Rain in Melbourne Fizzled
Trip Start
Dec 17, 2007
1
6
31
Trip End
Jan 20, 2008
Melbourne,
Australia
Sunday, December 23, 2007
When I got off the ship the sun was shining gloriously over the beach where we were docked and so I decided to set off along the beachfront path as far as my legs could carry me. I had no interest in merely plodding along from shop to shop in another metropolitan city. I don't do it at home and don't do it when I travel.
After an hour and a half I ended up a fair distance away and walked up a pedestrian overpass and found myself in a little roadside art and craft market. I continued down the road and found the Melbourne theme park called "Luna Park"
Homes in Port Melbourne
. The park was small and definitely old, but quaint and held several key attractions for families and definitely worth seeing. Admission is free, one only needs to purchase ride tickets. Not being a ride person I passed on that and continued to look around the area of town prior to getting hit by the ominous rain clouds I saw lurking after departing the ship.The clouds had been pelting down rain over the ocean for as long as I'd been walking so thankfully by the time they reached the shore I was spritzed for about 5 minutes in total. It was almost laughable. I was thankful though as I'd failed to remember my umbrella.
The temperature also cooled due to the cloud cover and now in the mere 60's I was a little chilly. Good thing I'd opted to wear a sweater or "jumper" as they're called here. I didn't complain a bit about the weather and tempurature though as I know exactly what conditions I'd left behind. Walking around mildly chilly in shorts and a jumper is nothing to complain about! :)
I stopped at a roadside little café and purchased a light sandwich and juice drink and then walked the hour and a half back to the ship
Kite surfer on beach
. By this time I felt quite tired from all the fresh air and exercise and rested before going to work.This itinerary is lovely due to the fact that on our port days we only work evenings. So, even though we have a fair number of sea days they are balanced out by a good number of port days as well.
I am glad that I stuck to the waterfront in Melbourne. If I could have gotten on a tour to see a sheep round-up or the Koala and Kangaroo wildlife preserves I would have definitely liked that, but otherwise I would have been bored in a bustling town of endless shops and eateries. I hear that the nightlife is not to be missed, so if you find yourself this way and enjoy that type of adventure there is plenty to entertain you!
That's all for now,
-T
