Melbourne – The City of Sculpture (so named by moi)

Well, hello from Melbourne. I arrived here in the late afternoon of the 2nd January, to a blast of heat. I have heard that you can see 4 seasons in one day in Melbourne and now I do not doubt that. It is now Tuesday 9th January and I have experienced clear skies, 35 degree heat, showers, strong winds and weather like an English Autumn. I am staying in a hostel called The Nunnery, as in the 1860’s it was a Nunnery. Now it is a fully fledged guesthouse/backpackers and quite a nice one at that.

Sadly, I have run out of money (for Australia) and now have to live like a pauper. So, tales of Melbourne are not quite as wild as those of Sydney (now having spent 7 days as a pauper I am in fact ready to go wild!). Much of the time that I have spent in Melbourne has been strolling the city streets, visiting the Victoria Markets and visiting the banks of the Yarra River (very commercialised with bars, restaurants and shops).

In comparison to Sydney, Melbourne is very continental – some of the buildings more ornate, the people and fashions less glamorous and more alternative. Many streets are lined with cafes and coffee drinking and listening to jazz is a big culture here. Lygon Street is one of my favourite streets and could be called Little Italy, with the number of Italian Restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques and style. Melbourne is a city of new combined with old, by that I mean huge sky scrapers located adjacent to huge historical buildings of stunning architecture; fast cars with blacked out windows rolling past the rickety old tram. Modern art and sculpture is everywhere, from not just the buildings but random pieces of sculpture located in the street. There is always something to look at here in Melbourne, and I like it very much.

Yesterday was the highlight of my stay in Melbourne - I did a tour of the Great Ocean Road. I got the best seat of the house - up front and for 9 hours was spoiled with stunning views of the south east coast of Australia, including the 12 (now 11) Apostles. The road itself was quite magnificent and I would have given my right arm to drive a fast convertible along it. I did however manage to dip my feet into the Great Southern Ocean and can tell you it was very cold! 

So, now the time has come for me to depart Australia. On the 14th January, I will be flying to Christchurch, New Zealand, which I am very much looking forward to.

Photos will come when I can find an internet café that allows me to upload. For now, sending you lots of love and I am missing you all hugely!

Em x