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Magic Melbourne.Sep 22, 2009
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The Magic of Melbourne
Saturday 19th September 2009
Up for a short run – then we take the camper back – all the way across town and great navigation by Carolyn means we get there without trouble
The car wash proves difficult to enter – and then back to the depot – all well and we get a lift to the tram station (Airport West?) and the 40 minute trip into town at a most reasonable daily cost of $6.80
Drink and then a walk and past the recommended Modiva tapas bar – wine too expensive – and we opt for a cheap Irish bar – then along the Walking tour recommended by Lonely Planet – and then the tram to St Kilda and walked home.
Sunday 20th September 2009
Nice spring morning and we arrange to meet Barry and Carole in town at 11.00am – though most of the time before then is taken up with trying to book our flights to Tasmania, and after a couple of false starts we succeed!
On the tram to town we discover that we cannot buy a Sunday Saver ticket (for $3.10) – and that the damn stupid machine will only deliver and charge for a normal daily ticket at - $6.80 – How daft is that – and even stranger many folk pay up the $6.80!
So, we skip paying – on principle – and whilst we feel bad about it – we will however pay the fare ($3.10) on our return trip – so the “system” will not lose out!
We meet Barry and Carole and have a nice walk through the Southbank markets and then into the Casino – so that Carole can play the Pokies (slot machines) – though we manage to lose Barry in the process!
Back together again we visit the shopping centre and then catch a tram (yes, we did pay) to a little restaurant called Madame Brussels, that Carole likes. It is up a little stair and if you did not know about it you would not find it!
It’s a little “odd” in a nice way and has a most pleasant roof terrace – though the service was a little off – and they had no sandwiches – as they had not been delivered – we still had a nice time!
We walked a little through town and then caught a tram back to St Kilda Beach for another “wee drinkie” at the Espy – and a peek in to the Gershwin room where Rockwiz is filmed.
Monday 21st September 2009
Barry and Carole call by this morning and take away some of our extra stuff – thank you!
Then we head into town as the forecast is good – we take the train for a change and it’s quicker (and quieter) than the tram – and head for the Eureka Tower and the viewing area – though it costs – and we also pay the extra to go out on the “Edge”!
This is a glass cube (presently opaque) that gets extended out over the side of the building (295 meters above the ground) and then they pass a current through the glass and – suddenly you are standing on glass looking down the many meters to the ground! Interesting and a little scary but OK as an experience!
Then we wander a bit and have a picnic lunch with wine! – then on one of the many trams to visit the Fitzroy area of town – reported by Lonely Planet as the best bar area – but very quiet on a Monday afternoon!
Then the tram/train home before the rain comes on – again!
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Last night the rain was positively torrential, but today whilst it is grey, it’s not too cold – so we chance a walk before lunch.
More next time from Tasmania.
Copyright Neil Tough @ 2009
