Monday, November 13, 2006
8th November Ducks and sharks
8th November (Wednesday)
Today we into Melbourne and headed straight for one of the more well known landmarks, the MCG, Melbourne Cricket Ground. We booked the tour and were marshalled to our guide starting point by a very fierce female security guard. We were then taken on a superb tour by Brian our volunteer tour guide. His knowledge of the ground and it’s history was only outdone by his knowledge of cricket and the greatest Australian players to grace the ground. The ground has undergone some major renovations over the last 4 or 5 years with some AU$5million being invested to increase the capacity from 100,000 to 100,000. Well ok Brian conceded many of the seats were now more comfortable than previously so obviously a good investment! In fact they have upgraded the entire stands and facilities and amenities and it is now well equipped to take on the 21st century. The ground is used more for Australian Rules Football than for cricket which was a surprise and also occasionally for concerts, like Kylie, Madonna and the like. Membership is available for the MCC, Melbourne Cricket Club, but the waiting list is currently around 170,000 and 15 to 18 years. Sign ‘em up when they’re born and by the time they’re earning they can afford it at AU$500 per annum! Our tour was scheduled for hour and quarter but was hour and 40 and excellent value.
We then made our way down towards Melbourne Dockside and decided to visit the Aquarium. Some of this is fairly new and they are still upgrading and adding so will be an even larger attraction in acouple of years. We thought we would whiz through quite quickly and head off to have an early dinner, but it didn’t quite work out like that. The exhibition was fascinating. Far too much to tell but the highlights were the feeding of the Rays and small sharks in the mangroves pool. The different fish in the pool all have different ways of taking the food, squid, chopped herring, etc. Some, such as the graceful rays, will only eat the food off of a long stick, the sharks only if thrown around the pool and the sea bottom feeler fish from the girl keeper’s hand. Loads of photo opportunities but the fish wouldn’t stay still long enough for decent shots! There was an Australian cod in one tank and he was the size of a dining table. According to the info plate they grow to in excess of 130kgs! Went down a floor to more exhibits including tropical displays with beautiful coral fish and those v. dangerous spiny fish. Then we plunged further down into the depths of the Aquarium to their centre piece, the huge shark, stingray and sea fish pool. Pool is not the right word. Oceanarium. It is massive, with clear walkway tunnels so that you are right in there with the equally massive inhabitants. You emerge from the tunnels into a large auditorium where you are surrounded by the oceanarium and able to watch Stingrays at least 7ft in width and more in length, sharks which are even longer. We stayed in there transfixed for ages, just watching them all swim lazily by. It was all at once a stunning but relaxing display, hypnotic in the gracefulness of the rays and chilling in the menace but beauty of the world’s most ruthless killing machine, the Great White Shark. At the end of the display is an example of the glass that separates us from the denizens of the ocean and also keeps you dry and safe whilst being able to watch.
Plexiglass, 13 inches thick.
There is a sign in the walk through tunnels that says,
“The curvature of the plexiglass makes our exhibits appear
ONE THIRD SMALLER than they actually are.”
Seem to have missed a day out of the blog in Bali and got the dates wrong. Not sure if I've already mentioned that or not so will have to go back and see what I've missed . Think it must be Thursday 2nd November. Will hopefully update soon. So easy to lose track of days and date when you're having so much fun. Ha ha ha ha!
Today we into Melbourne and headed straight for one of the more well known landmarks, the MCG, Melbourne Cricket Ground. We booked the tour and were marshalled to our guide starting point by a very fierce female security guard. We were then taken on a superb tour by Brian our volunteer tour guide. His knowledge of the ground and it’s history was only outdone by his knowledge of cricket and the greatest Australian players to grace the ground. The ground has undergone some major renovations over the last 4 or 5 years with some AU$5million being invested to increase the capacity from 100,000 to 100,000. Well ok Brian conceded many of the seats were now more comfortable than previously so obviously a good investment! In fact they have upgraded the entire stands and facilities and amenities and it is now well equipped to take on the 21st century. The ground is used more for Australian Rules Football than for cricket which was a surprise and also occasionally for concerts, like Kylie, Madonna and the like. Membership is available for the MCC, Melbourne Cricket Club, but the waiting list is currently around 170,000 and 15 to 18 years. Sign ‘em up when they’re born and by the time they’re earning they can afford it at AU$500 per annum! Our tour was scheduled for hour and quarter but was hour and 40 and excellent value.
