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Day 8 - exploring Melbourne
This morning we got our heads around the complicated tram ticketing system and caught ourselves a tram into the city. Not really sure how the philosophy of encouraging people to take public transport works when it cost us four times what it cost to park the car in the city yesterday. Yes, part of the cost was a one-off for setting up the ticket cards for each of us - but really - even without that, it would have still been double the cost of parking. Oh well - we notched it up to the adventure of riding a tram.
We spent the morning wandering the city - taking in the notable landmarks of Flinders St Station, Federation Square, a few laneways which were bristling with activity (and reminded us of European style cafés). The city was alive and busy! We made our way up to Chinatown and enjoyed dumplings for lunch. The expense of public transport was offset by the bargain lunch - feeding a family of five for less than $25 is a rare feat! While having lunch we recognised a familiar voice and realised Chas from The Chaser was also dining there - so, if the locals from Melbourne rate it, we must have picked a good spot.
After lunch we found our way to Old Melbourne Gaol, where we enjoyed walking the halls of the 150+ yr old prison, and hearing stories of the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, and seeing the spot where he was hanged in 1880.
By the time we'd seen the goal, we were getting weary, and made our way back to Swanston St for the return trip on the tram.
We then set about finding somewhere for dinner, and with a number of places closed for the long weekend, we eventually found a Lebanese restaurant - where the kids tried a few more "different" foods. Ms10 seems to be developing a taste for foods that are mildly spicy - and is becoming a little more adventurous. Mr8 still has a ways to go - and well - ms4 - who knows - the poor kid is so overtired that she wasn't in the mood for much more than the lamb ribs.
Tomorrow is our last day in the city of Melbourne. Still more things to see and do. I expect this will just set us up for a return trip at some point in the future.
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