Melbourne Memories

I still remember how I came to know about Melbourne. It was two decades ago when I was still a child learning to read. It was when Hariharan sang and Kamal Hassan enacted the lyrics of Vairamuthu in the movie Indian – “Melbourne Malarpoal Melliya Magalaa”.

Since then, my association with the place is further strengthened by more and more Indian movies. Being a movie buff myself, this is no wonder. Thanks to the innumerous movies shot in Melbourne. I could recall those exotic places where the hero and heroine would romantically sway to melodious tunes…

When Preity Zinda chirpily announced, “Good Morning, Melbourne”, in Salaam Namaste (she played the role of part-time RJ), I heard her. When the Chak De India girls jogged along the roads of Melbourne, I tailed them too.

In fact, most of the places in Melbourne bring the strongest feelings of déjà vu. When I think about it, I realize that I know so much about the city.

So, let’s see how much I know about the city…

Melbourne cricket ground - A ground which brings Indians together and make them bite fingers in anxiety! The ground has seen Indian cricket team win! It has seen them cheer with glee… It has also seen those times when they lost… I want to go to that ground. I want to feel the gush of patriotism flow within me… I want to feel the air which has smelled both success and failure… A stark reality of life... That nothing could be permanent; ups and downs are a part and parcel of life. Oh… How I wish that I could watch a live match there. Such an enthralling experience that would be - an experience that I can share with generations that follow.

A splendid long walk with bare feet on the Great Ocean walk and Mt Martha would be amazing. It would be more enchanting if a loved one is there to hold hands. The waves and colors of ocean… The blend of sky with the Ocean would be delight to eyes… Sweet breeze would hit us and adds to the romantic aura… And… A few snaps of me with the picture perfect place as the background would be a possession that I can carry back to home… A possession that I can hold with pride!

I am not very fond of going to zoos. I keep saying that tiger and peacock looks the same everywhere. I have visited so many zoos that the thought of going to on such place again bores me. But, Penguins!! I have never seen them… There is something so charming about them… The way they walk… I wish to see the way little penguins waddle across the beach to their sand dune borrows. And Philip Island is the right place for that!

Being a coffee addict Melbourne would be a perfect stop - The coffee capital of Australia! So an evening at Federation Square…. Sipping a cup of coffee… Drinking not just the coffee, but also the scenic beauty of Victoria… People belonging to varied culture…  Under the orange shades…. And saffron Sun… Crimson sky and yellow light… Oh! A palate of color that would never fail to cast a spell…

Queen Victoria Market!!! I can’t wait more to go there… The shopaholic in me is whining…  A lengthy window shopping coupled with some serious shopping… And a few souvenirs for family and friends…

No… I certainly don’t have fear of heights… And the height of divinity can be felt by reaching the heights…Literally! I want to go to Eureka Sky Deck 88… I wish to enclose myself in that glass cube… I want to see the panoramic view… The skies… The landscape… The miniature version of the majestic World... That would be so overwhelming… I am eager to treat my eyes!

The best way to get the essence of any place is to travel by way of their public conveyance… And Tram is the best available option… I would buy a ticket from the start station to the designati0n station… I wish to sit back and catch the local air of the place… That would be an experience that I can hold to myself… A gift to me; I don’t want to share that with anyone... Come on, I don’t have to be generous, do I? Wink!

Melbourne is indeed a colorful place…

With so many places to visits… So many moments to cherish…

Now my dear readers, tell me..

"Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?"

(The best answer chosen by me on every valid entry will win a gift voucher. The contest on my blog ends by 4th Jan 2015)

Written as a part of a contest hosted by IndiBlogger in association with Tourism Victoria