Personal Experiences

The Journal

A journal was kept detailing our daily activities. It was written both as something to look back on after our trip and also as a first hand guide to life in Melbourne. The grammar is most certainly not correct in most cases and is supposed to be read in a conversational manner.

Started on our first day of travel in Melbourne, it was written by Jim Konz and as a disclaimer, many of the opinions written herein are his and do not necessarily reflect the view of his teammates.

Packing List

• Film and Camera
• Australian travel guide (Lonely Planet)
• Clothes (minimum one formal outfit)
• Calculator
• Book to read on plane and in airports
• CD player and headphones. Can also use headphones with plane sound system
• Battery powered alarm clock
• Towels
• Power adapter/converter
• Any type of medication
• Phone with adapter
• Pens/office supplies
• Dress shoes
• Deck of cards
• Hat
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Backpack
• Clothing

Expenditures

Getting to Melbourne:

Airline Tickets US$1400 each
Passport fees US$60 each
Flat - first months rent US$300 each
Flat - Security deposit (refundable) US$300 each
Hotel in Fiji (layover) US$36
Meals in Fiji US$10 each
Fiji Departure Tax US$13 each (Fiji$20)
Hotel in Melbourne A$120
Meal in Hotel A$10 each
Taxi to flat A$30

Average Week:

Groceries (4 people) A$170
Travel (Taxis/Trams) A$50
Food (fast food/restaurants/misc.) A$20 each
Entertainment (Books/movies/clubs/etc) A$40 each

Other Expenditures:

Australian Open (tennis) A$15 each
Letters/stamps/post cards A$10 each
Phone bill (January) A$150
Phone bill (February) A$
Internet Usage (January) A$80
Internet Usage (February) A$
Film Development A$50
Copies A$10
Haircuts - 2 A$30 each

Best and Worst Experiences

Best

• Going to the Mornington Peninsula
• Cooking for ourselves
• Looking out on the balcony of our apartment for the first time
• Going to the Melbourne Zoo
• Crown Casino
• Buying beer ourselves
• Weather
• Beach
• Going to Australian Open
• Topless women at the beach
• Rialto Towers Observation Deck

Worst

• Getting locked out of our apartment
• Getting through customs
• Not being able to get into certain night clubs (dress code)
• Applying for a passport only one month before flight
• Wondering whether to tip or not
• No Nyquil
• Butter and ketchup taste weird

What Australian People Are Like

• Very open and friendly
• Speak with a British accent
• Culture very similar to US because of US influence in fast food restaurants, music and movies.
• Very diverse people