My first thought going from the airport to our HomeExchange in Melbourne, was “are we in Toronto?!” My second thought was “did we simply fly 22 hours solely to finish up again in Canada?”

Approaching Downtown gave me an odd sense of déjà vu, though we had been clearly on the alternative facet of the highway and as geographically far-off from North America as humanly attainable. One thing in regards to the highway indicators and the concrete jungle within the distance felt oddly acquainted.

That feeling, nevertheless, disappeared as quickly as we had been inside town centre. In contrast to the North American car-obsessed cities I’d grown accustomed to, Melbourne was closely pro-transit. A lot so, that should you tried to drive downtown, you’d need to make one thing referred to as a “hook flip”, a white knuckle, anxiety-inducing nightmare of a driving maneuver, which includes counter-intuitively making a proper flip by going into the left lane.

Why do they do that? As a result of town offers precedence to trams, that are fully free within the downtown “free tram zone” and run up and down the centre of the lane, vehicles have to do that maneuver to keep away from hitting them. I’m already a reasonably nervous driver, so being compelled to drive on the left facet of the highway, plus needing to cope with this loopy crap, plus having free public transportation within the downtown central enterprise district, or CBD, meant that we didn’t hassle driving in any respect.

Greatest choice I ever made.

Australia was beginning to really feel very European, however as soon as I began speaking to our House Trade host, I came upon that Australia is a combination between Europe and America. They prioritize public transit over vehicles in cities, as I simply talked about. Additionally they have extraordinarily beneficiant trip insurance policies, essentially the most well-known being the Lengthy Service Go away, or LSL, which provides workers the choice to take 13 weeks off to journey after you’ve been with an organization for 10 years. Additionally they have a hybrid public-private health-care system that embraces privatized healthcare, however makes use of public funds to subsidize it. Australians, I used to be advised, consider everyone ought to be capable of get inexpensive care. On the identical time, they consider that folks who will pay extra ought to be capable of get extra.

Melbourne, nevertheless, appeared to be essentially the most European of the Australian cities, and so they’re very happy with their “8 Hour Motion” statue which showcases their work life steadiness mentality, which they check with as “888.” It implies that it’s best to have 8 hours of labor, 8 hours of relaxation, and eight hours of play in a day. This social motion was initiated in 1854 when residents protested to towards a proposal to make each work 14 hour days. Evaluate and distinction that to the Chinese language perception of “996”, which means working from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days per week. Put all of it collectively and you may see why Melbournians are so relaxed. So relaxed and well mannered that they apologize continuously sufficient to place Canadians to disgrace!

Leisure

Melbourne, because it seems, can also be the sporting capital of the world. After staying in downtown, we moved to a different HomeExchange within the St. Kilda space. Our first clue of this metropolis’s sportiness was the overflowing bars and eating places crammed with Components 1 race automobile followers, because the Australian Grand Prix was taking place.

However being the mathletes that we’re, we didn’t find yourself doing something sporty throughout our time there. As an alternative, we nerded it up by taking part in a collection of out of doors escape room video games from Questo to discover downtown. In case you’re dorky like us and desire a enjoyable interactive strategy to get to know town and its historical past, simply obtain it as soon as on one individual’s telephone to play as a bunch or household for 2-3 hours of enjoyable. Attempt the “Ghosts of Melbourne: Vampire Search” sport. That was my favorite. “Avenue Artwork of Melbourne” was a runner up.

And on the Previous Melbourne Gaol, we visited their historic jail which has horrifying tales like this one:

Colin Ross, was a person convicted of rape based mostly on the flimsy proof that hairs of the feminine sufferer was discovered on this mattress. However 90 years later, they had been capable of clear the person utilizing fashionable DNA testing and posthumously cleared him of the crime. I’m positive his ghost is tremendous not bitter about that.

