Solo Australia Part 11: Melbourne City
6-30
I deliberately bought an evening flight so that I would still have time to take a good walk in central Melbourne on the last day. Although the place I stayed was in the city center, it was very quiet. When I checked out, I took a photo in the sunlight, and it was beautiful.
A 10-minute walk one block east from my accommodation brought me to the largest local market, Queen Victoria Market. There were thousands of stalls arranged alphabetically, with fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, souvenirs, clothes, shoes – everything you could imagine. I walked in an S-shape, looking at every stall.
My favorite was a hand-cranked music box, but there were too many tunes; my ears were overwhelmed. I wanted to buy them all, but in the end, I didn't buy any.
This jewelry stall used artificial turf as a base – it was really beautiful. Though it was expensive, it drew a lot of customers.
Unknowingly, I had been browsing for two hours. I noticed people around me eating stick-shaped food. I followed the direction they came from and found it – Spanish churros! 1 dollar each. I got two, sprinkled with icing sugar. Delicious! Highly recommended.
Melbourne's city center has free buses and free trams. Every station is a classic stop – truly wonderful. After eating, I waited for the free bus at the market entrance. The bus was punctual, new, and comfortable. I sat down to rest and sightsee.
I got off at the War Memorial and walked slowly north.
Around 2pm, I suddenly received a message from Jetstar informing me that my 6pm flight was canceled. I immediately called Jetstar to ask what happened. The flight was indeed canceled without reason, and I was told I had been rebooked on a 7am flight the next morning. How could that be? Besides, with a 7am flight, I would have to get up at 5am and rush to the airport! No choice, I canceled the flight and immediately booked a Virgin flight at 7pm using my phone. The price was half more expensive. Sigh. But luckily, I could still return to Sydney that same day. Listlessly, I walked towards the business district, passing the National Gallery of Victoria which was hosting a Napoleon exhibition and the tall, pointed Melbourne Arts Centre. Walking on Melbourne's beautiful "Champs-Élysées" avenue, I was still fuming.
Until the sun came out and I saw the beautiful Yarra River.
Crossing the Yarra River, I arrived at Federation Square. Seeing this "world's ugliest square," I laughed. When it was completed in 2002, people probably couldn't understand it. A decade later, people barely find it acceptable. Perhaps in another decade, people will find some beauty in this postmodern architecture.
Federation Square, the ancient St. Paul's Cathedral directly to its north, and the equally ancient Flinders Street Station directly to its west form a stark contrast. Nevertheless, they coexist harmoniously as the heart of Melbourne, a must-visit for locals and tourists.
Walking north along Swanston Street, then turning west onto Collins Street for 100 meters, you reach Block Arcade. This has been a shopping destination since the 19th century. Its most captivating features are the exquisite corridors, ceilings, beautiful patterns, carvings, and natural lighting through transparent glass – all absolutely magnificent and greatly stimulating the desire to shop. I wanted to send postcards from Melbourne, but the post office here was closed on Saturday. Sigh, tragedy. I turned around and walked east along the Yarra River to see Cooks' Cottage, the State Government House, and passed by another beautiful church, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Then I took a free tram to the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.
Melbourne has one of the world's best tram systems. Its dense network of wires and tracks was once considered unsightly, but Melbourne insisted on keeping them. Now, people realize it is truly one of the cleanest modes of transport: punctual, eco-friendly, and convenient. Most tram bodies are made of wood, fitting the streets perfectly. Walking on Melbourne's streets and seeing red or yellow trams ringing their bells and passing by is truly impressive. But when I got on, it started raining. Dizzying! Rainwater came in through the window gaps and wet my clothes. Sigh, such a tragic experience. After sightseeing, I encountered rush hour. The tram stopped at every stop for a long time, and the free tram was packed. I quickly got off, took a taxi straight to Southern Cross Station. Then I took the SkyBus for $17 to the airport. So expensive.
I planned to mail postcards at the airport, but upon entering the terminal, I was told that mailboxes are only in the international terminal! What a tragedy! I had bought stamps and postcards but couldn't send them from Melbourne. Sigh, I returned to Sydney with a hint of regret!
Complete Solo Australia Series
Solo Australia Part 27: Shopping
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885842.html
Solo Australia Part 26: Wandering Around
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885841.html
Solo Australia Part 25: Sydney Taronga Zoo
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1885160.html
Solo Australia Part 24: Paddington Market
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1885838.html
Solo Australia Part 23: Sydney Bondi Beach
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884686.html
Solo Australia Part 22: Sydney The Rocks Market
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884684.html
Solo Australia Part 21: Wollongong
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884683.html
Solo Australia Part 20: Sydney Blue Mountains
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884682.html
Solo Australia Part 19: Gold Coast Sunrise, Koalas, Q1 Building
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884681.html
Solo Australia Part 18: Gold Coast Movie World
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1885391.html
Solo Australia Part 17: Gold Coast Sea World
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884680.html
Solo Australia Part 16: Queensland Capital Brisbane
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/brisbane323/1884679.html
Solo Australia Part 15: Gold Coast Whale Watching
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884678.html
Solo Australia Part 14: Gold Coast Rainforest 4WD
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884677.html
Solo Australia Part 13: Gold Coast Glowworm Caves
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/goldcoast456/1884676.html
Solo Australia Part 12: Port Stephens Dolphin Watching
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884675.html
Solo Australia Part 11: Melbourne City
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884672.html
Solo Australia Part 10: Melbourne Gold Panning
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1885390.html
Solo Australia Part 9: Melbourne Great Ocean Road
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884671.html
Solo Australia Part 8: Melbourne Phillip Island
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/melbourne312/1884670.html
Solo Australia Part 7: Canberra
http://you.ctrip.com/place/canberra321.html
Solo Australia Part 6: Parks, Market, Zoo
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1885275.html
Solo Australia Part 5: Sydney City
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/sydney236/1884668.html
Solo Australia Part 4: Integration
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884667.html
Solo Australia Part 3: Transportation & Communication
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884875.html
Solo Australia Part 2: Arrival
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884873.html
Solo Australia Part 1: Preparation
http://you.ctrip.com/travels/australia100048/1884664.html
