A Potpourri of Melbourne and Victoria

It's been a while since my last post and lots have been going on.  Work has finally picked up and things are flying by.  Mostly I work a good 10 hours and then come home and cook dinner and quickly head to bed.  The weekends are for mostly relaxing and resting up.  Over the holiday break I plan to head to Sydney and in mid-January prior to my return I have scheduled a trip to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef for some exciting snorkeling.  Yes, time is short and I must do as much as I can in order to maximize my 16 weeks here.  Sure, I could be extended but for the meantime Ill plan on a scheduled return to the US by end of January.  If time persists I hope to make it to New Zealand. We will have to see.

In the mean-time, summer is around the corner and the days are staying lighter and lighter in the evenings.  Sun sets around 8.30pm now and the temperatures are warming, staying in the 70s now and the weather service is forecasting for an above average temperatures for this summer.  Looks like Ill need to load up on sunscreen.

Also, my uncle from Alaska has made it down here for a nice three week visit and I have been having a great time wandering around the area and playing tour guide.  Its been fun.  We discovered the Queen Victoria Night Market on Wednesdays.  Last Wednesday was the first night of the summer event.  Atleast 50 stalls of street food from around the world is available to taste or chow down, plus beer and wine from the region.  With local entertainment and local crafts its an amazing event not to miss.

The previous weekend, my co-worker and I ventured to the Dandenong Ranges National Forest for a bushwalk, we actually ended up doing an intense cardio workout instead.  But with surprises come a sense of achievement as we climbed the 1000 steps to the top of a mountain.  Giant ferns and giant trees encompassed the forest and the disney movie Fern Gully was named after this Fern Tree Gully Valley.  The Kokoda Memorial Trail for the remembrance and memoriam of Australian soldiers in World War II is what the trail was called.  Super busy, with lots of trainers running up and down these steep and slippery stairs.  It was a hot day and it was quite the climb.  No spectacular view on top either....but it was a good experience. :)

Last weekend, my uncle and I ventured to Melbourne's (Melboune - they do not pronounce the R in Melbourne here, if you do you are a tourist!), the Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne's equal to the US' Tomb of the Unknown Soldier), Albert Park and St. Kilda.

The Shrine of Remembrance is an impressive monument that is located South of the Yarra River in Melbourne.  The memorial is for remembrance of all Australian and New Zealand soldier's who sacrificed the ultimate price for the sake of their country.  One of Australia's and New Zealand's most devastating loses in a war was the battle of Gallapoli during World War I.  Over 10,000 Australian and New Zealand soliders lost their lives in a fateful battle to begin with.  The massive shrine was erected in the 1930s to commemorate them as well as all other soldiers for their country.

View of the city from the top of the shrine

  After the Shrine, we ventured on a walkabout through Albert Park, the city's largest public park complete with a lake, multiple cricket grounds, walking trails and of course the location where the Melbourne Grand Prix is always hosted.

We walked through this park and ended up in the neighborhood of St. Kilda.  This beach side neighborhood is diverse with culture and has an amusement park, good restaurants, and a laid back atmosphere, and lots of venues for entertainment.

Luna park the local amusement park mainly for the kids. Kind of scary entrance.....

Sunday was another adventure out to the Great Ocean road with my uncle. This time my first time driving outside the safe haven of Docklands to my work place.  It was easy and the weather couldn't have been better!

This weekend Ill be taking my uncle to Phillip Island, the place where there are thousands of little penguins and all of them come home at sunset.  It will be something to see and experience for sure!

Here are some photos of Melbourne.  Crown Casino the large Casino and entertainment center has giant granite pillars along the Yarra river that light up with gas bursts on the hour every hour after sunset.  They are pretty spectacular.

Along the Yarra River at night with a full moon in the back.

Melbourne Central a shopping mall in the city was built around this historical landmark building. Pretty Cool!

Giant Red Steps art work along the river

Getting a nice per diem allows time for slurging on good food.  Not a spectacularly tasty fish - New Zealand Grouper, but was made flavourful with the nice garnishes.

Costco is across the street from where i live. It was the first Costco in Australia and its a booming business. Today was the day that i caved and joined! Cheap beer yes kirkland beer is here and comforts of home with loads of great snacks and essentials! Bought my first item.....korean style australian beef jerkey......its an odd combination.....