Blogs from CBD, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Oceania - page 2

We didn't stray too far from our hotel today, but that was always the plan for our first full day in Melbourne. If Albert had his way, this would be every day, but I've insisted in coming days we go a little further and do some day tours, which I am looking forward to. Most of today was spent next door at The Strand - the giant shopping centre in the centre of Melbourne. We left around 9:30, but due to the holiday period, most shops weren't open until 10. The big stores like Myer were open, and shops on the street, so we wandered there for a while. On the other side of our hotel is a 24/7 post office, which is the most convenient thing for me ever. I have been a member of ... read more

After working horrendous hours earlier in the year, Steve's boss insisted he take a couple of lieu days owing and ASAP, so we grabbed a cheap fare over the Tasman (first time on Qantas since the 2008 incident) to have a long weekend in Melbourne. As a couple, we haven't been to Melbourne before and as neither of us could remember much of it from our previous individual trips so long ago, it was like visiting for the first time. The Qantas flight was great - actually very impressive with a full meal and movies to watch for the same price as Air New Zealand (wtf?). We grabbed the last airport bus into the CBD and then a taxi to our hotel - The Mercure Melbourne on Therry Street. It was located right across from the ... read more

Hi everyone, today we visited 'The Immigration Museum' on Flinders Street, it is a beautiful building, which used to be the Old Customs House. We read stories about immigrates coming to Victoria, starting with people leaving their own countries and how they settled in Australia down to the issues they had to deal with such as the different cultures, racist behaviour, language barriers and the difficulties of finding work. Lots of sad stories with people fleeing their homelands due to wars or disaster's and having to leave behind family and friends. It was interesting to read about the stories of the £10 'pom's' and children who were allowed to come in free. Such an interesting museum, we were in there about 2 1/2 hours, just love the museums out here. We had a coffee in there, ... read more

Hi everyone, yesterday was Dorothy and Mike's last day so myself and Stu caught the tram into the city (cbd), Sue and Brian had to work. We wandered around but it was raining, can't complain, at least they had good weather over the weekend. Just walking around we came across more hidden lanes with cafes and shops which we didn't even know we're there. They have a H & M here, which is not exciting, well it is, if you like the shop !! but the building it is in, is beautiful, it is the old Melbourne Post Office and it is huge. We decided to have lunch in the city and went to Young and Jackson Pub which I have mentioned in my blog on a previous occasion, it is where the painting 'Chloe' is. ... read more

Je suis arrivee a Melbourne le 17 avril pour y rester 6 jours. Je vais profiter de ces derniers jours de vacances avant la reprise du boulot lundi prochain. J'ai retrouve ma copine Valentina apres avoir pose mes affaires a l'auberge de jeunesse. C'etait super de la revoir ! On est allees prendre un cafe car on avait beaucoup de choses a se raconter, ensuite sa colloc francaise nous a rejoint et dans la soiree on est allees se balader sur Southbank vers la riviere. Les lumieres de la ville etaient magnifiques. Il y a pleins de bars, restaurants, le casino... On s'est arretees dans un bar/restaurant pour manger un petit truc. Pendant la soiree Valentina a eu la tres bonne nouvelle d'avoir son weekend de conge donc c'est partit pour la Great Ocean Road ensemble ... read more