MELBOURNE

When we moved to Australia, one of the many places that Australians recommended that we visit is Melbourne (pronounced Mel-bin).  It is south of us in the state of Victoria and is known for its fantastic food, shopping and many sporting events (Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne Cup Horse racing--similar to the Kentucky Derby).

When my parents decided to come visit us for Christmas, one of the places that they truly wanted to see was Melbourne.  So we thought that we would go with them after the holiday and see what all of the "buzz" was about.

Melbourne is almost the same size of Sydney but does not feel as big.  The streets are wider (traffic does not seem as congested), the city is much flatter and just feels more intimate.  The cafes and shops are amazing and I would not be surprised if we went back again just for this.  Every meal we had was a different cuisine….Greek, South African, Mexican, and Malaysian.  I think you get the picture we basically ate our way through the city.

We enjoyed visiting the Old Melbourne Gaol (the jail where BushRanger Ned Kelly was held prior to being hanged), Parliament House, rode the city trolley, shopped, and ate, visited the beautiful city gardens (and ate some more) and we spent an entire day traveling the GREAT OCEAN ROAD. 

Papa Bruce rented a car for a day and took us on an ADVENTURE!  We traveled the Great Ocean Road and went to all of the surfing hot spots.  It was so beautiful and we really enjoyed our drive.  There were a few hairy moments with Papa behind the wheel but, there  were no HUMAN causalities besides a "minor scrape" on the car bumper (from a MAJOR brick wall but hey--who said walls were major stopping points??).  Overall, it was a great trip and we were so happy to share it with Papa Bruce and Gram.  Here are some photos.  

Inside the old "Gaol"

Wow those doors are short.

The widths of the cells were only as wide as Tom's arm span.

Grace dressed and standing by Ned Kelly.

Jane ready to "shoot" her way out of the gaol.

In the courtyard of the prison. 

Parliament has two houses (Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly).
This is the higher house - Legislative Council.

The Library - where proposed law is researched before going to the Houses to become law.

The entrance doors

Parliament House of Victoria

St. Peter's Cathedral

Carlton Gardens

Waiting for the city Trolley - it was raining. :(

Graffiti Alley - very cool what some artists can do with a can of spray paint.

South African Hot sauce!

A View from the Great Ocean Road.

Papa and his girls.  :)

Love these two beautiful people - Papa Bruce and Gram.

Posing at St. Kilda at sunset…the kite surfers were amazing!