Happy Halloween: Melbourne Style

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  Naturally I was disappointed when I discovered that it isn't a big celebration here in Australia.  While there were a couple parties here and there, it was NOTHING compared to an American Halloween.  No trick-or-treating.  No jack-o-lanterns.  No slutty halloween costumes.  Thankfully, one of my friends (who is also from America) was having a Halloween Party at  his house.  Even though it was only a small get-together, I was excited for the opportunity to dress up.

{SUPERHEROS}

{I WAS A PIRATE}

{MY ROOMMATE WAS SPONGEBOB}

{ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PYRAMIDS}

Uni: Free Lunch

Every Tuesday during the semester, the University of Melbourne hosts a free BBQ and concert outside of the Student Union.  It's their way of supporting local bands... and my way of saving money!  I'm a huge fan of the veggies burgers.. they're crispy on the outside and have spinach-cheesy deliciousness on the inside.

{WAITING IN LINE AT KELLEY'S FIRST FREE LUNCH}

{THIS WEEK'S BAND WAS FAT GOLD CHAIN}

{THEY WERE QUITE A DUO...  JUNGLE MAN & STRICTLY BUSINESS}

 {PEOPLE GETTING INTO THE MUSIC}

{THEY HAVE SAUSAGES & VEGGIE BURGERS ON WHITE OR WHEAT BREAD}

{THEY EVEN SERVE FREE BEERS AND CIDERS! YOU WOULD NEVER SEE THIS IN THE STATES}

{OF COURSE WE OPTED FOR PEPSI SINCE IT WAS 1PM ON A TUESDAY AFTERNOON}

{KELLEY AND HER VEGGIE BURGER}

{ME NOMMING ON MY VEGGIE BURGER... SO DELICIOUS!}

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee

{THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP IS A SMILE IN YOUR CUP}

FUN FACT: Melbourne is practically the coffee capital in the world!  No matter where you go there are dozens of types of coffees to choose from... and each cup  is made to order; None of that pre-made stuff that you find at Dunkin Donuts!  This picture is just instant coffee since we can't afford a deluxe coffee/espresso maker for the apartment.  Regardless, it gets the job done... with a smile nonetheless :)

Bubblers in Melbourne

Considering most people in the U.S. uses the term "water fountain," I assumed the word "bubbler" was only a Massachusetts/Rhode Island thing.... Come to find out, they use it here in Australia!  Who would've guessed!?

{AQUA BUBBLER}

{I LOVE THAT THEY HAVE A SEPARATE SPOUT FOR WATER BOTTLES!}

Around Melbourne: Royal Park

Spring is here, and the weather has been beautiful!  After researching running routes around Melbourne, I discovered that there are a bunch of parks scattered throughout the city.  Yesterday, Kelley and I decided to explore one.  I'm so happy we did.  It felt great to get out of the stuffy apartment and into the fresh air.  I forgot how much I like walking.  And now that I have a walking buddy, I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot more of it!

{PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE SCENERY}

{ROYAL PARK} 

{ENTRANCE OF ROYAL PARADE PARK}

{PARK WILDLIFE}

{WE FOUND A BOOMERANG... OR PART OF A BOOMERANG}

{IN FRONT OF THE CITY SKYLINE]

{WIERD LOOKING PINE CONES ON THE TREES}

{A PRETTY FLOWER KELLEY PICKED FOR ME}

Meet Mali the Elephant

For the 150th anniversary of Melbourne Zoo, people designed and donated a bunch of elephant statues.  They put them all around the city starting August 20th.  Unfortunately, they go back to the zoo today.  I did, however, manage to snap a some pictures with a few of them before they relocated.  Some of them are really elaborate!

Click HERE or HERE for news articles about the painted Mali elephants

Come to Australia Song

FUN FACT: Australia is home to 8 of the 10 most deadliest animals in the world.  They even made a surprisingly catchy song to attract tourists to the ferocious wildlife...

MORE FUN FACTS I STUMBLED UPON:

1. Some Australian spiders are huge enough to shrug off a bullet.
2. The Great Barrier Reef contains more digested surfer remains than anywhere else in the world
3. For every 619 vicious animal killers, there is one Australian who will claim, "Oh, relax! He's not gonna hurtcha!" They are lying.

Haha thought the last one was kinda funny. Anyway, it's always good to be informed. Now I just don't want to leave the safety of my apartment for the remainder of my visit ...just kidding! (...kind of)