We then made our way down towards Melbourne Dockside and decided to visit the Aquarium. Some of this is fairly new and they are still upgrading and adding so will be an even larger attraction in acouple of years. We thought we would whiz through quite quickly and head off to have an early dinner, but it didn’t quite work out like that. The exhibition was fascinating. Far too much to tell but the highlights were the feeding of the Rays and small sharks in the mangroves pool. The different fish in the pool all have different ways of taking the food, squid, chopped herring, etc. Some, such as the graceful rays, will only eat the food off of a long stick, the sharks only if thrown around the pool and the sea bottom feeler fish from the girl keeper’s hand. Loads of photo opportunities but the fish wouldn’t stay still long enough for decent shots! There was an Australian cod in one tank and he was the size of a dining table. According to the info plate they grow to in excess of 130kgs! Went down a floor to more exhibits including tropical displays with beautiful coral fish and those v. dangerous spiny fish. Then we plunged further down into the depths of the Aquarium to their centre piece, the huge shark, stingray and sea fish pool. Pool is not the right word. Oceanarium. It is massive, with clear walkway tunnels so that you are right in there with the equally massive inhabitants. You emerge from the tunnels into a large auditorium where you are surrounded by the oceanarium and able to watch Stingrays at least 7ft in width and more in length, sharks which are even longer. We stayed in there transfixed for ages, just watching them all swim lazily by. It was all at once a stunning but relaxing display, hypnotic in the gracefulness of the rays and chilling in the menace but beauty of the world’s most ruthless killing machine, the Great White Shark. At the end of the display is an example of the glass that separates us from the denizens of the ocean and also keeps you dry and safe whilst being able to watch.
Plexiglass, 13 inches thick.
There is a sign in the walk through tunnels that says,
“The curvature of the plexiglass makes our exhibits appear
ONE THIRD SMALLER than they actually are.”
Seem to have missed a day out of the blog in Bali and got the dates wrong. Not sure if I've already mentioned that or not so will have to go back and see what I've missed . Think it must be Thursday 2nd November. Will hopefully update soon. So easy to lose track of days and date when you're having so much fun. Ha ha ha ha!
7th November A day at the races
7th November (Tuesday)
Yeah, race day. Today is the biggest day in Melburnians calendar, The Melbourne Cup day at Flemington race course. Today is an unofficial holiday where Melbourne shuts down and almost every one trots off the races. Jon and I get togged up in our finest and set off to lose money on the gee gees. As we arrive at Flemington it is bitterly cold (did I mention the weather has not been good so far?) and very windy. We meet one of Jon’s friends Kat who is selling Cancer Charity lapel pind and we buy one each. Purchase a race day programme and head off to make our bets. It is absolute bedlam here, and as crowded as the London Underground. Everyone (almost everyone) in their best bib and tucker and the ladies wear some most interesting headgear. We get in line for the betting counter and scratch our heads as to which bets to make. I have never been to a race meeting but Jon has and takes me through the routine. The lady ahead of us has a list of races and horses and turns to us and says she can’t read her own writing and wishes she re read it all that morning. We get chatting and discover she has bet the 4 previous races and has had 3 winners and a second. We copy her bets, for the next race (she insisted) but for the main race decide to follow only one of her recommendations, Pop Rock. I mark in the book, after we paid our bets “return for second bet before race starts” on another horse, Delta Blues. My bet for the next race came in 4th but after a protest for bad riding or something my horse is elevated to 3rd and I’m a winner!
