Sun, 2nd Nov, 2014 Melbourne

Clear sky so far. Steve rang – only one bit of gold and it is raining and windy there at Paddy’s Campground, near Maryborough. Has got some tips etc off one chap that has been there a while so hopefully he will have more luck.

Wendy & I went down for breakfast then for a walk along the Southbank Promenade to find the DFO. Found where all the Geeks are going to the PAX AUS – huge convention for computer gamers etc – some weird outfits going past – we think it is like what the guys from Big Bang Theory go to.

Found some swans near Polly Woodside – lovely ship.

Found the DFO and were just having a good look in Forever New then an alarm went off – Emergency, make way to exit – sounded like a robot kids game but the staff ushered us out. Stood around in the carpark for about 15 minutes – we heard the fire brigade come then the doors opened and we went back inside. 

I bought a nice black bag for the races and a warm black scarf. Sandie and Sandra arrived and we checked “every” shop!! Best one was the Lindt shop that only opened there yesterday so they were handing out free chocolates – we went back a few times!!! Bought Steve a block of chocolate has it was half price – hope it makes it back to him!!

Headed back along the Promenade past lots of restaurants – this chinese place has all these bikes as its fence.

An ambulance with sirens going drove up the Promenade to an entrance to the Casino area.

Wendy & I went into the Casino to check out where to go for tea and what shows were on. The others went back for a rest – they are amazing shoppers these girls!! Found a chinese restaurant with a fish tank – hope they aren’t on the menu.

Lots of choices in the Food Court area, took photos to show the others.

I found a Peking Duck – I will have chinese tonight since we haven’t made it to China Town yet.

There is a Comedy show on at the Groove Live Bar & Terrace. Joined up to the Casino and got a $5 pokie and $5 gaming table vouchers. Maybe I will win more than Steve can find in gold – there is a lucky member’s draw which was up to $5500.

The street entertainers were out.

These colourful characters are part of a display about visiting Macau – they have a free light show each night from 7.30 so will have to get there and check it out too.

We hope these pair were just part of the PAX AUS or else they are just plain scary!!

Mr Gargoyle man gave me his best pose.

“Simon” put on a great show on his unicycle doing a strip then juggling knives. We were happy to give him a few dollars. I videoed him as well.

Got changed, another group selfie in the elevator this time. They have mirrors everywhere in this hotel.

Got a nice lady to take a photo of us with “The Cup”.

More ‘dressed up’ gamer coming back from the Convention.

Into the Casino Food Court for dinner. I enjoyed my chinese. Joined Sandra and Sandie up to the Casino so they could have a go on the Pokies. Wendy and I decided to go into the Comedy@Crown Show in the Bar, it was $20 each with 3 artists (Hannah Gadsby, Kate McLennan and Geraldine Hickey) and the MC (Justin Hamilton). Really good laugh, especially as we were enjoying sitting down with a glass of wine too. Went and cashed in our $5 gaming chip then put the $5 pokie note into the machine. I won $4.40 on mine, Wendy only won $1.20. Wandered around some more checking out the Night Club area. Found the “Cup” area and got some photos with the flowered horse.

Wasn’t too cold as we walked back to the hotel – though my new scarf was snuggily keeping my neck warm.

Enjoyed our free Lindt balls from the shops today with a cuppa before bed. Another great day, though the feet are starting to whinge!!

Sat, 1st Nov, 2014 Melbourne

Wet and windy morning so we headed off down the Promenade and up the historic steps to St Kilda road and over the bridge to cross over the Yarra.

View of St Paul’s Cathedral.

At Federation Square we bought tickets for the Melbourne Visitor Shuttle Bus for $5 for a 90 minute circuit around Melbourne etc. You can hop on and off all day – great value.

A left over Halloween party goer maybe or just Melbourne gothic!!!

The famous Southern Cross Station with all the clocks at the front showing what time each train arrives from each area. It was the spot most people used to meet their friends – under “The Clocks”.

We waited for the Bus outside the Cathedral so I ran in for a quick photo of the stained glass doors – there was a note about when the choir boys sang – should have taken a note of that, would be great to hear.

