First Stop - Australia

Melbourne appears to be very similar to Auckland but alot warmer and alot less rain!!! ( which is bad for them because they have water restrictions). I don't think Shailen has worn a jumper yet?!?

These are Aerial views of the City from the 42nd Floor where Alisa worked
Flinders St Station is the yellow building. It was meant to be built in India but the blueprints were swapped and subsequently, the blueprint that was suppose to be here was built in India.

Shailen's parents live in a place called Cairnlea which is quite a new development in West Melbourne. The house is beautiful, huge and warm!!! It is only about half an hour on the train to get into the central city which is absolutely huge!!! Melbourne's public transport and huge motorways really puts Auckland to shame. a huge SHAME!!!!! The city is nice as it is a mix of new and old buildings. So much culture which NZ doesn't have.

Shailens whanau

Us in-front of Flinders Station (Bombay Station)

Alisa with her new boyfriend (He's alot quieter! I think hes shy)

Shailen thought it was his lucky day finding this purse but couldn't open it! (we wont tell him that its a statue.

The Friday after we arrived we went and signed up with Drake. The next Tuesday i started a job and Shailen started one on the Thursday. Since then the work has been constant and Shailen has now secured a job til the end of Sept. Yay!!! And the pay here is def better but for them a full week is 37.5 hours which is strange to us.

I was lucky enough to work at a place last week where they paid for my accommodation and all food in a 5 star hotel for 3 days. I never felt hungry! I'm sure i put on a couple of kgs!! But def a great experience.

I have been fully made part of the family even being in the family photo LOL the photographer asked me if I was related to MJ. That would sure make things interesting!



Since being here we went to a masquerade party, went to the snow (only to get there and discover no snow), discovered a new found love for Hindi movies (they are great!), eaten far too many $3.95 dominos pizzas, learnt to play poker (could easily become addictive!) and seen kangaroos in the middle of a suburban area!

Kangaroos in the middle of suburbia

We may not have found the snow but we did find a nice waterfall!

We havn't done too much tourist things since being here because we are spending time with Shailen's family before they leave for South Africa (this friday - it has gone so fast!).

After many hours of "research" Shailen bought himself a sparkly new phone with GPS and everything you could possibly want! For all those interested (don't blame those who aren't!) it is a Nokia 6110 Navigator. He is very proud of it LOL. MEN!! and their toys!

Every night after 9pm on the hour, there are these pillars that shoot up flames. The heat that comes off them is amazing! Its def a must see!

We are happy to say that all flights are finally booked and paid for so this trip is all go. We leave Melbourne on the 1st October for SA. I then leave Shailen there for a week and go to London to meet up with my family. We are in SA for about 2 months leaving on the 15th December for a week in Egypt then up to Turkey for christmas with my family. So stay tunned for updates on those places.

The G!!! (Its Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Anyway must go but will update again soon. We miss you all and hope you are taking care of yourself. Please let us know how it is going over there!!!
Alisa and Shailen xoxo