Aug 22nd: Skipped brekky and headed back to the Queen Victoria Market to collect some items we'd hemmed and hawed over yesterday. James shared his sadly thumbs-down review of WEST SIDE STORY, likening it to a high school production with a very fey Tony.
The day was warmer and, after our souvenir collecting, we hiked around the city.
Melbourne has quickly become my favorite stop in Australia. I could imagine a life in this metropolis on the water, with its mix of American and European. It seems to offer everything in food, entertainment, shopping and sport. In politics, Julia Gillard's tight race for Prime Minister with Tony Abbott plays out with all the mud-slinging worthy of American campaigns. Yep, I could feel at home here.
We explored the harbor, with it's outdoor mall and walk of fame ...
... back into the center, by the State Library of Victoria ...
... and, eventually, Goran, James and I went to the Melbourne Central to see SALT. The cinema is inside of the shopping center that also houses the Coops Shot Tower underneath its glass coned ceiling.
The tower has stood since 1890 and is 9 stories tall. It produced 6 tons of shot daily until the early 1960's.
The mall itself is a Dr Seuss-ian menagerie of shops and food stands/cafes on multiple levels, accessible from crossing escalators and stairs.
We all loved the movie. Goran was tired, though, and headed back to the hotel, while James and I enjoyed catching up and rehashing the good old days with Indian cuisine at a simple restaurant off of Flinders, a drink at a quiet bar and donuts at an all night corner stop.
Gymmy I love your trip reporting from Australia. I hope to be able to go there sometime, but your posts make me really want to go now. The mall is crazy, and I love the picture you. :)
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