Monday, May 23, 2011

Armchair BEA: Exploring Melbourne

Armchair BEA is here! And this is the first day's theme for our posts:

You’ll probably be getting a lot of new visitors to your blog this week, so introduce yourself in a post! And if you specialize in a particular genre, share what it is and why you love it. Also, tell us how you’re doing Armchair BEA - where you are, what you’re excited about, what you hope will happen this week.
G'day. Welcome!

Actually, I don't normally say g'day at all, so how about hello! I am coming to you live from Melbourne, Australia!

What  to tell you? I have been blogging for around five and a half years, and I am still trying to get better at it! I am an avid reader, and blogger, as well as being a single mum and holding down a full time job. I read all sorts of genres, from spec fic to historical fiction, from romance to YA, and a few other genres.

During this week I am planning to respond to each of the writing prompts offered each day, will be interviewed over at the main Armchair BEA site later in the week, and I am also intending to do a post each day where I will imagine that I was actually in New York at BEA, and what I would be doing!

Today I thought that I would share something of Melbourne, the city I have lived in for nearly 10 years now. One of the things that Melbourne is famous for is having a vibrant atmosphere that centres around the many laneways and arcades that are around the city.  To be honest, I never really got what the fuss was until a few weeks ago, on a gorgeous autumn day, I went on a tour of the laneways and arcades in one part of the city. There were certain laneways that I did go down on a semi regular basis, but they always seemed quite commercial and busy, so it was fun to go down some that were less so.One of the things that I learned from the tour is to remember to look up and take the time to see what is around us.

I thought I would share a few pictures and thoughts.

This laneway is about 5 minutes from where I work, and I had no idea it was there! Out of shot there is what is supposed to be one of the oldest buildings in Melbourne, and a cute little pub.


 This shop is called Wunderkammer, and is home to Scientific Curiosities, Artefacts and Ephemera


Some European inspired architecture nestled alongside more modern buildings.


There are a lot of parts of the city where you need to look up to see the various artistic additions that someone has made to the walls. There were so many fun examples of this scattered throughout the walk.


I have no idea what this business is. It is down a relatively hidden laneway, but I loved the sign.


One way to recycle an old tape recorder/radio


Hardware Lane is full of restaurants!


The old GPO, now a swanky shopping destination.


One of the most famous arcades in Melbourne, Block Arcade.


One of Melbourne's favourite celebrities is honoured. There is also an AC/DC Lane.


This couch was just sitting out in a laneway with all these small framed pictures on the wall behind it.


There are several laneways where there are coffee shops/cafes/restaurants etc lining each side. These laneways always seem busy and quite vibrant. We even saw a bride and groom having some of their wedding photos taken in one of these laneways - I guess they wanted a flavour of quintessential Melbourne in their photos.


I couldn't possibly resist taking a photo of this shop window. I did resist actually buying anything....this time!

26 comments:

  1. I've recently rediscovered Hardware Lane. Such a buzzy little strip!

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  2. What a fun little look into your city. :)

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  3. Oh I would love to visit Melbourne some day! The vibe and atmosphere is so enticing. I love the pictures you posted, especially seeing some of the fun art people have done around the city! Not sure I would have resisted that delectable shop though... mmmm.

    Nice to meet a fellow Aussie blogger participating in Armchair BEA! :)

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  4. What a great post. It reminded me of a lovely few days in Melbourne some, oh my 20 years ago. I shall add Melbourne as a place to revisit on my next trip down under. I wonder if the sofa will still be there?

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  5. I am ashamed to say that this Brisbanite, although having travelled overseas, has never only gone as far south as Sydney. Looking forward to making it down to Melbourne one day - the art and food scene and of course lovely European feel laneways look right up my alley! ;)

    Some great photography Marg - thanks for the tour.

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  6. Thanks for those pictures!! I've always wanted to visit Australia since I was a kid! I even very nearly came there to pursue my grad studies. Have fun during armchair BEA!

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  7. Great tour of your city, thanks! It's nice to meet you and your blog. :-)

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  8. These are terrific! I love this tour of Melbourne; would love to do it IRL.

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  9. Gosh, your city is so lovely! Thanks for sharing all the pictures with us today!

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  10. Great tour of your city! Thank you. Looking forward to following your posts.

    Tiffany James

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  11. Great photos! You live in a lovely city, one I'm hoping to visit someday.
    Nice to meet you!

    Here's my ArmchairBEA kick-off post.

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  12. Melbourne looks so pretty! Love the gorgeous cakes there in the last photo. Nice to meet you, Happy Armchair BEA!

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  13. Marg - I love the pictures -- thank you for sharing! Melbourne is practically a planet away from me, it feels, as I'm in Boston -- but the neighborhood you've shared reminds me of a few cute corners in Cambridge. Now I wish I'd shared pictures in my intro! ;)

    Looking forward to your interview!

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  14. Love the pics. I really want to visit Australia and love all the lovely Aussie bloggers I have met while blogging. I am also very much a fan of Aussie authors, although I wish we didn't have to wait so long to get our hands on them in the U.S. Hope you enjoy armchairing it this week.

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  15. Gorgeous! I'd love to visit one day.

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  16. great pictures and thanks for the intro to where you live. I have always wanted to visit Australia, and I'm sure I would need more than one trip to see all I want to see there. Thanks for helping me check out your corner of it.

    Happy Armchair BEA!

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  17. Your pics are to die for! I love your blog, I'm so glad I stumbled onto it :)

    -Kate the Book Buff
    The Book Buff: Book Reviews for Regular People

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  18. Gorgeous city, Marg! Makes me want to hop on a plane for 20 hours and come see it. ;)

    Nice to meet you,
    Heidi

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  19. The laneways are adorable! With the mix of architecture and whimsy displays, it looks like a wonderful place to live. Someday I'll visit :)

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  20. Love those photos Marg! It's gorgeous there! I love that store sign too. Sounds like a good way to say goodbye, "Farewell, Lucy-Coconut!"

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  21. Wow, now I have to add another place on my list of places to visit. I love the pictures. My intro for Armchair BEA is here:
    http://bookworm-meags222.blogspot.com
    Happy Reading!

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  22. Thanks for sharing those pics! I especially love the one with the red couch! Happy blogging this week.

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  23. Thank you for sharing the photos. The only part of Melbourne I've seen is the airport.

    Unless I'm ill or traveling (and don't have access to the internet), I post a review each and every day. Come learn more about me and my blog.

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  24. Gorgeous scenery and architecture. I so want to visit Australia!

    Glad you're joining in this week. I'll be stopping by again.

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  25. I was lucky enough to live in Melbourne for a year in 1987, and I've made it a habit to be a frequent visitor ever since. I love it so much. Still, I found new sights on your arcade tour- there's always something new and surprising in Melbourne. I must try to get back soon, it's been 18 months since I was there, and it feels way too long ago.

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