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Cruise World-Day #34-Australia marks my 90th nation visited!! I was surprised to learn that it is such a large country that is comparable to the size of the United States and has 3 separate time zones. It is the world six largest country and the world's largest island.
Today: Melbourne, Australia--a young, modern, energetic, diverse, port city and home of Vegemite! Its diversity includes having more residents of Greek decent than any other city outside Athens, also a large concentration of Italians, Lebanese, Vietnamese and more. In fact, a third of Melbournians were born overseas and more than half their parents were. The city blossomed in the 1850s when gold was discovered. It is almost entirely surrounded by lush gardens and parks.
This is the second to last port on this first segment (36-days) of a world cruise.
The sail-in was cloudy but nonetheless, magnificent.
Immigration and customs is so strict here that everyone must leave the ship to present passport and meet face-to-face with immigration officials. There must be a zero passenger count before any anyone is allowed back on the ship.
I can’t believe some folks will go into town, watch the super bowl, and drink beer. Just shaking my head!
As we disembarked the ship we were greeted by the "waterfront welcomers", a group of passionate, friendly locals on hand to answer a variety of questions about what the city has to offer especially around Melbourne's waterfront. Importantly, the cruise ship terminal is located about an hour walk to the popular St Kilda beach, a seaside playground known for its expansive view of the bay, sandy beaches, amusement park, palm-lined boardwalks, parks, gardens and a host of cafés and shops.
I had planned to take the free 2 1/2 hour walking tour leaving from in front of the state library at 10:30 AM. Imfree.com.au. Alas, the group talked me out of it and I joined them taking the 9AM Hop On Hop Off sightseeing bus (on the red line) into town. Actually, I found out the brown line bus for St. Kilda came to the cruise ship terminal to pick us up and drop us off and connect us with the redline route. It took us past Port Melbourne, across the Yarra River into the docklands, passed Harbor town and that soccer stadium through to Queen Victoria market area (which was unfortunately closed the day I was there, Monday). I got off the bus there and walked around the area winding my way back to Harbor town where I decided to soar up 40 stories high on the “Melbourne Star”, giant ferris/observation wheel that gave me a 360° view of the city. I relished having a private compartment because I could stroll from one end to the next soaking in and photographing the exquisite city, without bumping into other passengers. The commentary throughout the 30 minute ride was enlightening.
Next, I walked around the city center in the uniquely (and controversially) designed Federation Square, the city's cultural and civic hub that host thousands of annual events. It is surrounded by multiple museums, arts venues, and St. Paul's Cathedral a stunning Gothic church. I toured Hosier Lane, allegedly Melbourne's most photographed street art lane that was simply fantastic-a feast for the eyes. For lunch, I tried a famous steak and mushroom meat pie from the popular Pie Face fast food chain. For 4.95AUS, I had a delectable snack/meal.
I migrated back to the Federation Square area and hopped on the Saint Kilda/brown line of the Hop on Hop Off bus. The view from the upper deck was magnificent-I saw a city teeming with opulence and elegance. Riding through the flourishing Fitzroy Gardens was a real treat and the vast, lush and blooming royal botanic Gardens was a pleasant teaser for my next visit here. I am so impressed with this beautiful city that shows they take great pride in beautification and they value juxtaposing the old with the new.
Melbourne is one of the most architecturally interesting cities I have visited. The diversity is spectacular.
Bicycle lanes are located on most streets. There are many picturesque parks, white sand beaches, and even botanical gardens galore.
Another interesting feature of the city are the “beware of rhinos” signs. This is a quirky safety campaign created by the tram company to bring awareness to passenger and pedestrian safety that cleverly compares the weight of a tram, to that of a more than 30 rhinos.
On my next visit, I will tour the old Melbourne jail one of the districts oldest surviving buildings that has dozens of interactive displays telling the story of the early criminal population. I will also take the free 2 1/2 hour walking tour that I had originally planned to take and I will take a more in-depth visit of the Royal Botanic Gardens with its more than 12,000 plant species from all over the world, it's Ferngully, it's rain forest packed with fruit bats, and ponds full of ducks and black swans. Finally, I will go up to the Eureka Sky Deck 88 and take the extra excursion on "The Edge" which is a 6-ton horizontal opaque glass cube elevator which emerges from inside the walls of the tower. It gives a three-sided uninterrupted view of the city below, from 935 feet above ground.
Of course, if I had more time, I would have toured the famous Melbourne zoo, the world’s oldest zoo built in 1862. I will save my visit of kangaroos and Koala bears for Sydney.
Of note, I took a wonderful walking tour of Sydney two days later from the Justine, the founder of that walking tour company I had originally planned to take.
Our last sail-away party was both exhilarating and sad for me. I even felt moved to tears. As Melbourne’s skyline faded into the distance, I felt immense gratitude for having experienced such a wonderful journey.
The sunset tonight was dazzling!!
For the record, I am annoyed there is no show tonight in the theater. Instead, they will replay the Super Bowl to a few passengers after having already played it live earlier today. What are the other 60-70% of us to do? Also, a chunk of our day in Melbourne was spent with time-consuming immigration AND we had to return 30 minutes early for a required lifeboat drill. (Once every 30 days or so).
All's well that ends well it was another splendid day on my wonderful 36 day journey from Florida to Australia.
