Destination: Melbourne!

On the 14th of February 2008, I set out for the future. This was a step into the unknown. I've never liked the idea of going to university out of need. People should go for something they want to do. Nevertheless I find myself at the boarding gate of the Qantas flight, looking out at the busy workers preparing the aircraft, looking out to the twilight and wonder..

Fast forward 6 hours and I'm at Adelaide for the transit to Melbourne. Just over an hour for transit is simply not enough! Especially when you're transferring from an international flight to an inter state one. Well at least I caught Elizabeth: The Golden Age on board the last one, bravo Cate Blanchett! Not much sleep though... Off dry Adelaide and unto unpredictable Melbourne!

After a couple of hours I couldn't be bothered anymore. I was tired and hungry. The snack on the inter state was good but that's all they are, SNACK! Nothing much at the airport and I didn't have change so off I go then, collect my baggage and out into wall of icy breeze. I did not take notice of the climate report and am paying the price, cold winds from the south that day. A bright sun shiny day though, reason for celebration. Melbourne! Melbourne!

That was short lived though. Following precise instructions I went into the Skybus ticket line and got my single way to Southern Cross. A full AU $16! The last time I paid $16 for a bus ride was 8 years ago in Japan and there's the obvious reason that the event still linger in my memory. Onto the Skybus then and 20 minutes off into Melbourne CBD. Once I hit the tarmac at Southern Cross I just sought the nearest row of chairs and made myself comfortable, I wasn't moving anywhere till Jeffrey arrives.. time for a little shut eye..

There wasn't fade to black.. it was just black but I was still wide awake...

And then Jeffrey appeared out of nowhere, in fact just down the escalator from what I would later learn was the train station, Southern Cross. Off we went then to find me a roof over my head for the next 10 days or so. Godwilling I'll spend less than that period to find a proper place to call home. Checked in at a backpacker's inn and sharing the room with 14 others, YES FOURTEEN, we went off in search for food and walked around CBD. In this Endeavour I took these first few pictures of Melbourne.

This is the first picture taken in Melbourne, that's Jeffrey acting busy.

And since he was busy I was just content looking around... I was awed. That spot was the corner of Bourke and King streets and hell I took more shots. This one is down King's and look at that skyscraper!

And then down just across the Bourke street there's THIS! It's actually a Victorian church but granted, not a very well taken shot. But hey! You can still see the Accord Euro R clear enough.

That's further down Bourke and into the heart of CBD...

And this.. is a TRAM! I'm gonna get intimate with her and her sisters soon enough. It's essential! No forget the cab, note the.. the TRAM!

Now that's grass growing on the.. curb.. pavement.. shit I don't know what it is.. and WHY it's like that. Interesting...

And on the way into the heart of CBD.. at the crossroads!

One of the Cathedrals in Melbourne, this one's near Melbourne Central, right beside where we had lunch.. or breakfast... the FIRST meal.

Walking down Swanston Street... there's the magnificent St Paul's Cathedral. It's huge.

And finally, here we are! This is like City Hall station really.. it's the one and only Flinder's Street train station. Now that in the middle of a modern city. I'd say that's cool!

From Flinder's Street station, there are still other brilliant structures. They are nicely fused into this new city that's growing around them. Just look at the contrast in the picture below.

And finally as an afterthought I slipped to the back of Flinder's Street station and walah, this greeted me... From there I see the South bank of the Yarra river. Only later I realise how iconic this actually is.

Enjoy~!!!

The rest gotta wait a bit...