How
can one describe a weekend Melbourne?
The
5pm rush hour on a Friday night – when it takes a Shuttle bus an hour to get from
Southern Cross Station to Novotel in Collins St – a 20 minute walk, we later
discovered.
The
late nite cafes in the Block and Royal Arcades – friendly people, variety of
delicious food and live music on Friday and Saturday eves.
All
the Laneways – the shopping, businesses, cafes – always crowded, the architecture,
the Chocolate shops!
The
David Shepherd Shoe Shop in Collins St – a Huge Array of fantastic footwear - which I had forgotten about til the last
hour before we had to come home.
The
Lindi Chocolate Café next door – ideal to recover and reenergize for more
shopping.
And the Gazi Greek Restaurant – so popular that you have to book – any time you
want to come along – and interesting décor in the toilets.
And
then there is the eclectic Curtin House in Swanston St – known as one of
Melbourne’s ‘Vertical Laneways’ – full
of Thai Restaurants, art spaces, bars and a roof top bar which shows films from
time to time – we love the ambience and food of “Cookie,’ which if busy, has a
cosy champagne bar tucked around the corner.
Not
to mention Chinatown and the Greek Quarters…..which we did not have time to
explore this visit….
Federation
Square with its street theatre and interactive art and technology exhibitions,
the aboriginal art, is always on our list to check out and over the bridge, the National Gallery of Victoria which
currently has an exhibition by the famous portrait photographer Edward
Steichen.
Then there is the walk along Southbank,
Skydeck for panoramic views over the
city, the Aquarium, DFO shopping centre……
We did not get to the beautiful St Kilda Beach, the Restaurants in Lygon St, the shops in Chapel or Richmond Streets! Or Victoria Market. Or to the
James Bond Exhibition…. Sigh…. I guess that is all the more reason to return to this exciting city of Melbourne with all its history, architecture, shops,
walkways, nooks and crannies and……….
