Pretending to Live in Melbourne (Australia Road Trip, Perth Stroll 07)

Lazily waking up in the slanting sunlight of Melbourne, a cup of coffee and a delicate breakfast, a dog’s innocent smile at me in the slightly cold and fresh air.

These days I’ve been crashing at an old classmate’s home, suddenly easing from the crazy rush of the past days into Melbourne’s leisurely daily life.

No itinerary in Melbourne—I completely gave up any guides for this city, leaving everything to my old classmate’s arrangements. Wake up naturally every day, breakfast, walk the dog, visit a local market, buy dinner for the day, or go to a few places that tourists always visit, and of course, places that only locals enjoy.

These are truly the slowest days I’ve had since I started traveling. I used to always fill my itinerary to the brim, wishing I could go without sleep, always on the road. Before I arrived, my classmate also told me, “I won’t arrange too much sightseeing; just come and live a few days of Melbourne locals’ life.” He said it was to let us simply experience local life, but he still gave us a deeper understanding of this city from many aspects. I must thank him for this Chinese-style Melbourne friendship.

Melbourne’s Vietnamese district is home to many Southeast Asians and Chinese. There are various seafood shops and supermarkets; prices are slightly cheaper than in the city center, and lobsters seem to be a lot cheaper.

Hehe, today’s dinner. But even cheaper, it’s still extremely expensive. My classmate told me that in Australia you can catch lobsters yourself, with a limit of two per person per day. I thought, maybe when I retire, I’ll come to Australia to catch lobsters, hahaha.

Dinner being sliced.

Queuing up to buy local Vietnamese bread rolls, relatively cheap and tasty.

Having a bowl of authentic Vietnamese pho in Australia, the taste is absolutely good, but it’s many times more expensive than eating it in Vietnam.

Local Asian supermarkets have all kinds of Asian goods, both those we have and don’t have here.

Wagyu beef is also a must for a big feast. Compared to other places, beef is quite cheap.

So many sausages, I like them.

So much cheese, I like it.

So many lamb chops, I like them.

Steak, I also like it.

Fortunately, I only stayed a few days, otherwise I would get fat.

And so much wine, I’d get drunk every day.

Melbourne’s city center, just passed by.

Visited the University of Melbourne.

This seems to be the South Melbourne Market, also a lively place. On weekends, many locals gather here to eat and spend.

Everything looks delicious; this place can really kill a weekend.

The rest of the time was spent leisurely strolling through various malls and markets, sitting by the sea, having beer and coffee.

Also went to a small road by the sea to see the beachfront mansions of the millionaires from back then.

Also specially arranged a day at the seaside for us, with fine wine and food prepared. Watching the sunset, slowly passing the time.

The short few days in Melbourne changed a lot of my understanding of life.

Over fifty, it seems I’m beginning to slowly understand that the greatest luxury is to be able to leisurely pass the time without worry.

Next chapter, bustling along the Great Ocean Road. Returning to the rushed reality of life.