After some quality time in the US, we returned to Melbourne and moved into our AirBNB in St. Kilda. St. Kilda is about 3 miles from the CBD but is considered a suburb (pretty much everything outside the CBD is a suburb) and our AirBNB is between the beach town and Albert Park. I had heard good things about St. Kilda and bad things – both seem to be true – St. Kilda is kinda like Venice Beach light (with less mayhem).
It is now spring, which means we have days ranging from windy and raining in the 50s to “one hot day” that was sunny and 80. But people have transitioned to spring and people are getting out more, days are longer, and they had daylight savings time for part of the country. We are now 15 hours ahead of the USA until the USA “falls back” out of daylight savings and we will be 16 hours ahead. But a lot more events arising and things to do – Tuesday 7Nov is the next big holiday – their equivalent of the Kentucky Derby and everyone gets off work. They also got a day off work the day before the AFL Grand Finale (their Super Bowl). I understand the day off, but why not the day after? The Melbourne Marathon came thought the park and right by out apartment and Oktoberfest was at the beach park down the street. When investigated, it was $50 USD cover charge – plus beer and food and highly encouraged outfits. So we passed ongoing but walked by the event later and most everyone had outfits and was a bit younger. The Formula 1 will be in the park next March – so if we are around we’ll be able to watch a portion from our balcony. We were also lucky enough to be here when Sir Paul came through Australia.
I have about a 30 minute commute, most of which is by tram and we have explored quite a bit in the area. The village/town next to us reminds us of Barnes or other suburbs of London from the turn of the century. Melbourne expanded into the suburbs along the train lines and I have made it out to the 1980/90s ring so far – about 20 miles and rode my bike back on the coast. The bike trail on the coast doesn’t go as far – so my ride was more along the streets than I would have preferred.
Sharon adjusting to living here and being retired – it is no longer just an extended trip – and she has fully explored Albert Park (like Central Park), joined the athletic club, and explored golf lessons. She hasn’t signed up on one of the many cricket or AFL ovals yet. The park is filled with black swans – hundreds. So maybe not the best name for an extraordinary event. We signed up to a rooftop bar crawl and a buddy who I knew from South Korea was in town – so we got a tour of places that aren’t easy to find. Some were in office buildings and no signs out front. The Alice in Wonderland themed one was the best.
Here is a link to a youtube drone video of the area – you will have to copy/paste. This drone was taken a couple of weeks ago on the “one hot day”. Water is still very cold!
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