Melbourne - in the state of Victoria - set along the coast... is now my 3rd Australia stop. Grab your MetroCard, as this place is filled with trams running on trolley lines through most of the streets and a train system that jives with these trams - making travel to and from the city center, and around, very simple (except for the chilly temps if you get caught waiting a little while.) YES - it is rounding into WINTER here! (my summer mode has drastically come to a hault for the next 7-8 weeks!)
Tall buildings tower overhead the square grid of city center; cappucinos are dusted with wonderful cocoa powder; locals (and us backpackers who jump into the local scene) have Coles grocery bags (or xtra bags of some sort) to grab veggies, fruits and other groceries; one cafe after another fills street after street, as do some of the most amazing bakeries -- especially along Acland St in the St. Kilda area; the wind picks up blowing cool air in an encompassing cyclone; sailboats rest anchored in the harbor, along an outstretch of the pier; a "Little Penguin" colony exists, but isn't seen alongside the St. Kilda pier at the moment; Luna Park's wooden rollercoaster attracts a few visitors; book shops and other stores offer some of the latest trends interspersed amongst the cafe-lined streets.
1 year and a month later, I was able to reunite with Michelle & Jo -- after we initially met in Lima, Peru. Both of my "BT Sistas" (blue towel sisters -- an inside joke from our backpacking last year) live in Melbourne, and Michelle has taken me in as a roomie (along with her other roommate Jarrard, and his cat Munsta!) for my week+ visit!
We traveled all over Melbourne - via various public transportation options - pretty much non-stop for my 1st 48hrs in town! Taking to Victoria Market; the many 'arcades' tucked in the city -- filled with local cappucino lovers sitting in their cafes; Federation Square and the Buddha festival; the path along the Yarra River; St. Kilda & Fitzroy; walking along the beach, through streets, out onto the pier, and treating ourselves to many local specialties along the way. On Saturday night we went to an AFL (Australian Rules Football) game -- to see the Saints (Michelle's team) v. the Hawks -- I loved it! I took in the full Australian experience with the meat pie & sauce, Carlton draught beer, and the game! It was one of the worst games in history according to the locals (as there was very little scoring, and not the best playing,) but I didn't know the difference and thoroughly enjoyed watching & learning all about the game (and I most certainly didn't mind watching tons of good looking Aussie guys running around in their short shorts!) ;)
We met up with some of Michelle's friends for a b-day celebration in the St. Kilda area -- enjoying some bev's at two very cool bars -- Spuntino's & The Dog's Bar. The following night we took to the northeastern side of Melbourne's night life on Brunswick St.... sampling some microbrews on tap at the Provincial, followed by an outstanding meal at the Veggie Bar (a trendy, fun vegetarian restaurant,) followed by a little cuban dancing at the Night Cat -- the band was fantastic, the dance floor was relatively huge for a club/bar, and I did my best to keep in step in my trail runners -- the downfall of wardrobe choices while backpacking! (and flip-flops don't quite cut it during nighttime in this start of winter weather!)
At this point I'm nearly 2 days in on trying to catch up on e-mail and this blog!!!! TOO MUCH TO SHARE, and TOO LITTLE TIME to do so!
Tall buildings tower overhead the square grid of city center; cappucinos are dusted with wonderful cocoa powder; locals (and us backpackers who jump into the local scene) have Coles grocery bags (or xtra bags of some sort) to grab veggies, fruits and other groceries; one cafe after another fills street after street, as do some of the most amazing bakeries -- especially along Acland St in the St. Kilda area; the wind picks up blowing cool air in an encompassing cyclone; sailboats rest anchored in the harbor, along an outstretch of the pier; a "Little Penguin" colony exists, but isn't seen alongside the St. Kilda pier at the moment; Luna Park's wooden rollercoaster attracts a few visitors; book shops and other stores offer some of the latest trends interspersed amongst the cafe-lined streets.
1 year and a month later, I was able to reunite with Michelle & Jo -- after we initially met in Lima, Peru. Both of my "BT Sistas" (blue towel sisters -- an inside joke from our backpacking last year) live in Melbourne, and Michelle has taken me in as a roomie (along with her other roommate Jarrard, and his cat Munsta!) for my week+ visit!
We traveled all over Melbourne - via various public transportation options - pretty much non-stop for my 1st 48hrs in town! Taking to Victoria Market; the many 'arcades' tucked in the city -- filled with local cappucino lovers sitting in their cafes; Federation Square and the Buddha festival; the path along the Yarra River; St. Kilda & Fitzroy; walking along the beach, through streets, out onto the pier, and treating ourselves to many local specialties along the way. On Saturday night we went to an AFL (Australian Rules Football) game -- to see the Saints (Michelle's team) v. the Hawks -- I loved it! I took in the full Australian experience with the meat pie & sauce, Carlton draught beer, and the game! It was one of the worst games in history according to the locals (as there was very little scoring, and not the best playing,) but I didn't know the difference and thoroughly enjoyed watching & learning all about the game (and I most certainly didn't mind watching tons of good looking Aussie guys running around in their short shorts!) ;)
We met up with some of Michelle's friends for a b-day celebration in the St. Kilda area -- enjoying some bev's at two very cool bars -- Spuntino's & The Dog's Bar. The following night we took to the northeastern side of Melbourne's night life on Brunswick St.... sampling some microbrews on tap at the Provincial, followed by an outstanding meal at the Veggie Bar (a trendy, fun vegetarian restaurant,) followed by a little cuban dancing at the Night Cat -- the band was fantastic, the dance floor was relatively huge for a club/bar, and I did my best to keep in step in my trail runners -- the downfall of wardrobe choices while backpacking! (and flip-flops don't quite cut it during nighttime in this start of winter weather!)
At this point I'm nearly 2 days in on trying to catch up on e-mail and this blog!!!! TOO MUCH TO SHARE, and TOO LITTLE TIME to do so!
THANK YOU MICHELLE & JARRARD for sharing your flat with me... and allowing me to catch up on this blog -- finally!! :)
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