We spent the day today at the Melbourne Aquarium and the downtown area. We rode the City Circle Tram (streetcar) around the downtown area to the banks of the Yarra River, where the aquarium is located. Here's a shot of a couple streetcars in the general area of the aquarium:
As you can see, we had some rain off and on today. This is actually the first day we've had anything but sunshine while we've been in Australia. There is something like a 50% chance of rain tomorrow, but after that it's clear, if a little cool.
The aquarium was really beautiful and very well equipped. Here are a couple small elephant sharks (yes that is their nose) in one of the tanks:
The aquarium had a couple long tunnels that went under the fish tanks, just like the one in Sydney. This was pretty cool. You could walk on the floor of the aquarium and look overhead and see the fish swimming above your head:
Here are a few pics of the habitants of the aquarium that were particularly interesting:
This was a shark from the glass tunnel, a lion fish and a ray;
This is Pinjharra, a 5-meter (16.5 foot) long salt-water crocodile:
Pinjarra was pretty active, moving around in the pool and eyeing an oblivious lobster on the bottom! His background was that a rancher found him stranded after a flood and called the local croc farm. They came and picked him up but then he proceeded to kill and maim the other residents. He was offered to the different aquariums or he was to become many shoes, belts and handbags. Melbourne said yes and built him a new exhibit. And he is not the largest 'saltie' on display at the country's many aquariums.
Not all the residents were fish and crocs. Here were some pretty cool tree frogs:
When we left the aquarium, we got this shot of the Yarra River, which meanders through Melbourne:
We're having a really nice time in Melbourne...very interesting city. Tomorrow, we pick up a car and head south down the Great Ocean Road towards Apollo Bay. The highway runs along the coastline and was built in the late 1920's and early 1930's. Should be some nice scenery.
Pat's Paragraph.... I had an important appointment this morning, to get my hair colored and cut. Roger went to the Immigration Museum while I was in the salon but you're not allowed to take pictures of the exhibits.
We did see a new store sign: Lord of The Fries
Fashions here remind me of the 60's and 70's. To some of the older readers these will ring a bell. Pegged pants (so tight you wonder how they got their legs in them). Long
full hair that is combed almost in a D A and shiny with gel. Men's jackets with different colored lapels. The ladies like black tights, wearing them under everything, dresses, pants and skirts. Sundresses with gathered skirts are popular but the waist is worn high above the actual waist and the skirts are short. The soles of their shoes are colored and platforms are at least 4 inches high. Whew, talk about having good balance. Another favorite I've seen is long sleeved shirts with the jacket sleeves shorter, either turned up or turned under. You'll be happy to know that the young men here Do Not wear their pants or shorts hanging around their knees with their underwear hanging out. thank goodness
I forgot to mention that we met a young man that used to live in Toronto and loved shopping at the Galleria for Black Friday sales. Talk about a small world!
