The Pride of Victoria: A Royal City

How completely fitting on the day that Great Britain's royal couple, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, brought into the world this morning a new prince- the next heir to the British throne - while I walk the streets of Australia's crown jewel:  The Victorian city of Melbourne.

Founded in 1835, Melbourne wasn't officially declared "a city" until twelve years later when Her Royal Majesty, Queen Victoria, crowned it officially as the capital of her new colony.  Melbourne's population exploded during the gold rush that ensued during the 1850s, and by the 1880s Melbourne was considered on the largest and certainly wealthiest cities in the entire world.  There is evidence of that everywhere one looks in this magnificent city.

As opposed to Sydney, which just grew bit-by-bit in a very random, chaotic fashion, Melbourne was the first major city in Australia to actually be thoughtfully and strategically planned out.  It is set up on a very neat and tidy grid with streets running east-to-west and north-to-south.  Each major street measures exactly 99 feet across- the exact distance it would take to make a complete U-turn with a large, horse-drawn carriage.  Every large street has a smaller, 33-foot-wide, "companion street" that runs parallel to it-- originally intended for more pedestrian traffic.  For example, there is Queen Street and Little Queen Street. And references to the British Crown are ubiquitous.  Prince Albert this and Princess Ann that.

Melbourne was also designed intentionally to be full of public parks.  The standard set was there was to be a park within a 10-minute stroll in any direction.  And the original planners of this lovely city would be proud to see that their master plan has survived and thrived over the past 150+ years.  Lush, expansive parks, all neatly groomed and maintained, are abundant.  Very British indeed!

In one recent survey, Melbourne was rated as the #1 Most Livable City in the world.  It's clean as a whistle with virtually no litter anywhere.  Public transportation (including some pre-WWII trams still working today) is easily accessible, and all the major streets have dedicated bike lanes.  There are many different cultures co-existing here, with seemingly a dedicated section for each nationality. Melbourne is a city of harmony and diversity. There is a very large Chinatown, a Parisian sector full of expensive shops and fine Parisian dining, and a most-aromatic Italian Town full of nothing but Italian restaurants lining the streets.

Last night, I walked to Italianoville for my long-overdue plate of lasagna and garlic bread.  It was like heaven on a plate!

For me personally, the most intriguing and fascinating thing of ALL about Majestic Melbourne is the presence of thousands upon thousands of absolutely elegant, grand and spectacular Victorian homes and terrace houses (a.k.a. "row houses").  Coming in from the airport as my limo (I still like saying that) delivered me into the inner part of the city away from the modern and mundane suburbs near the airport, my attention was immediately captured by the sight of these incredibly fancy, highly-embellished and beautiful old homes.  I have always had a fantasy of owning a Victorian home and feel blessed to own an "Edwardian" one from the period that followed; that's close enough for me!

What makes most of these properties so amazing is the wrought-iron "gingerbread" that graces the balconies and front porches of these beauties.  It seems that the lacework and degree of complexity of the designs were a status symbol for the owners- the more elaborate, ostentatious, complex and pretentious grillwork you had, the richer you were.  And apparently, the early residents of Melbourne spared no expense to express their wealth and good fortune during these golden, Victorian times!  People were keen on impressing their neighbors! There was so much architectural eye-candy all around, my head was spinning.

In addition to the individual homes that I find so captivating and dear, all around Melbourne there are hundreds of spectacular, extravagant, imposing and extraordinary structures from the past that remain interspersed between the uber-modern buildings that now dominate the city's skyline.  There is certainly NO shortage of high-rise, uber-contemporary, often-wacky skyscrapers here also.  The juxtaposition of old and new is fascinating.

The Royal Exhibition Hall, built in 1878, designed by a local architect and constructed for Melbourne's International Exhibition in 1880-81, is likely the grandest of all the old-world buildings here- and probably my favorite.  It's imposing, partially-gilded dome can be seen from many parts of the city.  For me, it was a comforting landmark that helped me keep my bearings. Listed now on the World Heritage Registry, it is currently under renovation and soon to re-open - looking just as exquisitely regal as it did when it first opened.  It is an absolutely stunning structure.

I mentioned previously that Sydney was a city in which I could envision myself living.  Strike that.  I would now choose Melbourne instead.  It lives up to its moniker as "Marvelous Melbourne" and is, indeed a most-livable, comfortable, beautiful and imperial city.

My time in Australia is rapidly coming to a close.  Tonight, I find myself re-packing my suitcase - and this time I'll only do it once and not repeatedly as I did as my journey to Oz began what seems like ages ago - and preparing myself for the arduous, return trip back across the Pacific, across the Equator, and back over that pesky International Dateline that created so much turmoil for my pointy head on my way Down Under.  The flight back to Seattle via LA leaves early in the morning, and I'm honestly ready to be coming back home.  Tonight, I am feeling both excited and nostalgic looking back at the amazing adventure I've had. 

But first, one last stroll around Melbourne to say farewell to this royal city of Victorian grandiosity and elegance. Melbourne- thank you for restoring me, for rolling out your majestic welcome mat and for being here just at the right time when I needed you!

For all of you reading, this is NOT the end.  Far be it from me to end without some final reflections after returning back to lil' ol' Everett, Washington.  But from Australia, the end of the road is here.  This action-packed journey is soon to be expired.