By the way, regardless of Australia’s well-known historical past of being a British penal colony, please chorus from making jokes about Australians all being criminals. Certainly one of my buddies stupidly did this at a bar, received punched by a drunk native, and by all accounts he completely deserved it. The truth that he was British possible didn’t assist. So don’t do it.

Again in St.Kilda, we tried to go hassle some penguins by the pier, as there’s a colony of penguins you can go see, however sadly had no luck as a result of the remark deck was blocked off for renovation.

Oh properly. Because the locals like to say, no worries. St. Kilda had different points of interest like this creepy previous amusement park referred to as “Luna Park,” which is…simply pretty much as good?

In case you’re nostalgic for previous timey rollercoasters and rides, this can be a great spot to take the entire household. Additionally should you’re terrified of clowns, that is additionally an excellent place for some publicity remedy. You’ll both be completely cured, or have a nervous breakdown.

Meals

Ah, Acland avenue. Well-known for its do-it-yourself truffles and probably the most well-known cafes of Melbourne, the Monarch. There, we determined to eat our physique weight value of Kooglhoupes, an addictive marble cake made of soppy melted darkish chocolate swirled by means of yeasty pastry. Yum!

And naturally, since we’re additionally within the Espresso capital of the world, we needed to get pleasure from a latte on the facet.

I gotta say, I don’t usually drink espresso (I’m extra of a bubble tea type of woman), however Australia, fingers down, served one of the best espresso I’ve ever tasted. It was so good, it ruined all different espresso for me. Now when somebody suggests we go to Starbucks, my commonplace reply is “Properly, why don’t I simply piss into my very own mouth?” That’s Melbourne espresso for you. So good, it makes Starbucks style like piss. And that’s why I don’t work in advertising.

After consuming dessert, we had been invited by two readers to dinner. There, we ended up consuming one thing quintessentially Australian: kangaroo. Kangaroo has a fame for being very robust, however one way or the other this one tasted like beef, however far more tender. Like soften in your mouth tender. I’m undecided if it’s the good selection of restaurant (shout out to the Napier Lodge) however having heard blended opinions from different Australians about this delicacy, I had fairly low expectations. So I’m completely satisfied to be pleasantly stunned.

Weirdly sufficient, I used to be advised repeatedly by Australians to not really feel unhealthy about consuming their hoppy, boxing glove-wielding mascot. Apparently, these items are such pests and overwhelming different species that ecologists say that we’re doing them a favour by consuming them.

After dinner, we determined to go to a comedy present on the Fringe competition, which is one other factor that Melbournians are happy with—their huge number of cultural occasions. They wish to say “Sydney has nature, however now we have extra artwork and tradition”. Once more, this gave me déjà vu and fabricated from consider the rivalry between Toronto and Vancouver. I type of felt like Melbourne had a little bit of an inferiority advanced as a result of vacationers had been at all times saying how Sydney is prettier, has nicer nature and higher climate. To compensate, Melbourne always brags about how way more artsy and cultured they’re in comparison with Sydney. Melbournians, I really feel such as you would get alongside swimmingly with Torontonians.

Nature

Getting out to nature takes round 2.5 hours from Melbourne. Due to my aversion to driving (see: hook-turns), we booked a bus tour to go see the Nice Ocean Street and a well-known formation of limestone pillars jutting out of the ocean often called the 12 Apostles.

The humorous factor is, there aren’t truly 12 of these items. There are solely 8, and one among them is being eroded into the ocean. So why is it referred to as the 12 Apostles? As a result of the 8 Apostles sounds silly, that’s why. That being stated, Melbournians loudly and always jogged my memory that the 12 Apostles is taken into account one of many Wonders of the World, so undoubtedly go see it should you’re there.

Whereas I loved the surroundings, I couldn’t assist however have flashbacks to the limestone cliffs in Portugal’s Lagos. They give the impression of being nearly similar. Or possibly I’m only a journey snob and every thing jogs my memory of another a part of the world now. I dunno. You be the decide:

Nice Ocean Street, Melbourne: