Hamilton Island to Melbourne

It was very hot in Shute Harbor, Hamilton Island as we docked on Friday, October 31st. Ran the A/C but it did not satisfy in our port, forward cabin.

Up very early Saturday morning to make coffee, toast and scrambled eggs. Then clean up and the last minute scramble to get everything into our bags. We said "goodbye" to Alida, our 38'4" catamaran.

We headed to the airport around 8:30 to enable use of free WiFi...and real A/C. With eight planes leaving Hamilton Saturday morning the place was eventually a mad house. But we were first in line. Got checked in...through security and got a table for six.

Our flight to Melbourne was uneventful. Paul and I slept. Landing was the roughest, most tippy I have every encountered, due to rain bursts happening in Melbourne. Temperature when we landed was 14 C/57 F. It had been a rainy day for this city.

We caught a maxi-taxi from the airport to our hotel, A Best Western The Travel Inn Hotel at the corner of Grotton and Drumond Streets. It's a small hotel in the Carlton area...Italian, students and plenty of small eateries and fun shops.

Paul and Larry went out to find some wine, which we enjoyed in Larry and Val's room before walking to the restaurant. On the other side of the block the boys had found DOC, an Italian pasta restaurant. Just ask a local who is walking his dog is Paul's method. DOC turned out to be an excellent choice. We enjoyed a glass of wine and excellent food.

At 6:26 a.m. I have been up for an hour. The sky is clear high up. Seems it may be a mostly clear day. but temps only to go up to 59 F. (I was wrong in e-mail, sent earlier.) Looking forwward to a fun day of exploring Melbourne