Lust for Life

It was a cool and windy day on Sunday, which wasn’t ideal for catching rays.  I headed over to check out the St. Kilda Market along The Esplanade.  It wasn’t anything more or less that one would find down by Queen’s Quay on any given weekend.  

I returned to grab the bike.  My orientation of the city is now much better.  Getting around on the bike allows for better bearings than hopping on/off the tram as efficient as the Metlink system is.  

Shrine of Remembrance

I retraced my steps back from yesterday to grab some pictures with a charged camera battery.  First stop was the war memorial.  I should also note this 5ha garden area of the city is a combination of sites such as Alexandra Gardens, Queen Victoria Gardens, Kings Domain and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

I decided to make a pit stop and wonder through the Royal Botanical Gardens.  It was a nice leisurely walk and an ideal locale to spend some quiet time.  As its late summer most of the flora wasn’t in full bloom, which was a little disappointing. Nonetheless, I grabbed some nice landscape photos of the Gardens and cityscape. 

The Government House is also located here, but it is fenced off from the public.  Damn elitists.  It’s unfortunate since the building looks rather magnificent.  I still managed to grab a few decent partial images. I then headed across the Yarra back to Melbourne and Olympic Parks for some more photographs.

Government House

Then I wanted to finally hit the QV Market, so off I went.  Along the way I stopped off at Southbank as it looked a buzz. As I was dismounting from the bike, my helmet tugged away at my headphone wire and suddenly I noticed that the right ear bud was missing. Sh*t! I knew exactly what happened.

I tried to pick it out of my auricle, but having recently had a manicure that didn’t do any good.  In fact, I think I may have pushed it further in my earhole. Panic began to set in.  Ok…think!

AAMI Park in Melbourne and Olympic Parklands

I ran into Southgate, but all the admin services including medical were closed on the weekend.  WTF! Delirium ensues.  What to do? What to do? Do I have my travel insurance card with me? Should I head to a clinic or a hospital?

Breathe.

Alright…find a pharmacy, get a pair of tweezers and solve this issue was the new plan of attack.  Along the way I passed a hair and beauty supply boutique and popped inside.  The lady was quite understanding and helpful in my plight.  She seated me down, grabbed a pair of tweezers and yanked the sucker out.  She went on to say she is actually a nurse who was helping her friend out at the store.  Bless her soul.  No blood, no loss of hearing, no pain biting down on my gums and I still have my balance.  Aaah!  I was lucky, lucky indeed. 

Hmmm…I never had it in the ear before.

I blame myself. A couple of weeks ago I lost one of the original buds and replaced it with a substandard one.  Anyway, I packed original replacements so I should be good to go from here on out.

By time my relief settled in it was too late to get to the QV Market.  I opted to return home and thankfully a nearby Super IGA has some reasonably priced victuals so I did some much needed shopping.

Oh! I forgot its Pride today.  The parade was right through St. Kilda too, but it had finished by time I returned. Still the scenery was quite an eyeful, although pales in comparison to back home or Sydney from what I understand.

I was gonna check out another local band at the Festival, but the madness deterred my plans.  Flipping through the local street rag Beat (think NOW), I found a great spot to catch some grooves and drinks in Fitzroy Precinct along Brunswick Street. Reviews raved about the place, good music and great people just looking to have fun.  A true Melbourne experience…yadda…yadda…yadda….I’m sold! 

Grabbed the tram and I was on my way about half past nine.  Forty minutes later I arrive.  To my surprise the joint is closed for renos! F@*!  All this way for nada? No mention in the street rag, no mention on the website. Grr.  I cruised along the rest of the Brunswick strip, but I think I was too miffed to give another place a shout and it was also relatively quiet being Sunday night.  A feet drag back home. 

Alas before I forget, I uploaded some pics on previous posts so flip through the archive and check them out.