When the weather in Atlanta becomes better, I took my chance to walk in some part of the city during my last weekend and last Friday in the metropolis. I grouped my walk in six major places as listed below. The order of these places that I saw in my leisure walk around the city are not necessarily based on how I presented it here, but I used north (Midtown) to south (Downtown) direction to tell the story of the places that I had seen in the city.
1. Peachtree St NE (Midtown)
This is the part of the walk where the following places can be found : Margaret Mitchell House, Fabulous Fox and Georgian Terrace.
2. Peachtree Street NE (Downtown)
Here the following buildings can be found : Bank of America Plaza, Emory University Hospital, SunTrust Plaza and Hyatt Regency. Hardy Ivy Park can also be seen along this street.
3. Pemberton Place
It is the home of World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and Center for Civil and Human Rights.
4. Centennial Olympic Park
A place where you can enjoy a walk with Atlanta Skyline view and not far from it you can decide to ride Skyview Atlanta.
5. Peachtree Street NW (Downtown)
The walk in this part of Peachtree Street NW can enjoy Margaret Mitchell Square, Flatiron Building and Woodruff Park.
6. Underground
This is the place where you can enjoy the oldest streets of Atlanta and understand why it was called city beneath the city.
If I did not fall into IT career, maybe I took an architecture course before. I just remembered before when I was still in my rudimentary studies that I had some talents in drawing things, but that skill wasn’t developed anymore when I went to high school as my life changed and somewhat pressured to be like my siblings and be a student with flying colors so I focused in academics.
During my two-days trip in Sydney, the first day was spent in CBD. I checked-in in one f the hotel located near at Kings Cross station. I rested a bit in my room and then I started my walking adventure in the afternoon. I took train from Kings Cross Station and got off at Town Hall Station. After leaving the station, I wandered and my steps started moving but it does not have its specific destinations at first. I walked along George Street towards Druitt Street. In that walk, one building caught my attention and that is Queen Victoria Building. Maybe because it stands-out within CBD as it is surrounded by buildings and offices which emphasize the building to be unique. I had seen old structures in Melbourne which converted to a commercial space and yet it still able to preserve the lavish design and architecture of the building, meaning the building was not only preserved to be a heritage site but to be a functional building for businesses in our time.
Exterior of Queen Victoria Building has been familiar to me. I just remembered the following structures that I saw from the past, like Provincial Legislature Building in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, all of these has a dome structure in the middle as significant architectural design of the building.
Before I crossed Druitt Street and walked towards Queen Victoria Building, I noticed the Statue of Queen Victoria which stands in one side before the entrance/exit of the building. On my way to the door, I felt excited because I was curious what to see and discover in the building. The moment I got inside, I was impressed because of how huge the building is and at the back of my mind, I am trying to imagine its size by thinking how many arcades will fit into the building. My adoration in the following arcades that I visited in Melbourne (don’t get me wrong as I still love all of them) seems to be just a fragment of admiration compared to impression that the building made on me. In terms of size, QVB is already a winner. In all the arcades that I saw in Australia (like Adelaide Arcade, Brisbane Arcade and Melbourne’s Arcades), QVB is the biggest arcades that I discovered so far. I do understand its a building unlike the arcades that I saw in other cities, but I am referring to the vintage styles of shopping stores in one place where the ambiance of the building made me felt that I was back in time between 18th to 19th century. Most of the arcades that I visited are just 2 floors but QVB has 5 floors (lower ground, ground and level 1 to 3). If people were amazed on the global brand stores that can be found inside the building, I was in awe of its beautifully crafted interiors, from its dome, ceilings, walls, pillars, windows, handrail down to its flooring.
Arches and Colonnades (with Elevator)
Escalators and Balustrades on large openings
Arches, Balustrades and Ceilings
From the entrance that I walked-in, the first thing that I noticed on its interior are the arches and colonnades. The combination of these two are visible in most of the stores and has been functionally used as division of each establishments.  The balustrades are visible to each floor (except the lower ground) in each large openings so everyone has a chance to see other floors from any level. Though the building is being preserve to be a heritage site, escalators has been added so people can used it conveniently as it become a commercial space building too.
