Hungry Kids Of Hungary

Dragging myself out into the cold night, in the middle of the first test coverage of the Ashes, Nicole and I headed across to The Tote in Collingwood to catch a band we have both been listening to in the last few weeks. Having seen that there were four bands on the bill, we actually arrived just after the start of the set we had come out for, seeing that one band was missing from the eventual line up.

The Hungry Kids Of Hungary was the band we had come to see, and we caught the new single Old Money, as we took our places in the dingy band room. Their catchy, indie pop energy, with harmonies by the lads, this is a band to watch, with news of them working on an album. Scattered Diamonds was a higlight, as well as Set It Right.

The night was actually The Boat People's headline gig. This little band of four talented lads really impressed. Telling us that they were working on their third album, and they two of them have just made the move from hometown Brisbane to Melbourne, I would say we will be seeing much more of them. Unsettle My Heart and Awkward Orchid Orchard were stand out for the just under an hour set. I have since downloaded their album, and will look out for them from now on.

As we left the pub, I spotted that the Aussies had declared in Cardiff, making the First Test very much game on! Coming home, wide awake and all set for a long and exciting night....the rain started in Wales, and didn't let up!

Ragged & Ecstatic

Project drinks this week were at the Rooftop Bar. Pulling this one out made the starting crew for the destination quite low, given that the bar was on the roof of Curtain House, in the cold, windy Melbourne night.

Warmed up with drinks at work, Steve, DC, Sarah, and Jess come along with me the three blocks down to the bar, and jumped in the lift to the sixth floor. More stairs to come, we met Dan at the top, and made our way to the bar. Ordering a first round, the bartender ended up throwing a pot of Asahi over me....and then still proceeded to make me pay! Outrageous!

Our group soon took up a circle of deckchairs on the rooftop, with the lit Melbourne skyline all around us. With heaters on, and shelter if needed, this little spot in the middle of the city was a treat, astro turf and all.

Dan and I then drove out to Northcote Social Club, and met Nicole, for a gig. Arriving during the set of Hoshi In The Clouds, they still impressed, and are a band to watch.

Philadelphia Grand Jury were up next, and wowed the crowd with their indie rock, and full scale energy. With the strange and attention-catching voice over introducing their songs, these three guys were very good. Their Going To The Casino was a crowd favourite, with the set ending with microphones, guitars, and cymbals being unhooked and dismembered and passed out to the crowd. Bizarre and very funny.

The main reason we were there, however, was to see Yves Klein Blue, for the sold out album launch. Having Ragged & Ecstatic just released, these Brisbane lads played out their tracks full an energy and charisma. Both Make Up Your Mind, the single Getting Wise have stayed in my head since the gig, they also played my favourites from the album, Soldier and Summer Sheets.

The encore included a cover of Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run for a birthday boy on stage, before they had the whole room singing and dancing to Polka. Such an exciting young band, with the animation of Michael on stage so engaging!

Recorded Music Salon

Having DC draw out the card this week, he was sure to attend Project drinks after work. He and I, and Dan made our way out after discovering no beer in the work fridge, down Collins Street on the tram.

Finding the Recorded Music Salon at the end of the stairs of a non-descript door, we fought to get to the bar to order our first round. Soon finding a table, we were joined by Jenny and her large crew for the evening. Having a wing woman on the job for the mingling goal of the evening, drinks and laughter soon got out of hand.

On to another destination, upon insistence by our wing girls, we made our way to the beer garden of Collins Quarter for a few more beverages. After being put off by the line at Spice Market, we found a table, some unsuspecting lads about, and more drinks at the Yak Bar.

Clearly a large night...tipped by the walk back to Jenny's office, and stumbling past one Bert Newton. Bald as a badger and larger than life, Bert was being accosted by fans, before being rushed by our wing woman. Not for the Project, just cos she was dying to meet him! Introducing herself, and me, she chatted to him briefly, before we discovered that we actually didn't know what show he was talking about, and let him get into his car. Hilarious!

Evelyn Gets The Good China Out

Nicole and I met at the Evelyn last night, for the first night of The Good China's July residency. Arriving just after doors opened, the crowd was treated to Ryan China on the decks.

First up for the night was Icicle Melts, and from standing near extended family of the band, we learnt that this was their first live gig. Starting off as an eclectic mix of musicians, with no lyrics, they showed promise. But as the set moved on, and attempts at vocalisations were made, it was uncomfortable, with pitch issues....and, well, it just seemed like they couldn't sing. Awkward.

