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| A bird's eyeview of the city from the Rialto Tower |
In The Land Down Under
My eldest son Alexander lives at Caroline Springs, a suburb of Greater Melbourne. He lives a tranquil life with wife Jeck and sons Maximus and Phoenix. The place is some 30 minutes away from the city proper, or as they appropriately call it, the Central Business District (CBD).
Wednesdays and Thursdays are his days-off and on these days, we would travel to some far-away places on board his Holden Sedan. Mostly beautiful places with sights to marvel at. But on Saturdays and Sundays, we were left on our own. "We" here of course refers to the writer and the significant other.
With my daughter-in-law Jeck procuring tickets some days ahead, we would take the Connex train at the terminal near Watergardens commercial center. Hey, I missed telling you something. The tickets were good for all rides - bus, train, tram - for one whole day. With a backpack, a digicam and a cellphone, we would venture to the City Center which is the focal point of business and industry, of arts and entertainment, of sports and tourism. |
Passing through the districts of Keilor Plains, St. Albans, Ginifer, Sunshine, Totenham, Albion and Footscray, we would disembark at Flinders Street Station. And once we step out of Flinders, the bedazzlement, the bewilderment would begin. One is certainly captivated by the beauty and charm of this city which was, in the late 1800s, the world's richest city. Due primarily to the Victorian gold boom. Being a port, it was the jump-off point for all those interested in gold.
Melbourne is a city of beautiful parks and gardens. The Kings Domain, the Royal Botanical Gardens, Fitzsroy, Treasury, Carlton, Queen Victoria, Albert Park to name a few. They are all well maintained. Everything and everyplace in Melbourne is clean and this is one reason why it is now officially the number one most liveable city in the world.
Along the clear waters of the Yarra River, structures such as the Southgate Mall, Crown Casino, Melbourne Aquarium, Federation Square, Melbourne Rowing Club and the Rod Laver Arena are strategically located. It is a usual thing in this area to see promenaders and shoppers take time off from their busy sked as they watch ferry boats pass by while seagulls perch on rails and trees or scamper for something on the ground.
Now, if anyone wants to tour the city in one hour and a half, there is a tourist bus in front of the National Gallery of Victoria just across the Princes Bridge. It is for free and one gets to see selected tourist sites with a tourist guide to boot. And at one station, free coffee is served while relaxing at a comfortable lounge.
It is now ten minutes past 2 A.M. Enough for today. But i'll get back to you. Remember, this is only about the City. And ya ain't seen nothing yet. Nothing yet !!!!
-Konted
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| View of the Yarra River from the Princes Bridge |
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The Southbank Promenade where the Southgate Mall
and the Crown Casino Complex are located |
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| Across the Yarra River is the Central Business District |
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| A pedestrian bridge connects the Central Business District to the Southbank |
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The Melbourne Cricket Stadium near the Riverbend and the
headquarters of the various Rowing Clubs across the Yarra River |
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| Bourke Street |
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| Melbourne has the largest tram system in the world |
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| People do their shopping at Myer and David Jones department stores at Bourke St. |
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| Flinders Street Station is the central point of the entire railway network of Melbourne |
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| Connex trains provide services to the city and suburbs. Connex is now Metro Link. |
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| V-Line services include trips to Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymor and Gippsland |
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| On their way to Flinders train station, young ladies taking off their shoes after a long day at the races |
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| Walking barefoot |
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| Alexandra Gardens |
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| Beautiful walkway |
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| Yellow and orange combination |
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| Beautiful flowers and plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens |
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| Quiet moments by the lake |
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| A clean brook still within Melbourne limits |
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| Clear and clean Maribyrnong River |
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| St. Paul's cathedral under the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne |
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| Special candles |
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| Tram station near Flinders |
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| State library of Victoria |
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| The real Ned Kelly - public enemy # 1 |
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| William Barrack bridge |
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| With a view of John Batman Ave. |
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| Australian Open is held here |
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| Outside tennis courts |
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| Ladies match being played at center court at the Australian Open |