Dome
My stride continues as I explore QVB, I stopped when I saw the dome ceiling from Level 1, the dome looks so elegant as the scenery are combined with arches in other floor level and balustrades that encapsulated the circle openings aligned to the dome itself. Aside from dome, I also discovered the stained-glass window with its colorful design and a fine handrails that all significantly shows Victorian Style.
Balustrades
Stained-Glass Windows
I went up to the next floor using stairs as I followed the dome ceilings and stained-glass windows. I reached the third level or the highest floor of the building where I can see dome ceiling up-close. The dome is at the center of the building, looking at the other side of the dome, the Great Australian Clock can be found hang from the glass-ceiling and it is one of the mechanical clock to be found in QVB and  while on the other side of the dome, the second mechanical clock is visible which is the Royal Clock.
Great Australian Clock
Royal Clock
The building has different style when it comes to its flooring, from lower ground to first level it emphasized its mosaic-tiled design while in second and last level are more into carpeted floors. If the other establishments enjoys huge arches in their stores the other appreciated the stained windows in their own space, a truly crafted and elegant interiors.
Tiled-Mosaic and Carpeted Flooring
Carpeted Flooring
After the building tour within QVB, I went outside, I took sometime to see the building from a distance. And there I learned that the building has lots of cupolas which complimented the main dome at the center of the building. And from a distance, I saw how magnificent the building is.
What can I say about this bridge? It is famous every time the new year is celebrated in the city as usually fireworks display held in the bridge. It’s fascinating to see the night version of this bridge. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
When I visited Manly Beach, it’s already dark, therefore I haven’t seen it in day light. Due to limited time, I had been content in walking in the beach at night. The was named by Captain Arthur Phillip describes the indigenous people’s with confidence and manly behaviour and named it as ‘Manly Cove’. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
The last beach I reached for the walking trail that I took is Coogee Beach. The volume of people I found in Bondi seems to be similar in Coogee. And seeing people in the beach, everyone was having a great time. The name of Coogee is said to be taken from a local Aboriginal word “koojah” which means “smelly place”. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
This is one of the beach that quite unique because its not similar to the beaches that I found in my walk as this one is where The Gordons Bay Underwater Nature Trail can be found which is the spot for self-guided for snorkeling and scuba diving adventures. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
So far, I already enjoyed three beaches, my walks hasn’t stopping yet. As I see the walking trail still there, my pace continues. I was amazed about the trail. And I still surprised after I found the fourth beach in front of me and that is Clovelly Beach. The beach was known as Little Coogee and renamed after the village of Clovelly on the north Devon coast, England. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
So my walk continues after passing Tamarama Beach. I never expected that the walk will give me a chance to see different beaches in Sydney. I admired the city as it does not have only one beach near the metropolis but more than that. Anyone can immediately see a different sceneries aside from city buildings by just few kilometers driving from it. The name of the beach was came from Duke of Bronte, military figure Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
After enjoying my walk around and after appreciating the fascinating views of Bondi Beach, my pace moved forward not knowing what’s next to see or discover. Then, I saw another shore similar to Bondi but smaller one. And I saw there were people swimming, surfing and just lying on the ground beach enjoying the sun. I just reached Tamarama Beach in Waverly an eastern suburb of Sydney. Tamarama came from aboriginal word ‘Gamma Gamma’ which means ‘Storm’. The beach is also considered the most dangerous patrolled beach in New South Wales. The photo is part of Sydney Walking Tour April 2014.
Walking in Melbourne was really entertaining. Everyone will find something interesting and others will witness cool musicians and artists along the streets. During Open House Melbourne event, I got my curiosity when some people flock at one point and I checked it out. Below is the snapshot that I got. How amazing these people act as if they have chairs on their butt? This photo is part of my Open House Melbourne Collection 2013.
Because Australia has been colony of Great Britain, it is not surprising to see some of its buildings or structures significantly influenced by European architectural designs. When I came to Melbourne, there is an impression that the city made on me. I actually call the city as a European City Down Under. My own reason was when I lived in Melbourne, I felt the European ambiance on its surroundings. One of the evidence that made me felt like that was when I got a chance to walk around in some of its famous and historical arcades in the city. The Block Arcade, Block Court and Royal Arcade.
