Melbourne

Sunday, November 24th

Our hotel is in the heart of the city on Collins Street. We are amazed by the huge modern buildings juxtaposed with the old around every corner. Lovely green trees soften the look and feel of the glass, bricks, and steel.

The trams run everywhere all the time, and they are free. People seem to love them and they really help keep the traffic to a minimum.

Our hotel

Our hotel's architecture is interesting. It started life as a huge wool warehouse as well as heaps of offices for people involved in the wool trade and other businesses. It was recently renovated and made into the Intercontinental hotel where the rooms that must have been offices are now the guest rooms. But Mausie and I think the design is rather strange and looks a little like Ronnie Barker's 'Porridge'.

Here's the view from the fourth floor. You can see all the rooms look out onto a huge atrium. The main bar and dining room are all the way down at the bottom. The over all feeling is rather ugly and cold.

But our rooms are really comfortable and a haven after the flight from Auckland. I even try out the gym and the swimming pool on the top level and resolve to make working out at the hotel gym a habit for the rest of the holiday.

Exploring Melbourne

Monday, November 25th

It's Monday morning and after a fantastic hotel breakfast Mausie and I are on a morning's bus tour of some of the highlights of Melbourne. It's cold and rainy, but we don't let that dampen our spirits. Here are some photos we took on the way. Just click on each one to see more.

Fred

Fred was our esteemed tour driver. He was incredibly enthusiastic about Melbourne and had some great stories to tell.

Street art

Fred took us to Hosier Lane to see some amazing street art. This lane and others is where graffiti artists are allowed to go wild - and they do!

Looking up

You had to look up high to view one of the best pieces of street art.

Aboriginal boy

This is what Mausie was looking at - an amazing portrait of an aboriginal boy with Melbourne reflected in his eyes.

The Penthouse

The golden floor you can see on this building is called the Penthouse. It's owned by a young man who made millions auctioning things off on Facebook.

Fitzroy Gardens

Fred took us inside the conservatory, which was great as it was a little too wet to be outside.

Inside the conservatory

According to Fred, the floral displays inside the conservatory are changed all the time. That's because they are all in their own pots, even though it doesn't look like they are.

Fitzroy Gardens

Wedding parties flock here to have their photos taken. But they have to book online with Melbourne City Council.

Melbourne Catholic Cathedral

Fred took us to this magnificent building - Oupa would have loved the architecture. It apparently took them a while to finish because they wanted to avoid paying tax!

The cathedral organ

I can only imagine the sound this makes! But the cathedral is enormous and so this is entirely appropriate.

Beautiful flowers

There must have been something special (like a wedding) happening here recently. These are gorgeous!

The nave

How did they ever build this?!!...without all the conveniences of modern building technology?

Brighton Beach

Fred told us that the bathing sheds at Brighton Beach were the most popular spot on his tours.

How much for a shed?

Fred assures us that you would need over $400,000 to buy one of these gems. Really!! They have no electricity or funning water.

Status symbol?

Fred says that the essential element is to have a comfy chair. On a nice day you roll it out with your eski full of beers beside you and note to all passersby that this is yours.

The Princess Theatre

Appropriately shrouded in fog, this theatre apparently has a ghost. Long story from Fred, but they keep a seat free for him at every performance.

Pip and St Francis

Mause spotted a gorgeous statue of St Francis of Assisi. I love him because he loved animals.

OOPS!

Another tall story from Fred? The architect was designing this building and one in Mumbai at the same time. But he put the plans in the wrong envelopes......

Our favorite place

When we went exploring on our own we came across a French cafe which makes the best creamy chai lattes and crepes we have ever tasted!

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decorations are everywhere and these two guys really took our fancy.

Point Settias

The red of these Christmassy flowers was intense and worth a photo.

Tuesday November 26th

Today the sun came out in Melbourne and we were lucky enough to meet up for lunch with our dear friend, Jane Mabee. She took us to a floating restaurant on the Yarra River and we had a lovely long catch up. We even got to ride in one of the trams on the way back to the hotel.

Here are a few photos of the restaurant and the views over the river:

The restaurant

The restaurant was called 'Float'. I can just imagine it throbbing with life on a Friday or Saturday night.

Jane and Mause

Chatting while watching the world go by on the river.

Good friends

A wine or two in the sun with a good friend - life is good!

The restaurant

The restaurant was called 'Float'. I can just imagine it throbbing with life on a Friday or Saturday night.

1/4

Off to Dubai

The flight to Dubai was amazing. Even though it was around 14 hours long we managed to really enjoy it. Mause slept virtually the whole time and I watched some great movies.

When we arrived we were met by a nice man with a wheelchair for Mause. This was great, not only because Mause was spared the long walk, but also because he knew where to go for the luggage - it was miles away by train! Who would have thought!!!??? He then escorted us the whole way to where our taxi was waiting to take us to the hotel.

Dubai