For our stay in Melbourne, we stay at Marie-Flore, Marius and son in almost three years, French friends long – if it's been almost ten years for me, Ronald must know them for more than twenty years. Men come pick us up at Tullamarine Airport, located half an hour from their home, the latter being in the North Melbourne neighborhood. Evening reunion perspective, since they settled in Australia for two years !
The last sum plane was because of my neck : my first days in Melbourne se passeront sous anti-douleurs et anti-inflammatoires 🙁 . See the positive side of things, I have confirmation ASFE – the assurance that I have chosen for my work and holiday visa, as for the bank and any other efforts, I will take the time to do a more comprehensive page for those who might be interested – I can go to any doctor or specialist without having to prevent, as long as I have orders properly for refunds. I also take my forced immobilization to finish my dealings with the bank and state : demande de Tax File Number, as the Social Security Number Netherlands, this is the equivalent of the French social security number that will allow me to work legally in Australia.
Captain Matthew Flinders, British explorer
Father Christmas in St. Kilda
The first week we take our brands in Melbourne and discover new things : the Queen Victoria Market that we had not traveled there six years, not knowing that here the fruits and vegetables are (really, but then really !) cheaper markets rather than supermarkets, Aldi becomes even for the rest our official supplier because prices are fortunately much more reasonable ! Between babysitting days and explore the parks – yes parks in the plural, Melbourne you can almost take your child to a different park each day, ce n’est pas pour rien que Melbourne est parfois appelé la ville-jardin de l’Australie 😉 – we also apprehend the new system for urban transport : la carte myki, which will cost six dollars to purchase and it will charge to use trams, buses and trains in the city and surrounding suburbs. Au Central Business District (CBD) – Melbourne city center – near the terminal of the line 57, dans Elizabeth Street nous trouvons un bureau de change intéressant : 1,45$ for 1 € instead of 1,40$ proposed by two (while the rate was around 1,49$).
Watch out for snakes !
Musician Abbotsford Convent market
On Saturday 13 December, our hosts take us in the district of Abbotsford, in a former convent dating back to the nineteenth century became a site dedicated to the art (music, painting, theater…) and food (markets, restaurants…). The first Saturday of the month a market for local farmers settled in the small farm of the convent to which you access for two dollars (instead of ten or more other days), all is not certified “was” (GMOs are allowed in Australia !) but local. 🙂
Abbotsford Convent
Vegetarian restaurant based on Giving : Lentil as Anything
On participe à Lentil as Anything !
Having toured the stands and bought six pounds of oranges, we discover the non-profit organization Lentil as Anything : a vegetarian restaurant based on Giving. No prices on menus, just a poster explaining the concept and another with a scale showing what different gifts can cover (food, charges, etc.), but you can also actively participate as all employee volunteers coming here time service or multiple days. D’autres animent la salle intérieure en musique, others can come lend a hand for the maintenance of the premises. And besides the food is excellent ! 😀
Tram in the middle of the bush melbournien
"Horse Tram" - Photo of Coburg Historical Society
Wednesday 17 December, is in the north of Carlton neighborhood and surroundings that we will walk. Après une journée de busking – un busker étant un musicien de rue – Ronald part in an evening open stage at Romantica coffee in the Italian suburb. Je le rejoins à pied en traversant le Royal Parc et le Princes Parc ; the first leads me in the Australian bush while I'm in the city, making me pass close to the Melbourne Zoo in front of the doors which 1890 a tram pulled by horses ended its journey, venant de Gatehouse Street un peu plus au sud. He worked thirty-three years before being destroyed during the strike of the Victorian Police 1923.
Walking tours in town
House beer at Cafe Romantica
Nice evening where many artists perform between two houses beer and pizza ! A young singer won the fifty dollar price, musicians discuss some of them before we were back at the cool and tram even among our guests.
A new photo album on the page Snapshots for our stay in Melbourne ! Following soon ! 😉
Pictures, I makes other items ..
A tout de suite 😉