A 'Drop In' the Ocean

  Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Thursday, January 8, 2009

We arrived in Melbourne, once again Sans a decent map, and with an hour to spare before dropping off the car. We managed to find our way around, but with the clock ticking didn't manage to actually go anywhere. Jo (from our cycle tour in Vietnam) picked us up from the car hire company and took us back to their beautiful house.

That night we went with Jo and David into the city centre lanes, for a fantastic dumpling supper at a very popular

01. Dumpling Supper

Chinese restaurant. To see another side of the city we went to a local bar / music venue where a live band tried their hand at Indie Rock. We were entertained by the various outfits sported. The female drummer looked most becoming with her Bjorn Borg headgear.

The next morning we tried rather hard to get up and away before 9:00, and nearly succeeded.

03. Kirsty outside St Pauls

After catching the train to Flinders Street we headed to the information centre in search of a map and ideas. Taking numerous peoples advice we wandered around Federation Square and to the Ian Potter museum, a collection of Australian Art. The aboriginal art was very beautiful and quite different from anything else we have seen though the interpretations often left one most confused. We also looked at the Rennie Ellis photo exhibition. He was a photographer popular from the 60's to the 80s, living a hedonist's life, with a real gift for capturing people. One photo in particular made us realise how conservative South Africa is, as it showed a stripper performing at a Black Tie event with a man and his wife looking on.

04. Mike on the Yarra River

For lunch we headed down to the Southbank to meet up with a friend, Kevin. It reminded us a lot of London South bank, particularly with the greyish weather and number of street performers. After lunch we parted company and started the walking tour through the lanes of Melbourne's inner city. We walked through gorgeous, well preserved Victorian arcades, boutique shops and buzzy cafes. It really does have a European feel and by the sound of it even the weather is somewhat European! Tired we caught the free City Circular tram, though couldn't hear the commentary or see much through the window due to the throng of tourists jammed onto it. Though we felt compelled to try and see more,

07. Dinner

we decided our weary bodies needed a rest before experiencing the 'most clichéd' Australian BBQ - Prawns, Kangaroo Sausages and Mutton chops with Jo and David and three of their friends.

After a late night we had a very slow start before heading to Victoria Market with Jo (As David was working) for a very late brunch and wander. Sadly our time came to an end and we had to head off to the airport and catch our plane to the Sunshine Coast.