Melbourne, Australia (2008)

We wanted to go to Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef next after Kangaroo Island, but there were massive storms going on up there.  We called an audible and instead visited Melbourne for a couple days.  We stayed with Carmel’s cousin, Yael, and visited the easily-walkable CBD quite often.


Federation Square in the heart of the city.

 


The wild architecture of the Atrium.

 


The Atrium lit up in different colors at night.  It also played sound-effects inside that made it sound like the building was cracking and falling apart.  Carmel and I were not fans of that.

 


Historic church across from Super Mario Bros exhibit.

 


Yummy Chinatown for dinner.

 


Carmel with Yael and Moshe.

 


The second day we walked through the Royal Botanic Gardens.

 


The gardens were on water restrictions and the plants were suffering.

 


The ponds were drying out.

 


Lovely gardens to walk around.

 


Some blooming flowers.

 


A memorial at the gardens for war veterans.  Yeah, we didn’t realize Australia had been in wars either.

 


We visited the gaol (jail) that held Ned Kelly, infamous Robin Hood felon of Australian history.

 


It’s all about small cells these days.

 


This powerful guard seems to have shoes similar to Carmel’s.

 


Ned Kelly on holiday.

 


We made a quick stop at the Melbourne Museum.

 


For a last snack before heading to Sydney, we went to Lygon Street, which was full of amazing Italian food and gelato.  I got a freshly made passionfruit gelato that was incredible.