Next up was Plastic Palace Alice, who restored the evening, with energy and fun, and array of instruments on stage.

Having not seen them play for some time, it was great to see The Good China fill the stage for their first show for this July run, with news that they have just completing recording an EP. Treating us to a reworked Perversion For Profit, we also got A Million Little Pieces in the set. So good.

Telling the crowd that they are aiming to play a new song with each residency show, this night's track was an energetic No More Maps, No More Roads. All Nothing was awesome, as usual, along with many other tracks we'll soon be listening to on their much anticipated EP!

Cairns

After an amazing week away to exciting and wondrous places, we had the final weekend of our trip in Cairns. The boat bought us into dock, and we we able to walk to our hotel for the next two nights, to the Pacific International. Probably the least impressive hotel of our trip, and yet right where we wanted to be.

After check in, we wandered down the Esplanade, and found a spot for dinner, and took in the crowds and kids about dressed up for a big night out. We walked over to The Pier to check out the places to be, but ended up at the Reef Casino watching the footy, after our massive day.

Waking up to a crazy temperature day of 30C, we had our buffet breakfast before walking through town, to seek refuge in the main shopping centre, for some retail therapy. Hiding out here for the afternoon, we eventually ran out of shopping patience, and steeled ourselves for the walk back...with the promise of a swim in the hotel pool.

As the sun went down, we got ready for a big night out, with the first mission being finding coverage of the footy being played on the other side of the country, whilst Brisbane was playing AFL, and both types of rugby was being played. We thought we were on a winner in a pub near the shopping complex in the heart of town...only to be disappointed as the game was about to start. A mad dash back to the Casino, we found the Hawthorn v West Coast game, and settled in.

Many, many beers later, a small entourage, and heavy heart at the Hawks loss, we were led by a local to a bar called Gillians, which he said was the place to be on a Saturday night. A massive backpackers bar, more beers, loads of people....that'll do! And like most in the world on this Saturday night out, we managed to have a dance to Michael Jackson, marking his death this week.

Buffet breakfast the next morning, we requested a late check-out so that we could spend the last hours of our winter escape week away in the hotel pool, soaking in the sun. Perfect!

Getting all packed up to go out to the airport, we received a text to say our flight was delayed by a few hours. I had just put the double pegs on for flying! More time in this heat!!?? Filling time, we went to the docks to check out the US Navy ship which pulled into shore for a week stay....just as we were leaving.

Green Island

Leaving Palm Cove, Melissa and I drove down to Cairns, dropping off our treasured new hire car, to board another boat to get out amongst the Great Barrier Reef - this time across to Green Island. One of my new favourite places in the world!

As part of Melissa's package, we were to be Resort guests for the night over on the little island, 27 kms from Cairns in the Coral Sea. This island is actually a sea cay on the Reef, which is covered in rainforest vegetation - the best of both worlds. But to make it better, there is a resort of just 46 rooms, and a day service, of which the last departs at about 4.30pm, leaving the island to it's night guests.

We arrived and were greeted at the dock and taken to the resort, and shown the facilities. Here we checked into our room, which overlooked the rainforest, and could have seemed like there was noone else around.

Getting a lay of the island and it's activities on offer, we walked to the beach for a look, before having lunch and watching some nervous beginners prepare for their scuba dive in the resort pool. Ready for some sun and water, we collected snorkeling equipment (now that we were such experts!) and staked out our place on the beach.

Getting into the water sports idea, we decided to check out the water by first hiring two kayaks, and paddling around and over the reef. Getting used to the whole concept of rowing, but also taking in the sun and sea, the horizon and the alive water of fish and coral below us, we got a feel for what we would see with the snorkel.

But then taking on mask and flippers once more, and dipping our faces in, we really got to see the world of activity just under the surface. Again, so amazing! The colours, the array of fishies. We would just float over them, watching them go about their day. Such a treat!

With so much to squeeze into our night and two days on the island, we eventually called it a day in terms of all our water activities, and got ready for a night on the island. First up, from the jetty, there was the fish feeding, where different fish were pointed out, tempted to the surface with their daily feed from the marine biologist. Here we got to see stingray, turtles, and even a shark!

