Day 9 – Melbourne Continued
Australians are generally a laid-back sort of people. But they also love to drink. So when we heard part of Melbourne featured the most pubs per capita in the state of Victoria, Leo and I went to investigate. We headed out to Brunswick Street last night to find food and beer.
While we found both, we were disappointed to find the scene rather dull. Where was the lively drinking and carousing? It’s chilly and rainy here and still very early spring so I theorized that maybe they all stay in. Or maybe they just don’t go out as much on Thursdays; drinking here is very expensive. I might shell out $10 for a martini at home, but here you’re paying $16.
Today the weather turned in our favor long enough for us to check out nearby St. Kilda. But getting there was an adventure, because tomorrow (Saturday) is the Australian Football League Grand Final game, right here in Melbourne. From what we’ve figured out so far, two nearby teams, the Magpies and the Cats are playing each other in what appears to be their Super Bowl. Tens of thousands of people squeezed into downtown today for the big parade. We had to walk several blocks to catch the tram we wanted.
St. Kilda is a seaside resort town, probably packed with tourists during the season. But today it was quiet, especially once the rain started up again. We wandered the Esplanade and ate a perfectly delicious lunch at a Catonese place. We also strolled by the roller coaster area, a tiny theme park reminiscent of Coney Island and actually built by the same people. The sign said it’s the oldest such coaster still in use today, with a brakeman at the helm.
But once the rain began, we decided to just kick back. I picked up the local newspaper and we found a suitably divvy pub where we warmed up, dried up and had a beer. I also read up on the big “footy” game taking place.
Now we’re back at our hotel, experimenting with the washing machine upstairs. I’m out of clean underwear, so I’m really hoping it works! Then we’ll be off to brave the rain for dinner.
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