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So, time for lunch! Around the corner from our hotel was a cute little café called Lime. We asked to sit outside on the patio; it was actually quite pleasant out for a winter's day. Carolyn ordered bagel and lox, which was delivered on a plate-sized bagel! After lunch, we went back to the hotel, checked in, took a little nap, and got ourselves acclimated to the time change.
The next day was also a free day for us, so we headed for the tram tracks to do some sightseeing. We'd heard about St. Kilda Pier from one of the pilots on our plane (Carolyn had struck up a conversation with her at a snack place in the LA airport). The pier stretches out to a breakwater in the bay, and about halfway out is a little kiosk called, appropriately enough, the St. Kilda Pier Kiosk.
 Lime
St. Kilda Pier
St. Kilda Pier Kiosk
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We strolled all the way out the end of the pier. The pilot had told us to watch for the little penguins in a colony there. They mostly come out at dusk though. But it was still a fine (if slightly windy) day to walk along the bay's edge and take in the sights.
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While we didn't see any penguins, we did catch this little guy just placidly floating along as the water lapped on the shore.
The Shipwreck of the Lady of St. Kilda is apparently a new addition, as it doesn't show up in the Google Earth view. |
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We strolled along the waterfront for a while, admiring the ships and lighthouse in the distance.
lighthouse
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We caught the tram headed back toward downtown Melbourne, and got off at the Shrine of Remembrance for the war dead of Australia and New Zealand. It was a beautiful and solemn place. As we walked along, we kept noticing helicopters in the air and heard crowd noises and bullhorns. Turns out there was an Aussie rules football game at the nearby Telstra Stadium, and downtown was clogged up with a political protest rally (neither of which we saw).
Shrine of Remembrance
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We continued on to the Old Melbourne Observatory , and stopped for a cup of coffee at the Observatory Café.
Observatory Café
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The one-time residence of the Government Astronomer stands at the entrance to the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens.
Exhibit panels explain the significance of the house, the observatory, and the science it did when it was more active than now.
Royal Botanic Gardens
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The Botanic Gardens were incredible. Everywhere we looked, something was in bloom — despite being late winter in Australia.
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The flowering rhododendron bush reminded us of the one we have at home.
Not far away is this lovely garden next to an old private home in the park. The contrast between the blue succulents and the red hot pokers was just amazing.
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Several lakes dot the landscape, lending a placid air to the place. At one we spotted a black swan venturing close to a family of visitors.
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We stopped to admire some palm trees which seemed somewhat out of place on a winter's day, though we'd seen plenty in LA two days before.
Later on, Mark explored a remnant of Australia's rainforest being preserved at the gardens.
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There are many species of trees scattered throughout the gardens. Some looked familiar, like the droopy pine on the left, while others seemed more alien.
The one on the right is near the visitors' center and looks like it has been around for centuries.
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After our visit to the Botanic Gardens, it was back on the tram to downtown Melbourne. We disembarked at Flinders Street Station, and wandered off to Melbourne's Chinatown, in search of a Japanese restaurant recommended by a guide at the Observatory Cafe. Then, it was time to head back to the hotel and get prepared for the meeting, which began the next day.
Flinders Street Station
Nihonbashi Zen
Carlton Crest Hotel
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