Day 6 - Melbourne CBD / Changi

The last day of the tour was supposed to be free, light and easy: just laze around the city and look out for last minute buys, bask in the city's cold atmosphere and wait for time to pass before heading to the airport to catch our plane back to the little red booger dot.

In the end, our experience totally defied that free and easy arrangement.

We tried to finish up whatever food which was left over from the previous days, and ended up having a few kiwi fruits and orange juice for a light breakfast.

Being nice and army-trained gentlemen, we embarked upon the usual ordeal of cleaning up the room, and ended up making a worse complete mess out of the room. Take for example, the dustbin was overflowing in such a manner which we could not comprehend.

We, ourselves and our non-complaining dustbin

Our small and cosy room not unlike any coolies’ quarters

Parting shot at Hotel Formule One Melbourne

The 10am hotel checkout time was way too early for us as our flight was not due to take off until 3pm. As such, we approached the service counter staff and requested for an extension. We were obliged “invited” to pay the additional fee to extend the checkout time, which we politely declined. In the end, we arranged for the normal checkout, but moved our luggages to the storage room while we continued to explore the city.

Usually, no sane tourist would plan for any sightseeing on the last day, but we were audacious enough to check out the car rental companies for the latest prices. The good thing that came out of this crazy activity was that we discovered that renting a car might be the cheapest way for the four of us to go to the airport, even after taking into consideration of the meagre mileage incurred, fuel charges, etc.

After satisfying ourselves and having made a unanimous decision, we went back to the good old Budget that served us well for our last two rentals, trying our luck for one last cheap deal. We were to be shocked and astonished by the high rental prices unlike those we got over the past days.

Disappointed, we hopped next door to Avis. Surprisingly they provided us with a cheaper rate and we were certainly more than happy to take it. Contrary to our pre-trip research, Avis is not always the most expensive car rental company and we will bear that in mind for our next trip.

After congratulating ourselves for making another budget (no pun intended) arrangement, we walked around searching for McDonald's for breakfast which was just round the corner. We were frustrated to discover that there wasn’t any toilet on the first floor of the McDonald's. Seeing a staircase leading up to the second level, we suspected the toilets were on the 2nd level and not open to public yet (a big sign was placed at the bottom of the staircase leading up to 2nd level stating that the level is not yet open and to take our piss elsewhere).

Being obedient and law-abiding gentlemen, we stopped short of lifting one leg and pissing on the front door and instead walked around the vicinity in search of an alternative toilet. To our horror (and our bladders’), we ended up with a long 45-minute walk that took us past the Queen Victoria Market and shops. The cold weather only served to contribute to the faster outflow of fluids which made the situation worse and even more urgent.

At the end of the 45-minute brisk walk, we were relieved (no pun intended) to find a toilet at some office building and wasted no time in uncrossing our legs which were largely inseparable by that time.

Our toilet hunt trail

When the deed was finally done and the colour of the faces had returned to normal, we made our way back to the McDonald’s happily. When we entered the bloody restaurant, we were greeted by the sign that the 2nd floor was now open to customers. Upon further realization, we were even more pissed (again no pun intended) to find that there was indeed a toilet on the 2nd floor.

In retrospect, we should have ignored the sign that forbade patrons to go up to the 2nd level. This really proved how obedient we have been trained to be by the men in white uniform (Singaporean pun intended).

In the end we ended up having a second go at the toilet followed by lunch, simply because we missed the breakfast timing. What was unique about the meals was that the packaging of the burgers was very nicely done. For example, Paul ordered Fillet O’Fish, and this was what he found on the inside cover:

"Only ocean-caught fishes are used in Fillet O’Fish", a “delicacy” by McDonald’s

The rest had beef burgers and they all have similar bragging statements of "We take pride in supplying Australia 100% Australian beef". Suddenly having fast food isn't a culinary sin anymore. It became a delicacy. Especially so when you are told that the fish you are eating today slept last night in a nearby bay.

After munching our last French fries, we went over to fetch our car, after which we dropped by our hotel to pick up our luggages. We were adamant on avoiding the tolls, so Daniel and Paul screwed their heads together and came up with a brilliant toll-free route along other freeways. It definitely didn’t take long for the two transport planners to come out with a fast and efficient route that was not circuitous. The plan was then presented to and approved by the acting VP(Bus), John. Kudos to Paul and Daniel!

The last of our third rented car, Hyundai Elantra and its proud driver Andrew

High-fiving each other, we then carried out the plan. Andrew took the wheel of the Hyundai Elantra and made our way gingerly to the airport via the toll-free highways. It required a slight detour and a longer route, but it was worth the effort to save on the A$8 toll fee (which otherwise would have not have made any difference if we took the cab option).

Meandered our way (right) instead of shorter way (left) to avoid paying for the A$ toll

Throughout the short journey, Andrew was cautious not to exert the engine too much by not pressing the accelerator any more than necessary, and releasing the pedal while going downslope. This is the result of the cheapo way to save fuel.

When we finally reached our destination at the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, the car was handed back and checked by the Avis staff who at the end of it announced that no petrol refill was required. Andrew was very pleased with his achievement. The others gave him a big pat on the back for a job well done (as usual).

At the check-in, we suffered the same fate of not sitting together again. Why so cock up? While the staff promised to “try her best” and make alternative arrangements for us to sit together, there was no promise made. In the end we were still assigned to our separate seats. So much for “customer first” initiatives.

On the plane, Daniel got separated from the rest of the group and was forced into a corner. In the end, he was horrified to find himself sandwiched at the window seat with Yokozuna an obese woman on his left and a disabled old man at the aisle. He could have had lots to complain, but the experience made him realised how he (and the rest of us) had always taken things for granted (being slim, being mobile etc). As such, he welcomed the experience which made him to cherish things he has in life even more.

Back in Changi, we shopped for duty free gifts and picked up copious amounts of alcohol. Paul was picked up by his loving girlfriend; John got a ride home from his parents, while Andrew and Daniel adjourned to the MRT for a long ride back home. All of them parted for a good night's rest, before saying hello to each other the next working day barely 8 hours later.

Despite the many hectic meetings and small-fonted Excel spreadsheets, the guys found that they only had to look away from their computers for a moment and the image of the Twelve Apostles would magically appear in a distance.