There is a free tram too that does the circuit around the central part of Melbourne so another way to check out the city – though we seem to being doing alright on foot.

Past the Fitzroy Gardens, I will call back too with Steve and check out the Fairy Tree, Model Tudor Village etc. Onto the MCG and the Rod Laver Arena area – this is a statue of Dennis Lillee outside the MCG.

Lots of lovely homes being done up.

Looking back to the Eureka Tower where we can go up to the 88^th Floor to look at the view and go out on the “Edge” where a room moves out from the top floor then the floor goes clear and you can look straight down – saw it on Sunrise – will check that out for sure. The Eureka Tower is a tribute to the gold discovery of Victoria and depicts the gold found with the top 10 floors outside coated in 24 carat gold and a red strip for the blood spilt at the Eureka Stockade riots.

Through Hosier Lane area which is a lane of art.

Past China Town.

The Melbourne Museum sounds very interesting, will try to fit that in.

More tenant buildings.

Love this skinny one.

Found Lexi’s Nails – Lexi Underwood is always doing her nails so I thought I would send this to her.

Headed down Lygon Street which is filled with Cafes and Restaurants and lots of lovely Oak trees.

Love this old building in front of part of the Melbourne University.

Past the Queen Victoria Markets – a very large version of Rustys.

The sun was out over here but looking back the other way it was dark and raining.

Passing over the railway lines coming from and to Southern Cross Station with its curved roof.

Onto Docklands, past the Melbourne Star Ferris Wheel, into Harbour Town Shopping area and the Medibank Icehouse. Saw a dinosaur – not sure what he is about.

This colourful building is called the Lego Building – very impressive.

Nice art work. Did the Melbourne weird right turn – get in the left lane on the green light and move to the centre of the road then when the other green light goes turn right – totally weird.

A big bird, something to do with aboriginals of the area – missed what the bus driver was saying.

Across another bridge looking back to the footbridge with lots of public art.

The Macau light show on Southbank Promenade – will have to check that out.

Past the Shine of Remembrance and the Botanical Gardens. Worth a wander through to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. La Trobe’s Cottage was made in England then packed up and sent out here to be erected for the first Governor in 1836 though he never got to live in it in his term of office.

Another old building with plants growing over it but I missed what it was about. Had cannons etc outside it.

The fountain we saw last night without it’s blue lights.

Back to where we started so we went off again as we decided to go to Harbour Town to shop and have lunch. Passed the giraffe looking into the Australian Centre for the Moving Image – will have to get a better photo.

A couple heading off to the PAX AUS – convention for computer gamers etc.

The shopping area was the same as Harbour Town at Southport – open air between the shops so it was very windy and cold. But we found the best café – Le Cirque – with the best cup cakes – Toberone!!!!

Wendy and Sandra went checking out more shops so Sandie and I checked out the Medibank Icehouse. The Winter Sports Institute is based here. There are two big rinks – one for ice hockey and the other for general use. Loved the face on the ice machine.

 They have frames to lean on to learn to skate and kids can sit or push the cute seals around. They had music playing and everyone was lined up in the middle “dancing”.

Headed back on the bus and got off at the Arts Centre. We checked out the Russian National Dance Show called Kostroma performing there for two nights. Got tickets for tonight so rushed back to the hotel to change into some glam rags. Took a group selfie in the mirror in the hall near our rooms.

The theatre was beautiful – loved the curtain and the seats were comfortable velvet. We were in row J so had a great view of the stage.

It was amazing – the costumes spectacular and the music fabulous. We all had sore hands from clapping with the fantastic dancers – especially the men with the aerobic type dance, especially the Cossack style etc. The first half was the about the changes of Russia from the history to today. Second half was traditional dances from different areas. We all enjoyed it so much, should have bought a DVD.

Walked back past the Hammer Hall and found these pavers – one from Kylie Minogue etc.

Stopped at the Lindt Café for a delicious hot chocolate. Top way to finish a fantastic night.