Paul

Good stock of scuba gear for hire at a competitive price. We have hired gear from Aquatic Adventures in Rye for many years and have found the gear to work well every time and the service to be satisfactory. They have warm semi dry wet suits which my wife likes as she feels the cold underwater. We often hire the gear around midday and then can do one or two dives in the afternoon and then fit one or two in the next morning before returning it. Very economical. The only thing that annoys me is that they won't let us take extra tanks with us without charging for them even though they are not using them. We have to come back and get refills. But it's only a minor thing and I suppose everyone is the same.

Computer com is a reasonably large computer retailer located next to Jb Hi Fi on Nepean Hwy. I just purchased a new monitor and AGP video card as I wanted to have two monitors connected to my computer. When I got home I realised that the video card wouldn't work with my existing card and that I would need to get a pci one instead. The next day I rang them up and they had no hesitation in offering me a full refund (not just as credit note), even though it was my mistake. When I got to the store, they suggested that they might be able to get me the right type of card, and after a few phone calls they had located it. I had already done some research on ebay, and knew what the price was for these cards and whilst they were close, they were a little more expensive. When I told them this, the matched the ebay price.

I was also happy with their service on the monitor purchase. I rang on Saturday to order the monitor, but they didn't have it in stock. I was told that it would be in on Monday, which surprised me because I wouldn't have thought there was enough time, but sure enough I received a call on Monday afternoon to advise me that it was ready for pickup. I was impressed at this.

Good Malaysian food in a interesting environment. I have eaten at Ah loys on a number of occasions as its very close to our home. It's a pretty popular restaurant, however we can usually get a place. The satay chicken is a favourite as is the roti bread. The main room of the restaurant has small alcoves around the edge with wooden dinosaurs lit by halogen lights. It sounds a little strange when I write about it here, but it does work.

This is your suburban pub, complete with warbling pokie machines fortunately tucked away into a small room. What I found surprisingly good about the Baxter Tavern is that the food is not bad; in fact I'd even go as far as to say its very good. We visited last night with an elderly relative. I had a Moroccan chicken tagine on a chickpea and sweet potato mash. The chicken had been slow cooked and was very tender and the mash was flavoured with an array of spices and a hint of curry. I like things pretty spicy and normally this type of place doesn't make their dishes flavoursome enough for me, but this was great. My wife had a Lamb Loin with fetta cheese topped with basil on a lentil base. The lamb was not overcooked and the combination worked well.

In my opinion this is the best Gelati in Melbourne. Hands Down.

I have often been here after enjoying a great meal at Thaila Thai a few shops North along Lygon Street (see separate review). This is real Gelati like you get in Italy and you used to be able to get in that little place opposite The University Cafe on Lygon Street in Carlton before it closed. The Gelo bar is well worth a visit, there are heaps of interesting flavours, surrounded by 1970's style decor. And check out the strange cafe next door - when you see it you'll know what I mean.

I have eaten at Jacques Reymond twice for celebratory dinners and each time they haven't failed to impress. It was high class French food; the degustation menu I had included about 7 courses of entree sized meals. The food was amazing, and I think this place justifiably deserves its reputation. It's a great place to go if you want to splash out on a fine dining experience - you won't be disappointed.

I went to Flower Drum curious to see what all the fuss was about, as it has such a big reputation. Well, I really can't see where it gets it from, because the whole experience was nothing to rave about. Of course the food was well presented, the waiting staff attentive, but at the price it's just not worth it. Perhaps 30 years ago this might have represented the ultimate in style and sophistication, but the bar has been raised a lot since then, and I am sad to say that Flower Drum hasn't kept up. I think at this price range there is much better to be found at Chinois, Walter's Wine Bar or Jacques Reymond (my pick).

It took quite a number of attempts for us to actually get our balloon flight, because the winds have to be very calm. And I mean very calm. So calm that you would think that there is no wind. However once we did get to go, the experience was great. Our flight started early in the morning around Kensington and then we flew right over the city, looking down on top of the tall buildings and then directly over the MCG. We made a landing in Hawthorn and then were bussed back to the Hilton in East Melbourne for a relaxing breakfast. I must admit I had low expectations about the enjoyment value of the flight relative to the cost, but it was worth it. Perhaps it can best be described as like sailing in the sky.

My wife and I were given a voucher for a day of sea kayaking with Sea Kayak Australia. Neither of us had been sea kayaking before and we found these guys to be great. We went down to Phillip Island and after some training we were off along the Southern coast, looking at cliffs, caves and bird life. We stopped for lunch of sandwiches, hot drinks from a small gas stove they brought along & coffee scrolls and then paddled back home. We were a little tired, but it was really a great day. There were two instructors from Sea Kayak Australia who I thought were very helpful and patient with people. I can recommend as a gift or for yourself to try something new.