Konted's Make My Day 2: down under

Showing posts with label down under. Show all posts

Sunday, 15 November 2020

Marvelous Melbourne

Marvelous Melbourne

** Late posting

Written in January, 2020, before pandemic days...

I was standing at the corner of Elizabeth St. and Bourke St., looking at the old General Post Office (GPO). I was impressed with its Neo Classical design and started taking photos. As I was about to make the first click, trams blocked my view. I had to do it again, and this time, it was successful.

The General Post Office, the Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and the Parliament House on Spring St., like other old buildings in the city proper, were built at the height of the Gold Rush. With it were the tram network and the train linkages.

The discovery of gold in the goldfields region of Victoria in the 19th century catapulted Melbourne City to the top, making it the world's richest city. It held on to the title for quite some time. And it was aptly called Marvelous Melbourne. One can imagine the grandeur that was Melbourne which is still evident to this day.

It is not surprising that I am always mesmerized, continuously taking pictures as I go around the city. As I have said before, my interest has not waned. Not even a bit.

And as I explore, I learn.

- KONTED

The former General Post Office was built in 1867. It stands at the corner of Elizabeth and Bourke streets at Melbourne's Central Business District. It is the reference point when measuring the distance of a particular town or place.

The old General Post Office building now houses H & M retail store.

Starting its operation in 1885, Melbourne's tramway network consists of 493 trams servicing 24 routes.

Melbourne boasts of having the largest and most efficient tram network in the whole world.

Elizabeth St. at Melbourne's Central Business District

An Alfa Romeo catches the fancy of passersby.

I can't find the keys.

Lamborghini Aventador parked near Elizabeth St.

Built in the 19th century, the St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is on Flinders and Swanston streets.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is diagonally across Flinders Train Station.

The St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a famous architectural landmark of Melbourne. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Built in 1884, Hotel Windsor is historic as the Constitution of Australia was drafted here in 1898.

Melbourne Royal Exhibition Building on Carlton Gardens. Built in 1880, it was the first building in Australia to be awarded UNESCO world heritage status.

The House of Parliament on Spring St. It is the seat of power of the State of Victoria.

Melbourne Town Hall on Swanston St. and Collins St.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878.

Boomerangs sold at Queen Victoria Market

Didgeridoo is a wind instrument. It is sold at Queen Victoria Market and at other souvenir shops.

This old van has been selling American Doughnuts at the Queen Victoria Market since 1950.

The Australian Open is the first of four (4) Grand Slam tournaments to be played every year.

Located at Melbourne Park, the Rod Laver Arena is the main venue of the Australian Open.

Near the Rod Laver Arena is the Margaret Court Arena where exciting tennis matches are held during the Australian Open.

Shown here is the legendary Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open in Melbourne.

Closer shot of Roger Federer practicing with his back hand at the Margaret Court Arena

Crowd watching Roger Federer practicing at the Margaret Court Arena during the 2020 Australian Open. He is well loved by Australians.

As always , Roger Federer is darling of the crowd.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Friday, 23 October 2020

Geelong: The City By The Bay

** Late posting

Written before pandemic days...

This is the City of Geelong, the last leg of our 5-in-1 tour of South West Victoria.

It is the 2nd largest city in the state of Victoria and an hour-drive from Melbourne.

It used to be home to Ford Motors and Shell Oil Refinery.

With a stunning view of Corio Bay, the iconic Cunningham Pier, the attractive sculptures spread out near the waterfront and the exciting rides at Adventure Park, you certainly will fall in love with the place. And keep coming back.

- Konted

A magnificent view as you enter the city proper from the highway.

Cunningham Pier was once a very busy port.

The popular historic steamship SS Edina used to berth at Cunningham Pier.

The SS Edina plied the Melbourne-Geelong-Port Arlington route. (South West Victoria Museum)

The numerous sculptures near the waterfront tell the historical background of Geelong.

At the Waterfront in Geelong

Vintage cars are a common sight in Geelong as vintage car shows are regularly held there.

Vintage Ford

Lady makes the V sign as a BMW makes its exit near Cunningham Pier.

Vintage Thunderbird

Seaplane flights available at Geelong.

There is usually a long line at the Ferris Wheel ride at Adventure Park in Geelong.

Wave Swinger at Adventure Park in Geelong

___________________________________________________________________________

Friday, 16 October 2020

Canberra On My Mind

Canberra On My Mind

** Late posting

Written in January 2020, before pandemic days...

A part of Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is more than 660 kilometers away from Melbourne via the Hume Highway. Canberra is closer to Sydney with a distance of 247 kms.

The name 'Canberra' was taken from the indigenous word 'Nganbra' which means 'woman's breast' as it lies between two mountains.

Canberra is referred to as the seat of power as the Parliament House is located there. The Parliament House, a major tourist attraction, was built at a staggering cost of A$ 1.1 billion.

Embassies of other countries, including the Philippines, can be found there.

Another attraction is the Australian War Memorial built to commemorate the sacrifices of Australians who fought and died in war.

Canberra is a must place to visit.

- Konted

The massive Australian War Memorial in Canberra

From the Australian War Memorial, you get a commanding view of Canberra's main avenue and the Parliament House at the opposite end.

The Australian War Memorial is a top tourist destination in Canberra.

Souvenir shot at the Australian War Memorial

Souvenir shot of mother and son at the Australian War Memorial

Lest we forget: Remembering those who died in war

The phrase ':Lest we forget' was taken from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Recessional'.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Simpson And His Donkey sculpture. With his donkey, John Simpson Kirkpatrick rescued about 300 wounded soldiers in a battlefield at Gallipoli in Turkey. He did this in a span of three weeks. Unfortunately, Simpson was killed by machine gun-fire. He became a legend.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Parliament House in Canberra. Sitting on a 32 hectare-government property, the Parliament House was inaugurated some years back with no less than Queen Elizabeth of England as principal guest of honor.