The Block Arcade – Australia’s Iconic Retail Precinct
Collins Street Entry of The Block
The Block
Signage
Elizabeth Street Entry of The Block
The arcade is currently in ‘L” shape but become ‘T’ shape where the store has its gate in Collins Street, Little Collins Street and Elizabeth Street. I used to pass the arcade in Collins Street every time I go to work and on my way home since my previous project client office is located in Collins Street.
During my stay in Melbourne, I had been in the arcade just a few times and most of that time was just a quick look. The longest time that I had been in the building was during the Open House Melbourne event last July 2013 and the day that I spent for photo shots of the arcade during one of walks that I did in Melbourne.
The arcade was erected between 1891 and 1893 and designed by architect David C. Askew. As per history, the idea was to make the arcade similar to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy and with this, the arcade become the famous historical Victorian arcade in Australia.
I walked in the arcade from Collins Street and that’s when I started taking photos of it, at that time, the only cameras I had with me were my iPhone 4 and Panasonic digital camera, so spare with me if not all photos are clear as it should be.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
One of the Skylight Wing of the arcade which is an interior walkway from Collins Street at The Block
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Glass Canopy of the Skylight Wing of the arcade
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Glass Dome of Central Atrium
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Victorian Scale Number 228
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Skylight Wing Looking towards Collins Street
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Another Skylight Wing towards Elizabeth Street showing the Glass Canopy and its Interior Walkway
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Some of the columns to be seen within the arcade
One of the Tainted Windows
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Mosaic Tile Flooring
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Central Atrium
I spent sometime in the arcade and to be honest it amazed me because the overall interiors of the arcade signify a European theme, though it has been renovated, the columns, the ceilings and its glass canopy, the glass dome, some tainted windows and the flooring which is a mosaic-tile signifies the Victorian style, one of the finest 19th Century arcade.
Inside the arcade I found an interesting scale called Victorian Scale Number 228. Historically this scale were normally seen in railway stations and outside post offices, but many of the same scales has been recycled during World War II. This scale has been restored and was seen before in Melbourne Zoo but now stands inside the arcade.
Block Court Arcade
This initially confused me, because I was able to pass this arcade from The Block Arcade, but this is totally different arcade. Since there is connection between arcades, everyone can really think its part of The Block but it’s not. The Block Court is historical as well since it was built last 1890 as Athenaeum Club. When it was remodeled last 1930 it was renamed as Block Court. This arcade can be found just beside The Block Arcade.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Interiors of the Block Court
Royal Arcade – First Arcade and Longest Standing Arcade in Australia
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Interior Snapshots
After spending time in The Block and Block Court, I spent my time walking another historical arcade not far from the two, my steps directed me in Royal Arcade wherein its main entrance is in Bourke Street. Coming from The Block Arcade means I entered the building in its south end in Little Collins Street. The building features at the south are the Gaunt’s Clock and the two mythical figures beside it named Gog and Magog that strikes the chime since 1892 which can still be heard in our time. At the north is the symbolical figure of Father Time is to be found.
Gaunt’s Clock
Gog and Magog with Gaunt’s Clock
Father Time
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Exterior of the Royal Arcade along Bourke Street
As per official site of the arcade, the building was completed last May 1870 and its design was came from Charles Webb who won from the major design competition for the arcade happened 1868.
Australia has a lot of historical arcades in its major cities and the above arcades are only to be found in Melbourne. I did enjoyed my walk once more around Melbourne.
Most Australians loves sports and one of the sports that they love is footy (football). As far as I remembered, the footy seasons starts at fall (March) and ends in winter (September) season. Footy is common buzzword in Australia. Because I came from a country where the popular sports is basketball, I am not familiar nor do I understand the rules of football.
While living in Melbourne, I learned and realized that Australians takes prides on sports. I noticed the high fever during the Annual Formula One Race because a lot of people coming to the area where I lived since Albert Park is just nearby to watch the Australian Grand Prix. Even the Cricket which is a bat-and-ball game is popular during December and for me, after watching a bit of Cricket in TV, I see the similarity of it to the Baseball. Australian showed that sports matters to them. Having a chance to travel to major cities of Australia, if not all cities but mostly the major cities has facilities to cater these different sports. Melbourne is not immune to this as the city hosting if not all but most of the sports popular in Australia. One of the walks that I had in the city was walks in Yarra River and its Sports Precinct.
