The Langham offers a fabulous breakfast buffet, and we indulged each morning! After Wednesday’s breakfast Steve opted out of more walking, so I went out on my own. Over the bridge and to St. Paul’s Cathedral I went. No surprise, it was a magnificent cathedral.
Then, as a purse I saw during our previous day’s walk through the Royal Arcade was still “calling to me,” I made my way back to the Arcade to make that purchase. Just FYI, the Royal Arcade was built in 1869-1871 to a design inspired by the European arcades. It symbolized Melbourne’s status as a growing sophisticated city during the gold rush era. The Arcade was an easy stop as it was on the way to the Victoria State Library where I was going to see the LaTrobe Reading Room. An exhibit entitled “Book of the World” was on display, so I wandered through it as well.
Walked out of the library and was totally surprised to find it raining, and, of course, my umbrella was in our room. Thank goodness for 7Eleven and a $13 AUD ($8.50 USD) umbrella, which will stay in my purse.
Very late afternoon we took an Uber (our favorite mode of transportation here) to the Sofitel to go to the Atrium Bar on 35. It is a beautiful bar on the 35th floor with great views. Then it was on to The Meatballs and Wine Bar for dinner and a very popular local spot. The menu was fun to read, and the balls were very good and the waiters were good looking.
We walked back to The Langham for our last night in Melbourne, snapping a few photos along the way and, of course, some last photos from our room.
Melbourne has a population of over five million people, so as you might imagine, it is a huge city. It also has a huge immigrant population with Greeks and Italians as early immigrants and later joined by Indians, Chinese and numerous Asian cultures. Almost without exception the people in the service industries were immigrants, including Irish. We only met one waiter who was actually from where he still lived in Melbourne. Melbourne had less of an “Aussie flavor” than say Perth and more of a European feel, I believe because of the large immigrant populations. We got a flavor of Melbourne but only a taste in four days!
My brain is still computing the possible combinations of meatballs and sauces and sides.
Great photos!
I stayed fairly traditional but opted for white rice, which was really good! It was fun just reading the menu.
Hi Donna, while time is short for replies [we are preparing for “season”] I am enjoying traveling with you. We loved Australia and just want you to be sure to go to the Zoo in Sydney. Carry on, Mimi
I have yet to see a kangaroo or koala, so I definitely have to go to the zoo! I really wish Australia were not so far away from us as it’s a great place to visit.
Sheryl said, she hopes you saved us one of those meatballs!
I saw you said, “We only met one waiter who was actually from where he still lived in Melbourne.” Did you mean Naples?
Nope, he was actually from Melbourne and still lived there!
You take such beautiful photos, especially at night. I was amazed about the population of Melbourne. Had no idea it was that large.
Thanks for the menu with different ‘Ball’ flavor selections. Such a simple menu. I might copy it and open a small restaurant in McKinney Texas.
Sounds like you might need to go back and spend more time in Melbourne, since you only explored a small part of it.
All the historical building were impressive.
Stay safe on the west of your trip.
Thank you! I am always amazed that my phone takes such good photos. I bought a selfie stick, but it only seems to work occasionally. I think I’m going to need Lisa to keep me lessons!