The Start of an Epic Journey, Down Under
“The people are immensely likable— cheerful, extrovert, quick-witted, and unfailingly obliging. Their cities are safe and clean and nearly always built on water. They have a society that is prosperous, well ordered, and instinctively egalitarian… The sun nearly always shines. Life doesn’t get much better than this.” – Bill Bryson, Down Under
As I began wandering, Australia was on my wanna do list but somehow it did not come to fruition. Friends and family constantly asked me how come I had not prioritized down under. Finally, that day has arrived, and I begin my adventure down under in Melbourne.
In hindsight, I should have allowed more time in Melbourne. There was so much I wanted to see and do that I did not make happen. Ah well! that’s why there are wishes for one more time.
The Great Ocean Road was built by soldiers returning from World War I. The Australian Government used this opportunity to house, feed and gainfully employ their returning veterans, while serving a need for the country. Dedicating the highway to all those fallen during the war makes this the largest war memorial in the world.
Interestingly enough Australia consulted the great state of California and modeled this after the Pacific Coast Highway.
The scenery is spectacular as you drive along and very reminiscent of the beauty that we have around us back home in California. The road hugs the coast which is known as the Surf Coast during this stretch of it before it winds through the rainforest (green coast) to open back up into the area with the interesting limestone formations making that stretch the shipwreck coast.
The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks formed by erosion of the local limestone. Apparently there never were twelve and there’s some speculation about whether there are now 7 versus the original nine but it is a beautiful sight from the lookout point.
There was also some tongue in cheek regarding the fact they might have originally been named the Sow and Piglets, but the Twelve Apostles was deemed as more suitable to attract tourists.
Another viewpoint along the coast is the stunning Loch Ard Gorge with its enduring story of Tom, a ship’s apprentice from the Loch Ard who was one of two survivors from a 54-person ship and a young Irish beauty called Eva. The local press at the time romanticized the story of the heroic rescue but alas nothing permanent came of the stories and Eva returned to her homeland in Ireland leaving Tom to continue with his sailing life.
One of my best friends in Melbourne during the short time that I was there, free trams within the CBD (or Central Business District). No need for a hop on hop off. Just take tram number 35 that’s called a circle tram around the city and hop off at the various attractions or take a tram going north south or east west. So long as you are within the CBD the trams are free. What a wonderful way to explore and save your legs.
Melbourne has the largest network of trams in the world, I was told. I think about Kolkata the city where I grew up with trams that have now been eliminated thanks to progress.
The City Pier had a prominent sign wishing all a very Happy Diwali. Made me homesick for a moment thinking of friends and family celebrating and observing all that this festival means to Indians particularly Hindus.
The fact that this sign is displayed in such a public space in such a large city gives one insight into how many Indians must live here.
Queen Victoria Market was established in 1878. It has long rows of merchandize alphabetized. Everything from fresh fruits and vegetables and clothes can be found here. It happened to be market day when I made my way there and so it was extremely crowded.
I found it hard to ignore some of the similarities between the British Colonial influence here and in Kolkata where I grew up. The facade of Kolkata’s new market is probably more impressive in comparison but the quantity of the goods here is outstanding.
The Victorian Gold Rush attracted people from all parts of the world. Ethnic communities were established within the city. Melbourne’s Chinatown is known for being the oldest China town and the longest continuous Chinese settlement outside Asia.
As one local jokingly told me nowadays it’s not much, we only go there for the food. I however did not eat there because I was determined to do scones and clotted cream at the tearoom.
The Block Arcade is a historic shopping arcade constructed between 1891 and 1893. It is considered as one of the late Victorian era’s finest shopping arcades and contains stylish shops and cafes.
With my love of English high tea, it was inevitable that I would end up here for a late breakfast of scones and tea.
This seeming sculpture intrigued me as I saw it through the window of the tour bus. So of course, I had to snap a picture and then research to find out that it is an integrated approach to artwork paired with habitat called the Habitat Filter.
It features a series of ‘pods’, the largest over 25m high, with a range of sustainability elements including specially designed nesting boxes for birds and bats, solar panels to offset nighttime lighting energy needs and the use of recycled materials in construction.
I wish more cities would embrace beauty with the need to take care of the environment.
On my last day it was off to Phillip’s Island to get closer to nature and see some of the local flora and fauna of the area.
Until this bridge built from recycled materials was constructed the only way to cross over was by ferry.
I saw my first Koala in the wild. I had somehow imagined that Koalas live in groups but in reality, each one has his or her own tree. They live their life happily munching and sleeping. Since it was emphasized so often while we talked about Koalas, I want to add my penny’s worth and tell you that they are not bears, they are marsupials.
There were many wallabies in the local area, and I was also lucky enough to catch this baby penguin still in his/her nest.
Of course, the grand finale was the Penguin Parade watching the penguins coming home from the sea after spending their time hunting and gathering to fee their babies. It’s a fascinating sight and since the penguin eyes are sensitive to light photography is not allowed but instead the penguin parade folks provide you with free downloadable photos.
What an amazing beginning to a trip of a lifetime.