Melbourne and Sydney

Melbourne is a large, modern city. It was established in 1835 and was well planned with parks and tree lined boulevards. In 1851 a gold rush increased the population. Melbourne is also a very diverse city: 25% of the 3.7 million population is foreign born.
While in Melbourne, we first visited the Victoria Market. This market reminded us of the open markets in London and is not dissimilar to Seattle’s Pike Place Market. We wandered about, made a few purchases and enjoyed a freshly made lunch (they call it “take away” not fast food). Larry had an authentic Australian lamb baguette and Ruthanne a ham and cheese. We found a little cobbled alleyway set up with bistro tables between the market buildings. It was a warm day and the shady lane was a happy rest for tired feet. The market offered the usual fruits and vegetables, crafted goods, but also goodies from markets around the world. We sampled kangaroo jerky…an aboriginal treat.
It tasted like chicken…hee hee…not really. It tasted like beef.
Next we took a tourist bus, free transport provided for visitors, that traveled in a circular route all around the city. This gave us a great overview of the business district, sporting district (Melbournians are avid sports fans with several sporting arenas), historic areas, the Yarra river, and the garden park areas.
After our city tour, we jumped off the tour bus and enjoyed the quiet serenity of the beautiful Royal Botanical gardens. Like New Zealand, the gardens were set up Victorian style…tall stately trees, formally planted flower beds, and wooded winding pathways with ponds and water birds. What a wonderful retreat for such a busy city. As always, time flew by and before we knew it, it was time to catch a bus back to the city center and tram ride to the wharf where the ship was docked.


SIDNEY
Our kind of town! There is huge competition between the residents of Sydney and Melbourne about which is the most livable and beautiful city. Our vote is Sydney, hands down. The natural beauty of Sydney harbor is hard to beat. Ferry boat or city buses take you to bright blue sky and water, golden sand beaches where the wave action is hypnotic. Larry, Dennis Fennessey and Don Kredel went body surfing on Bondi Beach and ogled topless female sunbathers while Ruthanne read a book, keeping one eye on Larry to assure the waves spit him out at the end of a wave run. It was a great day at the beach.
Our second day in Sydney was spent wandering in the historic “Rocks” area (where the first settlement area of Sydney is located) and visiting Toronga Zoo.
The ferry ride back from the zoo was spectacular. Being Sunday, many pleasure boats, mostly sail boats, ferry traffic, the entrance to the harbor of a huge cruise ship thrown into the mix, made for an exciting return.
Our sail away out of Sydney harbor was historically a once in a lifetime event. The Queen Victoria and the QE2 both sailed passed each other in the harbor and completed a whistle salute to each other in the harbor at sunset. This will be the last time the QE2 and Queen Victoria will be in port together. The QE2 is being retired this year to Dubai and will be refitted as a floating hotel/resort. Thousands of people lined the hillsides, waterways, and decks along the harbor to witness the event. Literally hundreds of boats of all shapes and sizes traveled through the harbor with the Queen Victoria as escort as we cruised out to sea. We thought the sail away from NYC was outstanding, but this was even better. Larry took some great video and we have some still shots to share at the next internet café.