A Memorable day in Melbourne ('Melben')

As Emily had classes, I decided to fly onto Melbourne and meet up with her on Wednesday. The flight on JetStar from Brisbane down to Melbourne was very pleasant.  JetStar  is quite economical (one way was $49.00/$69.00) , although you do end up paying for everything extra (including water).  If you fly into Melbourne city, fly to Tullamarine, and then take the Skybus shuttle which brings you to Southern Cross station, where there are free shuttles to the hotels. 

     The trams cost $2.90 for 2 hours or  $7.00 for an all day pass, which lets you hop from tram to train to bus.  Well worth it.   The trams are amazing in Melbourne.  They go everywhere!  They  say many of the San Francisco trains are made in Melbourne.    I had such fun on them.

Shrine of Remembrance
    Tuesday morning I went down to the Shrine of Remembrance and the Botanical Gardens.  It was Memorial day so there was a service happening on the grounds with TV cameras.  It was nice going through the shrine (which commemorates the WWI as well as WWII veterans).   A poem written by Rudyard Kipling for the shrine was especially moving.

    The Royal Botanical gardens were amazing.  

The Childrens Garden

Melbourne Museum
    In the afternoon I went up to the King Tut exhibit at the Melbourne Museum.  This was the same exhibit which was in NY a few years ago.  I was very impressed.  There were also some great exhibits on the Aboriginal culture and handicrafts.  Unfortunately, photos were not allowed for either.

Royal Exhibition Building (Next to the Museum)

The Parliment Building (notice tram wires)

 Wednesday morning I got up and am taking the Avalon Airport Transfer Shuttle to Avalon airport to pick up Emily.   The Avalon airport (AVV) is south of Melbourne, but is much closer to the Great Ocean Drive, which we are visiting today and tomorrow.  I will rent a car from there.  Yes, I am trying it again!

--Mike