Melboune…waiting waiting…
After all of 2.5 hours of sleeping it was time to get up and get moving, drove in the dark already exhausted. After farewelling mum (not many friends see you off at that time of the morning), I jumped on the short haul flight across the tasmen on some budget airline codesharing with about 4 other flights. I did sit next to a really interesting older couple who were heading over to the UK for a year so they could spend more time with their grandkids after their own children had all taken off on their O.E’s and never come home.
I tried to sleep, really I did, I was so tired and very aware the following 48hours did not include a bed in any form, but alas no sleep. So we arrived in Melbourne early morning where I couldn’t check my bags through and refused to pay the $15 luggage storage fee. So instead I lugged my bags with me on the $26 bus into town and managed to save $5 by putting them in the lockers at the bus station.
With around 11 hours left to kill and there being not much sun I used and abused the free internet, wandered around the Victoria markets and brought cheese. I love markets…especially ones with Deli’s. realistically there isn’t that much to do when you are trying not to spend any money and totally exhausted. I did manage to see a cool exhibition on film and digital media which included loads of interactive stuff. Very cool. The art galleries were closed and the library wouldn’t let me in because my bag was too big. So a bit more internet, bookshop browsing then I meet up with my friend Cameron, who I had travelled with for a week (a lifetime in backpacking world) around Eastern Europe with another American guy. So great to see him and reminisce about our adventures 4 years earlier, wow that long ago. Then of course talked travel plans, as you do.
Had a coffee, probably my last flat white in awhile, down some hip cool lane, then he was off to study and I headed back to grab my bags from the locker and get the bus to the airport. But oh no, of course I had lost the tiny ticket with the code to get my bags back, so after pulling every little bit of paper out of my bag and lying them out on the ground while getting more and more panicky as there was something written about paying $50 to retrieve luggage. I had already spent $70 during the day on pretty much nothing so not interesting in paying more. I went to the service people looking like I was going to cry (I actually almost was… exhaustion setting in) and they sorted it out for me, no fee it turns out.
So on the bus, through the barrier another stamp in the passport and am now sitting here waiting for the overnight flight to Abu Dhabi. I am totally exhausted and not sure how I will survive tomorrow. What is awesome though is my friend Alice who I planned to meet in Dubai for the day, is now, through my convincing, is come to Iran for a few days with me! Awesome, just arranged that this afternoon. Convincing people to come to Iran, not everyone would go for that, but hurray for Alice! Now if only I could get some sleep on the plane.
Tags: 2010 travels, Australia, Australia 2010, blogsherpa, Culture, melbourne, victoria
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Hi Arnika. I’m a fellow NZer (also from Chch) considering heading to Iran…its great to read your blog. I have a few questions you may be able to help with! Whats the rough budget you are working on? And how/where did you book your flights through? Would you recommend travelling as a solo girl? (I’m 26 and have done quite a bit of travel before). Enjoy the rest of your journey – I will enjoy reading while sitting at my computer at work (hopefully not for too much longer)…!
Hi, yes yes go to Iran! Its a really good place to travel alone as a female there, way easier than a lot of places I have been. People are nice, respectful, helpful, generally don’t try to rip you off. And lots of females talk to you, its not always just guys. I have kept a record of my expenses, theres a link on the right hand side under ‘my trip links’, I will be updating it soon, but probably worked out to be about $30 USD a day, I could have done it cheaper, but wasn’t in the mood to be arguing over every dollar when I’m only away for 3 weeks. I flew to Dubai on Eithad then flew Iranair (also Air asia has cheaper flights, and Jezerra airways) to Shiraz which is a good starting point. So if you can get a round trip to Dubai/Abu Dhabi then organise yourself a budget flight from there to Iran. Really there are no problems with Iran, it safer than most places in the world and you can meet some really cool people! Go!
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