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Assuming all regulatory bodies give the approval, Australia can expect a new domestic airline to be in operation by February next year. The airline will be owned and operated by Tiger Airways, which is 49% owned by leading international airline, Singapore Airlines. Another part owner is low-cost Irish airline, RyanAir.

These owners are not without their significance. RyanAir is an extremely successful low-cost airline in Europe and Tiger's model is based larged on their's. They already fly from Darwin to Singapore with fares as low as $8. They are also promising single figure flights for their broader domestic launch next year.


This seems to be good from a consumer point of view, though I am sure Qantas/JetStar and Virgin Blue aren't especially happy about it. Personally, I do think there is room for another low-cost airline. People are keenly taking up flights, on major routes at least, and to get some of the cheaper airfares, a customer really has to fly quite early in the morning and on days less popular.

Hopefully an extra domestic airline means we can fly whenever we want for a very low price. I do hope that single figure fares at the time of the Tiger launch don't quickly make way for middle of the road priced fares. I also hope Tiger flies into Tullamarine in Melbourne from Sydney as Virgin Blue does and not into Avalon as Jetstar does. It will be interesting to see how things progress!



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The hatters at Flinders Station

March 6th 2007 00:38
There is a lovely little hatters at Flinders Street Station that has been there ninety-odd years. It is hidden away downstairs, but is very much part of the landscape. I haven't actually bought anything, as what I went back to get wasn't there, but small shops like this, that remind of us some wonderful years in Australia, should be celebrated.




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The state of pubs in Australia

March 1st 2007 03:59
In Melbourne last weekend, we noticed how the city still has a plethora of pubs. Around every corner is a pub packed with character and more importantly, not a poker machine in sight!



The pub above is The Prince Albert Hotel in Williamstown. Before WIlli became a popular place to live with the middle-class types, there were apparently about 40 pubs in the area. It's probably similar to Balmain or even Newtown in Sydney.

Sydney has gotten rid of a lot of pubs compared to Melbourne. It is such a shame and I can only put it down to development and the introduction of poker machines. No longer are Sydney pubs happy with making a decent living, they have to make a packet through people's disposition to gambling.

I hope Melbourne doesn't go in the same direction as I think the pub life in Melbourne is key for the city's cultural success.
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I am usually quite critical of religious denominations of all kinds, but this time the Anglican church has gotten it right. My friend and I were quite pleased to see a banner draped from St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne, opposite Flinders Street Station. With a government full of Christians who don't mind letting this part of their life influence their decisions from time to time, perhaps it is time they listen to the church on this matter and get David Hicks home.

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Williamstown in Melbourne with pics

February 27th 2007 06:40
Yesterday I mentioned that we'd spent a couple of hours walking around the Bay at Williamstown. Despite the lack of shade, leaving me a little sunburnt, it was a lovely walk with the city in the background and boats-a-plenty moored in the bay.

Swans seemed to be the bird of choice for the area, and in the picture below they seemed to stand on one foot at the same time as one another


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Another trip to Melbourne

February 26th 2007 08:36
Spent the weekend in Melbourne - will have some pictures up this weekend.

We stayed in a suburb in Newport, which is next to the lovely suburb of Williamstown. It is on the bay across from St Kilda and a pretty short train trip from the city. The weather was warm and we took quite a lovely walk round the bay to the Williamstown shopping precinct today. Very enjoyable


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Finally the cricket gets interesting

February 9th 2007 10:39
This was one of the most anticipated series of cricket for some time, what with England having won the Ashes a couple of years ago over there. Unfortunately it wasn't to be and as we got towards the end of the English tour, it really looked as though it was going to be a non event.

All of a sudden though, England has hit some form and Australia are having some trouble with their lineup. England at present aren't far off a win in the first final of the one day series against Australia, having beaten them recently and coming off a good win against New Zealand, who were looking okay themselves


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Last minute accommodation websites

February 8th 2007 11:36
There are a few websites going around these days offering deals for last minute accommodation within Australia and in other countries of the world.

I am going to Melbourne shortly, on tour with The Signals and need a hotel for myself and another. So, I have checked a few of the websites on the hunt for cheap, yet comfortable digs


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Tennis is a rubbish sport

January 15th 2007 05:26
If it was up to me there would be cricket in some form on TV every single day. Whether it was state cricket or an international game, having some cricket on in the background every day would make my life close to complete. (Yes I'm exagerating). But you get the point...

There isn't any cricket on today, but I decided to take a break from what I am doing and check out some tennis. I can't stand tennis, but for some reason I sometimes find myself punishing my senses by watching it. It is the most tedious boring sports to watch, it really is


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Summer of Glen - Melbourne in summary

January 3rd 2007 05:51
On average I try to get down to Melbourne once a year. This time around it was less about shopping (lack of money) and more about just chilling out and enjoying the city. All in all it was a good little holiday, culminating in a great New Years Eve do.

Once again I couldn't espace from Melbourne people wanting to compare their city with Sydney, with so many saying Melbourne is better. I don't know what it is, whether it's Melbourne pride or insecurity, but they all feel the need to do it. My opinion is the cities are both good. I think Sydney is a great place, but I wouldn't head down to Melbourne if I didn't think it was great either


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I was in Melbourne town for a holiday, but the focus was on New Years Eve with a DJ spot at a do called Night at the Hop @ the British Crown in Collingwood. This was the big day then.

Most of the day was spent sitting about playing records, with Gus (the bloke whose place I was staying at) and myself trying to figure out what to put in our set


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Summer of Glen - Melbourne Day Two

December 29th 2006 07:26
Big night last night. Headed out to dinner in the city - ended up at a Dumplings place and had some good noodles. Met up with friends of Gus and headed to Cherry Bar for soul. Cherry Bar is a little bar in a side alley in the city - somewhere. Can't remember the exact location. The soul was good early, but the dancefloor took a while to get moving. Pretty soon though much dancing was done.

Headed back to North Carlton with many beers under our belt. Sleep came pretty early to me having been up since 430 am


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Summer of Glen - Melbourne Day One

December 28th 2006 06:51
First day of six in Melbourne. Arrived at 745 am after an okay flight, though it was a bit full of children for whatever reason. Crying and flying isn't cool.

By the time I arrived at my mate's place in Carlton North I'd racked up $70 worth of cab fairs. Both Melbourne and Sydney (particularly Melbourne) need to do something about the cost from airport to city


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Navigating a trip to Melbourne

December 21st 2006 03:59
So I am going to Melbourne in under a week for a bit of a holiday/piss-up/hangout and this morning got to talking about the flying process. I have two record cases that I want to take on the plane because I would never trust them under the hold. I also have a suit I am wearing New Years Eve that I would like to take on board. I was just going to sit it on my lap, but was assured by my family that I would be forced to put it in the overhead compartment.

This really defeats the purpose of taking it on board because there is no doubt it will get crushed by people (yes those hated people again) and their desire to put stuff on my suit. So the other option is putting in my bag that will be checked-in, meaning it will have to be folded. I just can't win


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