It’s Melbourne mania mate

               Visiting Australia has always been my pipe dream. Being a person who is born and brought up from the “Garden city of India”; it is ideal for me to go to Australia’s garden city, Melbourne. I can envisage my visit quite clearly. The bright sunshine as I come out of Tullamarine airport is both warm and welcoming. The first thing that hits me as I stroll around the city is how clean it is. Credit must go to the Melbourne city council for their Spring Clean initiative. The courteousness and hospitality of Melbournians is enough catalyst for one to feel at home in the island down under. Right from 1835 when Melbourne was founded, it has never seized to be historic. The various antique buildings which have stood the tests of times like Parliament house, Old Melbourne Goal, Victoria barracks, Treasury reserve have survived since the Victorian Gold Rush is a relish to the eyes. A truly metropolitan city with a cosmopolitan touch. It is rightly called the “cultural capital of Australia”. Birthplace of Australian cinema as well as world’s first film. I still remember Picnic at hanging rock. A drive and trek to Hanging rock will be both fun and adventurous. As an amateur art lover I will definitely enjoy impressionist art at Heidelberg school, groove to some Australian dance styles as Melbourne shuffle and New vogue. Hang out with some skaters, fall from skateboards at Fitzroy bowl. Enjoy the street arts as I limp my way to the emergency room. Visit the Australian ballet and Victoria state opera just to see what the fuss is all about. Enjoy a nice nap at the quiet La trobe reading room in the “Melbourne style” built State library of Victoria, a good thing to do in the UNESCO recognized city of literature. Visit the princess theater, scream at National Gallery of Victoria to hear my voice echo back from the stained glass ceiling. If I am lucky I could also catch myriads of festivals inherent to Melbourne like Moomba, Melbourne day, Melbourne Fringe festival. All the while commuting through metro, tram or good old buses connecting every nook and corner of the city through its spidery network. Watch a Koala waking or a Joey in a kangaroo’s pouch in Healsville sanctuary, actually enjoy shopping in Crown entertainment complex or Royal arcade or Queen Victoria market. Roam around different parks and gardens, traversing through serpentine avenues and be a part of ‘ lane-way culture’. Imbibe the famous Australian dream- quarter acre home and garden for every family. No wonder Melbourne is ranked World’s most livable city by Economist two consecutive years in a row.  Take in the surf, sand and sun in bay-side beaches like port Philip bay, St. Kilda, Albert Park. Discover why Melbourne is called “World’s ultimate Sports City” as I enjoy thorough bred horses racing in Melbourne cup, formula one racing in Australian Grand Prix, see the Melbourne storm raise storm in National Rugby league, or enjoy a grand slam match at the historic Rod laver arena in the Australian open and finally enjoy a chilled Fosters as I watch a boxing day test match at the mother of all cricket grounds, the MCG. The scenic panorama from Bolte Bridge or the quiet landscape seen from sugar-loaf reservoir is a treat to the senses. In 1885, English journalist George Augustus Henry Sala coined the phrase “Marvelous Melbourne”. I reiterate it in 2012, Marvelous Melbourne. I can be specific now, yes, visiting Melbourne has always been my pipe dream. It's your time to visit Melbourne NOW! Mine too.
This is my entry for ...it's your time to visit Melbourne NOW! contest on Indiblogger
www.visitmelbourne.com/in
Location: Grant Rd, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

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