Princess Bridge
I came from a bit of walk in St Kilda Road when I decided to continue my walks to Yarra River. Yarra River is the famous river in Melbourne where it starts from Yarra Ranges down to Melbourne City. In my previous post with Yarra River, I already describes some of the sceneries to be found between the sides of the river which surrounded by Docklands and CBD in one side and Southbank at the other side.
Princess Bridge, Flinder Street Station, Federation Square, some restaurant and Yarra River Cruise Station
In this walks, I started my pace near from Princes Bridge which gives me a chance to see other parts of the river. For me, river makes the city so charming because it gives the city the  nature atmosphere of the place. From the bridge, Flinders Street Station still noticeable, even the Federation Square. Some restaurants are just beside the river. The river accommodates cruising but, I haven’t tried it.
Some of the buildings that I passed on
Having a chance to witness cities with clean and beautiful river in the middle of it, I more admire the city by being able to take care of its river.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Shots of Yarra River
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Swan St Bridge
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
After walking a bit beside the river, I reached and crossed Swan St Bridge. Then, I saw Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Westpac Centre, Hisense Arena, Melbourne Olympic Parks, AAMI Park and Melbourne Cricket Ground. The area is what they called Sports Precinct.
Westpac Centre
Rod Laver Area
Hisense Arena
AAMI Park
Melbourne Cricket Ground
I enjoyed the walk even though it rained a bit. This part of Yarra River and Sports Precinct is some place where I seldom to pass on while staying in the city. During the peak season of each sports, the area is fulfilled with a lot of people, I can feel it specially if I am at the city center, if I am at the tram or train. I can feel that each sports event was like a movie hits where massive people goes to. Melbourne was the first city that I experienced such wave for sports.
I lived in Melbourne for more than 1.5 years, St Kilda Road became my home road. Wondering why? I used to pass this road back and forth in my daily travel while living in the city because the service apartment that I stayed-in is located along this road.
I remembered the first time I arrived in the hotel-service apartment, I was clueless which direction to and away from the city. On my first day at work I took a tram away from the city. I checked my mobile phone and realized I was in wrong direction. The tram I took already passed few stations and I ended at the last station that still in St Kilda Road before tram will take another street.
St Kilda Road (towards the city)
The location of my accommodation in my first impressions seems quiet since its weekend when I arrived in the city and I thought that the road was infamous but I was wrong for both. The road is busy not only because of the tram tracks placed on it but because the road is location of many offices where people also flocks during business hours. The road is very strategic location to live and to work in Melbourne.
St Kilda Road (away from the city)
St. Kilda Road is one of the major road and where 9 routes of tram passed on it which gives advantage to me because I can take at least 6 out of 9 routes as they passed the accommodation that I lived.  The road become advantageous to people who live along or nearby  the road, who doesn’t have a car like me and very dependent to public transportation.
The hotel-service apartment that I lived in Melbourne is part of Seasons Apartment Hotel Group. I specifically stayed in Seasons Heritage Melbourne. The lobby of the hotel is actually one of the old mansions that was part of old prestige of the road in its old times called Warwillah. Warwillah is one of the mansions that still survive at this time as many mansions had been fall down due to development that change the city. St Kilda Road is a road of fame and prestige during 19th century, one of the discovery that I learned while living in Melbourne.
Historically, the area of St Kilda become fashionable area where wealthy settlers starts to live here. St Kilda Road starts as a dirt track and become impassable after rain because of muds. While living in St Kilda, I can still feel its prestige every time I passed the road because old mansions that still existing that are evidence that St Kilda was once home of rich and wealthy people during its settlement years.
