Monday 8 June 2009

LAST WEEK IN MELBOURNE

LAST WEEK

Last week Max and I were meant to go for a Hot Air Balloon ride.
The photo below shows the reason we never went.
Low clouds over Melbourne.
We were so disappointed - the ride was a
birthday gift I gave to Max last September.
We stayed in South Yarra the night before as we
live too far away to get to Melbourne for the dawn flight.
We have booked again for Monday 15th June

The Albany Hotel in South Yarra where we stayed

While in Melbourne we went to the Shrine of Remembrance .
The Shrine is Victoria's largest and most visited war memorial and
is probably Melbourne’s most recognised landmark

This photo shows the Remembrance Garden – Post 1945 Memorial.

The Ceremonial Entrance to the Shrine

Statues in the foreground of the Shrine


The Eternal Flame was lit by Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1954
Stone with
"We Shall Remember Them"
engraved into it.
Gallipoli Memorial shows a soldier from the
Medical Corps transporting a wounded colleague to a casualty hospital.
Window from the lookout area
Looking towards the Botanical Gardens



Stone of Remembrance

A special feature of the Shrine is the Ray of Light. Thanks to the combined skills of the astronomer, the mathematician and the surveyor the Ray of Light falls on 'LOVE' on the Stone of Remembrance at 11am on the 11th of November and will continue to do so for 5,000 years at least. The time and date commemorate Armistice (meaning a stay of armed conflict) which marks the end of hostilities in World War 1.

This is where the Stone of Rembrance is

Father and Son Statue
This tells you about the following 3 photos



A cool walk along the Yarra River
on a foggy Winter morning


31 comments:

Natasha Burns said...

What a shame you didn't get to go hot air ballooning but at least you got to visit the Shrine. It's a great place. I didn't know about the ray of light falling on LOVE on Remembrance day.

Please do tell us how the hot air ballooning goes on your 2nd attempt - how is this for freaky - i just found that website 2 days ago when hubby rang asked me to organise a hot air balloon ride for his brother's 40th birthday gift this weekend! I'm pretty sure we're going to book with that company as well so i'd love to hear your thoughts :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful place to remember such a trajic time in history. Love the pics. Maybe next time you will get to do the hot air ballon!! Big hugs

toodles-
sarah

bluemuf said...

Alison, too bad the weather didn't cooperate for the balloon ride. I look forward to hearing about your next attempt.

What a beatiful shrine and I found it interesting about the ray of light. Thank you for taking us with your on this tour.

Hugs Karen

Barbara Jacksier said...

Beautiful photos and I can't wait to see the shots from the balloon.

My cousin was recently married in a balloon. His new wife was terrified but otherwise they seem totally compatible.

rochambeau said...

Thank you for sharing these photos of the Shrine with us. It is important for us to be aware and see.

Sorry you missed your balloon ride Alison!! Hope you can another time & talk about your experience, since I way to chicken to go on one!

xox
Constance

Porchlight Interiors said...

Thanks for sharing these beautiful photos. I have visited Melbourne many times but have never seen this memorial - it's so beautiful! Looks like you had a lovely time despite missing your balloon ride! Tracey xx

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Alison,
My fingers and toes are crossed that next Monday the weather will be better for you to go hot air ballooning.

Oh, I live in Melbourne and haven't been to the Shrine in years.
After seeing your photo's I must go for another visit.
Hugs,
Anna

Lori said...

what a beautiful memorial...i hope the weather works out better for your next try Alison!!!

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

What a pity the Melbourne weather didn't co-operate with your plans Alison. At least you had a lovley mini break in the city.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Alison,
What a beautiful post. Let us not forget the people that gave the ultimate sacrifice and allow us to live this beautiful life. I know you haven't and so appreciate your post!

I feel foolish leaving a comment about hot air ballooning after this so I'll come back next week ;)

Beautiful photos you shared.
~Tracie

Unknown said...

Thankyou for sharing Alison, how clever it is to think of such a thing with the ray of light.Ive never been there, but it is certainly on my list!
Hopefully next trip there wont be cancelled again, how exciting!
Sue

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting me Alison! I do hope you get that balloon ride and thanks for sharing your lovely photos...I would love to visit your part of the world someday!

Anonymous said...

Such a pity that you didnt get to do the balloon ride....but by the looks of it you still had a fantastic weekend.
The shrine is amazing, will have to get down to Melbourne some day & check it out. Thanks for sharing your pictures.
~S~

Geralyn Gray said...

It makes my day when someone from so far away reads my blog---thanks for leaving a comment. I really enjoyed visiting Melboune through you. I will stop back to see if you make it hot air ballooning.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Sorry to hear your balloon flight was cancelled.

Thank you for an interesting post.

Victoria xx

Susan Tuttle said...

Hope it will be a beautiful, sunshiny day next time!:)

Looks like you managed to have a fabulous time despite the gray.

:)

Lori said...

Alison

What a remarkable play to see, I would love to have been there in person! Thank you for sharing, I'll have to show my son this post! Love,Lori

Anonymous said...

It's a shame you didn't get to go up in the balloon!! Hopefully you'll get to do it again on a bright, sunny day!

Melbourne looks like an amazing city!! I so hope to be able to visit there someday!!

xoxo
Dara

blessings said...

Oh it's too bad that you missed your balloon ride but it looks like you had a wonderful day in spite of it. :)

Blessings... Polly

Pink Slippers said...

What a great place to visit. Beautiful statues.
Wendy

villa extra said...

wonderful!! Thanks for sharing!!

kayellen said...

Oh beautiful post!!

Touching and remembering...

Sorry you didn't get go on the balloon ride...

never to late to try another time and another place:)

Thanks for sharing,
kayellen

shabby*vintage*dreams said...

WOW your game!! I'd love to do it but not sure I would be strong enough!! Hope you have a great time when go on the rebooked trip
looks like you still had a great time and that is wonderful to hear!!
hugs

Unknown said...

The Yarra looks so beautiful shrouded in mist. I hope you got to go, second time around!

Sugar Bear said...

Sorry to hear you didn't get to go on your balloon ride. I've always wanted to try one and we have a great place right down the street from our house. Alas, I am too scared of heights to really do it. Maybe someday with heavy medication LOL.
Karla

vicki archer said...

I am sure you had the most marvelous weekend despite the weather...and this way you have two trips. Great images and wonderful to have vivited the memorial, something we should all see. xv

boracay island philippines said...

Thanks for sharing.. what a lovely vacation you had in Melbourne :-)

Gail McCormack said...

Hi Alison
Did you get to go yesterday?
I hope so and will look forward to hearing about it.

Loved the tour - I haven't been into Melbourne for so long, I can't believe it. Ellie and I are going to the Barbi exhibition in a week or so!

Merci-Notes said...

oh, I forgot that it was winter for you.
Thank you so for sharing some of your National Treasures, especially The Stone of Rememberence. I think that is my favorite.
My husband was asked to go for a balloon ride when we lived in Plymouth, Michigan. They were having there annual balloon fair and my friends husband asked my hubby to take his place, which he gladly did.

Hugs,
Mary
Look forward to your aerial photos :)

cherry said...

Wow..that is a lovely war memorial! I hope when you do go hot air ballooning it is everything and MORE! Cherry

Pearl Maple said...

Fabulous tour of Melbourne, it is such a great city with so many things to see and do.

Be sure to keep us posted on the hot air balloons.