Melbourne - what the hell is everyone going on about?

Graffiti, Graffiti Everywhere.....

Since arriving in Australia 4 years ago, everyone has kept saying to us, we must go to Melbourne, we will love it for the art, design & culture. So flights & hotel booked, off we go to see what all the hype is about.

Ok so we all know that I don't like the cold - strike one against Melbourne - Melbourne can yet really cold. However, I did take advantage of the opportunity to wear my designer coat that I purchased while in New Zealand.

Marty was well prepared for me to shop, bringing an extra large suitcase for me to shop up a storm.......

Well, it didn't happen???

 Melbourne has many quirky shops & boutiques, and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering in & out of them, Brunswick Street was my favorite with its boutique bars, cafes & shops. The disappointment is that Melbourne is soooooo excessively overpriced, so much so we thought it a joke!!!

First day out shopping & all I came home with was a disco dishbrush.....!!!???

Quant little houses like this all over Melbourne begging to
be renovated, would love to get my hands on one of these!

Marty & I found the city a little too spread out & not so easy to navigate your way around. Melbourne has a Tram system to  help you travel the city, but it is not very user friendly. But thankfully the cabbies are! Every Taxi we traveled in had the most competent drivers we have come across so far, they were honest, friendly, helpful, informative, & cheap. It was just like having your own personal tour guide!

Food in Melbourne is really good & thanks to some friends who gave us great advice on where to go we found some lovely places for a drink, a bite to eat & a bit of Music.  But I  have to say the best night out was at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow  where we danced & sang all night...... Can't beat a good Irish Pub for an entertaining night out!

Inside the Vault at St Kilda

So after 3 days I am still wondering what all the hype is about...... Then at the St Kilda Markets I learnt a secret while having feathers put in my hair.......Apparently Melbourne is not what it used to be, & many of the designers have headed north to warm sunny Brisbane, ahhhh that makes sense, no wonder I love Brisbane so much?! 

Not wanting to fail as a shopper, Marty & I headed back to Brunswick Street on the last day to redeem my image as one hell of a shopper, & succeeded. Leaving with one very awesome coat, one very cool vest & a necklace with massive chunky beads.......reputation still in tact, we are now ready to head back to home to Brisbane...... (still didn't get to fill the suitcase though, but have certainly made up for it since getting back...!!!)