St Kilda Road starts from Flinders Street in CBD where more than 100 years old Flinders Street Station is located and Federation Square building at the other side of the road. The road ends in Carlisle Street where St Kilda Townhall is just around the corner. There are significant structures and parks to see and to enjoy along this road, they are the following (some has photos included):
Structures, Buildings, Sculptures and Parks
Flinders Street Station
Federation Square
Hamer Hall
Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre, Playhouse Arts Centre and The Pavilion
Royal Botanic Gardens
1. Alexandra Gardens
2. Queen Victoria Gardens
Floral Clock
Edward VII Monument
3. Kings Domain
Boer War Monument
4. Shrine of Remembrance
National Gallery of Victoria
VCA School of Music
Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Victoria Barracks, Melbourne
Tennis World Albert Reserve
Royce Hotel (previously an automobile showroom at 379 St Kilda Road)
Airlie Mansion (452 St Kilda Road)
Rathgael (Estella Mansion -462 St Kilda Road)
Majella Mansion (473 St Kilda Road)
New Charsfield (formerly Charsfield Mansion – 478 St Kilda Road)
Chevron Green Apartments (Chevron Hotel – 539 St Kilda Road)
Seasons Heritage Melbourne (formerly Warwillah – 572 St Kilda Road)
Royal College of Anaesthetist of Australia and New Zealand (formerly Ulimaroa – 630 St Kilda Road)
St Kilda Townhall
Embassy Offices
French Honorary Consulate General (Melbourne)
Consulate General of India
Consulate General of Chile in Melbourne
Consulate General of Malaysia Melbourne
Italian Consulate General
Royal Thai Consulate General
USA Consulate
Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Melbourne
There are lots of hotel and accommodations that can be found along the road aside from offices because the road is not far from Albert Park where F1 Race in Australia being held every year and during my stay in the service hotel I got a chance to experience twice the sounds of F1 race as one of the tracks they used is not far from St Kilda Road.
I have collected at least six Melbourne Walks track at Federation Square Visitor Centre. Each track is printed in one page back to back with jam-packed of brief but helpful information that anyone can easily follow by anyone that wanted to see Melbourne by walking. Federation Square is the starting point of the walk so anyone should not be lost with the help of GPS in smart phone or with just the map and tracks included in one pager brochure.
“A Walk in the Park” track includes cathedrals, parklands and Flinders Lane. I did not follow the whole route but I still used the brochure as guide.
From Federation Square, I walked along Flinders Street towards Wellington Parade road. I reached Lansdowne Street and started my pace slowly when I found the Fitzroy Gardens. Based on the brochures that I was holding on that time, Fitzroy was more 150 years old since the date that it was laid-out. I also learned that the name of the garden was came from Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, Governor of New South Wales and Governor General of the Australian Colonies.
I checked the brochure again and my eyes were searching for something. I was specifically looking for historical structure within the garden. I was looking for Cook’s Cottage, the childhood family home of famous British explorer and navigator Captain James Cook. I only know one thing about Captain James Cook, that he is one of the recognized discoverer of places and countries such as Australia.
I walked continuously while looking around. I passed the Conservatory building and decided to see it later. I found interesting reading stuff along the way – that is Captain Cooks Pine, a tree that recognized and admired by Captain James Cook during his voyages. Next thing I saw was the tree they called as “A Great Australian Tree” which is Moreton Bay Fig (a tree named after Earl of Morton and President of Royal Society). The tree is quite familiar to me because I saw the same tree which is considered very old one when I was traveling around Adelaide City.
A Great Australian Tree
Near the said tree, is the Cook’s Cottage. From outside, anyone can see the house but to see what’s inside of it requires an entrance fee. The amount is minimal, at that time that I visited last June 2013 the fee was $5 AUD. I went to the entrance and paid the fee since I was eager to see what’s inside the cottage and curious to learn more about Captain James Cook.
Within the fences that surrounds  Cooks’ Cottage, there are
I entered the cottage to start my discovery of the family and childhood home of Captain James Cook. I entered the door where there is stone with inscription of “JGC 1755” above it. I strolled around the ground floor of the house. The short corridor was the first thing that I saw. A hallway that passes through the other side since there is another door on it.
Stone with Inscription
Hallway or corridor
Next, from hallway I saw the 18th century English kitchen in a farm households. Beside the kitchen is a bedroom that displays the typical bed at that time.
Clock in the kitchen which used to wind once a day
Kitchen
Bedroom
I moved to the second floor of the cottage to continue my exploration in once home of young James Cook. The stairs have narrow width and upstairs I was greeted with another bedroom.
Stairs
Bedroom
Bedroom Ceiling
Bed with warming pan (which equivalent of the modern electric blanket)
Main Bedroom
As per booklet that I had, the main bedroom served as family bedroom and visitors bedroom.
After enjoying the discovery of the home of young James Cook, I went down and walked outside towards garden. The garden was designed to at least matched the 18th century garden. Within the garden, there is the statue of Captain James Cook which depicts almost the same height of the famous navigator.
