Down Under - Day Nineteen, Monday, February 24, 2014 - Melbourne, Australia

Land Ho!!

Melbourne Skyline at sunrise.  Nirvana!!

What a "luscious" sight this morning ... the Melbourne Skyline.  Stevie and I were almost giddy with excitement.  As the sun peaked over the clouds to illuminate the city,  hot air balloons dotted the sky  and lingered over Melbourne's skyscrapers.  After four days at sea, we are thrilled to set foot on terra firma today.  

Paddy and Stevie at Shrine of Remembrance.

We left the ship this morning to tour the city with our new pal, Paddy, who hired a taxi to take us to see the sights of Melbourne.  Melbourne is a very modern, clean and progressive city of around 4 millions people.  The taxi driver didn't know a lot about Melbourne, but Paddy certainly did.  We visited Gallipoli Memorial Gardens and the "Shrine of Remembrance", honoring fallen soldiers.  Paddy told us about the battle of Gallipoli and how the Australian soldiers were slaughtered largely in part because the British had their morning tea before they went to the battlefield.  By then, thousands of Australian soldiers had been killed and defeated by the Turks.  The "Shrine of Remembrance" is located in a beautiful garden overlooking the city.  

Australian Grande Prix 

Our "Race" Car for the run on the track of the Grande Prix.

Then the driver took us to the actual track where the Australian Grande Prix will run in a few weeks.  We ran the track in a taxi!  What fun!!  Imagining the race car drivers zooming around these streets in a few weeks was such a thrill.  We didn't set any records ... well, maybe the slowest run around the track, but it sure was fun.

Tea Time in Melbourne with Stevie and Paddy.

Typical "Lane Way"

"French Connection of UK."   What were you thinking??

The afternoon was for tea and "retail therapy" in Melbourne.  Known for their "Lane Ways" we found plenty of interesting shops and restaurants along the way.   This photo depicts a typical Lane Way, cluttered with people and little cafes.  In the USA, we'd call this an alley.  

Block Arcade "Lane Way"

We stumbled upon a beautiful area called the Block Arcade, which was originally part of a building.  Now converted to a Lane Way, the original tile mosaic floors were left in place.  As my friend, Carolyn would say, this is more "our kind of place."  With upscale shops, bakeries and cafes.  

What's up with a scale next to the bakery??

But WHY would they

Lunch at Segovia's Cafe

have a scale in the hall of this Lane Way?  After tilting the scale we walked right to lunch!

Tram ride to downtown Melbourne. 

We returned to  the ship just in time to leave for our sommelier walking tour of Melbourne, visiting restaurants off the beaten path that are  supposed to be some of Melbourne's best kept secrets. 

Our first stop, at the end of a dark alley that one would normally never venture down in the USA, The Deanery, touts being a "wine bar" that serves food.  

Good Wine and Food at Deanery

We had three wonderful wines and very good food matched to each glass.  I was surprised at how the food actually complimented the wines.  Nice stop.

Then on to a Japanese place called Chiodo Chiodo.  Now anyone who really knows me can attest to the fact that "ese" foods - Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese ... you get the point ...  are NOT my favorite choice on a good day and this place didn't change my mind.  

They actually served beer with the first course of fried corn balls.  (I didn't know corn had balls, but apparently it does.)  The next course of salmon was served with saki.  Pretty foul tasting stuff.  Let me just say, I wasn't sad when the server dropped and shattered the large bottle of saki.  The last course of pork belly was OK and the red wine they served was marginal.  So in my humble opinion, the Jap Joint was a bust.  

Our last stop was a place called Seamstress, a trendy little establishment in historic Chinatown housed in a 120 year old former textile factory, warehouse and one-time Buddhist Monastery.  We climbed the rickety stairs to  

Seamstress.  Three Floors of fun.

Upstairs Bar/Speakeasy.

Stairs going up from the Sweatshop to Dining Area.

 find a delightful little restaurant.  Each floor is set up differently to resemble from textile to finished product.  The basement is the Sweatshop Bar, like a New York basement bar, with straight up counter service serving local beers and bourbon whiskey.  

The middle floor is the restaurant and dining area featuring a canopy of sweeping fabric, colorful floral arrays and iconic sewing machinery and serves an amazing pan-asian menu.  The top floor is like a

New York Speakeasy with ancient wooden flooring and colorful clothing hanging from the ceiling and jazz and blues music blaring.  This was by far my favorite haunt.  Food and wine as well as the atmosphere was interesting, entertaining and delicious.

Electric Trans Run Across Melbourne.

Back on Public Transportation. The Tram.

It was an exhausting walk!!

After our restaurant tour, we hopped on the tram and shopping carts to return to the ship for our "Rock the Boat" concert poolside.  

But first, we had to go to the Dining room as the Chef had prepared a special dessert for me.  Chocolate Lava Cake.  If you remember, I mentioned that his former pastry chef attempted this dessert last night and failed miserably.  

Chef Martin is happy that we are happy. In his kitchen, if the chef ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!!

His new pastry chef did an excellent job and we enjoyed our lava cake.  Chef Martin Kitzing came out personally to make sure we were pleased.  I cleaned my plate.  He was pleased.  

So ... We've been on this ship for a couple of weeks now searching for a venue with good music only to find bands singing to a much more "mature" audience.  (Yawn!)

Cast from the shows on Seabourn Odyssey.  

But tonight, the whole crew, singers and entertainers were performing GREAT dance music at the Rock The Boat Party, which was poolside so we could enjoy the lights of Melbourne's skyline.  The dance floor was full and people were clearly having a GREAT time.  At least Stevie, Molly, Carroll, Paddy and I were!!  

I think Paddy was enjoying himself!!

Paddy danced with every pretty girl on the ship and I've got the photos to prove it.  He was having such a wonderful time, it just made us happy to watch him.  

Working on those dance steps.

I practiced my dance moves - learned from three dance classes on board - combining various steps from The ChaCha, Waltz and Jive to create a totally new dance.  My sweet dance instructor, Annabelle, said it was unlike anything she's ever seen.  Not sure exactly what she meant by that.  But I was having a grand time.  

Singing Bruno Mars song ...  Just the Way You Are.

I felt the need to assist the singers with a couple of songs.  I'm sure they'll have a performance contract for me to sign - but alas ... I have to disappoint.  My schedule just will not permit me to sign on as entertainment with Seabourn.  This was hands down the most fun evening on the ship.  Somehow, Stevie and I have come to know most of the passengers and crew.  We had 'em all on the dance floor with us!  A good time was had by all. 

Melbourne, Australia Skyline

The party wound down as we departed Melbourne on our way to Geelong.  The band packed up their instruments as the lights of the city faded away.  Time for us to turn in for the night, too.  Until tomorrow ...