Dec 302014
 

 a desi wish list to visit Melbourne 

I have thought of a holiday abroad for some time, business trips just don’t qualify as vacation even if you stay for a weekend in the city you are visiting.

With the passage of time  I  got into job and started travelling to various places in Europe, SE Asia, USA, but never had the good fortune of going to Australia. Hence a  keen latent wish to visit the magical land of Oz or down under as some people will call it. Always I have wondered why people do not fall there if it is upside down, as I am still not sure how gravity works. Recently Paul aka One Dusty Camel a well-traveled blogger from down under gifted me a beautiful book about Australia, that made me long to visit this beautiful country that we know so little about.
Tram in front of Finders Street Station Melbourne

Tram in front of Finders Street Station Melbourne: Pic taken from  Indibloger 🙂 I promise to post my own pics once I visit Melbourne 

So I decided to do some research on Melbourne the first city that comes to a desi mind when thinking about Australia and found very interesting things about Melbourne. It is not just a city it is an ecosystem where you can find something for everybody in your family. For a family it is very important to plan your vacations to places that not only have something for everybody in family but also are safe for visitors. I found the city to be very tourist friendly and welcoming to its visitors. A lot of information is available on the Visit Melbourne website. I also called a friend who has worked there for a few years to find some more details and it and he mentioned that it is one of the best places in Australia to visit for a family vacation. And while I am shivering as I type this I decided to check this video about the awesome food scene in which very serious anchors Tanmay and Rohan meet George of the Gazi fame. It was good to listen to him talk about the multi-cultural, multi-religious diverse population of Melbourne. I have always been a fan of George Calombaris and would love to visit his restaurant and try some of the awesome dishes he is internationally world-famous in whole universe.
There are various cafes serving delicious world cuisine from every corner of round earth. These cafes give the city a very modern, young feeling and are a hub of activities ranging from debates among young artists to performances by struggling bands.

But as a true desi I will check out some of the Indian Restaurants in Melbourne, after all it is my very sacred duty to check them out and review so that our Aussie friends can know if they are getting true desi food or not, and who better to check this out than your friendly neighborhood desi Traveler 🙂 

The city is a hub of activity and only a short ride away from anything you may want, it has beautiful beaches of which some like Phillip Island (around 2 hours from main city) are home to penguins, yes penguins, so you don’t have to go to the extremes of South Pole to see them. But the best part about Melbourne is that it is not just a city for tourists, it is a great place to live and accepts people from diverse background in its arms. Fellow travel blogger Arti of My Yatra Diary fame,  won a contest to visit Melbourne some time back wrote excellent posts about Melbourne and her account of the visit to the ISKCON Temple Melbourne that kind of showcased what a wonderful city Melbourne is. After all you can be a world city only if you play host to the world! My Melbourne knowledge got a big boost after reading Arti’s posts about Melbourne and ever since I have wanted to go there. Then came this contest from Indiblogger about Melbourne visit once again, I had no reason to not take part in the same. 


As travel is all about experiencing and learning I was wondering what to bring back from Melbourne. IF I do win this contest, one of the long cherished dream of visiting the most haloed cricket ground this side of Suez the Melbourne Cricket Ground is very high on my wish list.
mcg_mel_r_cricket-oz-permission-required_503x283

Melbourne Cricket Ground – The Most Haloed Cricket Ground This side of Suez – pic courtesy Visit Melbourne website

 But the travel also brings the little boy in me back in action and here is the giant Ferris wheel that I hope to hop on during my visit to Melbourne, yes I know it is known as MELBOURNE STAR OBSERVATION WHEEL, but it is more fun to call it a Ferris Wheel.

MELBOURNE STAR OBSERVATION WHEEL

MELBOURNE STAR OBSERVATION WHEEL: There is a little boy in me who wants to go to the top and see Melbourne Skyline pic courtesy  Visit Melbourne site

 Off course the nature lover in me is too  keen to see the Zebras and other animals there. Zebras in Australia ? Yes I am not making it up, the Werribee Open Range Zoo where animals roam free enjoying freedom and security is something I am looking forward to hone my photography skills.

WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO: pic courtesy: Visit Melbourne site

There are many other things I want to go and explore in Melbourne, but I don’t want to write everything here and then nothing will be left to write a blog post on when I visit there. So dear reader wish me luck that I win this contest to Visit Melbourne so that once I share more about the same as a first hand experience..

