The Horse-Drawn Carriages Of Melbourne

The Horse-Drawn Carriages Of Melbourne

        Near the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Street, at Melbourne's Central Business District, are parking slots reserved for horse-drawn carriages. Promenaders and mere passersby usually mill around these carriages which have become tourist attractions themselves. They pose and have their pictures taken.

       Though not as endowed as racehorses that compete in the prestigious Melbourne Cup and not as strong as Clydesdale work horses, the horses that pull the carriages are pretty enough to lure visitors to try these Melbourne carriage rides. With colorful feathers as decors, the horses are well-groomed and the carriages are well-maintained.

        For $100, the horse-drawn carriages can be hired for a one-half hour sight seeing tour of the city. For $200, you can extend it to one hour. Some of those holding the horses' reins are lady drivers. Sightseeing tour includes passing by picturesque places such as Queen Victoria Gardens, King's Domain, Royal Botanical Gardens, Shrine of Remembrance, Parliament, Old Treasury Building and other interesting places.

        There is one particular group, however, that is asking authorities to ban these horse-drawn carriages as the members consider the use of horses as cruelty to animals. But many do not agree. To the contrary, the horses are well kept, well fed and the activity does not require too much physical effort. It is not that strenuous. Meanwhile, Melbourne's horse-drawn carriages continue to rake in money as they remain as top tourist attractions. And, certainly, these pretty horses will continue galloping on the principal streets of the city in the years to come.

- Konted

A horse-drawn carriage waits for riders on Swanston St.

Well-groomed horses with colorful feathers as decors. Take note that carriage driver is a lady.

Fee for a 1/2  hour sightseeing tour of the city is $100; $200 for one hour.

Lady poses for a souvenir shot.

Waiting near St. Paul's Cathedral on Swanston St.

Appalloosa-like horses

Another lady driver

Well-maintained carriage and well-kept horses

With convertible roof

Horse-drawn carriage turns left on Swanston St. after a tour of the city.

Lady driver is in complete uniform.

Same lady driver is being interviewed by a news correspondent.

A passerby gently touches a tamed horse.

Parking slots on Swanston St. reserved for horse-drawn carriages

A family of five boarding a horse-drawn carriage. A carriage is allowed a maximum of six riders.

Lady driver firmly holds the horses' reins as horse-drawn carriage begins tour of the city.

With two drivers in complete attire, horse-drawn carriage crosses Princes Bridge.

Passing by Melbourne Town Hall

Coachman taking it easy as horse-drawn carriage passes by Melbourne Town Hall

Myer: Since 1900

Myer: Since 1900

        When Bataan and Corregidor fell, General Douglas MacArthur made good his escape to Australia on board a B-17 Flying Fortress that flew from the Del Monte Company' s airfield in Mindanao and landed 5 hours later at Darwin, Australia. MacArthur was with his wife Jean, son Arthur and his nanny and two senior officers. Two other B-17 carried his other staff members. As each passenger was allowed only one baggage, Mrs. MacArthur left her wardrobe behind. From Darwin, they traveled by train to Adelaide and finally reached Melbourne on March 25,1942. What Jean MacArthur first did was to shop at Myer Emporium for her clothing needs. But the general's wife had a hard time looking for dresses that would fit her as she was classified by the sales staff of Myer as SSW, meaning," short size woman".

        Today, Myer is the largest chain of department stores throughout Australia. Myer sells shoes, clothing and apparel, perfumes, cosmetics, toys, and other general items at retail prices. Established by a Russian migrant at the close of the 19th century at rural Bendigo, Myer stores can now be found in all states of Australia. It reported a revenue of A$3.14 billion for 2014. With a manpower of about 19,000, Myer's main office is in Melbourne. Main store is at Bourke Street.

         Every Christmas season, thousands of Australian kids, with their parents as well, troop to Myer for the traditional viewing of Christmas window display with moving figures as top attractions. And to add to that festive mood is an annual Myer Christmas parade participated by hundreds of Melbourne residents and viewed by thousands. Myer, to Australians, has become synonymous with Christmas. And during other significant Melbourne festivals, Myer store along Bourke Street has colorful banners that create that mirthful mood while at the same time attracting shoppers or spenders. Myer undoubtedly will continue to dominate the retailing business in the years to come.

