Lucky To Have Been Where I Have Been…Lucky To Be Coming Home Again

Last night, by the time I researched everything I wanted to do today it was 2am. When my alarm went off at 7am, I debated seeing ANYTHING and just sleeping, but where’s the fun in that?

My first stop was the Queen Victoria Market. I had read it was the place for shopping (food, clothes, gifts, etc) and that it opened at 6am every day so I caught the tram @ 730am which got me there around 8am. However, NOTHING was open! Well I shouldn’t say that..the food stuff was open (I literally gagged walking in the fish section..YUCK!) but the stuff I wanted to see was JUST setting up at 8am. If you ever travel to a place where they have markets, go when you can watch them set up or break down. During the day they can be so annoying (not so much here, but in Asia) haggling you and bugging you, but it is AMAZING to see how much work goes into setting up their stalls for the day.

There didn’t seem to be much point in me waiting around, so my next stop was to explore the city. There isn’t a ton to see as far as buildings or sites, more rather neighborhoods, etc. I went to China Town and the Greek area and then spent some time exploring the alleyways. They say you don’t know the real Melbourne unless you walk the alleys, which feel very French/Italian. They have tables set up in the middle and lots of little boutiques and restaurants..I really liked it!

I was also on the Pavlova hunt! In Sydney, Erin looked in every bakery shop for this Australia dessert, Pavlova, which is a meringue type dessert with fruit. No luck! However, I asked my trip advisor peeps (love them) and I had TWO suggestions! BOTH were on the spot! The first place I went was a chocolate place, aka HEAVEN! I wanted everything on the menu, but chocolate pavlova it was! The woman took FOREVER to bring it over, but then I realized it was because SO much time was spent on the presentation! It was beautiful! Since I didn’t know what regular pavlova was suppose to be like I didn’t know if this was accurate, but it was very good and had strawberries on top! Yum! I then had to try out the other place (which was supposed to have real Pavlova) and it did! This was beautifully presented as well and VERY yummy! While it wasn’t chocolate, it was VERY sweet and I can see why Erin likes it!

After having two desserts before 10am (life is good!) I decided I would try the free city bus. It is a tourist bus that brings you around the city (hop on hop off) and I figured this way I could go back to the market and get a tour of the city. The tour bus has a pretty long route (1.5 hours) but it’s a good quick way to see the city and then decided what you want to go back and see! I stopped at the market (which was up and running) and it was nice because it was your typical market, without the pushiness!

I then decided I wanted to head to Bridge Street which was supposed to have good shopping. This was a short 10 minute tram ride away, although I was not impressed. I guess it’s a factory area for designer clothing (but obviously I don’t know those brands) and overall it just didn’t seem that happening.

At this point I was exhausted (and it was only 3pm) but I came back and got myself on another tram to go to St Kilda. I wanted to make the most of my last day in Melbourne and figured I can sleep the next week and I would hate to leave and think, “Oh I wish..”

The ride to St Kilda was about 20 minutes and I realized I got off a little too early as there was really NOTHING around. Basically there was one strip that had a lot of shops and restaurants and then an esplanade where the beach is it. Again, it was cloudy/cold/windy so I am sure in their summer this place is happening but it still was pretty busy!

By the time I got back, grabbed a quick bit to dinner and showered, I realized I need to pack and get some sleep! I need to be up at 6am tomorrow to catch my flight to LA and then Boston baby!!!

I have decided (or realized again) how much I LOVE to travel. I just love it! I was afraid I would “forget” how to travel alone, or freak out since I was spoiled and had my mom here, but I was pleasantly reminded how I was lucky enough to be raised to be independent and self sufficient (well..for the most part!) I have just LOVED every second of this experience and at one point today I thought, “Graduate school is overrated, where should I travel in the fall?” Alright Dad sorry for the heart attack, I will go back to school!

In all seriousness though, I want to remember how I felt today, because I am afraid once I get back in “the grind” I just take life too seriously and forget all that’s out there! I think I could be very happy “working” to travel, coming back poor and starting all over again! I love the adventure, I love learning about new culture and people and exploring new areas. I just love it all!

With that being said..

Hugs and Kisses from a Wonderful World!