58~Most Liveable Melbourne

Melbourne was a only a 2 day affair but it was a jam packed one; turns out knew a lot of people in the city. I would meet with Jeremy, the fellow Brit I had befriended in the Blue Mountains as he was staying just a train ride away from the city; Aunty Val and John happened to be having a couple days here on a Christmas shopping and weekend away excursion; Christopher Snow was a Melbournian who I had met on the bus from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and he had offered to be a guide and friend for the day if I made it here; and Alex, a former work colleague, who had piped up on Facebook when I mentioned Melbourne (it had escaped my mind that she also lived here!). 

After dropping my hire car and putting my stuff in storage, I set out to meet Jeremy underneath the clocks of the Flinders street station- this is allegedly the quintessential rendezvous spot. I waited in the midday heat and enjoyed the buzz of the city. I felt like I was in Europe somewhere...

Jeremy and I had great day. Lots of sitting on steps, chatting and coffee for me, tea for him. He introduced me to 'Pho' in preparation for Vietnam and I have to say it was a very welcome introduction - I officially was excited to get to Vietnam to get involved with this TASTY noodle soup. Loved dressing it up with an abundance of herbs and crying from the amount of chilli I chucked on. Jeremy and I sat on the bank of the Yarra River, and chatted as the sun lowered. We had enjoyed wandering the city, selecting new reads in bookshops and had conversed our way through an array of topics. We both felt as if we were in London as people punted by, walked, skated and sat on grassy verges with beers and ice creams. This city had an awesome energy, perfect to share together. We bid farewell at the station; both sure that our paths would cross once again. I headed to my hostel and got the earplugs ready as it seemed many were up for a party in the terrace which was not far from the window of my dorm. 

Melbourne had pretty much captured my attention; it is said to be one of the world's most liveable cities. It is pretty amazing; energetic, green, full of exciting architecture, public transport is great, shopping, cafe culture, great museums. The next day, Aunty Val and I squeezed in a morning coffee before I met Alex at the Shrine of Remembrance.

A lovely picnic with her gorgeous boys and some chats later, I raced across the city to make my next appointment with Mr Snow. Chris treated me to a wonderful day. It was like an amazing Christmas present to mark the beginning of December. Christopher Snow was like my very own alternative Santa. Santa in a parallel universe, where Santa has city style and great weather. He presented me with a gift- a badge celebrating art in Melbourne. I love how passionate he is about his city and what it has to offer; he wanted to show me the perfect Melbourne Saturday. It started with a top notch coffee down a side street in the city centre. The bustling cafe culture and Parisian style pastries was undeniably an impressive start to the day!

The bridge covered in padlocks, symbols of love from many gave me the feeling once more of Europe.

Street art, sculpture and wonderful buildings were all incorporated on the tour. This was perused between a trip into a gallery, museum, a drink on a boat and an ice cream later on the river front.

I was excited to see these free bags but was even more amazed that magical Mr Snow had the foresight to get me one. My bag was falling apart and this was quite a lovely one.

Chris seemed like a magician; he had all the sparkle of a wizard and twinkle in his eye of Father Christmas. He managed to surprise me with his endless gifts. He took me to a 'wintery' Christmas wonderland.

We had Vietnamese food on my request.

We caught an old tram and he pointed out more beautiful buildings and we caught two weddings being photographed. His tour was perfect: punctuated with snacks and coffee stops, culture and history, nooks, crannies, snippets and insights into a Melbournian world that could have easily passed me by. I can only hope to repay him the favour one day.

Our day finished with an ice cream on the riverside. I headed to the airport to stay the night as my flight was early- might as well save on accommodation. Surely I would sleep after such a wonderfully hectic day!

Turns out sleeping in an airport is not the cosiest. Cold, noisy and hideously bright lights. But I did sleep  a little and I was heading to the Great Barrier Reef and for a new adventure...

After all my socialising in Melbourne and airport sleepover, I decided to lay low in Cairns in a girls only hostel for a night. I would head to Port Douglas for a quieter spot in this neck of the woods. I was ready for the hush of nature and to escape the rush of city life. 

Melbourne is most liveable, I have to agree. Mostly liveable when you have friends and family; how lucky to be in Melbourne but with friends and family to hand! My travels have certainly revealed that: most liveable for me is a place where I have friends and family. So thank you to Jeremy, Mr Snow, Aunty Val and Alex. I pin a heart on my map of the world right where Melbourne is. You made it most liveable for my sojourn here and more than that, you made it magical.