Day 1 – Melbourne – Tuesday 23rd March 2010

 

Yesterday went well. Hugh took us to the airport and we arrived in good time. Said our goodbyes and went into the airport to find a big queue of people all waiting to check-in for Emirates. But we had checked in on-line and so we bypassed them all and joined a very small queue to drop the bags. Brilliant. The flight went well and I watched a newly released film called 2012. It was all about the end of the world but as it turned out some entrepreneurs had build some modern arks so most of our heroes were saved. The rest of the world drowned, which was a shame. On arrival we picked up our bags and got a taxi into Melbourne and checked in without any hassle. Went straight to sleep at 1:00am as far as we were concerned but the clock said it was only 11:00pm.

This morning we enjoyed the great view from our balcony, looking right over the Carlton Gardens which are the home of the Royal Exhibition Building, behind which is the Melbourne Museum. We headed over there by 9:00am. We first of all walked around the outside of the gardens as the gardens were closed to the public as The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show starts tomorrow. This is the biggest in the southern hemisphere.

It was a little overcast and chilly so we returned towards the hotel and picked up some essential supplies from the shop next door, returned to our rather nice apartment and donned our fleeces.

We walked down Exhibition Street and then through China Town to the central shopping area. Looked in several shops and took in some of the famous Melbourne Arcades. In the Royal Arcade we found a shop that would delight our Claire. It was a magical spell shop and had a lady behind the counter who very kindly posed for us while she blew on some scented smoke. On behalf of Claire I spun a Wheel of Stars and took away a magical piece of paper!

We then made our way down to the very imposing Flinders Street railway station and through to the river bank where we booked on a river cruise. On the River Yarra (you know, where the wine comes from – albeit slightly upstream). We could see the Rod Laver Tennis Stadium and just make out the Melbourne Cricket ground. The cruise was most pleasant. As you head down to the Docklands and past the Southbank promenade you go under some really low bridges, so much so that if you stood up outside you would get your head knocked off.

After the cruise we walked over to the Arts Centre where there was an exhibition on the life and times of Robert Helpmann, a Ballet Choreographer. Then walked up to the National Gallery of Victoria and had a look at that before crossing the road to the park. Had a good walk through there, after which we walked along the South Bank and stopped for an excellent lunch at the Bear Brass. I had Kangaroo. You just have to, don’t you? We then walked further along the South Bank to the casino where a road goes right through it. All a bit odd.

We crossed the river again and caught the City Circle Tram. Nice bit of nostalgia but spoiled a bit as it was packed. Anyhow we got a seat and things improved. It is a great way to see some of the city highlights without wearing yourself out, too much. We went down to the Victoria Harbour and Central Pier, all beautifully restored. Went past the Telstra Dome (now called something else) which has the largest sliding covered roof in the Southern Hemisphere (that phrase is used quite a lot).

We then rattled our way up La Trobe Street and got back to the hotel and crashed out for an hour or so, then went out again to take a look at the Museum. Closed at 5:00pm. Great. Looked at the iMax but they were showing Alice in Wonderland which didn’t appeal much so we gave it a miss and continued walking around the Exhibition Building and Carlton gardens where the flower show is being held from tomorrow. Now back at the hotel typing this. Will go online later (at great expense) and publish it and pick up emails.