The main race was at 3pm so we had plenty of time to walk about, see stuff and eat and drink. We stood at the top of the public steps leading on to the grass which leads down to the railings and race track proper. We couldn’t get down there so found a route under the grandstand and out to grassed areas. It was so crowded with families and friends and their picnics it was difficult to move about. We ended up deciding to stay by the Winners Enclosure as we had a good view of it and the huge TV screen opposite showing the racing. What a good choice. We saw all the horses being paraded before their races and all the winners and places after.
Before the main race, The Emirates Cup they had a presentation of all the jockeys to the crowds and dignitaries and the King of Dubai, who, with Emirates (the airline) where sponsoring the race to the tune of AU$5million. There then followed a short display by acrobats on poles dressed in racing gear and as race goers. Not sure what it was all about but an interesting spectacle none the less. Then all the horses for the main race were paraded around the arena, then again with their jockeys mounted and then they were off to the starting gate. From our vantage point we could see the huge race screen and watched the race from there. The atmosphere was fantastic with everyone shouting and screaming for their horse to win. The winner was decided by a photo finish and my selection came 2nd. Oh and the horse I was supposed to go back and put a bet on but forgot?. Yes…… it won. We did one more bet on the next race as it had an Irish horse and jockey running and I backed it to win, which it did! Jon and I then wandered around the Grandstands for a while admiring the finery and funny hats which Jon informed me they call “fascinators”. More like “terminators” if you ask me, as most of them would have your eye out if you weren’t careful. We squeezed onto the train back to Melbourne Flinders St and headed home and had a pleasant buffet dinner in a local hostelry.
What a great day out though. The sights, the sounds, the noise, the winning, the losing, and once again the great Aussie friendliness.
Yeah, race day. Today is the biggest day in Melburnians calendar, The Melbourne Cup day at Flemington race course. Today is an unofficial holiday where Melbourne shuts down and almost every one trots off the races. Jon and I get togged up in our finest and set off to lose money on the gee gees. As we arrive at Flemington it is bitterly cold (did I mention the weather has not been good so far?) and very windy. We meet one of Jon’s friends Kat who is selling Cancer Charity lapel pind and we buy one each. Purchase a race day programme and head off to make our bets. It is absolute bedlam here, and as crowded as the London Underground. Everyone (almost everyone) in their best bib and tucker and the ladies wear some most interesting headgear. We get in line for the betting counter and scratch our heads as to which bets to make. I have never been to a race meeting but Jon has and takes me through the routine. The lady ahead of us has a list of races and horses and turns to us and says she can’t read her own writing and wishes she re read it all that morning. We get chatting and discover she has bet the 4 previous races and has had 3 winners and a second. We copy her bets, for the next race (she insisted) but for the main race decide to follow only one of her recommendations, Pop Rock. I mark in the book, after we paid our bets “return for second bet before race starts” on another horse, Delta Blues. My bet for the next race came in 4th but after a protest for bad riding or something my horse is elevated to 3rd and I’m a winner!
The main race was at 3pm so we had plenty of time to walk about, see stuff and eat and drink. We stood at the top of the public steps leading on to the grass which leads down to the railings and race track proper. We couldn’t get down there so found a route under the grandstand and out to grassed areas. It was so crowded with families and friends and their picnics it was difficult to move about. We ended up deciding to stay by the Winners Enclosure as we had a good view of it and the huge TV screen opposite showing the racing. What a good choice. We saw all the horses being paraded before their races and all the winners and places after.
Before the main race, The Emirates Cup they had a presentation of all the jockeys to the crowds and dignitaries and the King of Dubai, who, with Emirates (the airline) where sponsoring the race to the tune of AU$5million. There then followed a short display by acrobats on poles dressed in racing gear and as race goers. Not sure what it was all about but an interesting spectacle none the less. Then all the horses for the main race were paraded around the arena, then again with their jockeys mounted and then they were off to the starting gate. From our vantage point we could see the huge race screen and watched the race from there. The atmosphere was fantastic with everyone shouting and screaming for their horse to win. The winner was decided by a photo finish and my selection came 2nd. Oh and the horse I was supposed to go back and put a bet on but forgot?. Yes…… it won. We did one more bet on the next race as it had an Irish horse and jockey running and I backed it to win, which it did! Jon and I then wandered around the Grandstands for a while admiring the finery and funny hats which Jon informed me they call “fascinators”. More like “terminators” if you ask me, as most of them would have your eye out if you weren’t careful. We squeezed onto the train back to Melbourne Flinders St and headed home and had a pleasant buffet dinner in a local hostelry.
