Photo Journal: Melbourne, you had me at g’day
Chinese New Year (Happy year of the horse to you!) is arguably the biggest holiday in Asia and always results in a mass exodus for all Asian and non-Asians in the region. For my business trip to Sydney last month, that meant galloping against the commercial-air current and taking a two-day detour to Melbourne in order to reach my final destination.
Even though I’ve done my fair share of being alone and traveling by myself (commuting to school, exploring NYC, international work trips), the thought of spending an entire weekend in a foreign country alone made me… nervous.
Side note: It also doesn’t help that my mother, a paranoid and agoraphobic hypochondriac that thinks the Lifetime channel is the evening news, always warned me of the perils of traveling (along with other dangers associated with eating, breathing, being, living – everything except studying.)
Reluctantly deciding that I couldn’t delay the trip a third time, I booked it and prayed that I wouldn’t be bored or murdered.
Neither happened (double yay). In fact, from the second I landed to the moment I left, Melbourne had me hypnotized with its artsy style and laid-back cool. The Victorian city maintains a beautiful balance between the city’s colonial roots and its urban post-modernist present.
The best part of the trip? Meeting a whole new world of people from all walks of life during a random intersection that brought us together for a weekend of fun.
Hotel:
The Cullen Art Series Hotel
164 Commercial Road
Prahran 3181 VIC
T: +61 3 9098 1555
Connie Benedict
As always the writing and pictures are just scrumptious. I can relate with the mother scene. I often travel alone and always here the woes before leaving. Yet, I always seem to have the best time when I do. I get to meet the local peeps and experience the culture. Plus I am on my own schedule which is fabulous. I love Melbourne. Was able to visit in the late nineties. Would love to travel back there someday. :)
Kate Lindsay
You have such an eye for unique beauty. I love looking at your photos. I wonder what I would see if I were in that same city. I am especially drawn to the beach huts at this moment. Maybe partially because its really cold and snowy here that I am longing for the warmth but I always love the bight colours. Your mom may never get used to the idea completely, but do keep travelling – so you can share more photos with the world .
Paula
Seriously! You make me want to travel every time I see your photos – pure beauty. Thank you. I have friends in Melbourne too – one day one day…..
erica lawrence: naturopath - body ecologist.
Welcome to Australia, mate! Coming from a Canadian, I still can’t get the right twang (could you hear?)… despite living for 3.5 years in Sydney, we only afforded a day in Melbourne while driving across country to our new locale, country WA (loving the laid back lifestyle). Your pics have just transformed me to another world reminisce of arts, culture and street smarts. Beautiful, as always.
Terry Gotham
So freaking gorgeous! Amazing storytelling with the images, and glad to see the photographer getting some facetime finally. Making me even more excited to visit the land down under!
backpackerreport
my favourite city in oz (with apologies to sydney)! nice pics!!
David
Beautiful photos Lisa. You are making me miss Melbourne.