Waltzing Matilda

Okay, the title of this post is only remotely connected with what it will actually deal with, for this is the second instalment of "My time in Australia" (and Waltzing Matilda is the only Australian song that I could come up with right now).

Part 2: Melbourne

 Before I went to Sydney I spent two days in Melbourne. We were so lucky with the weather, walking through the town we even spontaneously sat down in a beer garden on the banks of the river Yarra to sip a beer (or in my case, a cider). Little had we expected that everything would be so expensive. We spent about AS$12 on a pint which is about €9!! That was just to give us a taste of what would happen when we went out at night (and I can tell you that it's worth it, for there were so many young people out and about...). We went to a bistro and several bars and ended the evening at the Cherry Bar in ACDC Lane. What a name!

There was a terrible smell in that venue but being able to spend your time watching the craziest people totally made up for that. Too bad I wasn't there with the girls, we would have had a great time! 

 I made a tour of the city and saw the CBD as well as some other places (e.g. the Melbourne gaol where the famous Ned Kelly - the Australian Robin Hood, I learned (there also exists a film starring Heath Ledger  which I will definitely have to see) - was put to death). I went to Brunswick Street and browsed through the lovely little shops there and kept my eyes open for other pretty things.

It's a pity I was on such a tight schedule, otherwise I might have contacted my old penfriend whom I know from teenage days and who lives in Melbourne.

Before and after the city trips I also saw a good deal of the Australian countryside, but more about that tomorrow...