We’re keeping it local for todays Meandering Monday…coming to you directly from my home town of Melbourne, Australia. The most liveable city in the world, bar none.
Melbourne
A born and bred Melburnian, I must preface the following post by saying I’ll be slightly biased, but for good reason. I’ve written in the past about re-considering sailing off and holidaying in your city. So I thought I’d write a little bit about doing just that…in Melbourne.
Melbourne is a relatively new city when it comes to historical significance. It’s been around for about 200 years or so…not settled for some time after. It saw significant expansion during the gold rush era of the 1850’s with its height of opulence around the 1880’s before a major economic bust in the 1890’s. From the period of 1850-1890 Melbourne become what we still love today, all funded by gold.
To this day what I love about my home city is where old meets new in a well-planned, thought-out, grid-like array of tree-lined streets bustling with trams. Massive expanses of land are maintained as parkland and so no matter whether you are in the centre of the CBD or its outskirts you will find a large park you can sit and read and think and enjoy your own company.
I must say though, our Melbourne town-planning forefathers weren’t that original when it came to naming streets…Starting towards the west as you head east we’ve got Spencer, King, William, Queen, Elizabeth, Swanston. Heading from the south to the north we’ve got Flinders, Bourke, Lonsdale and so on…you get my drift. All old English aristocrats, some of who had a role in establishing the city I live in and love so much.
The photo above was taken on a windy night on Queens Bridge looking west down the Yarra River across from the botanical gardens (behind the shot). The clouds and the water moving and flowing rapidly gives the stationary buildings the opportunity to jump out of the photo. To the left is Eureka (from the Greek saying εὕρηκα – meaning ‘I’ve found it!’ it was all about the gold in Melbourne) Tower and to the right the Rialto, Melbourne’s two tallest buildings.
There’s an entire portfolio of amazing art and imagery that is generated by Melburnians. There is never a shortage of cultural experiences to be had in Melbourne. If you’re thinking of paying Melbourne visit, do it. If you live here, explore Melbourne like a tourist. You will be pleasantly surprised and constantly blown away by its forever changing and dynamic beauty.