Travels and Birds: Melbourne

Some very interesting modern architecture in Melbourne

Inside the market

Our drive from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne was too hurried to be interesting. Getting the car back on time after a late start was the higher priority. We did have an interesting stop at Chelton Rest Stop. It was everything a rest stop should be. In addition to the clean restrooms, it offered a nice rural stop for picnicking and bird watching. It also had what looked like an interesting hike into the wilderness. We also took a side trip through downtown Glenmoran whose main industry seems to be tourism based on Ned Kelly, the infamous Bush Ranger.

On our first day in Melbourne we began with breakfast and a meander through the Queen Victoria Market. If we lived in Melbourne, this be nearly a daily visit for our food needs. Every kind of meat and fish were the highlights, and there was also an extensive fruit and vegetable section. Clothing, breads, wine from barrels and beer from taps were also available. All our daily and weekly needs would be easily met in this market.

After finishing with the market we hopped on the free tram that circles the downtown with a tourist commentary. A free version of the Hop On/Hop Off buses. The only negative is that it doesn’t get out of the downtown area, but it met our needs exactly for this trip.

Our tram

We left the tram so we could walk through Chinatown on our way back to our condo. We had learned on the tram that it is the largest Chinatown outside of China. It may be but it wasn’t terribly interesting. There was one museum possibility, but otherwise there wasn’t really anything to look at other than windows and signs. San Francisco’s Chinatown is a lot more fun.

Chinatown

A protest over treatment of refugees.
The government cut them off from the little aid they were providing without warning.

While the others rested up for dinner back at the condo, I went for another walk. First stop was at the Immigration Museum. I only had 30 minutes before closing so I just got an impression, but I am impressed with Australia’s efforts to chronicle and honor its immigrants and native peoples. I remember when growing up hearing about Australia’s strong stance against non-Caucasian immigration. In many ways Australia’s treatment of its Aboriginal peoples mirrors our treatment of Native Americans. While this is still a political issue, it is easy to see that things have changed dramatically in recent years.

This was further underscored by what I saw on the Sandridge Bridge crossing the Yarra River on the south edge of downtown. This old railroad bridge is now a pedestrian bridge with a “Travelers” theme. Several large sculptures of ‘travelers’ representing different groups of immigrants. Also lining the bridge are a series of glass panels with information about immigrants from every country that has contributed newcomers to Australia. It was interesting to think about my reaction to the panel for the United States. It’s not usual to think about us as immigrants to another country even with the talk that has followed the election of our current president.

We finished the evening with a wonderful dinner at Rice, Paper, Sister, an Asian-fusion small plates restaurant recommend by Kerrie Bryan as we left our visit with them in Wagga. If in Melbourne, it is a must.