Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Back in the Chookpen

Victoria on fire! These images are not mine, they were taken from the News Reports but every night , on the news in Melbourne and indeed here, we were told of more devastation and more deaths and injuries.It was almost surreal. Then ,in between, stories of the joy of re unions and the bravery of people there and the firefighters. So far, 190 lives lost, just terrible and Australia cried. We also rallied and donated goods and money, to this day,$100 Million and it will surelybe needed to re -settle and re- build. It seemed obscene to travel outside the city so we stayed within and donated and shopped and had coffee wherever they advertised donations going to the bushfire appeal.
We mostly dined in China Town as that was right near our hotel or at the Casino,where food is cheap and I won nearly $800 .
We re discovered Mao's Restaurant but it was disappointing.
We saw driverless cars on the bridge at the Arts centre, a commercial was being shot. The Yarra river and South bank,federation Square ( Trev hates it, I quite like it and it grows on you)Chappel road and the Jam Factory ( Chappel Road has lost a lot of appeal) and Docklands where we did not quite reach harbour Town.
One of the horse drawn coaches
We visited every market,the Arts market (Oh such beautiful things and...............Poffertjes!!!!!!!)''the South Melbourne, the Prahan and ofcourse the famous Queen Victoria MARKETS WHERE, INCREDIBLY ,WE HAD TO BUY JACKETS TO COPE WITH THE COOL WEATHER.
famous dim sims in Sth Melbourne Markets
We went almost everywhere by tram. Anyone can tell you where to go.
The building which has the Block, a perspex block which moves out from the building to give a 360 degree view. did not go up, more's the pity

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