We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: Meeting Melbourne

Today is Remembrance Day in Australia and marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War.  Every year on the 11th of November at 11am, Australians observe one minute of silence in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars or conflicts.  At the airport, it was a powerful moment to see the hustle of people suddenly stop and conversations cease as we were informed of this observation. Unfortunately, it was a shock for people who were just coming out of the bathroom, like me, who had missed the announcement and were suddenly presented with people who appeared to be frozen in time and had no clue what was going on until I inquired afterwards.

Leaving the red desert plains of the sparsely populated Alice Springs, my eyes grew wide as the red earth changed to shades of green as we approached the sprawling city of Melbourne in the south of the country.  With a population of 4 million people, the sheer contrast of the wild west of the red center to the cosmopolitan bustling of this urban, European city took my breath away.  We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore as we say in the States!  Tall, glass buildings, cement-lined highways, and the distant metal dinosaur structures of the docklands, reminiscent of the Bay Area, highlighted the cityscape as we left the airport and made our way to our hotel in East Melbourne.  

Driving through the city felt much like a game of pin the tail on the donkey, being spun around going up and down traffic-lined streets in a dizzy haze, all the while trying to decipher the direction of my hotel.  It’s going to take a couple days to get my bearings.

Approaching our Victorian style bed and breakfast on a quiet, tree-lined street was much welcomed and served as a great base to explore the city.  Situated by the cricket grounds and the sprawling green park of Fitzroy Gardens, my travel companion and I headed towards Victoria Parade for dinner at a highly recommended Chinese restaurant. 

To our amazement, the street was lined with a rich diversity of Indian, Pakistani, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants.  I was impressed with the multicultural vibe found in the city. Sprinkled with a mixture of run down Victorian houses framed with wrought iron balconies, art deco buildings, and contemporary structures, the architecture is quite eclectic, highlighted by the rhythm of graffiti that gives the city a rough, artistic edge.  I look forward to getting to know the city a bit better but it will have to wait.

Tomorrow, I set out to explore greater Victoria, specifically the Grampian mountain range and the Great Ocean Road on a 3-day tour.  Hiking, rainforests, the ocean, cooler temperatures, and perhaps a koala or two await me on this next adventure.