| M E L B O U R N E |

The Shep and I decided we would take a little trip to Melbourne and see what all the fuss was about.  The Shep had been before but with work so had not really had a chance to see the place properly.  I, on the other hand had not been at all.  The day before we were leaving I met my friend for coffee before work and she said 'I am so upset, because one of my best friend is leaving Perth' my was like 'OME who do I know them?'  She said, 'Yeah you, you will go to Melbourne and never want to come back.'

So the tip began.  The Shep and I were up super early doors for our flight and off we went.  We had decided we would stay in St Kilda as it would encourage us to get out and see the city rather than staying in the CBD.  We got in to Melbourne just after lunch time and we were picked up by a lovely driver called Dave who on the trip down to St Kilda told us all out places to visit in Melbourne and places he liked to go (if your hotel offers a car collection from the airport - take it, it was much better than a taxi down and the same price).  When we arrived at out Hotel The Prince it looked lovely it was an old Art Deco Building.  I love all things Art Deco - I often think I was born in the wrong era.  

So I am sure many of you have been to Melbourne or have heard about the cool alley ways with little cafes, bars and amazing street art. Well yes indeed Melbourne is full of these quirky alley ways and The Shep and I explored them all.  When ever we go away we always end up walking for miles and miles and miles.

The Shep, Boyfriend Jeans & Slides marching round Melbs

Hosiers Lane

Lane way behind Chin Chin

Our favourite meal in Melbourne was at Chin Chin.  We have stalked as everyone does the lives and loves of Melbourne on social media and in particularly food as The Shep and I are foodies for sure.  We had read good reviews online about Chin Chin so it was definitely one on the list for our trip.  The particular night we ended up there was the night we decided to wing it.  We were on the tram from St Kilda into the city and we over heard some fellow tram goers talking about Chin Chin (I liked her outfit so thought they were worthy references for the place) so we decided we would head there for some food.  

So glad that we did and so glad that we had not booked a table as it meant we got a seat at the bar.  The bar looks into the kitchen so you get to see the busy chefs cooking away in their very own way which seemed like a synchronised dance routine.

Chin Chin

Amazing Pad Thai (my fav)

The Shep loves a ribs dish

I would say that any trip to Melbourne would not be complete without a trip to Chin Chin but do not book and just wing it - the bar seat is more fun.

There were so many places we visited in Melbourne and I could go on and on about them but instead here are some pics and links for you . . . 

Mr Tulk - great for a coffee and a brownie.  Attached the the library which is worth a look around. 

Prahran Hotel - a fab old hotel brought back to life - worth a visit

State of Grace - great food, great drinks and I am not going to say anything else but ask to go down stairs and see what you can find - MUST go.

The Lui Bar - View from the top - great for a very interesting cocktail - I came home with a plastic spider from mine

The Seamstress - yummy lunch in a lovely old building just gutted the cocktail bar was not open when we went - will just have to go back.

So, this was some of our highlights from Melbourne but I am sure we only touched the surface (I did not see any toasted sandwiches on parachutes dropping from above) guess we will just have to go back again.