What a great day out though. The sights, the sounds, the noise, the winning, the losing, and once again the great Aussie friendliness.
6th November Melbourne City and 3 left legs
6th November (Monday)
We drove in to Melbourne City and saw a little of the Parade for the Melbourne Cup Horse race meet on 7th Nov. Wandered around with Jon and familiarised myself a little with city layout. Had lunch in a mall called Australia on Collins in Collins St where they have free wifi, and uploaded some photos and blog. Did a little more wandering and we used the city Central Tram system which is free for a mini guided tour. Melbourne is a big city and I suspect slightly larger than London but with about a tenth of the inhabitants. Quite a friendly city and customer service in shops, bars, restaurants, etc is excellent. Have just realised I have been putting wrong date on my blogs. You sort of lose track of time and dates as you are not involved in your normal daily routine of work and weekends so my apologies if anyone has noticed and wondered why I left Bali a day earlier than expected and have missed a day out. Funny it’s taken me so long to notice.
We have done a lot of walking as well as using the underground and trams. Went to Flinders Street station which is quite famous in Melbourne and used by everyone when meeting in the city with the phrase, “Meet you under the clocks.” These are at the front entrance to the station and were used to indicate the arrival time of the next train at each platform in years gone by. Pictures in the Snapfish album.
The outside of Flinders station is a very beautiful Victorian building and just one example of some very good architectural building works throughout Melbourne dating back to the early 1800’s. Decided to phone the number of the woman whom I met on the plane, Donna, as I had promised. They had been expecting the call and invited Jon and me to dinner on Saturday night. Jon said he had to visit another dance studio in Collingwood after which we went and had early dinner at Naxos’ Café Restaurant in Smith St, Collingwood and had Lamb roast. Very tasty.
Went to the dance centre’s social evening which is every Monday and joined in the beginners class, to learn; Evening 3 step, Cha Cha and progressive jive. 2 young lads called Neville and Matt are our instructors and make it look so easy. Bit of a dismal failure at this and seem to find my feet where they shouldn’t be and my hands seem to swop themselves over while I’m concentrating on my feet. Everybody is incredibly kind and supportive but I know that I am rubbish. Maybe if I practice enough I could raise my standard to just hopeless. Found out from e-mail that Ludy has booked us for dance lessons when I get home! The triumph of hope over experience.
Still, I enjoyed the evening watching the accomplished dancing of everyone else including Jon who is pretty good. My hat goes off to him.
Finished at 10pm and many of the Club dancers regularly finish up at the Pancake Parlour nearby. So with Jon and his friends, Rebecca (semi professional dancer, high standard), Michael (uni student dancing for pleasure), Michael (dances for pleasure but good standard) and Mark (dances for pleasure, quite good) I had single pancake with a huge plate of strawberries and a little ice cream. Not necessarily the best thing to go to bed on.
We drove in to Melbourne City and saw a little of the Parade for the Melbourne Cup Horse race meet on 7th Nov. Wandered around with Jon and familiarised myself a little with city layout. Had lunch in a mall called Australia on Collins in Collins St where they have free wifi, and uploaded some photos and blog. Did a little more wandering and we used the city Central Tram system which is free for a mini guided tour. Melbourne is a big city and I suspect slightly larger than London but with about a tenth of the inhabitants. Quite a friendly city and customer service in shops, bars, restaurants, etc is excellent. Have just realised I have been putting wrong date on my blogs. You sort of lose track of time and dates as you are not involved in your normal daily routine of work and weekends so my apologies if anyone has noticed and wondered why I left Bali a day earlier than expected and have missed a day out. Funny it’s taken me so long to notice.