A City is not just a bunch of buildings, some malls, roads and some people living in a geographical area, a city is cradle of Human civilization and collective consciousness. Melbourne meets all the criteria of a great world city that welcomes both visitors as well as nurtures its residents who have made this wonderful place their home. Oh Melbourne when do I get to see you ?
Thanks for reading, please wait for me to come back from Melbourne to check some pictures clicked by your friendly neighbourhood desiTraveler
 Do like this post so that you get the update with photos automatically once I am back from magical Melbourne. But the best part is yet to come, tell me “Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?”.
And the best answer will get a Rs 500 Gift Voucher, but hurry as answers given by 4th January 2015 are eligible. Yes you read it right the best answer gets Rs 500 gift voucher 🙂 🙂  Unfortunately I am not eligible to comment on my blog but you are 🙂 .
This post is my entry for Indiblogger contest for  Visit Melbourne Contest organized by  the Tourism Victoria.

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  30 Responses to “Oh Melbourne – do I get to see you ?”

Comments (30)
  1. I love the disclaimer under one of the pictures. May it comes true.

    Beautiful narration, good luck Prasad.

  2. Aha! This is one of those few posts where the ‘Star observation wheel’ gets a mention… and I love the idea of watching the city down below and will love to take unhurried shots from that heavenly angle!

    What matters though is what it is that I would click… it is simple.

    My primary interest is in art. I mean, I would love to be perched high up trying to click the way the the heritage and contemporary architectures in the city converse. I just might want to take the elevator and go up to the Skydeck to see how the specks called the public art by the river Yarra attract tourists… I’ll know which of them has the most people thronging around! Right?

    So the next will be a Segway ride by the river Yarra… to leave me less tired and also take me furthest… observing the public art there and clicking pictures. Well, some wild pictures as well.

    This isn’t all. I will love to take rides on different types of tramcars there… or street cars as the locals call them… and visit the art galleries spread all over.

    What about graffiti? — you might ask. Sure, you don’t think I’ll miss that, will you?

    Arvind Passey
    http://www.passey.info

  3. Hey ,Superb post ,so all set to pack bags to have a thrill at Melbourne,Now being high on my wish list .U’ve very well covered the best of Melbourne and for the entry in contest ,there cannot ever be a single place for me.It has to be a bouquet of places to calm down my zest to explore it.So naming ,first comes the Great Ocean road not just to linger or have a decent walk but to amaze myself with Jetskiing ,Scuba diving and to try swim with Dolphins,seal Yay,these beautiful creatures would be lucky to share a swim with me.ha ha.Then it would be Eureka Sky deck, to have an awe inspiring experience to be closest to sky and get the sky deck view of this liveable city, MCG to watch and cheer the players on one of the worlds best cricket ground!

    Wishing u Best of Luck & a great year ahead.

    Visit my blog

    http://jhilmilbhansali.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/a-date-for-life-timea-date-with-nature-wildlife-art-cuisine-ah-melbourne/

  4. Honored, humbled and thrilled to see a mention of my little diary! Thank you so much, Prasad 🙂 I can’t wait to see Melbourne through your eyes – you are one of those very few people I know who with your photography can actually pale even these official pictures. Here’s to all your dreams and joys this year – may this year bring the very best for you! 🙂 All the best!!

    >> I would love to take a roller coaster ride atop the Melbourne Star observation ferris wheel – admiring the city from the top, dazzling in golden star studded lights, under the moonlit skies… away from the worldly chaos – now, if that wouldn’t make for a wonderful souvenir to behold for a lifetime. 🙂

    • Thanks a lot Arti…you have made such a great case for Melbourne that we all are looking forward to visit Melbourne 🙂 .. thanks a lot for your kind words…

    • Thanks Arti, I was just reading the comments here and as yours is the most original comment + first hand experience that you have shared about places to visit I am nominating you for the readers prize. Will update you once I hear from Indiblogger. Thanks a lot…

      • Just received a voucher from Tourism Victoria! Although it does not mention that I won at your blog but I was sure that you must have given the prize to me since I had not written comments at many blogs. It is a flipkart voucher for Rs 500, thanks so much Prasad 🙂 🙂 I really wish that one day your wish to travel to Melbourne will come true 🙂

  5. Hi!
    We know beauty never need words but without words it cannot be explained and when you get wordless after seeing it… your mouth still get open wide and WOW comes out. Dear! Your explanation about Melbourne is wonderful and picturesque description. I am a person who always attracted to nature first of any place so I would love to see the Melbourne Nature & Wildlife. The 12 Apostles rock formations is world famous rocks which changes its color in sunrise and sun set. And then I will see the Phillip Island Nature Park where I want to see the animals which I hardly see in India. I never saw Penguins, Koala and other animals.
    Driving on a smooth road with natural beauty around you, it always gives you a feeling of heaven on Earth. I would love to drive on Great Ocean Road which is also famous in world to give you a scenic experience and the pleasure of that driving is amazing.

