Marvellous Melbourne (which is what they called it when they were recruiting immigrants).
Before I get into Melbourne, just a little sidenote. There are little things that let you know you are in a different country. Both New Zealand and Australia have a parking system called "pay and display." You find a parking space on a street. Somewhere on the street, there is a box that sells tickets that you display in your "windscreen." In NZ, you can even use a credit card to buy your parking display ticket.
Also, although both countries are English-speaking, I am learning some new words. For example, complaining is "whingeing."
Finally, I must say that the shopping mall "thing" has not hit NZ and all of its small towns have thriving downtowns with shops, restaurants, bars and businesses. Also, every town in NZ seems to be trying to out-do every other town with public landscaping.
So, here we are in Melbourne, Australia. I think NZ is one of the most gorgeous countries I've ever visited. The mountains, volcanoes, shoreline, fjords, glaciers, off-shore islands, etc. are dramatic and wonderful. The cities in Australia, however, are much more beautiful than any in New Zealand. They contain wonderfully-designed buildings. Typically, they are located on water. And, each city contains huge, well-designed and maintained parks and gardens. Melbourne is no exception.
We have walked our legs off exploring its fairly-compact downtown area. Interestingly, it contains many buildings from the turn of the century. Some have been torn down, except for the facade, which has been integrated into a new, taller, more modern structure. We have walked in several parks (one of which contains a monument to John F. Kennedy) and along the Yarra River. The city has lots of nice restaurants and coffee bars are a big thing. It does, however, pull up the sidewalk at 5:00 p.m. (except for the restaurants).
We went to see Cirque du Soliel today. Mel had seen it before but I hadn't. It is beautifully choreographed, lushly costumed and very exciting. Fun to see an event of this kind in another country but I suspect the audience gasped in all the same places as any other audience.
My cough is improving (whoops, does that mean I am getting better at coughing?) but still lingers on. It has been interesting trying the medical system in country after country.
We send you all big hugs.
Love,
Janet
Also, although both countries are English-speaking, I am learning some new words. For example, complaining is "whingeing."
Finally, I must say that the shopping mall "thing" has not hit NZ and all of its small towns have thriving downtowns with shops, restaurants, bars and businesses. Also, every town in NZ seems to be trying to out-do every other town with public landscaping.
So, here we are in Melbourne, Australia. I think NZ is one of the most gorgeous countries I've ever visited. The mountains, volcanoes, shoreline, fjords, glaciers, off-shore islands, etc. are dramatic and wonderful. The cities in Australia, however, are much more beautiful than any in New Zealand. They contain wonderfully-designed buildings. Typically, they are located on water. And, each city contains huge, well-designed and maintained parks and gardens. Melbourne is no exception.
We have walked our legs off exploring its fairly-compact downtown area. Interestingly, it contains many buildings from the turn of the century. Some have been torn down, except for the facade, which has been integrated into a new, taller, more modern structure. We have walked in several parks (one of which contains a monument to John F. Kennedy) and along the Yarra River. The city has lots of nice restaurants and coffee bars are a big thing. It does, however, pull up the sidewalk at 5:00 p.m. (except for the restaurants).
We went to see Cirque du Soliel today. Mel had seen it before but I hadn't. It is beautifully choreographed, lushly costumed and very exciting. Fun to see an event of this kind in another country but I suspect the audience gasped in all the same places as any other audience.
My cough is improving (whoops, does that mean I am getting better at coughing?) but still lingers on. It has been interesting trying the medical system in country after country.
We send you all big hugs.
Love,
Janet
posted by Mel and Janet Muchnik | 3:04 AM
5 Comments:
You guys sure look like you had a nice time. Make sure to enjoy the rest of your adventure. Maybe by the time you get back to the US it will be warm in Illinois again!
Drooling over the pictures - thanks for letting us tag along (sort of) by way of this blog. I saw a book entitled "1000s places to see before you die". I think you two have seen those 1000 - maybe you could compose "1000 more places to see before you run out of money" - bring home a kangaroo!!! Love you guys - don't hurry but come home!!
Woodland GlenDA the Good Witch
G'day mates! Photos look wonderful. Mel, you're on track for an "A" in shot composition.
Dan
Wow! The pictures are amazing. How typical, Weasel-boy, that you got someone to pay for your room and board. Glad to here that you're feeling better Janet. It is a bright, sunny, blue sky day in Illinois - but it's around 20 degrees. Enjoy the sun and surf!
Wow! The pictures are amazing. How typical, Weasel-boy, that you got someone to pay for your room and board. Glad to here that you're feeling better Janet. It is a bright, sunny, blue sky day in Illinois - but it's around 20 degrees. Enjoy the sun and surf!
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