We have done a lot of walking as well as using the underground and trams. Went to Flinders Street station which is quite famous in Melbourne and used by everyone when meeting in the city with the phrase, “Meet you under the clocks.” These are at the front entrance to the station and were used to indicate the arrival time of the next train at each platform in years gone by. Pictures in the Snapfish album.
The outside of Flinders station is a very beautiful Victorian building and just one example of some very good architectural building works throughout Melbourne dating back to the early 1800’s. Decided to phone the number of the woman whom I met on the plane, Donna, as I had promised. They had been expecting the call and invited Jon and me to dinner on Saturday night. Jon said he had to visit another dance studio in Collingwood after which we went and had early dinner at Naxos’ Café Restaurant in Smith St, Collingwood and had Lamb roast. Very tasty.
Went to the dance centre’s social evening which is every Monday and joined in the beginners class, to learn; Evening 3 step, Cha Cha and progressive jive. 2 young lads called Neville and Matt are our instructors and make it look so easy. Bit of a dismal failure at this and seem to find my feet where they shouldn’t be and my hands seem to swop themselves over while I’m concentrating on my feet. Everybody is incredibly kind and supportive but I know that I am rubbish. Maybe if I practice enough I could raise my standard to just hopeless. Found out from e-mail that Ludy has booked us for dance lessons when I get home! The triumph of hope over experience.
Still, I enjoyed the evening watching the accomplished dancing of everyone else including Jon who is pretty good. My hat goes off to him.
Finished at 10pm and many of the Club dancers regularly finish up at the Pancake Parlour nearby. So with Jon and his friends, Rebecca (semi professional dancer, high standard), Michael (uni student dancing for pleasure), Michael (dances for pleasure but good standard) and Mark (dances for pleasure, quite good) I had single pancake with a huge plate of strawberries and a little ice cream. Not necessarily the best thing to go to bed on.
5th November Quiet Sunday
5th November (Sunday)
Had a good night’s sleep in what I think is the younger brothers bedroom, of the family who own the house. Met Jon’s sister Nicola for brunch at Joe’s Garage (café brasserie, not a real garage) in Brunswick Street. First time of meeting her having heard Jon talk about her for all the years I’ve known him. She is lovely, warm and friendly and she makes you feel you’ve known her for years! Brunswick is a very popular area of Melbourne for eating, meeting and nightlife. Ordered what I thought would be a harmless omelette and pot of tea. When it arrived I thought there was a mistake, this omelette was big enough for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper! Should have made a mental note then about portion size here in Aus.
In the afternoon Jon went dancing at one of the many dance studios he uses, (he is known as a Studio Tart) and I stayed at home at Templestowe and wrote a little. Well quite a lot really.
In the evening we went to Lygon St, another popular area of Melbourne for dining and we chose to have dinner in an Italian restaurant called Via Veneto. We met the owner, Santino who regaled us with his reminiscences of days past in Sicily and stories of when Dustin Hoffman and Sean Connery visited his café in Sicily. Hmmmm.
Had a good night’s sleep in what I think is the younger brothers bedroom, of the family who own the house. Met Jon’s sister Nicola for brunch at Joe’s Garage (café brasserie, not a real garage) in Brunswick Street. First time of meeting her having heard Jon talk about her for all the years I’ve known him. She is lovely, warm and friendly and she makes you feel you’ve known her for years! Brunswick is a very popular area of Melbourne for eating, meeting and nightlife. Ordered what I thought would be a harmless omelette and pot of tea. When it arrived I thought there was a mistake, this omelette was big enough for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper! Should have made a mental note then about portion size here in Aus.
In the afternoon Jon went dancing at one of the many dance studios he uses, (he is known as a Studio Tart) and I stayed at home at Templestowe and wrote a little. Well quite a lot really.
In the evening we went to Lygon St, another popular area of Melbourne for dining and we chose to have dinner in an Italian restaurant called Via Veneto. We met the owner, Santino who regaled us with his reminiscences of days past in Sicily and stories of when Dustin Hoffman and Sean Connery visited his café in Sicily. Hmmmm.
