A couple of weeks ago on the last weekend of July (I'm catching up on posts I promise!!), I received a VIP pass for Melbourne's Open Day...
(I took this picture in 2007, but Melb doesn't change much)I missed last years and utterly regretted it... so armed with the Boy and my VIP pass... I hungrily toured Melbourne like an eager tourist...
First stop, (after scouting around and passing all the long queues everywhere, didn't matter at some places that I had the VIP pass)... we decided to enter the foray of the Melbourne Town Hall
Always looked so cold and imposing to me from the outside, it was actually quite warm and comfy inside...
Making important decisions is often difficult with a comfy chair and a heavy hammer...
Sir John Batman, who bought Melbourne for many items, including shirts, scissors, knives and 3 mirrors (if I recall correctly... my grasp on facts in history is a bit lacking)
Too bad it's no longer John So.. 'cos he and I were tight... John So, was my bro... ^_^
Apparently the Beatles played on this piano (by the Beatles I meant Paul McCartney only)
A snapshot of the "then" Lady Mayoress room...
We next visitied CH2 (Council House 2)... which is located at the back of Lin Control (Opposite Golden Tower)... on Little Collins Street...
Built to be environmentally friendly, I was quite impressed with the structure of the building
The Director explaining to us the importance for buildings to go Green.
The "movable" panels that block out the sun on hot summer days...
The rooftop garden... impressive.. I like rooftop gardens!
I next wanted to bring the Boy to visit RP Substation... but was told by my colleagues that the wait would be 1.5 hours long (does this tell you where/whom I work for? *hint hint*)
A lunch break and back on the trail... we next visited Melbourne's State Library (go Google the image)... and
despite never been in there before (I know, I know)... it was strangely disappointing...
The Boy at this stage was getting bored, and didn't want to wait long in any line (so impatient, considering we didn't have to line up anywhere!)
So we popped by the Athenaeum Theater (now most famously a Ticketmaster collection box) which is located across The Regent Theater...
Our last stop... (it was already 4pm!)... ANZ Gothic Bank...
Turns out that my favourite building from this "tour" was the only place that doesn't allow photos... it's still a working bank after all...
Will we do this again next year? HELL YEAH!
Should you do this next year? YES!
I've been living here for years and walking these streets on a nearly daily basis, this tour really opens up your eyes to Melbourne... relax, have some fun and dissociate yourself as a Melbourne Citizen... be a tourist for a weekend =)
Tips: Plan ahead, think of where you want to go, it's cold...wear warm clothes.. lines are long and waiting times can be as long as 1.5 hours for popular spots... alternatively try finding someone who's willing to spare you some VIP passes=) (1 pass = 2 people)...
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