Crumpy (my new Crumpler bag dear Ah Lu gave me as my bday present) and I were able to travel to Melbourne for half a day. It was a lonely journey, and it was not the first journey of such for myself. But this time, prepared, I was able to enjoy the short trip fully, and change my opinion of Melbourne a lot.
I used to hate the trams in Melbourne. Yes, they are very convenient, but coming from Adelaide, I was not used to the stations in the middle of the road nor the coins-only ticketing machines. Thanks to the new tram in Adelaide, I was more confident in waiting in the middle of the road
(still almost got hit by cars as did not check the roads once I got off a tram once...), and stashed up coins for the trip. When one is fully prepared, hey, trams are actually a very good way to go around!
It also feels so much like a 'city' in Melbourne. Tall buildings, people everywhere, and beautiful old buildings admist modern famous architectures.
The weather was, well, unpredictable. At first, I wonder why some people still held their umbrellas up even when there is no rain. I later found out the hard way- rain comes and stops so suddenly, and hence you must always have an umbrella ready at hand. Or after a while, you just hold your umbrella up regardless, knowing in a few minutes it will start pouring again. That is, if the wind do not turn you into Mary Poppins first, flying away in the breeze.
And what would a trip to Melbourne be without the famous Krispy Kreme??
Hmm... There are SO many stores now open around Melbourne. And with a discount coupon
(found in the store), not too expansive a all- AUS$2.70 for coffee and a donut. And for all you sceptics, yes, there ARE Krispy Kreme stalls in the Melbourne airport at all terminals, though the stalls are much smaller than in the city and with less choices of donuts.
And it was bugging me, why are they called donuts?? Dough-nuts? Did they used to come with nuts? Why not dough-holes, ie "doles"??Before I knew it, my 3 hours in Melbourne was at an end, and Crumpy and I embarked on our return journey back to quiet ol' Adelaide.
I realised, that it is not the place that you visit (though it helps) that makes a place wonderful, but your heart and attitute towards it. Every place/city/town WILL have something that you like and is memorable to you, whether it be the shopping, buildings, wildlife or the people. If one could look deep into the heart and soul of a place, they could find something they like. And all along the way, in rain or shine, I can feel God smiling down at this little girl finding her way around the busy streets.
And I'm beginning to love it, after so many trips alone.
The lonely traveller. Alone, but never really alone.
