Meeting the parent part 2

I met my dad and stepmother at their hotel, and we took a tram into town. We got off a stop early to make the most of the view as you enter the city centre. Melbourne (like many of us) looks better at night. We passed the National Gallery's illuminated fountains and the light-studded spire of the Arts Centre before walking across Prince's bridge with the city skyline laid out in front of us (picture by Steven). This brought us neatly to the crazy angles of Federation Square, the city's central landmark and our destination.

The meal went just as seamlessly as the journey. Steven had had the brainwave of suggesting bokchoy tang as the restaurant of choice, and it was just right - great Chinese food in a relaxed atmosphere. The four of us chatted away about this and that, and all in all it was a very pleasant evening.

After we'd left them at the tram stop, me and Steven naturally felt like rewarding ourselves with a drink (or several). We ended up at Horse Bazaar, a 'digital art bar' which was heaving. We propped up the bar and watched the youngsters making merry to a bunch of Brazilian DJ's. A good end to a good night.

[For a view from another side of the table, click here.]