    Bhawna

  6. Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I would definitely want to visit all those amazing places when I get to visit Melbourne 🙂 But of all, my top pick would be a visit to Yarra valley for a beautiful sunrise balloon flight. After seeing the video, I can’t stop myself from dreaming a romantic magical flight above the scenic vineyards and watching the sunrise from up above! Throw in my favorite wine, I will doubly enjoy the ride sipping my glass and taking sensational selfies all the way 🙂 Now I can’t think of a better way of spending a vacation!!

    Next of course, cruising through the great ocean road in a open-top car to enjoy the coastal scenery and the iconic 12 apostles for the nature’s amazing work at play. Then a ride around the city in the vintage trams to enjoy its urban splendor and the legendary puffing billy to enjoy its natural splendor. Finally a day at the hot springs to unwind and totally rejuvenate myself 🙂

  7. Interesting Post
    After reading your post and watching all the videos
    I feel I have stepped into a kaleidoscope called Melbourne
    Where Vistas of experiences would unfold one after another
    The nature lover in me is enticed by the thought of watching the penguin parade.
    Traveling though the great ocean road, soaking up the freshness as the breeze ruffles my hair gets me in the mood to pack my bags for Melbourne.
    But before I can move ,Puffing Billy whistles and invites me for a ride. The kid in me jumps with joy at the thought of visiting Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
    Even before I can deside on the list of places that I would like to see in and around Melbourne.
    What’s that noise that I hear ?
    Oh its loud cheer from MCG as the cricket world cup 2015 is about to kick start.
    So many plces to see and so much to do.
    I am thetimetraveler ( http://goo.gl/wdXDzu ) and I have decided … Melbourne here I come ( http://goo.gl/RvUCQf ).

  8. Nice post 🙂 Would be really fun, wouldnt it/ 🙂
    As for answering your question, I would love to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Being a cricket enthusiast, I don’t think I would getter a better thrill in Australia than watching a Boxing Day Test Match live at the MCG. The Australian cricket fans are very hostile towards opposition players but are the first to appreciate a good player. I would want to sit amongst the 100,000 fans and cheer for my team. It would be even better if I got a seat next to Anushka Sharma so that if Virat Kohli scores a century and blows a kiss at her again, I would be on TV 😀

  9. MCG, the Australian mecca for cricket lovers. I would definitely like to be in Australia when either Indian team or the English team happens to be on

    tour, the nest time. Will be a memorable experience to watch the rivalry unfold right in front of my eyes, sitting right in the middle of MCG.

    – Ranjith (http://www.alightheartedtalk.com)

  10. Wonderful post and interesting videos that make me feel that
    Melbourne invites the eternal romantic in me to hold hands with my beloved and go see the Twelve Apostles .Go on long drives on the great ocean road. In the middle of nowhere in a vineyard spread a table and enjoy a meal and a glass of wine with my dear one. Enjoy the sunsets holding hands and do lots of shopping at the Queen Victoria Market and see all the graffiti being created at the hosier lane.
    Great Post and interesting videos watching them I am sure to visit Sovereign Hill for spending some time in the era gone by. The lure of gold and panning for some nuggets is a temptation that is too much to resist. After I have found the gold I am bound to celebrate it with some wine so I will visit the vineyards and enjoy some great wine from the Yarra region .Visit the Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and have my fill with this yummy delight.
    therisingstarz.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-selfie-capital-of-australia.html
    http://goo.gl/ByJqvP
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  11. Great blogpost. Wish you all the best. Cheers

  12. Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I’d most like to visit the Dandenong Ranges for it’s scenic beauty, breathtaking view and cool breeze blowing through my hair. 😛 I’d give anything away for driving through the winding roads which are present throughout the ranges. I’d love to stay at one of the bed and breakfast cottages and go on frequent excursions in the forests with my camera which provides excellent views. And not to forget the famous ride in the Puffing Billy, a day reserved especially for that. To add to that, there are also several picnic spots for me and my friends to spend a fun-filled day and the ranges are a perfect spot for hiking and cycling.

    Pingback: https://cruxrebels.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/melbourne-the-place-to-be-see/

    Wish you and your blog a happy new year! 😀

  13. My bets wishes for the contest!

  14. Very interesting read and loved your creativity Prasad. I would like to see myself walking along with my wife holding her hands tight at grand ocean road. Beautiful nature at one side and even more beautiful wife at other side (i.e. on my side) will definitely make my day 🙂

    I’d love to hear from you about my melbourne adventure http://creatikaa.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-awe-inspiring-place-to-visit.html

    My best wishes for the contest 🙂

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