On this day, we flew from Tasmania to Melbourne, mainland Australia. We met the travelers not on the Tasmania pre-trip option; our group-size went from 7 to 15 people, still a nice size group! The tram and train service was explained. Later in the day I did ride the free tram #35 around the Central Business District (CBD). Trams within the CBD are free.

We met a local indigenous guide at the Koorie Heritage Trust for a walking tour of Birrarung Park along the Yarra River here in Melbourne. The young man was of the Taungurung Mob, or tribe. There are over 250 Mobs in Australia. We cannot only think of Aboriginal Australians as dark-skinned and broad-nosed. Our guide was light-skinned with dark eyes and if he had not told us of his Mob, we would never have known. He was very knowledgeable about the aboriginal art and weapons as we spent an hour listening to him talk and answer our questions.

We walked past Neo-Gothic St. Paul’s Cathedral and the oldest rail station: Flinders Street Railway Station. Our tour guide led us through some of Melbourne’s laneways and arcades: Hoosier’s lane, Bourke Street Mall and Royal Arcade.

We enjoyed coffee and snacks. I had a small vanilla cannoli and mini-chocolate eclair. Every kind of food you would want you can find in Melbourne … oh, and by the way, when you say the name of this city, do not pronounce the “r”.

Chocolate shop visit was wonderful with samples provided of their milk and dark chocolate; delicious! Many shops have signs posted like this:

Homeless people are seen throughout the city; however, some sell The Big Issue magazine. It provides them with some immediate income and a chance to interact with the public. I spoke with Nick as some people stopped by with a coffee and/or donut for him. Others would stop by to talk, when finished give a fist-pump be off!

Federation Square, as the entire city with its skyscrapers, has really interesting architecture. I spent time at the National Gallery of Victoria where I could see old and new Aboriginal art. The layered dotting and concentric circles are characteristic of their art. Most fascinating was a 7 minute video of an “Inma”, a ceremonial dance and song, celebrated by the community of Indulkana of the Yankuntjatjara culture.

Our guide talked with us about the Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia massacre in April 1996 where 35 people were killed and others wounded. The gunman was sentenced to 35 life terms. Days later from that horrific happening, the Australian government started a buyback and amnesty program paying gun owners in exchange for their firearms. Guns can be owned and registered, and interestingly the law forbids an individual to carry or use weapons for self-defense. We are in Melbourne more days, so stay tuned…. I’ll keep writing as I travel.