Day 4: The Australian Open

Sore from yesterday's mountain hike, Jack and I started the beautiful day with a city jog, then gathered for a beach journey to St. Kilda. When we initially arrived in Melbourne, the high was 23 C (73 F), and here three days later the high was 38 C (100 F). Needless to say the cool water relieved the sting of the hot Australian sun. No deadly animals/invertebrates were encountered, although a massive jellyfish was roughly 50 feet offshore. While walking around, we encountered a lady who's son, Felix, owned a restaurant called The Cluck Bar. Known for their fried chicken, we learned that backpackers receive a free schooner of beer. Sold. We ventured on, and learned that the Australian version of a chicken "breast" is the American chicken "tender." This mistake left us all as hungry when we left as when we arrived, but the free beer helped sooth the pain. The other beach encounter worth mentioning was one which can't fully be captured with words, so I've graciously shared a picture. All I have to say is when I'm older and wrinkly and at the beach, I hope I have as much suave in my step.

We left St. Kilda, and while returning to our room, I stopped at the Victoria Street Market. This market is my favorite shopping experience yet. The covered marketplace was never-ending in every direction you turned. Fresh meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, trinkets, hats, shirts, hides, rugs, and anything else you could imagine was around every corner. The market was closing so pictures will come another day. Thesis, media editing, and dinner followed, and we shipped out for The Australia Open. This night match was Verdasco vs. #2 Djokovic, and the experience was purely amazing. I had never experienced a sport quite like tennis. Serbians and Spaniards were shouting chants, and the national pride abundantly surrounding us was something I wished I was immersed with more. Djokovic ran away with the game, and is on his way to attempt to win The Australian Open for his 7th time. During the match, a photographer's dream opportunity arose. When on the stadium wifi, you could control their cameras and take a picture of yourselves, then post it with a hashtag. The winner would get two business class tickets to anywhere in the world, and two seats in the photographer's court-side seating. Easy enough, right? I've also shared this photo for a full description, the more you observe this photo, the more you will laugh. I'm still shocked that it wasn't a winner........

Leaving the match, we boarded the tram and stood with open seats available. Busy trams lead to a lot of people standing in crammed spaces, and this includes women and elderly. We stood to allow an older Tasmanian lady sit, and later spoke with her husband about our future travels to the southern island. With notes taken, we walked the city towards home, trying to find a place to eat (because Jack always eats), and found that most places close at 10 PM. After the 20th place or so, we finally found an Asian restaurant, ate, and returned. The temperature was already dropping for tomorrow's high of 70 F, which made for an open balcony sleep, and the best one I've had in months.