Yesterday was a night to remember. What started as a casual dinner at Veronika’s place, turned into an unexpected adventure that left me exhilarated. We decided to head over to Richmond and before we knew it, we were hailing a cab to take us to the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. As we cruised through the buzzing city streets, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement building up inside me.
Finally, we arrived at our destination and stepped out into a massive street teeming with life. Everywhere we looked, people were out and about, enjoying the pulsating energy of Melbourne’s nightlife. As we made our way through the crowds, we realized that some of the clubs were already packed to capacity. But that didn’t stop us from exploring further.
The Toff
Our next stop was The Toff, a multi-level venue for music and entertainment that has a rich history in Melbourne. The Toff is located in the iconic Curtin House building, which was originally built in the 1920s. In the 1970s, the building was repurposed as a hub for creative industries, with The Toff opening its doors as a multi-level music and entertainment venue in the early 2000s.
Despite some of the levels already closing, we managed to make our way to the lounge on the first floor. The atmosphere was electric, with live music and DJs playing all night long. I ordered a coke to keep myself awake and alert, wanting to savor every moment of this thrilling adventure.
We made some pictures (Alexandra, Veronika, Elizabeth and Sophie) and talked some more. After 30 minutes the girls wanted to dance, so we left the lounge and went upstairs. At this huge dance floor we danced the night away.
Here I was partying in another world city, I allowed myself to surrender to the moment, embracing the unknown without any plan in mind. That’s when Sophie and I made our way to the bar to indulge in some ice-cold brews and let loose on the dance floor. Suddenly, a stranger approached Sophie, grinding on her without her consent, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at his awkward retreat when she made it clear she wasn’t interested. Liam caught my grin, and we shared a knowing look.
A Surreal Midnight Stroll
As the night wore on, fatigue set in, and we bid farewell to our friends, who hailed a cab. I on the other hand, ventured out alone into the neon-lit streets of the Central Business District, determined to find a late-night snack to quell my rumbling stomach. Despite the hour ticking past 4 am, my spirits remained high as I savored every moment of my solo adventure.
I turned on my GPS to orient myself in the midst of the unfamiliar city. My feet stumbled towards Flinders Station, and as I walked, a sense of déjà vu washed over me. Suddenly, I realized I was retracing my steps from earlier in the night, when Liam and I first explored this avenue.
With a grumbling stomach and a full bladder, I made a pit stop at Hungry Jack’s, where I relieved myself before venturing next door to the store to satisfy my hunger pangs. The best part? Both establishments were open 24/7, a true godsend for a night owl like myself.
A Nightly Sub
Finally armed with a sub sandwich and a refreshing beverage, I continued my journey, taking in the quiet beauty of the city as it glimmered in the moonlight. The alcohol in my system heightened my senses, and I saw the city with fresh eyes. Along the way, I snapped photos to capture the beauty of the moment.
As I approached Flinders Station, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had successfully navigated the city on my own and was now on the final stretch (another six kilometers) of my journey back to the hostel. It was surreal how much the city had transformed in my eyes, and I couldn’t help but marvel at its allure. The glistening waters of the Yarra river, the towering buildings of Melbourne’s skyline, and the striking circular entrance of the National Gallery of Victoria – The light shining from within the circle illuminated the bridge and the water beside it, creating a captivating scene. As I continued on my way, I passed by the RAAF AIS Department of Defense, with its stunning architecture and old canons resting outside on the patio. These were moments of awe and wonder, and I couldn’t resist taking a few moments to soak it all in before continuing on my journey.
A Night’s End
With my Subway sandwich and a Coke in hand, I began my 30-minute walk towards St. Kilda. After consulting Google Maps, I estimated it would take another hour to reach my hostel. But after about half an hour, I grew tired and decided to hail a taxi.
The ride back was only three kilometers, but I was exhausted and just wanted to collapse into bed. However, the taxi driver took a detour, claiming he couldn’t make a U-turn on St. Kilda road. I suspected he was trying to make some extra cash, but I was too drained to argue. I paid $15 for the three-kilometer journey and stepped out of the cab, seething with frustration. It was moments like these that made me despise taxi drivers, as I had only encountered a couple of decent ones during my travels in Indonesia.
I entered the hostel and was greeted by the security guy who opened the door for me. Climbing the stairs to my dorm, I quickly relieved myself before collapsing onto the bed. Glancing at my phone, I saw it was 4:30 am and drifted off to sleep.
A Lazy Day
The next day, I dragged myself out of bed at around 1 pm and stumbled into the shower. The heavy drinking from the night before had left me feeling drained, and I had no choice but to spend a lethargic day in bed, catching up on shows and working on my laptop.
After recovering from a night of revelry, I set out on an adventure with Simone to Coles. However, our plans were thwarted when we discovered that the store was closed for Good Friday. It seemed that in Australia, most shops shut down on this holiday, which was quite the opposite of what I was used to in the Netherlands. Not wanting to give up, Simone suggested a Woolsworth that she knew of nearby. But as luck would have it, that one was closed too. Undeterred, we made our way down to St. Kilda Esplanade, where we found the Woolsworth store. The crowds were massive, but we managed to pick up some food: Simone grabbed a salad mix from a local shop, while I indulged in a Subway sandwich. As we walked back to the hostel, we savored our meals in the privacy of our dorm room, hiding our food away from the watchful eyes of the cleaning staff. And despite the need for secrecy, the sandwich was delicious – a well-deserved reward for our determination.
Relaxing
I spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing. I packed my box of belongings in the car, anticipating the adventures that awaited me tomorrow. It was finally time to visit a place in Australia that had been on my bucket list since the beginning of my journey. Die-hard Australian readers might already have guessed what I am alluding to – something truly great. I could hardly contain my excitement as I drifted off to sleep that night, eagerly anticipating the journey ahead.
