Melbourne 2007!
We went on a little voyage to Melbourne, this time via train.
The train is quite reasonably priced, and drops you in the heart of the city.
We really didn't have a plan, which is usually a mistake.  While we thoroughly enjoyed our excursion, if we had planned a bit, we would have been able to see more in the time we had.  Regardless, we'll be returning to Melbourne on future visits.  It really is a wonderful city, clean, cosmopolitan, and eclectic.

   
Chinatown!                                    An odd piece of 'helicopter' art in the middle of the road.

The Scots Church:  The first service was held on this site in 1838, but the foundation stone for the actual church was laid in 1873 and finished in 1874.  This is where the Queen, and royal family, come for services when in Melbourne.  She dedicated a pair of stained glass windows, too.

   
Interesting, dormer vents on the      Almost theatre seating.                   Nice architecture.
roofline.

   
View of the side galleries.              The pipes...                                   Look back at the entrance.

   
The Pulpit and Altar area.                The windows from the Queen.        Mosaic and window at the entrance.

I didn't get the name of this church, but will find it again on a future trip.

   
Street cars still run.                        A funny thing happened on the        Just a street scene.
                                                    way to the Forum...

   
The building of Modern Art.  I've been told the previous structure was    Paul is a sack of potatoes...
hideous, and many weren't sure this was much better.  I like it.

   
Pixar was in town, so Paul got his photo with Sally, Sully and Mikey.        Paul still hates the camera...

 
The Southern Cross Train Station train station.

 
Cindy liked the murals painted on the horse outside the Racing Museum.

Saint Paul's Cathedral:

   
Great architecture!                        Much brighter inside than I would have suspected.

   
Nice side altar.                              Amazing marble work!                    Gotta get a photo of the pipes!

   
Looking at the entrance.                 I really liked this hand carved side board that was on display.

   
The original baptismal font.            That's a serious inlaid floor!             The side chapel.

   
Cindy and Paul at the Mosaic.          There's the Yarra river..                 I really liked this bridge!

 
A couple classic, and obligatory, tourist shots that I liked.

The Art Museum, The National Gallery of Victoria:  This is an amazing art museum, fantastic exhibits, friendly staff, huge building, and best of all, it's FREE!  Of course, the 'special' exhibit has a fee, but that can only be expected.  They were closing their exhibit and having a gala last night event, which we didn't stay for.  Lots of tuxedos, long dresses, wine, h'ors d'ouvres, music and such...

 
While Patrick still slept, Paul and Mom have a moment together to chat.  There was a musician playing, but I didn't get a good shot.  He was playing something like a Japanese violin.

   
The cascading water wall.  Paul, Patrick and Cindy really like the effect of this wall at the entrance.

   
That's a crystal free-standing            A couple Rodin pieces, they had quite a collection of his works.
chandelier!

   
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes                                                                   Pisarro

   
John Lavery                                  

   
These scenes are about 14 feet high, and depict the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve.

   
Arthur Hughes                                T. C. Gotch                                    J. W. Waterhouse

The River Bank:  The City has transformed this river bank industrial area from an eyesore into a bustling cosmopolitan area, with shops, restaurants, taverns, and both movie and live theatres.

   
The opposite riverside from us.       Looking downriver.                        Their 'Eiffel Tower' antenna.

   
I was sitting at this restaurant, with the rain coming down, watching the skyline, and much to my surprise, the colors of the antennae on the buildings across the river changed.  I took several shots, since I had time.  I was sipping pints while the ladies, along with Paul and Patrick, shopped for whatever it was they were shopping for.

   
Just a few night shots of the Yarra River and the effects of light on rippling water.  I had fun experimenting.