At the end of each leg of our trip, my wife Evalynn and I want to conduct and publish a quick debrief of our experiences and lessons learned. Here’s it for Melbourne.
What was the most surprising thing about Melbourne?
Eva: Nothing really surprising.
Ehren: How much it’s like a US city… there was no transition, no relearning how to travel, no dealing with the stereotypical roughnecks and antiquated ideologies. Every amenity was available, and it was very green; planters, co-ops, energy/recycling/trash consciousness. Oh, and amazing street art EVERYWHERE!!!
What would you change about this trip?
Eva: Our AirBnB
Ehren: Definitely, our AirBnB. It was the one constant headache we had to deal with on this entire trip. We wouldn’t have shared an apartment.
Scale of 1-10, how easy is it for a US Citizen visiting for the first time to communicate and find the things you need?
Eva: 10!
Ehren: 10… it took a couple days to get our bearings, but being an English-speaking country with amazing public transportation coverage and helpful websites, it was easy to adjust.
How long would you optimally stay there (+/- how long we stayed)?
Eva: For visiting, I think the 2.5 months that we were there was the perfect amount of time to stay in Melbourne
Ehren: I agree.
Could you move/live here?
Eva: Yes. I could see myself living in Melbourne. Good mix of old and new buildings and art.
Ehren: I could as well. I love the mix of cultures: the diversity, the cultural events. It was expensive, but we could adjust.
What did you learn about travel?
Eva: I really like having a private bathroom. To read off of your phone the direction that the tram/train is going to make sure you don’t send off in the wrong direction.
Ehren: Not to share an apartment. To be more thoughtful about our proximity to public transportation. Also, there is value in comparing flight duration: we had 35 hours in planes and airports to get here, 29 of which was in the air. I’m fairly certain we could’ve gotten a shorter flight for a bit more money.
Anything else you want to add?
Eva: Public transportation and walk-ability was good. I felt very safe to be off on my own and there were a lot of free things to do while we were visiting.
Ehren: It was a unique time in Australia with the brush-fires going and the world response. Maybe my favorite thing we did was the Down to Earth Relief concert… it’s comforting to witness the depths of human generosity.
Quick Fire Favorites:
Restaurant:
Eva: Xiaolongkan Chinese Fondue
Ehren: Little Lygon
Hang out Joint:
Eva: Naked for Satan
Ehren: Inkerman Hotel
Best Shopping:
Eva: Tesoriero and Luca Bros produce shop in Balaclava
Ehren: Coles Balaclava (for groceries)
Point of Interest:
Eva: Melbourne Museum because of their Atrium
Ehren: St. Kilda Beach