Melbourne: Day 1

Time to recap the day's events from Melbourne. I would be uploading photos but the computers at the hostels don't like that. So...I won't. This means I get to do another retroactive post when I return to Canberra.

I got in last night after about eight hours on a bus. Thankfully, we stopped in Aubry, a town right on the border between New South Wales and Victoria. A sign at the train station said that Aubrey was a major point in the Australian rail system as it was where the gauge (size, more or less)of the rails would switch. For being such an important place it was quite small though. Seemed like a nice quiet town.

Anyway, it was good that we stopped there as it gave me a chance to eat. I was famished, and not looking forward to coming to Melbourne on an empty stomach.

Bus arrived in Melbourne at 9:30, and from the station it was just a short walk to the Melbourne Backpackers Connection Hostel. After I got checked into the hostel I went for a stroll. Two reasons behind the walk. 1) I had been on a bus for way to long. 2) I wanted a beer.

Central Melbourne does not lack for clubs, but I didn't want a club. I didn't want loud blaring music, no live band, no ten dollar cover charge. I just wanted a beer. This was apperently to hard to ask for. I ended up going to bed at about 12, sans beer. which is a recent record for me (the time being the record, not the going without beer).

Today I started my day at about ten. Just down the road is the Melbourne Observation Deck. Figuring a good way to see the city was to get on top of it, I went for it. The views from the top were breathtaking. Would have been even better had it not been a really hazy day. Of course, it was here that I realized that my digital camera had a bum screen (see previous post) so that put a slight damper on the day, but I soldiered on.

I went past Telstra Dome (not to be confused with Telstra Stadium, which is in Sydney) to Victoria Harbour. Lots of really neat statues down there. In fact, the entire city has unique architecture. The people designing the buildings here aren't afraid to use different colours (sorry Ike...its a habit now). In fact, the Customs Building is a orange, black, and white. It looks anything but official, but it works. I'm no expert in architecture, but I feel that Melbourne has done a splendid job combining old, new, and modern architecture into its cityscape.

Beuty in contrast. There will be photos to back this up later.

I wound my way down the Yarra River, which gives excellent views of the city. The whole feel down on the river walk was a relaxed one. One image in particular stands out to me. It was a business man, wearing a suit and tie, sitting on the grass with his co-workers. He had his shoes and socks off, just relaxing there having a good time. It didn't seem out of place, it didn't seem strange. I suppose thats how Australians escape the rat race.

The Yarra led me down to Batman Avenue (I swear I'm not making this up) which takes you to Melbourne Park. Here is where the Ron Larver Arena is (home of the Australian Open), the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and various other sporting venues. I bought a ticket for tomorrow's AFL match (Go Bombers), somewhat ironically at the Collingwood Club's head quarters.

I then did a bit of souvenier shopping, before heading back to the hostel. After a day of walking, I didn't feel like going back out again, so I'm calling it an early night.

A full report of the AFL match awaits tomorrow. So far, my new favourite teams are 0-2 when I watch them in person the first time. Hopefully, Essendon can reverse that tomorrow.

Until then...

Alan