         Back to General MacArthur. It was in Adelaide that the General said that famous line: " I came through and I shall return." From there, his group proceeded to Melbourne where they established their first headquarters on Collins Street. Several weeks ago, I looked for that HQ. I luckily found its exact location. But there was nothing to see except for the old building which has a coffee shop at the ground floor. A marker at the entrance states that the General's HQ is recognized by the National Trust of Australia. It has been declared a heritage building.

- Konted

Bourke Street in Melbourne where Myer and other department stores are located

Myer on Bourke Street is the flagship store of the Myer chain.

There are benches in front of Myer where shoppers and promenaders may take a rest.

One of several entrances to Myer store.

Only trams are allowed within that portion of Bourke Street where department stores are located.

Living statues entertain shoppers in front of Myer store.

A family of five as street entertainers

Joining the queue for viewing of Christmas window display at Myer are children as well as adults.

Luxury cosmetics from Giorgio Armani

Perfumes by Yves Saint Laurent

High-end skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products from Estee Lauder

Perfumes and cosmetics from Lancome Paris

Black Opium perfume by YSL

More Lancome products

Sales lady in Christmas attire

Clothes and apparel

Cosmetics and fragrance from the American company Elizabeth Arden

Annual Christmas window display at Myer on Bourke Street

Entertaining shoppers and promenaders

The Trustees Building on Collins St. used as headquarters by General MacArthur and other officers of the Allied Forces.

The Trustees Building has been classified by the National Trust of Australia.

General MacArthur with wife Jean and son Arthur IV visiting the Philippines in 1950 (g'gle; caption is mine)

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The Amazing Webb Bridge

The Amazing Webb Bridge

        Eel is a snake-like fish that is known to be slippery when one tries to hold it. To catch one, an indigenous Australian uses a woven basket. It is called a Koorie Eel Trap. This popular catching device inspired the builders of a bridge in Melbourne to design it like a Koorie Eel Trap. Its unique design has made the bridge a top tourist attraction. 

        The Webb Bridge, one of the many bridges that span the famed Yarra River in Melbourne, connects the Docklands area to the south bank which is near the South Wharf and the South Edge. Representing the nets or woven basket are steels connected to each other to make a Koorie Eel Trap shape. This design is concentrated near the southern part of the bridge. The northern part has plain arches only. Webb Bridge is for pedestrians and cyclists only.

        Perhaps this unique architectural design was adopted by the builders to make the walk across Webb Bridge more exciting. This is different from the ordinary bridge we usually see. When negotiating the southern part, one is enclosed within that eel trap shape but does not feel stifled as there are gaps between the steel enclosures. After entering the mouth of the steel cage and as the pedestrian or cyclist negotiates that bend or curve coming from the south, he regains "freedom" as he reaches the upper part of the bridge where there is no more enclosure except for arches. Steel as material for the enclosure gives it the impression of stability and durability.

        At the bend are stainless railings at both sides and at the middle which were installed for safety purposes especially when riding a bike. And as one continues his walk, he is treated to majestic views of numerous tall buildings, a marina, a long highway bridge and other small bridges spanning the ever-flowing Yarra. One realizes that he stands on a vantage point. He then begins to take pictures as everyone else traversing the bridge is trying to capture that one beautiful view, that one beautiful moment. Click, click, click.

- Konted

The Webb Bridge in Melbourne

Entry point as one starts from the south bank of the Yarra; exit point when one comes from the north bank.

The Webb Bridge is for pedestrians and cyclists only.

The bridge is shaped like a Koorie eel trap.

The Webb Bridge spans the Yarra River.

Stainless steel railings and a partitioner as one negotiates the bend.

Nearing the summit of the bridge

View from the bridge

View of the West Gate Bridge

Stainless steel railing as divider as the bridge is a shared path. It is installed for safety purposes.

Steel enclosures about to end

As one reaches about 1/3 of the bridge, only steel arches can be seen.

View of the ANZ Bank building from the bridge

Approaching Webb Bridge from the north or the Docklands area.

The ascent is gradual.

View of the southern part of Webb Bridge.

An easy ride

The curve at the southern part of the bridge.

For safety purposes

Lady cyclist makes the ascent at Webb Bridge.

Coffee shop near Webb Bridge

Trident bikers approaching Webb Bridge

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