2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Mon, 3rd Nov, 2014 Melbourne

Got dressed up and went down for breakfast. We headed into town again to check out another dress shop or two and to get some chocolates from Haig’s Chocolates at The Block Arcade. Lots of police everywhere as they get ready for the Melbourne Cup parade through town.

Took a photo of some cars doing the strange “go left to go right” turn.

Back to The Block arcade again.

Lots of people at Haigh’s Chocolates and they were giving out samples which was nice.

There was a line up outside the Hopetoun Tea Rooms. We are booked in to the Hotel opposite ours for High Tea this afternoon.

A shop out the front of the arcade had the most beautiful ceilings that were over 100 years old.

Headed to Swanston Street to get a good spot to watch the Melbourne Cup parade. I found a Burke & Wills statue.

More buskers to entertain us. Though after the flute, he played the didgeridoo which wasn’t as nice.

While we waited Wendy and I went into a waffle shop for a cuppa and shared a chocolate coated waffle – Yum.

The police rode by on their horses.

And left their bits behind!!!

The girls with our exciting flags!!!

Looking back up the road to the Town Hall.

Sandra said that the Beatles stood on the balcony of the Town Hall and waved to their fans.

Lots of people lining the street. Chatted with a lady who came down from Sydney on a P&O cruise for the Melbourne Cup – that would be fun.

These three ladies (on stilts) lead the parade. Lots of different things to watch and listen to. Videoed the bands and entertainers too.

The Cup came by – we held the Cup in Innisfail a few years ago.

Gai Waterhouse came by and was very excited to see someone on the other side of the road.

Loved the horse and carriages carrying the VIPs

A few past winning horses came by.

The guys on the bikes were great – got some good videos of them.

Each of the horses represented by jockeys, trainers etc with the lady out front wearing the jockey’s colours. I think I will back Royal Diamond, an Irish horse but the jockey is Steve Arnold (which is a family name so that will do me).

Fashion winners.

Very cute.

Dancers from the musical, Phar Lap.

Sandra was interviewed by some reporter – thought he was going to ask her for date with the questions he asked and how long he took.

Famous old past Champions.

He rode standing on the handlebars all the way down the street – go it on video.

Great bands

Finished with the horseman and women from Mansfield High Country.

Now for the walk back through the thousands of people.

Weird to see Flinders Street with no cars or trams.

Back to Southbank and this entertainer just finishing his act so we stopped for the finish. Videoed him doing handstand walk over the people on the ground then between the kids legs – not bad.

All dressed up and off to the Langham across the road for High Tea. Great old car.

The doorman posed by the pink car for me.

Not a nice looking hotel from the outside but very impressive inside.

Very fancy – have to keep the little finger posed.

Delicious sandwiches and desserts.

Doesn’t look so nice now!! We certainly enjoyed that but will we fit into our dresses tomorrow.

Change of clothes and shoes and Sandie & I went for a walk up the river. Sandra sat checking her emails and the others went to DFO for more shopping. More art on the other bank.

Old pavement and posts.

Cute little ducklings.

Found out the tin around the trees are to stop the possums climbing up and eating the new shoots.

A nice boat.

Sandra and I decided on a little cruise down the river to Docklands on this historic boat.

Sandra said Southbank was the slums and has been transformed over the years. Further down you can see more development happening though the other side of the bank needs a lot of work still. This footbridge represents a fishing trap Aborigines used.

An original wharf has been kept for historical reasons.

The flag pole where the first Melbournians landed on the shore.

More art.

Glad it is a flat boat as the bridges are not very high. Queen Bridge built 1889.

A swan came over to say hello.

More buskers to entertain us.

I went for a walk to check out the wire looking art work on another foot bridge. It was symbols depicting the story of aborigines in this region and the growth of Melbourne etc.

History info about Sandridge Bridge.

Back to the Travelodge to meet the others.

Headed to the Eureka Tower next door to go up 88 floors to the Skydeck. Went up in 38 seconds.

It is the highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere.

Wandered around inside – there a poles with holes to look through pointing out points of interest.

Spectacular.

We went into a cubed room called “The Edge”. It is glass and moves out from the building with the glass frosted. Had to put on booties so we don’t scratch the glass floor.