Melbourne

Melbourne
(pronounced Melbun)

Melbourne...the sounds, the sights, the buildings, the bustling sidewalks lined with cafes, restaurants, stores, and souvenir shops, the public transportation, the smells, the hustle and bustle of business and city life . . . it all reminded me a lot of NYC. Of course, it's a lot smaller of a city and the whole driving on the opposite side of the road, beautiful Australian accents, and occasional new "Australian word" thrown in the conversation helped me remember that I was indeed in a foreign country way across the world from home.
I absolutely loved it and had lots of fun exploring all that Melbourne has to offer.



Here are a few of the highlights (with tons of pictures, of course):

Top 10 Sights of the city
(in no particular order)

1. Queen Victoria Market

This awesome marketplace is just around the corner from where Rachel lives. I went there several times. The fresh produce precinct was my absolute favorite, but it was fun to walk around the other sections, too. They have a Deli Hall, a Meat Hall, a general merchandise/souvenir area, a food court, and much more.

The produce is all local and so fresh and yummy and cheap (the prices are per kilo, which is about 2 lbs)! Not to mention the fact that I've never seen such huge vegetables and fruits (especially celery) as I saw here. I would LOVE to have somewhere like this to buy all my produce!

2. Downtown Melbourne

Rachel and her family live right in the Central Business District (CBD) of Melbourne, which means right in the middle of downtown, right in the middle of all the action.
Just a block down the street (and visible from their balcony) is the State Library.
Inside they have lots of cool displays, a room full of all the latest game systems (Wii, etc). on big screens for people to play, a kids room, a media room, and of course, lots of books.

There are lots of pretty parks and grassy/garden areas throughout the city.








3. Yarra River

Eating a delicious Australian ice cream bar--a Magnum bar--yum!

The Yarra River runs through Melbourne.
I loved walking along the river, which was lined with restaurants and shops.
We ate lunch there one day and it was such a great atmosphere, sitting outside next to the river.

4. Royal Botanic Gardens

Gorgeous, quite, and relaxing ~ as I sat there I couldn't
help but wish we had somewhere like this in Vegas!

See the black swan across the pond?
I saw lots of black swans at several different places on my trip.

The Shrine of Remembrance, a tribute to fallen soldiers, is just outside of the gardens.

5. Collins Street

The House of Parliament, at the end of Collins Street

Australian flag

6. St. Patrick's Cathedral

The lighting inside was beautiful and yellowish from all the stained glass windows.

7. Flinders Street Station

a famous subway train station

train station from above







8. Eureka Skydeck

The Eureka Skydeck is located on the 88th floor of this building.
It's the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere.

The views were amazing! We could see all of Melbourne from up there.

the harbor


Federation Square (cultural precinct on the Yarra River~ theaters, etc.)

Yarra River

9. Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building


At the Melbourne Museum, they had lots of interesting artifacts, history of Melbourne, Aboriginal artwork/artifacts, and even a real rainforest to walk through.


The Royal Exhibition Building, where the Royal Exhibition was held in the 1880s.
It's a beautiful building right next to the Melbourne Musuem!






10. Melbourne Aquarium

a few of the things we saw at the aquarium ~ the penguins were definitely a favorite!