Saturday, April 20 – Wednesday, April 24
Back in the first world and loving every minute of it! Melbourne is a welcome next stop after the last month or so in still-developing countries. It feels so effortless to be able to use my credit card for everything and there is definitely less anxiety about the state of the next bathroom I’ll be using. But it’s only because of the marvelous experiences I’ve had in these other countries, that I can truly appreciate what we are all so lucky to consider “normal” in Australia or the United States.
I was so pleased with my Airbnb location in the charming Carlton neighborhood just north of downtown Melbourne, known as the CBD. I was able to walk to everything! Lygon Street is the main street in Carlton, only one block west of my location, and was full of restaurants (known for great Italian- I tried both Tiamo and DOC during my stay)! The “home” itself was built in the 1860s and was first a boarding house for the military and then later for women. It had an amazing central staircase and beautiful Victorian-era detailing that also reminded me of San Francisco! It was located on Drummond Street which was lined with historic homes that I could not stop taking pictures of!
Obsessed with Drummond Street homes
Only one block to the east of my location was the amazing Carlton Gardens Park, the Melbourne Museum, and a short walk to Parliament Gardens and St. Andrews Cathedral. I love visiting cathedrals and churches, and this one was absolutely gorgeous!
There is a fantastic Free Walking Tour of Melbourne that I really enjoyed. It covered all the main sights and the guide was really knowledgeable about the history and development of Melbourne and Australia as a whole. He took us through many of the city’s famous laneways and arcades decorated with amazing street art. There are maps online to figure all this out on your own, but it’s great to just follow a guy around and have him explain everything to you!
The next neighborhood over from Carlton is Fitzroy, which reminds me very much of the Mission in SF. Great shops for clothing, quirky miscellaneous things, bars, restaurants, thrift shops, record stores, and that unmistakable hipster vibe. I tried a great wine bar and restaurant on my first night, Marion, and it was a fantastic experience! Beautiful wines the staff helped me pick and a delicious plate of crudo served with piping hot homemade bread and creme fraiche. After three weeks of (delicious) curry for almost every meal (just too much) in Sri Lanka, this was heaven.
Book and bubbles, my favorites
On my last full day, I walked all the way down to the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and just wandered around the park exploring. It was perfect weather and I was able to just lay in the grass for the first time in who knows how long. I felt like a kid! There was no one around, the sun was bright and warm, and that lovely grassy aroma was all around. I just laid in that open field for a long time enjoying the peacefulness of it all. Such a wonderful day and such a great city. I really love Melbourne!
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