We went to St. Paul's Cathedral where they wouldn't actually let us take pics inside unless we bought a "license". So you'll just have to take my word for it being beautiful. Awesome stained glass windows, inlaid floors and gold everywhere!
On to the Parliament building. Normally they give public tours, but Parliament was sitting today, so they would only let us into the gallery to watch the proceedings.
Interesting as we watched a speaker give an impassioned speech to a room that was only about 1/4 full - and ALL on their phones doing something else!! While it would be nice to think it is different here, I don't really hold out a lot of hope on that. They took a vote and couldn't discern which side won. They rang a bell for about 3 minutes where the rest of the roomful of officials seemingly came out of the woodwork through every door in the room, took a seat and they redid the vote. When it was done they all got up again and off they went! Anybody ever been to ours and know if this is pretty much the same?! (Please, no political discussions here, just observations!)
We also went to the Old Treasury which houses a museum now of the gold rush era.
While that is a replica of a gold "nugget" that was mined, can you even imagine??
And these gold bricks are just .08% of what was mined in the 1850's! Wow! Just wow!
Along the way we visited several opal shops. Those of you who know me well know that a ring is how I usually commemorate a trip. I say usually because, while I had my sights set on an opal ring, after truly learning about them, it appears that I should NOT get one. Hardiness, water, etc etc.
Oh, and then there's the price! This little gem of a pendant was over $5000. Wasn't counting on that!
Yesterday we ate Chinese. Today, Italian in the Little Italy section was our goal! It did not disappoint! We had lasagna and pappardelle with truffles (Kyle) at a little sidewalk cafe.
What was really on our radar though was gelato! Yes, please!
And last, but not least.......to what Bruce had been waiting for! Did you all know that AC/DC was an Australian rock group? And one of Bruce's favs?! During his research, he learned that there is an AC/CD Lane here in Melbourne with a bar that plays rock music 365 days a year!
However, finding it was easier said than done! This is AC/DC Lane. They told us the door will be on the left. Hmmm It was kind of like trying to find a speakeasy or something! We went all up and down the lane, then tried asking someone....
Aaahhh! Here's the door!
and as we waited for it to open, we met a trio of lively 30 somethings that we ended up sitting and chatting with for the night. Two were from Perth and all had been to the States. We learned the hoax behind "shrimp on the barbie" and exchanged world views. Lots of fun! It actually made the evening because the cover band didn't play ANY songs that we knew! Didn't feel too bad though because the young ones didn't know them either!
I see you ate pasta at D.O.C?! It’s THE BEST!
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