Slow start, coffee on Lygon Street. Not quite as edgy as yesterday's Sydney street, but a good effort never the less!

Coffee and shared brunch - scrambled eggs with pesto and feta. Oh my days. This is essentially the Melbourne way. And we love it! Finally leaving at 12.00, we hop on a tram into the CBD.

We visit the Shrine of Remembrance which is near Carlton. It's a huge, bombastic structure that is rather hard to comprehend fully. It's similar to Sydney's Anzac memorial, just... Larger. There was a team of people working the site as there was also a visitor centre, and a Gallery of Remembrance underneath (a little like the Imperial War Museum). We really liked the Galleries of Remembrance, as it was well put together with plenty of ANZAC memorabilia. There was a large section of the museum dedicated to WW1 / WW2 / Peace Keeping missions / Vietnam / Current Conflicts, all told from they ANZAC point of view. Very interesting, at a times, very critical of Britain.

There should be a special shout out to General Sir John Monash. He was certainly regarded as Australia's greatest general (despite his part in Gallipoli).

And interestingly enough, we missed the section on Gallipoli?? It must have been there, but would have been a very curious omniscient if not. Australia has made it known to us as being unashamedly defined by the ANZAC legend at Gallipoli (which is a point of discussion between Al Bal and myself, later...)

Overall, we enjoyed going to the Shrine, but couldn't understand the tenor of the place. They forced me to take my hat off... Yet positively encouraged photos and videos during a 2 minute act of remembrance service, that was run every 30 minutes via a taped recording. (...and who video tapes the last post anyway???)

Having half of our cheese sandwiches on the grass outside, we travel back into town, popping into the National Gallery of Victoria. There's a Ai Weiwei exhibition going on atm, topical considering his refugee intervention currently in the news. However, as we're poor... We skipped. Enjoyed the cool waterfall outside on the front glass window of the bundling, and the many bicycles of Ai Weiwei, inside! We chill for 2 minutes on beanbags outback, before passing under the bicycles and visiting the shop - Alice's favourite past time!

Walked around the neighbouring National Art centre. It has a strange ballerina shaped structure plonked on the top, and we wander around the building to see what the story is behind this. We fail to discover what it is. Oh well! Can't learn everything without google!

The very next building on the Southbank, was the IBM tower. Alex can't resist popping in. They're all wearing suits, obviously. Poor people.

Taking a leisurely stroll down the sunny south bank, we visit the Crown Plaza casino that takes up 2 or 3 blocks! It is huge is very depressing really. We discuss the inherent Aussie gambling culture, and spot a breathalyser machine as we leave. Do we even have these things in the UK or the public to use??

Munching the rest of our food, Alex insists on an Oreo milkshake from the burger joint we tried the first time we arrived in Melbourne ahead of the Twenty20 cricket- the Merrywell. It is tasty!

We make a point of walking over Sandridge Bridge. On it, there are 7 or so large metal sculptures that represent the various stages of the people of Australia. From the traditional owners, to Europeans, to Asian immigrants, they are all represented one way or another. There are also many glass panes that stretch across the whole length of the bridge. With a country for each, they express how many passport holding immigrants have come to Australia / Victoria, and how many count themselves as having connection to that country. Of course there is England, Wales etc.etc.... But we're delighted to note that the Channel Islands have also been represented here! Apparently, as of 2005, 1,929 people from Jersey, Sark, Guernsey and Alderney are in Australia. So know you know!

Last factoid about the bridge. Historically, there were huge rocks here in the River Yarra. It ensured that sea water did not encroach upstream, and the traditional owners would drink this water. When the British came here, they blew up the Yarra waterfall, so that they could sail ships upstream. 4,000 years of sustainable living with nature blown up in a moment. Just a thought really.

Sobered by this thought, we have a drink by the river. We muse that this feels awfully like London. Perhaps because it is built on a river - and not around a harbour?

Amble through Chinatown whilst the sun is still shining, before a coffee at Pelligrini's. A real, bone fide Italian in the CBD (selling cheap meatballs and pasta - no posh nosh here). Apparently the first espresso bar in Melbourne. And considering the current coffee culture here, this is quite a fact! Nice one Mr Pellegrini!

We have small foods in Japanese restaurant, Yamato. There is hilarious Japanese music, but it very tasty! Lots of tat on the shelves,also. Strange, but just about works!

A tram to a rooftop bar in trendy Fitzroy, then home and bed.

AF