From here, we went to the bench again for sunset drinks. Champagne was served to guests, as the sun sank into the ocean in front of us. We then had dinner at the restaurant, Emeralds, Melissa having the risotto and I had the seafood laksa, with wine, of course!

The evening stargazing was offered from the pier as we finished our meal, and away from the lights of civilisation we had all the constellations pointed out to us, with an up close view through the telescope. Next up was a night walk - and our walk led us to the underwater observatory to see the reef activity at that hour.

The next morning, Melissa and I had agreed to get up early enough to have the island to ourselves, and complete a full lap around it - I mean, how often can you say you walked around the circumference of an island? Taking just under an hour, it was peaceful and calm, with Cairns coming into view for the last third of our walk. Buffet breakfast awaited us, before we prepared for a day in the water.

More kayaking, getting amongst the turtles, before we snorkeled at the same beach for the morning. A lunch snack got us through to join the glass bottom boat tour out to more Reef spots just off the island, with more big fishy activity and coral formations explained and wondered at with awe.

The water was so clear, and as we were told this day was the best they had had in years, we then snorkeled off the jetty to take in the colour and activity in this section. Breathtaking....even with the snorkel in place!

So much to do and see on this little island, with the sense that there is next to noone else around. Plus it seemed like such a privilege to be able to swim around and take in the natural activities of the underwater world below you.

Palm Cove and Kuranda

Over dinner at the Sheraton Mirage, we were offered the treat of coming over the next morning for the full buffet breakfast and a swim. Hard to say no to! This is how we spent our morning on Tuesday, before leaving Port Douglas. Sun blazing, and swimming in the lagoon of this resort. Not bad! Ha!

We eventually called an end to our bonus resort experience, and started our drive down south for our next accommodation destination. After talking through our plans, we decided to pop into the outskirts of Cairns this afternoon, to see the Royal Flying Doctors Service headquarters. Here we walked through the museum like history room, before going out the back to board one of their old planes for a peek inside.

Taking me back to my beloved memories of one of my favourite TV shows, the Visitors Centre then had one of the nurses talk about the service, and then show a video about the work they do. Amazing service, and we were amazed at the coverage and numbers of people who use this service in the remote areas of our country.

Driving into Palm Cove, we actually trawled the tiny town to see if we could book ourselves in for a spa treatment for the afternoon. Not having any luck, we found out hotel and checked into the Rockford Esplanade - only to find that they had a service that could come to our room. So we both had a massage, much needed!

Walking along the main beach road of resorts, we had dinner at El Greco, with a full array of Greek goodies...sitting alongside Kevin Sheedy! There is no escaping footy, is there! An early night, ready for our early start the next day.

This morning we were picked up from our hotel by the Down Under Tours bus, and driven to the Freshwater train station. Here we ate breakfast, and walked through the museum to read about the history of the railway and it's feat of engineering, being built by hand, before boarding the train.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway winds its way through the mountains and rainforest, past Barron Falls, up to the town of Kuranda. Being told about the area, the history, and all the sites to see out the window of the train by the Michael Catton voiceover, we reached Kuranda. Here we wandered through the markets, before having a light lunch of scones and jam and cream at the pub.

From here, we walked to the SkyRail, and boarded a gondola for the ride down the mountains. The little pods allowed you to jump off at two different spots to take in the ranges and rainforest around us, including the other side of Barron Falls.

Next to the end of the SkyRail, we entered the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. We watched live actors and holograms enact the history of the Tjapukai people in the Creation theatre, after viewing art depicting these stories also. We then walked out to the grounds of the Park to watch a dance demonstration, with music, fire making...and even the chance to see American school kids called up to attempt to join in with the show.

From here we got to establish that Melissa could throw a boomerang and a spear...and that I throw like a girl! A lesson on bush medicines and an explanation of the challenges of Didgeridoo playing was next, before we were back to the main complex and the History Theatre, to hear the impact of white man's arrival to the area and to the Tjapukai people. They also told of the impact of having the above mentioned train track built through their sacred mountain ranges.

After such a full day, and again returning to our hotel as the weather started to cool, we talked ourselves into going for a dip in the hotel spa. We then moved to the hotel bar for Mojito and Pina Colada to mark the fact that I don't have DVT this year, one year on. Touch wood!! A massive curry for dinner, with wine, and we were exhausted and pissy enough to call it a night!