Being in the city, our flat is within walking distance to a variety of live-performance theaters, museums, and gardens. One of our favorite places is the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is a 5 minute walk from our home. Among the tens of acres of beautiful gardens, there is also some interesting native wildlife:
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The bird of paradise is my favorite Australian flower |
The rainforest walk is home to the southernmost colony of flying foxes. |
The RBG has a rather large lake that is home to water fowl as well as fresh-water eels. |
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Walking home from RBG, we pass the National Gallery of Victoria, who's hallmark is the outdoor statue shown here. |
Past the Gallery, we cross the Princes Bridge over the Yarra River, just before reaching Swanston Street, which intersects with Little Collins Street, where we live. |
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After
crossing Princes Bridge, we pass Flinders Street Station. Flinders Street Station is the central train station of the Met (the public transport system of Melbourne), and the landmark of Melbourne. Here is a photo taken at dusk around Christmas... |
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About a block from our flat is Bourke Street Mall, the main shopping district in the city of Melbourne. Cars are not allowed on Bourke Street, but trams pass through regularly. Along the sidewalks street performers abound. Pictured here are mechanical mimes called Boskas. |
