Three Nights Van life in St Kilda
Time to see a different part of Melbourne so we headed down Toorak Road to see the older affluent buildings of the city, then turned onto Chapel Street to see if any coffee shop could entice us in. Interesting street with its beautiful old shops, many with that un-cared for look and lots with graffiti, yet it had an interesting vibe. A mixture of well to do to homeless walked the pavement, no one taking any notice of anyone around them, just doing what they are here to do. Some are shopping in the elegant shops; many are sitting at the bars enjoying an afternoon drink. I didn’t find a coffee shop I liked so we headed down to St Kilda beach to be meet by lots of traffic and people everywhere.
The boardwalk and park lands are beautiful at St Kilda, designed for a large number of people to enjoy and as it is such a lovely day, people are out walking and jogging, riding bikes or just lying on the beach or grass lands. Parking is a bit exy at $5 an hour but if you stay a while, they don’t charge more than $12, so plan your day. We found a spot a bit further up the road for 2-hour free parking and just went for a nice walk along the bay and relaxed in the parklands for a while then dinner at Albert Park Lake to watch the sunset.
Found a camp spot on the side of a road in St Kilda where we had bushland at our door and kicked back and watched a movie.
Our first full day started with breakfast overlooking Albert Park Lake, another walker and jogger haven. The sky scrapers of Melbourne in the back ground and swans bathing in the foreground, make a nice start for our work day. We head to the library to work after coffee and cake on Acland Street, apparently the best cake strip in Melbourne…hmm…I love real cream on my cakes and they didn’t have that so not a best for me but it was very nice all the same, and the portions are huge.
Afterwards we head back down to the beach to do some people watching while kicking back and enjoying the scenery. Finished the day back at last night’s spot and watched another movie.
Our second day had us spruced up and headed to the US Consulate for our visa interview at 10:30. Found a park fairly close, only $3.50 an hour, so expensive! Anyway we stood in a que for half an hour then went into x-ray and left our bags and phones there. Up to the top floor to stand in another line for 20 mins, asked a couple of questions and then offered a 5-year visa – ‘Not to stay for 5 years’ mind! Just so you don’t have to reapply if you want another extended visa,’ he said. So how long can we stay, I ask. ‘Can’t tell you, Boarder security will tell you when you get there.’ Then off to another line to be asked a couple more questions and finger printed again, then stamped and go pay an extra fee and out. Nearly 2 hours and we have our visa!!! Yahoo!
Decided to head to Southbank by tram. Still forgetting to swipe off when I get off the Tram so not sure how my MYKI card is charged. I just top it up when I think it is low, all easy enough and saves finding change and paying when you get on. These new Trams are reasonably fast and apparently there have been injuries because people haven’t held on. Why you wouldn’t hold on is beyond me.
We got off at the Crown Casio and decided to walk though and see if the gaming area was big, and it is. Opulent throughout, yet lacking the fun feel of the Las Vegas Casino’s but certainly with that sense of no time. I put $1 in a slot machine, big for me, and ended up winning $12.30. Decided that was a good return on my money, cashed out and wondered over to Finders Lane for coffee.
Next stop back over the bridge to the National Gallery of Victoria. Free to get into although there was a charge to see the Whistlers Mother exhibition. I loved the entry statement with its five-meter tall chandelier of crystal and light behind the waterfall window then through to ‘Forever Bicycles’ sculpture also by Artist Ai Weiwei from China.
We hadn’t realized that the gallery is a museum so many older works are on show and very few modern pieces. One to enjoy viewing is Picasso’s ‘The Weeping Woman,’ the painting that was stolen in 1986 and held to ransom for the establishment of an art prize for young artists. I also enjoyed seeing Van Gogh’s ‘Head of a Man.’ This painting just bounces off the canvas, so strong an image. Whilst walking around we hadn’t realized we had looked up at the Worlds largest stained glass ceiling, as the installation of a new sculpture below took our attention. Our favorite piece would have to be the ‘clinamen’ bowls, moving in water creating music with their chimes as they touched each other.
We caught the Tram back to our van and camped for a 3rd night in our spot, leaving the next day to work and head out of town.
Melbourne is an interesting city with a strong sense of art from its poorly executed graffiti to giant colourful sculptures on the freeways. The laneways are fun to investigate, the bay is stunning on a sunny day, and there is lots to capture your imagination. On a whole, a very enjoyable few days.