We liked the "Bonza" bike tour so much that we decided to do it again in Melbourne. They have just started it here...so we were lucky enough to be the only one's on the tour...and to have Mike, the owner as our guide! Great guy....we rode much faster (me panting along behind...;) and had time for such wonderful things as lunch and beers! Here we are on the Yarra river...the city is very similar to Portland in it's layout...with a river and many bridges! Even saw some dragonboats!!!!
We stopped in a great little neighborhood (Fitzroy) for lunch...and discovered that they served Sierra Nevada! We were tempted...but kept with the AUS beers....they actually have some pretty decent microbrews.
A view of the city from a bridge over the train yard. We really did cover EVERYTHING. It's a nice tour to do on your first day to a city. Then you can say "we went to the museum" even though you never went inside...:)
That evening we toured the "lanes".....this city is famous for it's back alleys. There are bars without signs....you find them behind unassuming doorways, down in basements and up flights of stairs. We then walked to a neighborhood that is primarily Italian....had an amazing pasta dinner. We stopped on our way to ask for directions, and the "swarthy" foreign guy we talked to said in a thick accent "you mean the place that all the mafia go?" Uh.....yep...that's the one?!?
The next morning we headed for the Queen Victoria Market. They sell everything...deli, meats, seafood, fruits and veggies, baked goods, pastries, candies, and assorted "crap" (and by that I mean tacky souvenirs, leather belts, cheap t-shirts, boomerangs, kangaroo backpacks, toys covered in lead paint, koala bear quilts...yes....crap). Above is an example of "deli". YUM.
Fruits and veggies..they even have a huge organic section. This produce was raised on steroids. We saw avocado's that could feed a family of four. I was in dietitian heaven.
Pork trotters? Ox liver? Tongue? Good stuff.......
Headed back to the Fitzroy neighborhood where we had lunch the day before. Here is an example of the old homes found in both Sydney and Melbourne. Incredible old ironwork. In two days we've had Italian, Chinese and Greek food. This is a "foodie" city. Tomorrow we fly to Tasmania (6am flight...ugh) where we will visit a good friend (Sniffy for those who know him!) for five days of fun!
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