Monday, April 3, 2017

When is an “Arcade” not an "Arcade"? Why in Melbourne of course!

So, today was bringing us a walking tour of the inner parts of the city.  It was titled “Lanes and Arcades”… And I’m thinking, Arcade??? Like the place kids and even adults go to play silly games and get tickets to redeem for junkie stuff…. Well, not quite.
Here Arcades are shopping areas… little shops you can peek in and purchase some pretty nice stuff.  There was one scarf shop that caught my eye… more than once… but I kept on walking.  Keep reminding myself I already have too much ‘stuff’.  But, I digress, back to the day.
Met our tour guide Katy and 7 other folks going on the tour.  The ‘lanes’, we learned, are from days of old when there much more simpler times… and horses, carts, you get the drift.  Some are wider and were meant for deliveries, while some are even narrower and obviously more restrictive.  There’s quirky areas and even ‘hidden secrets’… unique cafes, street art and interesting architecture.
One of the couples along were French and had very limited English abilities.  We often ended up pantomiming what was being said.  And wouldn’t you know it, guess who Jerry and I sat with for our lunch… which by the way was Peruvian… brought us back to our last big trip!  Anyway, after 10 minutes of trying to communicate, we all gave up and just enjoyed our mates and our meal.
One lane is totally dedicated to AC/DC… Never realized they were from Australia.  Anyway, it was one of the most colorful lanes… but, unfortunately a smoker’s hangout.  And wouldn’t you know it, there was a geocache somewhere there, but we couldn’t really look what with the people AND that darn smoke.  (Oh well, we found others here in this city, so no big deal.) 
Found our way back to our hotel… rested up cuz we were having a meet and greet with folks from the tour we will be on.  Always nervous at first, but by dinner we all start falling into a routine.  This is going to be a fun group!



The architect that designed this cathedral was from England and just sent the plans.  Well, the folks here were not happy, cuz it was a flat roofed cathedral.  They went ahead and built it, but a year later, they added the spires and stuff on top.  You can notice that the bricks are different colors!

 And we are off!

This underground passage struck me... it's a 1950's PINK and BLACK tile bathroom design.  egads!
 Our first Lane... filled in the center with tables for enjoying your meal!
 Explaining to Marie and Pierre... 
Loved this!


Soups on!!!!



 These designs change daily and are sanctioned...
 This was an old bank building one of the lanes goes into... turned it into some upper crust shops. 
 The Block Building... First high rise...12 stories tall!






Thought of dear Diva Christy... Here's a tailor in the lane!

 This bar is only open at night, limited to 10 tables and there is standing room only... very, very, very popular... 
 Doc Martin's Bar... use to be a doctors office and surgery center in the days of old!
 Pretty Art in one building... 
 Beautiful granite columns... just as art... they do not connect to the ceiling or have any function in holding up the building!
 AC/DC Lane...

 Some folks were complaining that Prince was drawn in here... course, it will change at the whim of the next artist who comes in!
 Little silver plaques... some kind of benefit for something!




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