South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia

We've been In Melbourne about a week.  After the first couple of days of getting over jet lag, settling into Ken's son and daughter-in-law's home and washing all our clothes, we've started to re-explore this lovely Victorian city.  We were here for three days about five years ago, but that hardly counts in a city this size.

We are staying in the South Yarra neighbourhood, living in their 100 year old renovated home.  Most of the homes around are relatively small, almost all with walled gardens so, like much of South America, not much can be seen from the street.  Prices aren't small though $900K and Australians have not been hit hearly as hard as North America with respect to the current financial crises.  The mood in the streets and shops is upbeat and busy. 

It turns out that Melbourne is a city of small market neighbourhoods, and South Yarra is no exception.  Within one or two blocks we are right in the heart of a small village, with dozens of restaurants, food markets, fashion shops, and pretty well everything that you might need.  Last Saturday we bought all our groceries at about a dozen specialty shops and walked home.  It's  very convenient and relatively stressless.

 We've taken the train downtown several times - about a five minute walk and a fifteen minute ride, and have been exploring the shops, and spending serious time at the two lovely national art galleries.  As well the Yarra River runs through the city and broad walkways line both sides with conplexes such as the Aquarium, Convention Centre, Shopping Malls, Rowing Clubs, restaurants, lots of parkland - you get the idea.  The city puts out little maps with short 2 to 3 hour walks or strolls and so we've been exploring by foot.  Tristan and Michele work, of course, so we have lots of time during the day to toodle around. 

Tomorrow we are taking off to Phillips Island to check out the pinguins - about a three hour drive away.  We'll spend the night there and return on Sunday.

Besides that, we've booked a flight to New Zealand for January and are contemplating a last-minute cruise at an incredible price.  We'll see. 

We are enjoying the slower pace here and also taking the time to plan the next several months of our journey.  Lots to decide.

Mahara