.au/national/frosty-reception-for-melbourne-aquariums-penguin).

In the afternoon, Alan skillfully drove downtown and then to a mall away from the downtown core because it was too crazy trying to find parking with all the one ways and closed streets. The Mall was a good idea, because being this was a Monday, the mall fortunately was not very busy. After some shopping, it was pleasant to sit with my tea, and people watch.

Lucky Andrew got to call our day because it was his 11th birthday. He got to see, eat, drink anything he wanted the whole day (within reason) .

I saw what looked like slushy drinks, and he said he would like some. We went up to order, and I noticed it was alcohol drinks. Nope, he did not get that! All in all I think he had a pretty good birthday!