Melbourne This Way

Visiting Melbourne was a spontaneous decision as it wasn't part of my original itinerary. It could've been better if I booked a Manila-Melbourne-Sydney-Manila flight.

Still, no regrets.

5.30 AM.It was still dark when I went out of my flat in Burwood. I decided to take the train to Sydney Airport instead of taking an Uber. My mate won't recommend taking a cab or Uber to the airport unless if I was really in a hurry. My Virgin Australia flight to Melbourne was scheduled to depart Sydney at 7:30 AM. At around half past six in the morning, I was still at the Central Station, waiting for the airport train. I was getting anxious since I only have an hour left before my flight. Surprisingly, check-in was a breeze. The only thing I did was to scan my QR code, and the machine just printed my boarding pass.

We left rainy Sydney at quarter to eight, and the flight to Melbourne took us only an hour. As the plane started its descent and flew below the clouds, I was greeted by the verdant forest of Yarra Ranges and the surrounding landscapes. The sky was blue and cloudless, but it was still chilly at only 16 degrees. I was caught off guard by it the moment I stepped outside the terminal building. Since there are no train services connecting Tullamarine Airport to Melbourne CBD, I took the Skybus. I already prebooked a roundtrip ticket for AU$37.00 weeks prior my trip.

From Southern Cross Station, I walked six blocks to my rented apartment at Elizabeth Street. Walking around Melbourne wasn't difficult because I had mobile internet duh. Kidding aside, you can explore the CBD area by riding their trams for free! I wasn't expecting that the unit I'm renting would be located on the 20th floor of Vision Apartments. The view was just stunning. It literally took my breath away.

Strolling around Melbourne's Central Business District was a breath of fresh air. As an enthusiast of architecture and art, this city is a perfect place to appreciate these two. Old buildings dated back to the Victorian Era are still standing up to this day, mixing with the new, tall, and modern skyscrapers. It's a city where old coexists with new. Aside from that, Melbourne is considered as a cultural hub of Australia. Street performances of indie artists are almost everywhere. Streets that are brightly painted with graffiti art are also prevalent in this city, and Hosier Lane is one of them. Melbourne is indeed bursting with creativity as if it's already a prerequisite to have a talent before residing here.

Sorry, Sydney, but your creative brother is more appealing and more creative than you.

Melbourne, I'll see you again in a couple of months. I still have a lot of places to visit around this city, and I promise to know you more.

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Camera: Canon EOS M10

Post processed in Adobe Lightroom CC