We had hoped Melbourne would be a more sedate and cultured alternative to Sydney like, in our opinion, Boston is to New York. There are certainly touches of that but there just seems to be something missing - history most probably. With help from Jim & Katrina's blog, we picked out just the things we most wanted to do in 24 hours. So after the hotel's ace buffet breakfast - it had a chocolate fountain!... for breakfast!! - we headed for Old Melbourne Gaol, where Ned Kelly was hung. Jim, we feel we must really point out here that the armoured mask says it's for kids only. Apparently though there's a ghost in one cell. Took a pic of Andie in it to show no such things exist.
Then on to Little Italy for coffee and chocolatey shenanigans at Koko Blacks. Someone, who shall again remain nameless, had already enjoyed much delight at the chocolate fountain but still saw fit for a cake, hot chocolate (with ice cream) and chocolates combo. So that was lunch out (though not a major problem as a huge and delicious bowl of laksa - Malaysian soup - was enjoyed by the other party in Chinatown for a piddling three quid). Andie enjoyed the boutique shops on Collins Road, picking up a couple more pieces of interesting jewellery. We didn't have time to do a ferry trip or the Museum which we'd have liked to, instead we decided to investigate the restaurants at Docklands - we chose Bhoj, allegedly fine Indian cuisine (it pretty much was) - and, of course, the hotel's cocktail lounge.
