Exploring Melbourne

We arrived in Melbourne just as the sun was setting and rush hour was in full swing.  We stayed at the Darling Towers, which was basically a two bedroom furnished apartment with all the amenities- Dad picked well on this one!  We were all a bit grumpy and tired from our day of driving, so just picked up some groceries for a simple supper and some ice for my ankle.

We thought we could meet the couple who's home we'll be renting for the next few months while we were here.  I went to send them an email and had an unfortunate message in my inbox- they had to cancel our reservation due to a family emergency!  Cue me freaking out because my perfect plans fell through.  (Maybe this was a blessing in disguise though as Joel decided the next day that he hated Melbourne and would go nuts living in such a busy place.)  Joel and I had an argument about what to do next (he says find new jobs and stay on Gold Coast, I say find a new city) so we decided to take a time out, enjoy our time here in case we don't come back, and worry about it when we get home.  Dad took Joel out for a beer and all was fine.

The next morning the boys went out to check out the job scene for Joel and Mom and I walked around the CBD and snooped in some shops.  We had to go slow and rest alot because of my poor little ankle.  I love the way the shops are arranged downtown- located in old buildings, tucked away in little alleys and arcades.  It reminded me of a combo of NYC and Calle del Serpientes in Seville (Spain).  We picked up some souvenirs, tried on fastenators in David Jones, bought some jewelery at my favorite store Forever New, had lunch at a little Asian bakery and explored one of Melbourne's most famous sights, Flinders Station.  It was nice just to have a day alone with my Mom.

 When we met up with the boys Joel was even more sure that he didn't want to move to Melbourne.  Too much traffic for his liking.  We made a simple dinner and I iced my ankle, then I went out with Mom and Dad for an evening walk and to check out the Crown Casino.  This place is bolla!  Fancy crystal lighting, tons of high end restaurants and shops, and the slots just went on forever.  It was two floors of never ending gambling.  Dad had to play twenty bucks so he could say he'd played at this world class casino, and the gods were with him as he won seventy dollars!  Drinks on him to celebrate.

We went to a cool lounge along the river to sip in his winnings.  I had the best rose moscado made by Innocent Bystander in the Yarra Valley (Melbourne's wine country).  After that we walked along the river and checked out the city lit up at night.

The next morning Joel and Dad were up bright and early to go golfing.  Joel does not feel he has experienced a city to it's fullest without golfing one of their ranges.  Mom and I had another girls day.  We started our day with a little sightseeing.  There are so many beautiful old buildings here!  First stop was the Parliament (for whatever reason I feel the urge to always see parliament buildings when I'm in a city/state capital- maybe because I love the Leg in Edmonton so much?).  So far this was the nicest one I've seen in Oz.

We walked along the north side of the river to our next stop, Federation Square.  This is basically the meeting point of Melbourne and seems like lots of entertainment happens here in the summer.  Below is the Arts Center, aka Melbourne's Eiffel Tower.

We got to Flinders Station and figured out how to catch a tram to Chapel Street, another shopping mecca.  Mom was in her element!  I was very unlike myself and couldn't get into shopping like I usually would because of my stupid ankle.  Joel and Dad met up with us and I went exploring in the car with them while Mom continued to shop.  We drove to St Kilda and checked out Luna Park (famous vintage amusement park with a wooden roller coaster) which was closed (poor Dad- it's always closed when he comes!) and checked out the beach.  Melbourne sits on a bay and their beach really sucks.  We did enjoy some drinks at a little beach side bar (such alcoholics this trip!)

 We picked up Mom and went to see the Shrine of Remembrance, which was built to honor those whose lives were lost in WWI.  It was huge and is by far the most beautiful remembrance monument I've seen.

Not much planned for this evening.  Another low key dinner and fitting everything back in our suitcases as we head back to the Gold Coast tomorrow evening.