City View from Rucker's Hill in Northcote

A lovely night, full moon.

Melbourne Open House 2012

Once a year on the last weekend in July, Melbourne City opens its iconic and famous buildings for two days, on a Saturday and Sunday. My daughter and I went last Sunday for at least four hours, and what can you visit in that short time? Some of the buildings have long queues lasting for an hour or two, while others needed a ticket or even a ballot for you to get in. Enthusiastic photographers and tourists, usually go for the two days, and yet a day can only cover at least four to six buildings, therefore you will again plan to go for the other places the year after.

The places we visited were the Hamer Hall building of the Arts Centre in St. Kilda Road, Melbourne Town Hall where photography was not allowed, the Jewish Synagogue, and then spent a few minutes at Windsor Hotel. My most favourite was dressing room #34 at Hamer Hall where the personal belongings and props belonging to famous actors in the distant past of the theater were displayed. It was my first time to be in an actual dressing room in a theatre, so the half-an-hour queue to get in was worthwhile.

It was such a cold day but nothing dampened the enthusiasm of the crowd that went around the city...

the Chinese busker outside Hamer Hall

Hamer Hall

The mime at Hamer Hall

 Dressing Room no. 34 at Hamer Hall

Looking at Hamer Hall from the princes bridge

Southgate

head art, at Flinders St

walking along Swanston St

Looking at Manchester Unity building from the balcony of Melbourne Town Hall

the character at the Town Hall

Inside the Jewish Synagogue

Jewish Synagogue

main hall of the Jewish Synagogue

 Having fun balancing at Spring St

 Swanston St

Rolling back to winter - walking along St. Kilda Rd in spring

This album was taken last Thursday, 8 Sept to be exact...I was looking forward to a sunny, cool spring...but instead Melbourne was faced with a cold front, the day was even colder than I imagined, it even rained in the morning. After work/school, my son and I went to the city supposedly to meet my husband and one of my daughters as both were heading towards the city then...at that moment, the rain had stopped but chilly it was! Nevertheless I brought my camera, just in case. Well, it wasn't so bad after all, we walked towards the National Art Gallery and I was pleased that the sun was setting beautifully along the southbank....Thanks God, it's Thursday (TGIT)...
Ah, Melbourne and its four seasons in a day!

a walk on a sunny sunday afternoon

hey hey hey, it's a beautiful day. went for a walk at the botanical gardens in the city with my daughter and a friend.  we walked along the path to the shrine of remembrance which has a magnificent view...

                                        
                                             the tree-lined path to the shrine of remembrance 

the side of the shrine facing the entrance to the botanic gardens

then at the gardens these are the things that we did and saw...

a wedding... there were four weddings that afternoon, actually.

rested under a palm tree beside this garden...

looked at some flowers...this one caught my attention as it's my favourite colour...

i just love the lighting and the contrast in this shot...

admiring the tree that was both unique and HUGE...

and laughed at this braided leaves, tied with a rubber band...

rested for a little while by the shallow river...

and saw this spider web...

A glimpse of the city from the steps of the Shrine of Remembrance