Victoria Train Station in the center of Melbourne. The station was large and had multiple tracks; street cars stopped just to the right (outside).

Victoria Train Station in the center of Melbourne. The station was large and had multiple tracks; street cars stopped just to the right (outside).

A pigeon flies by as Bob snaps a shot of the clocks announcing the different times for different lines at the train station.

Dominating the skyline downtown was a 30-story skyscraper that had a unique design. There was an “observation

platform” at the top, but the cost wasn’t worth the effort.

The Yalow River runs through the heart of the city; in the early morning light, the river was glassy—the boaters hadn’t yet arrived.

Near the river’s edge, there were huge boulders, part of the artistic endeavors of the city—towering buildings are seen to the north of the

river.

An unidentified government building downtown. There was some very nice and interesting architecture throughout Melbourne.

Not far from our hotel (train station in the left-center), there was this very nice plaza and “arts and entertainment” building (right).

A billboard advertising the latest personality to come on stage at the entertainment center downtown—Dennis Hopper! Ride that Chopper!

Near the plaza and across from the entertainment buildings, there was a huge LCD on a building

showing various TV or movie footages.

Some nice apartments along a quiet street; note the laced railings—a French influence

on this Australian city.

Top: Several alleys downtown had nice spots

for a quiet dinner or drink. Bottom: Horses pulling carriages were seen at night on the

streets of Melbourne.

Bob and Judy rode many a streetcar in Melbourne—some were “free” and some were really reasonable;

they took us all over the city.

We took the City Circle line to a shopping plaza,

as well as to the Botanical Gardens and other sites.

Finding a reasonably priced meal—even at Taco Bill’s—was a

challenge. But, Judy and I love Mexican, it was gluten-free, and GOOD (nary a Mexican was seen

in the place!). We ate at Taco Bill’s 3 or 4 times in the four days

we spent in Melbourne!

It was “Australian Day” (think Fourth of July for America) while

we were there—these college kids donned flags to celebrate.

Though we didn’t eat much at McDonald’s (except for their sundaes), when we did on “Australian Day,”

these two customers were decked out in flags.

Bob avoided tickets and getting arrested in

Australia, but the police substation was right next to the hotel. Below: our

namesake street sign.

The Australian Open was

underway during our visit; here,

customers line up near the train station to buy

tickets.

Rod Laver Stadium was a 15-minute walk from our hotel. Because we aren’t really tennis fans, we just watched on TV—but we

did go by the stadium one day on our way back from

the Botanical Gardens.

The Yalow River was replete with college kids sculling. On this particular sunny day, there were probably a dozen sculls with

aggressive rowers.