Victoria Train Station in the center of Melbourne. The station was large and had multiple tracks; street cars stopped just to the right (outside).

A pigeon flies by as Bob snaps a shot of the clocks announcing the different times for different lines at the train station.

Dominating the skyline downtown was a 30-story skyscraper that had a unique design. There was an observation platform at the top, but the cost wasnt worth the effort.

The Yalow River runs through the heart of the city; in the early morning light, the river was glassythe boaters hadnt yet arrived.

Near the rivers edge, there were huge boulders, part of the artistic endeavors of the citytowering buildings are seen to the north of the river.

An unidentified government building downtown. There was some very nice and interesting architecture throughout Melbourne.

Not far from our hotel (train station in the left-center), there was this very nice plaza and arts and entertainment building (right).

A billboard advertising the latest personality to come on stage at the entertainment center downtownDennis Hopper! Ride that Chopper!

Near the plaza and across from the entertainment buildings, there was a huge LCD on a building showing various TV or movie footages.

Some nice apartments along a quiet street; note the laced railingsa French influence on this Australian city.

Top: Several alleys downtown had nice spots for a quiet dinner or drink. Bottom: Horses pulling carriages were seen at night on the streets of Melbourne.

Bob and Judy rode many a streetcar in Melbournesome were free and some were really reasonable; they took us all over the city.

We took the City Circle line to a shopping plaza, as well as to the Botanical Gardens and other sites.

Finding a reasonably priced mealeven at Taco Billswas a challenge. But, Judy and I love Mexican, it was gluten-free, and GOOD (nary a Mexican was seen in the place!). We ate at Taco Bills 3 or 4 times in the four days we spent in Melbourne!

It was Australian Day (think Fourth of July for America) while we were therethese college kids donned flags to celebrate.

Though we didnt eat much at McDonalds (except for their sundaes), when we did on Australian Day, these two customers were decked out in flags.

Bob avoided tickets and getting arrested in Australia, but the police substation was right next to the hotel. Below: our namesake street sign.

The Australian Open was underway during our visit; here, customers line up near the train station to buy tickets.

Rod Laver Stadium was a 15-minute walk from our hotel. Because we arent really tennis fans, we just watched on TVbut we did go by the stadium one day on our way back from the Botanical Gardens.

The Yalow River was replete with college kids sculling. On this particular sunny day, there were probably a dozen sculls with aggressive rowers.