OK folks , I had ben to melbourne on vacation and I simlpy loved it and was zapped by the natural beauty and the culture of the place.
Culture huh... who said aussies had one eh... (wink wink... you know what I mean).. Hey no offence meant to anyone, ok. So take it easy. Its a great place with lot of people from different countries congregating to make it one beautiful city.
How did I reach there:
Singapore airlines: Mumbai to Singapore (Dep 11.50 am Arr: 7.15 pm)
Singapore airlines: Singapore to Melbourne: (Dep 9.00 pm Arr 7.00 am)
If you are a first timer or visiting again then I would recommend you to try the following:
For sightseeing, take a trip to Great Ocean Road tour by bus (if ur friend’s car is not availble or cost is a constraint). Don’t worry folks, you have a great option: This place is called as ’Half Tiks’ which is located on Swanston street and in between Collins street and Bourke Street. Book a day or two in advance and you just gotta pay 90 Aus dollars for that. Mind you the actual ticket is about 150$. It is a single day visit covering 550 kms in a/c bus. See Lock Ard Gorge, Twelve Apostles and yes please dont forget to take camera. Most importantly, batteries. If you ain’t see this, then you have seen nothing dude. Amazing scenery that you wnt forget in your lifetime.
Well then move over.. next trip could be Puffing Billy. This is a train ride on a steam engine. its okay, let the kid in you come out and enjoy the ride.
Next is Philips Island... the drive is nice and you can see little penguins marching from sea to the shores. Nothing but, called as Penguin Parade.
If you can get a car, the visit Dandenong Ranges - nice place for a drive with lots of trees and natural beauty.
In city, visit pubs and malls. Malls... I would recommend Myers located between Londsdale street and Bourke Street. And yes, please dont forget to have VB (Victoria Bitter) beer and don’t be ungrateful to me for recommending this. So when you drink this, just remember me and raise toast to the idea silently.
Moving over.. food is not a problem as you have Sub-way and McDonalds. and yes if you want to eat India food too, thats not a problem. There is a nice restaurant run by Punjabis at Flinders station, where in veg and non-veg delicacies are served. Try Masala dosa over there. I am not kidding btw...
Students get discount at this place, if they flash their ID cards. If you love chinese food, then try Chinatown area. Food is authentic and cheap and tasty and yes dont forget to carry cash as credit cards are not accepted at this place.
If you like to collect souveniours for your near and dear ones (including boss), then take tram to Queen Victoria Market. Plenty of stuff in this market and yes don’t forget to visit on wednesday evening market.
And yes.. don’t forget to visit Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Pay 15$ and they take you on a tour of the stadium and brief you about its history, players changing room and stuff like that. Its worth the visit. I tell you chaps - What a stadium! If you are tennis buff, then Rod Layer arena is just opposite to the MCG ground.
Just a word of caution: It may not be safe to venture out in nights after 10 pm in the alleys and little streets as there are many drunken bums. So just be careful and don’t pick up a fight. Secondly dont forget to apply plenty of sunscreen lotion as you skin tends to tan heavily. Skin cancer is rampant in australiia.
With this I will end my long blah blah as mere words can not describe more. However if you want more info.. let me know and I will update you. Until then cheers and as usual.. Much Love, ., Lite and Laughter to all.
PS: Some pics are uploaded in my profile photos.