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Published: November 25th 2013
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St. Kildas harbour
With Melbourne city in the background So after our mega day yesterday we had a bit of a slow start today. When we were finally up and about we decided to treat ourselves to a proper breakfast so headed out to southbank and dived Into to the first little cafe we found, called othellos. Great pick as the poached eggs, bacon and hash browns were probably the best breakfast I have had all holiday. Yum!
So we have decided to head out to St Kildas this morning. This is the beach area of Melbourne and can easily be reached by a tram. So having decided which one we need, we find the tram stop. Then comes the difficult part of the journey, how do we pay? Melbourne use a system similar to the Oyster card called the myki system. Trouble is whereas the oyster system seems focused on the visitor and assumes the residents know what they are doing the myki system seems the opposite. Nowhere does it say what a single fare is. Nowhere does it say what the difference between myki money and a myki pass is and nowhere does it say what to do if your tram stop doesn't have a ticket machine!!!!!
Nose Picker
Luna Parkbeing cared for by Ian In the end, with the combined use of our brains and lots of questioning of locals we managed to get a grip and we were on our way.
The day was pretty cold and cloudy so the beachfront and pier were very quiet. We had a wander, checking out the people in the water doing that jet pack stuff. Looks quite cool but can't really see the fun of diving in and out of the water at speed. But each to their own.
On the way to the high street, we passed Luna park. The park is designed by the same person that designed Coney Island in New York and was built only a couple of years after the NY one. It also looks pretty identical to the one in Sydney, but as the sign pointed out Sydney's was built over 20 years later. So another first for Melbourne over Sydney.
As we were taking stupid nose picking pictures at Luna park we heard a lady tell her visitor companions that "she would just take them to a photo opportunity up the road". Well never one to miss a photo opportunity we played undercover sleuth and followed
A "good photo opp"
This is what we got after trailing the woman after an overheard conversation them! Bit of a disappointment really. Just a couple of shops with some outside art - something that Camden high street has on every shop! However during the tailing process we passed something far more interesting - CAKE! Apparently st Kildas used to be renowned for its European bakers and some are still there. So, for the sake of soaking up the history we stopped to sample some.
Anyway, back on a tram to go visit St Paul's cathedral which sits opposite federation square in the centre of the city. Obviously more modern than some of ours at home being finished in 1851 ( the steeples only added in 1933) . Lovely space though and had a feeling of our cathedral in Liverpool (that's the Church of England one).
By now, the clouds had gone and the sun was shining and we were beginning to get a bit hot in the jeans/hoodie combo so we went back to the hotel to change as we were so close.
On our travels in the morning we had finally decided we would do a wine tour the following day so picked up a few brochures on the way back from
Cake - yummie
Actually our first of the holiday. We gave been good the information centre. However a few phone calls back in our room, and we soon realised that they were all booked out. Drat. So quick change of plan.If we were able to see more of the city on our last day then let's chill this afternoon and head to the hotel pool! So a relaxing couple of hours including a swim and a jacuzzi, with the bustle of the south bank running 9 floors below.
Dinner that night was at a restaurant suggested by Paul the concierge, it was a fish restaurant called Robiras which looked more of a dodgy pub when we got to it. However inside was an amazing fish and seafood restaurant. No menus, just blackboards containing what they could get fresh that day, an ability to order in any way you chose and a set of very knowledgeable and friendly service staff. We both ordered fish,which our waiter suggested they brought so we should share. I would highly recommend it and it shows the usefulness of a good conciege (especially as I think they must have squeezed us in for him based on the fact we were booked as Langham not Dobson!
Last full
Christmas is coming
Part of Melbourne getting ready for Christmas. I posted my wish list - bet I don't get any of them day in Australia tomorrow.
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