Melbourne Day 2

We’re still fighting the time difference (15 hours ahead of Toronto) so waking up early is normal, even Connor is up with the sun. Off to the Queen Victoria Market today. The market is huge and occupies an entire city block. It was the site of the Melbourne General Cemetery (1837). The produce market was created in 1877 to some controversy as 3 bodies had to be moved. It became so popular that in 1917 an act of parliament created the permanent market, the cemetery was razed and over 10,000 remains had to be relocated. The market now covers 17 acres with beautiful ornate brick buildings and awnings with open sides that house over 1000 stalls and vendors. We sampled local yoghurt, bought local ham, air dried beef and Tasmanian brie cheese also had a wonderful fish lunch. We couldn’t pass by the didgeridoo vendor without a lesson which Connor picked up in a flash (similar to playing the trumpet). The didgeridoos are wonderful to hear but each is a work of aboriginal art on its own. While there are many fakes available to tourists, the real things are made of Eucalyptus branches, naturally hollowed out by ants than carved and decorated by aboriginal artisans. Connor has convinced us that we must have one, so we may buy if we can figure out how to get it home! Along the way we also stopped in to the Old Melbourne Gaol (not a pleasant place for a night stay) and the City Baths, a beautiful restored Edwardian building built in 1903 and still used as a huge athletic complex.


Our apartment, the Mantra on the Park is in the North West corner of Melbourne city centre, right across the road from Carleton Gardens which we look out on from our 15th floor apartment – the view is stunning. Many cultural events take place in the park and also in the restored Royal Exhibition Building which was built for the 1880 World Fair. It is a sprawling building centered on a dome that is about as high as our balcony. Behind this is the ultra-modern Museum of Melbourne that we spent this afternoon in. This museum opened in 2001 is dedicated to Australian science, society and indigenous cultures. Highlights included the giant squid and Blue whale skeleton, Samoan war canoes, the Forest Gallery that houses the ancient remnant forest from the break-up of Gwondona Land and Bunjilaka the Aboriginal Centre.

After a day of trekking, we headed over to Lygon Street to have supper in Australia’s first pizza parlour. This area is close to the university and popular with students. The area was populated by Italian immigrants after WW II because it was a cheap neglected area of the city. The restaurants cover the gamut from Italian to Middle Eastern to South Asian, however they must be desperate for business as many of the owners stand outside and try to drag passer-by’s in for a meal.