4.2.2009 Richmond, Melbourne

Today is the day when travel tiredness hit me a bit. Almost 2 months in the same city and am feeling “what next?” Honeymoon with Melbourne is obviously over. This is extremely nice city but being a traveller I feel I must move on. Weird feeling I know but I just need to get back on the road again.

This morning I woke up first time at 6am, thought to get up but it has been raining the whole morning so continued my sleeping until 10am. God I don’t feel that guilty spending the whole day in the bed since it has been just raining. Was about to go Virgin Active bodypump at 5.30 pm but on the afternoon, after 3 hrs nap (yes, sleeping 10hrs last night and taking a nap) I was like nah - fitness will wait. Muscles must rest today.
I have made my castle to the corner of downstairs couch, next to back yard doors open, listening the rain and letting my mind flow. This is luxurious I know. Cannot have it every day.

I’ve spent already too much time here in Melbourne without any particular purpose. Job markets are, unfortunately, not successful for me so I have a strong feeling that have to move on and go exploring possibilities somewhere else. Have been reading a bunch of backpacking guides and will whether end up fruit picking or farm work. I’m ready for those since have training on my fitness club every day and feel like I could confront physical challenges. Bring them on!

Contract to this awesome townhouse in Richmond I’m staying at the moment is at least for 3 months so have to find somebody reliable to replace me if I want to avoid fines breaking the contract. If you know somebody who wants to live in the best ever house just one stop away from CBD, please stay in touch with me. Will advertise in Gumtree as well but that will, for sure, bring me tens of responses. 185 AUD per week includes own spacious room, all the bills, beautiful spacious house and flat mates are just too good to be true. Following is my ad I will publish in Gumtree in next days:

Luxury living in fully furnished Richmond townhouse. Room will ideally suit short-term (minimum 3 months) or long-term traveller. INSPECTION FEBRUARY 9TH at 10 am. Please note: NO COUPLES AND NO SMOKERS!

Great location:
Close to Swan St, Church St, Chapel St, Bridge Rd, and approx. 20-25 mins walk to the city centre. Close to transport - 500m from Chapel St/St Kilda trams, 500m from Punt Rd buses, 800m to Richmond train station. Walking distance to Melbourne's best pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, shopping, tourist attractions (MCG, Botanical Gardens, Rod Laver arena, etc.), and all public transport.

House:
The house is completely furnished, spacious, clean and tidy, and has heating, fans, and aircon. Beds contain all linen/blankets. House is double-storey and there are two bath rooms, powder room, washing machine, dryer. Kitchen contains all appliances and microwave and dishwasher. Two generously spaced living areas with large dining table and spacious couches, TVs, DVDs, and lots of natural light. Large private courtyard with BBQ, and Juliet balcony. There is a home phone and fast wireless internet connection.

Flat mates:
Share with friendly and professional English and Irish people. Meet other travellers while you settle into Melbourne.

Room:
Large and includes double sofa bed, desk, chair, heater, fan, full length mirror, etc. Room is located downstairs, keeps cool, has lots of light but there are no windows. It is ready to move in at the latest 14.2. but most possibly even earlier.

Rent:
185$ per week INCLUDES water, gas, electricity and Wi-Fi. Bond is 500$. Minimum contract is 3 months but also available for long term. Rent is payed one month in advance.

Contact information:
If you’re interested please contact anu_maarit(at)yahoo.com. In your e-mail please tell about yourself, when are you ready to move in and how long contract can you make. Inspection will be arranged soon for those who are interested and have sent proper information about themselves.

********This is a drug free and smoke free house.*********

So, great opportunity available for those who are flat hunting for that perfect place to stay in Melbourne. I was searching this place for loooong and can really give ten points for the house and lovely house mates. Flat mates really are superb and the house – just great.

Last days have been extremely hot. I’m using two t-shirts a day. Refreshing rain today was very much welcome. Actually it is quite cosy to stay in the corner of the couch, listen to the rain, read a book or watch news. I went to second-hand book shop few days ago and as an exchange of two of my old books got Lonely Planet Outback Australia. Have been studying that. Good stuff.

Usually my days start at 9am, having a shower, making coffee, re-packing my backbag and heading to fitness club. Internet connection on Cubitt Street has been down already a week so my online contacts happen only on Virgin Active where they have free internet in the lobby. It is a bit frustrating not to have online connection at home all but you get used that too. And it also releases time for socialising with your flat mates.

Yesterday I sent a baggage to Finland by sea mail. It included my warm clothes I had in NZ, some souvenirs, some books. 4,5 kg total, and by sea mail the cost was 54 €. It is the cheapest and slowest possible carriage. The parcel will arrive to Finland in May ;)

I’ve forgotten to tell you about about Australia Day. It was B I G here. 26th January is pretty much the same as 1st of May in Finland. A bit more sophisticated, though. People with families and friends are having picnics in the parks and atmosphere is just awesome. Great day to chill out and celebrate this very special continent. I was having a picnic in Botanical Gardens with 50 CSers, watching air craft flying over the park and bands playing music. Nice day, indeed. In my opinion Finnish Independence Day should me moved to summer time too. We could have a great picnics too (instead of freezing out watching those military parades and later, stucked in front of tvs watching party at Presidents castle).