The day began very early at about 6.30 am, to give my mum enough time to get ready and have breakfast at 7 am to prepare for the pick up at 8 am. We were going for the tour of the Great Ocean Road with APT Touring, an Australian Local Tour company.

After the pick up service, we were delivered to Swanston Road where we boarded our tour bus. Our guide for the day was Adrian and he was also the driver. All-in-one personnel, who even made our Australian Billy Tea for us at the tea time. He was a very knowledgeable guide and he kept on introducing new things after each. He went on about the history of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, the flora and fauna of the surrounding forest, the animals such as the Koala, the Echidna and the other mammals. He was very well read, indeed.

The tour consisted of a drive through the Great Ocean Road with numerous stops for great scenery photos. Lunch was at Apollo Bay, and we ate at a local eatery which served seafood. Fish and Chips! A huge plate of chips, yet again. We had Flake, which was supposed to be a kind of shark. The fish was good, but one fish and chip tasted like the other. I couldn’t really tell the difference. For my mum, anything DEEP FRIED was good food.

Memorable sights included the Twelve Apostle, The London Bridge, The Arch and the wonderfully fat and cute Echidna.

We reached Port Campbell as our final stop to get a light snack before heading back to Melbourne city on a long 3 hour drive. It was a good nap.

Back in Melbourne City, we went on a hunt for food, but realized, once again, that most of the restaurants and cafes were already closed. We managed to locate a Nepalese Restaurant where we had a special deal, because of a cut out form a local map. Pay only $3 for the 2nd main course with any purchase of a 1st main course. The whole meal which consisted of a tummy bursting plate of rice, a huge bowl of curry, a plate of chicken wings and saffron rice. It cost only $29.30.

I’m back in the hotel room and my mum has decided that she will upgrade the room the following night as she cannot “tolerate” the condition of the room. She complains about the tiny room, the lack of a proper toilet, the lack of good showering facilities, the lack of a hair dryer, etc … I think she has it ingrained in her from this point onwards that anything less than a 4 star would be a no-no for her. I guess, I understand her enough to know that she really cannot tahan hardship, but also very reluctant to spend money. So, it’s a huge conflict within her. However, knowing also that the trip is paid by her, I let her decide whatever she likes, because she is ultimately the fussy one.

It’s 0040 (2240 in SIN) now, and it’s been a long and tiring day. Except for really being full, I feel so tired that I wish I ain’t so full so I could just fall asleep right away. Anyway, read on for more on Melbourne!