Australia, 2009-11-30
We woke in the morning, returned the car, and checked into the Cube Serviced Apartments early. They are these funky little bachel0r-style hotel rooms with a small kitchen and bathroom. Surprisingly, they were about the same price as many of the local hostels. The downside was there wasn’t really a communal meeting place, but on the upside, we had a great view of the city from the 13th floor, and were pretty much in the center of things: still within the CBD (Central Business District), but a close walk to the Carlton and Fitzroy districts.
After checkin, we headed back to DeGraves street for breakfast and window shopping thoughout the CBD, dodging tourists, locals wandering the city, and these giant on-sidewalk street sweepers that careened around corners. Given the time, I highly recommend wanding the lanes and alleys and inside malls — we found some great little stores, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. There’s these little cafes all around, and they all serve a good flat white, putting us in a near continual state of caffeinated euphoria. At one point, I found myself wandering around a watch store full of Rolex, Omegas, Tag Hauers, and whatnot, and decided that I wouldn’t offended that the salesman didn’t ask me if I wanted assistance. Most people don’t shop for a Rolex wearing a Timex.
After a quick homemade lunch of turkey, crackers, cheese, and hummus (which go surprisingly well together), we set off to the north to Lygon St, sort of the Little Italy of Melbourne. Cafes abounded, and we wandered and shot to photos, ending at Brunettis for some flat whites and a shared pear and cheese crumble cheesecake with raspberry jam. Holy crap, that was delicious, and everything else in that deceptively large cafe looks absolutely delicious.
Takeaway for the day is that Melbourne is all hip and hipster. My SF buddies would be quite at home here.
Oh, incidentally, there seems to be an common Australian fetish for El Caminos. Haven’t figured that one out yet.