4/1/14 - Melbourne

First on the agenda was a city tour. Melbourne was settled by free settlers from Tasmania.  We visited the Queen Victoria Market which had all kinds of goods for sale. We were told that Australians don't drink Fosters - it's for export only.

We drove by the Crown Casino - the largest in the southern hemisphere. The Star Ferris Wheel opened in 2008, two years behind schedule, and was closed 40 days later. It was reconstructed and opened in December 2013. It takes 30 min.to make one revolution. It is the Southern Hemisphere's only giant observation wall and is 304 ft tall. 

St. Patrick's Cathedral was next. The diocese offices are four floors below ground. 

We stopped off at a conservatory and took a short walk to view the flowers.

We continued to ride through the city through neighborhoods, Chinatown, Federation Square (modern building with art galleries), the Parliament building. We drove by the sports complex and the Arts area, the tower of which represents a tutu. National Gallery built to dimensions of Noah's Ark. Lagan St. has about 250 Italian restaurants and the Maitre Ds are out encouraging people to come in with tastings.

Our next stop was the Shrine of Remembrance. 20% of the Australian soldiers died in WWI. ANZAC is the Australia New Zealand Army Corps.

Following a short trip through the Botanical Gardens, we met our friend John and drove by the Parliament building, other neighborhoods and the Grand Prix Track. We had dinner across the bay from the city.