Just prior to Christmas I had the the pleasure of travelling down to Mebourne, where i learned a few things. Cities lacking major historical attractions like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Empire State Building NYC, Big Ben London will inevitably seek to compensate through the design of their other buildings and design in everything. This was noted in the Beijing Olympics where the London organising comittee explaining a smaller budget by saying "London already has its landmarks, Beijing had to build them" (Referring to the bird's nest and water cube) I noticed this was certainly true for Melbourne. Melbourne lacks major landmarks (aside from Flinder's St station, which i'm told was a mistake by an architect) But everywhere I looked I saw quirky and interesting design features that made mundane buildings works of art. Thie picture above is of The Transport hotel in Melbourne that uses visible pipes to deliver beer to the taps and some quirky lighting to add a sense of character and history to a pub that until recently had none.
I feel Sydney relies on it's looks (Opera house, Harbour bridge)to gain global credibility when it should rather focus on the details and the big picture will look after itself. We need those licensing laws for hole in the wall pubs and encouragement of street art and design for a happier place that is inerently better, rather than relying on our "best olympics ever" and fancy bridges.
Another thing I noticed in Melbourne was the sheer volume of Restaurants. Their seems to be a restaurant cafe or bar at every second shop front and I struggled to figure out how they could all continue to operating. After a meal at a place called Il Solito Posto (http://www.ilsolitoposto.com.au/) i figured out why. They are all good. if you serve good food, people will pay to eat it! This was one of the best meals I ever tasted. I had Prawn risotto balls and then Veal tenderloins that were amazing. Go Here!
We also went to Lygon street and had some great pizza for a third of the price. I forget it's name but go to Lygon street and go to the place that doesn't have a spruker hassling you as you go by. (Sprukers are a major turn off, I don't care that your mum is the chef if anything that makes me less likely to eat there!)
If you go for shopping go to Chapel st it's the trendiest and widest variety.
Go to see Wicked! the musical. it was amazing hence i mention it again!
Til next time Peace out!
