Melbourne Top Ten
Last week we had a well deserved week off of work to head back to Melbourne. Not only did we get to see Mark and Melissa (and of course Sophie and new baby Maddie), we also had plans to experience our first Melbourne Cup. Since this was our second time trip to Melbourne, we put together a top ten list of everything we have done there if anyone ever visits Melbourne...
Of course, visiting Mark and Melissa would be number one for us. Once again they did a fabulous job as hosts, chauffering us, organising a day at the races and the wineries, BBQ's, etc.
1. The Melbourne Cup - Aussies passion for sport is second only to their passion for betting on sport and the Melbourne Cup brings these passions together like peanut butter and jelly. They tag it as the "race that stops the nation" and no truer words could be used to describe it. It is an official holiday in Victoria and unofficial after lunch in Sydney as well as the rest of the country. More than 110K people all dressed to impress pack in to Flemington to take part in the festivities and almost 20% of the nation watches it on TV. They also estimate that approx. $200M is bet on the Cup. If it doesn't officially stop the nation, it def. keeps the economy in motion. We had general admission tickets but found a great spot on the lawn in front of the finish line where we could lay our blanket. Mel packed a delicious picnic and we were set for the day...just picked up some bottles of champagne and beers. It also helped that we picked a few long shots and won right off the bat!...after a few more on our lucky streak the day was paid for and we even came out a little ahead.
2. Mornington Peninsula - On our last trip, we visited the beautiful seaside towns of Portsea and Sorrento but this time we went back for some wine tasting and were very impressed. The landscape was beautiful and the foods and wine delicious. We even spotted a strawberry farm complete with strawberry wines. Delicious. This one actually made the list before the famous Yarra Valley. Mark and Mel came along and we also met up with Jared's college friend Garry Gates and his girlfriend Lynn. Made for a some great company to enjoy the wonderful day.
3. Philip Island
4. Going Greek - or whatever you feel like. Melbourne has delicious cuisine and is famous for their cafes and restaurants. The list is endless to try and we are not usually disappointed.
5. St Kilda
6. Lygon Street - Melbourne's famous italian district which is lined with italian restaurants. The ambiance and food was delicious. It is also the scene from Melbourne's number 1 show, Underbelly, which is similar to Sopranos but is actually based on a true story.
7. Shopping! - Melbourne is also well known for their shopping...there are old decorative arcades downtown, the famous chapel street full of boutique designers, and the Queen Victoria Markets which go every weekend and is a few square blocks lined with stalls of produce, meats, and delis (a smorgasbored for the eyes, nose, and mouth).
8. Brighton Beach Houses
9. Yarra Valley
10. Sports - Melbournites love their sports and it shows. There are numerous stadiums and arenas to visit which Jared loved.
The casino was the next runner up along with a number of others.
Of course, visiting Mark and Melissa would be number one for us. Once again they did a fabulous job as hosts, chauffering us, organising a day at the races and the wineries, BBQ's, etc.
1. The Melbourne Cup - Aussies passion for sport is second only to their passion for betting on sport and the Melbourne Cup brings these passions together like peanut butter and jelly. They tag it as the "race that stops the nation" and no truer words could be used to describe it. It is an official holiday in Victoria and unofficial after lunch in Sydney as well as the rest of the country. More than 110K people all dressed to impress pack in to Flemington to take part in the festivities and almost 20% of the nation watches it on TV. They also estimate that approx. $200M is bet on the Cup. If it doesn't officially stop the nation, it def. keeps the economy in motion. We had general admission tickets but found a great spot on the lawn in front of the finish line where we could lay our blanket. Mel packed a delicious picnic and we were set for the day...just picked up some bottles of champagne and beers. It also helped that we picked a few long shots and won right off the bat!...after a few more on our lucky streak the day was paid for and we even came out a little ahead.
2. Mornington Peninsula - On our last trip, we visited the beautiful seaside towns of Portsea and Sorrento but this time we went back for some wine tasting and were very impressed. The landscape was beautiful and the foods and wine delicious. We even spotted a strawberry farm complete with strawberry wines. Delicious. This one actually made the list before the famous Yarra Valley. Mark and Mel came along and we also met up with Jared's college friend Garry Gates and his girlfriend Lynn. Made for a some great company to enjoy the wonderful day.
3. Philip Island
4. Going Greek - or whatever you feel like. Melbourne has delicious cuisine and is famous for their cafes and restaurants. The list is endless to try and we are not usually disappointed.
5. St Kilda
6. Lygon Street - Melbourne's famous italian district which is lined with italian restaurants. The ambiance and food was delicious. It is also the scene from Melbourne's number 1 show, Underbelly, which is similar to Sopranos but is actually based on a true story.
7. Shopping! - Melbourne is also well known for their shopping...there are old decorative arcades downtown, the famous chapel street full of boutique designers, and the Queen Victoria Markets which go every weekend and is a few square blocks lined with stalls of produce, meats, and delis (a smorgasbored for the eyes, nose, and mouth).
8. Brighton Beach Houses
9. Yarra Valley
10. Sports - Melbournites love their sports and it shows. There are numerous stadiums and arenas to visit which Jared loved.
The casino was the next runner up along with a number of others.
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