Our first last day in Melbourne

[fbhjr]

We woke up early, cleaned the apartment and said goodbye to the place that had been our home for a week.


We parked the car at National Gallery of Victoria and headed off to the streets of Melbourne.


It looked like folks were rehearsing for something on the street. We were tempted to watch, but they were having an argument about choreography. We get enough of that at home.


There seemed to be a circus getting ready to set up.


We saw what looked like a good name for a tour company. But, I don’t drink and wine makes my wife sick. So, nope.


In Melbourne they have some streets/alleys where they encourage graffiti. The museum we were going to wasn’t open yet, and there was one of these places across the street from it. Very interesting.






Then, across the street to THE IAN POTTER CENTRE: NGV AUSTRALIA.
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/visit/


This branch of the National Gallery of Victoria concentrates on art made in Australia. Some of it aboriginal, some of it not. But, Australian.

It was very interesting.

















I think this would hurt to use.


This one was interesting, but too low for a Frank.



And, benches. Well, sort of. Seating places.


I’m sure there is some meaning behind painting tree bark white, but it eludes me…


Some where collaborations. You could see the different styles, but I have no idea who did what.


They had some very interesting carvings.





Clearly a bear. They totally use flashlights like that.





Yep, i totally know what this person looks like from the self portrait.


Don’t know about this one…


I had to put on They Might be Giants "Hall of Heads" when editing these photos.




I know this is Circe turning men to pigs, but to me it looks like conductor getting ready to start the music.


Then, back out on the streets.


These horses seemed to follow us around…


We went over to one of those sushi places with the food on conveyers that makes me sing "Power house" from the old Warner Brothers cartoons…

But, I ordered from the take out case in front.
My favorite kind of sushi is Inari. It’s fairly rare where we live. But, they had 12 different kinds in their front case. I only tried a few.


Then, back on the streets.


We went off to the gardens across from the national gallery.




It was a very nice summer day in Melbourne.




I like that the water fountains have drinking places for dogs too.


Of course, we had to visit the queen…

For some reason, her side honor guards were missing arms. Didn’t look on purpose…

At least she had roses.


I like the winter. But, I enjoyed the summer day.


Some ponds were green, some clear. Don’t know why.

But, the ducks liked the green.

Even the little baby ducks.


There are those horses again…


I’m glad for the signs.

I wouldn’t want to think the tram would stop when it thinks I won’t go.


Then, back to parking.


While in the Melbourne area we saw lots of cars with snorkels. Very strange.


Then, we went to the other level and found our car, not the snorkel one…


Then, out and away from Melbourne.


Exiting the highway for airport long term parking was a police roadblock. I got picked for my first ever breathalyzer test. Since it had been 30 years, seven month and 18 days since my last drink, I passed.


Then, we got to park in the "long term" lot.


We were still early for the flight so watched other people come to visit.


My wife asked if I could pass this off as a photo I took of the city. Let me know if you’re fooled…


The airport knew what I’d be missing from Australia.


While in Australia I caught 6 kangaroo Pokemon.

A few others got away.

Then off to New Zealand.


It was a night time flight.

And, fairly crowded.


We got in about midnight local time. I booked a room at the airport hotel 300 feet from where we came out of customs.
We went right to sleep…

Comments

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

I love everything about this post!

[twicet.livejournal.com]

You covered a lot in a short period of time!

[becofoz]

Hosier Lane used to have some really awesome street art. It's still nice and colourful, but seems to be overridden with graffiti tags. I still like to take photos there though.

The green on the ponds is some sort of weed. It's very deceiving. When I was about three I tried to walk on some, thinking it was grass...

It's nice you got a good summer day. Melbourne is wonderful when the temperature is perfect.

[manue7a.livejournal.com]

Love the carvings.

[postingwhore.livejournal.com]

Wow, Tim Tams cost a lot more than I would have thought! O:

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

That's airport Tim Tams. In the stores they are much less.

[hindustar.livejournal.com]

ooooh! Lovely, and awesome! =)

[yesididit2.livejournal.com]

even the trash bins were graffiti-ed!

curious about the spiked handle on the basket. seems that'd make carrying it a bit difficult.

maybe the bear wasnt using a flashlight but was emptying out a honey pot like winnie the pooh?

congrats on 30 years of passing breathalyzers.

and the snorkel car was pretty neat.

[touchofgr3y.livejournal.com]

Inari is my favorite as well - and also hard to find around here. I can't even imagine twelve different kinds!

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I was very surprised, but happy, to find it common there.

[chaquir.livejournal.com]

I love the grafity all over there. But it somehow looks so grey to be mid-summer.

(you look angry in that last pic there)

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I wasn't angry, just tired...