Wow. We finally made it to Alice Springs having driven from Sydney some 3800km!! Thats something like 2400 miles! We got lucky to get a relocation hire (stationwagon) from Sydney to Melbourne. Though it was a little bit of a hassle we were rewarded by the most beautiful sunset we have EVER seen. I wish I had better pics of it. We drove for at least 30-40 minutes in complete awe! I have to try to get some of the pics off the little video I took. This sunset really made the drive worthwhile. When we finally thought to pull over and take a few more pics it was too late. Still, I will always remember its majesty.

Eventually we made it to Melbourne. At some point we were told there wasn't too much to see here and chose not to stay very long but we wish we had! This city is really amazing. Its got history and character but isn't dull or boring. Lots of young faces walk the parks and shopping areas enjoying themselves and life in general. It is functional but isn't so rushed or as corporate oriented as Sydney. There are few places in Australia I think I could actually live. This is one of them. Especially since it has the Rod Laver Arena, home of the Australian Open! (1 of 4 tennis grand slam meccas). I got a chance to walk around it before we left. I even got to shop a little before almost getting lost. They had a little museum in the pro shop with all kinds of knick-knacks and memorabilia. My favorite though was a tribute to the great Roy Emerson. Now, if I could only remember the other 4 who have won one of each grand slam!

Melbourne has tons of other really cool places to visit. One of our favorites was The Queen Victoria Markets. This is a real world class farmers market that ALSO sells all kinds of cheap clothes, belts, boots, etc. They even had belt buckles! Check out the bottom right. They're gonna love that one back in Athens! They had tons of stuff there. But we all know our favorite was the food! The had great veggies and fresh produce! I thought this stuff was great but Amanda was going NUTS! Of course I then made the msitake of walking past the olives and cheeses. Amanda was buying the whole market. Then we saw more of these in the deli case
and "just had to have 'em". With Amanda in one arm and our army's groceries in the other I dragged Amanda out of there. BUT not before discovering the life of pie. I really don't understand why peopel choose to buy preserved groceries and freeze them. Fresh foods people! It keeps you healthy. And who wouldn't want to eat all this great stuff? I know, I know, convenience. But isn't your life worth living with gusto? Those goat cheese stuffed olives put some enjoyment in ours. Even if we are living in the streets because we spent all our money there!!