Captain James Cook statue
Outside view of Cook’s Cottage
The 18th Century Toilets
Some vegetables, plants and flowers in the hedge.
As I walked around outside the cottage, I was not aware there’s a store within the cottage. That part of the cottage is the single-storey part. I entered the room and got excited to see more stuff about Captain James Cook. That store is called Discovery Centre where anyone can buy souvenirs all related to Captain James Cook.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Discovery Centre.
I stayed a while at Discovery Centre and read some stuff. I found a huge map with lighting’s that displays Captain James Cook 3 major navigation tracks which made me realized that he traveled to lots of places almost around the world and I admit he can be considered one of the great explorer of all time.
Probably someone is wondering, why the house of young Captain James  Cook now stands in Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne wherein the life of the captain was never happened in Melbourne. I also learned that Cooks’ Cottage was originally built in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire England and it was moved to Melbourne as part of Victoria’s state centenary in 1934.
As per history from the Cooks Cottage booklet that I got from Visitors Centre, when Cooks family left the cottage, there were families lived there from time to time. Dixon family who was the owner of the cottage at that time put the cottage on sale and when the news heard in Melbourne, Australian historian Hermon Gill put the idea to the Council for Melbourne’s Centenary and Russell Grimwade – a council member decided to buy the cottage as gift for the people of Victoria. At that time, Dixons family rule on the cottage not to sold “outside England” was changed to “outside Empire”. And the process of dismantling, recording, moving and rebuilding of the cottage followed. It was an amazing stuff to discover how the cottage now stands in Melbourne which very far from England.
After exploring Cooks’ Cottage, I continued discovering the other stuff in Fitzroy Gardens and nearby buildings around the area.
Fitzroy Gardens
When I got a chance to walk around the garden, I can say that it’s a great place to unwind for a moment if you wanted to be away from city life. Its a recommended place for walking and jogging, I can say Melbourne has a lot of place like this and Fitzroy Gardens is just one of them.
Sinclairs’ Cottage
When I saw the building its not noticeable at first because of it’s size. As per garden’s website, the cottage is a small structure that has Italian Romanesque design wherein in 1866 Melbourne City Council allowed the tender of Thomas Crowson to build cottage for 520 pounds. The building still survives up to our times and had been home before of James Sinclair one of the famous horticulturist, whom designed and developed the Fitzroy Gardens itself, a very interesting history.
Conservatory
A building with Spanish mission style design within the garden that housed different flowers. I just learned from garden’s website that the building is more than 80 years now as it was built last 1930. The structure existed as part of city’s dedication to horticulture.
Structures Around Fitzroy Gardens
My walk continues beyond the garden and I saw some government buildings. The Treasury Precinct which consist of New Treasury Building and Old Treasury Building. My photo collections of these buildings are only external photos since I never got a chance go inside these buildings. The Precinct has significant role in the government since these buildings was built. Before, the Old Treasury Building used to store the colony’s gold during Gold Rush and had been offices of Governor, Premier, Treasurer and Auditor General.
New Treasury Building
New Treasury Building which captured from Lansdowne Street
Old Treasury Building
Old Treasury Building captured from MacArthur Street and Spring Street
Statues
As I am looking for the information of the statues that I captured while walking around the Treasury Precinct, I learned some stuff that made me admired these people.
George Higinbotham Statue
Below is the excerpt that I got from another website featuring what kind of person was George Higinbotham when he was alive.
Mr Higinbotham (1826-1892) started his career as a reporter, before serving as Attorney General and then as Chief Justice. He was born in Dublin in 1826 and migrated to Melbourne at the age of 28. His first job in Australia was as the editor of the Argus. He was very much seen as a man ahead of his time and radical in his views. He believed in religious education, reconciliation with indigenous Australians, the Eight Hour Movement and supported women’s sufferage (to name a few). He refused to take the £500 salary as Chief Justice and furthermore declined a knighthood. Lieutenant Governor Sir Fredrick Mann, speaking of Higinbotham, recalled ” no man did more to bring about the full development of the principles of responsible government in this country.”
Statue of Sir William John Clarke (found beside Old Treasury Building in Treasury Gardens)
I am truly amazed when I learned that John Clarke was only 19 years old when he designed the Old Treasury Building, by just looking at the building, I never thought that the person had the style of the building is just teenager, a very profound discovery.
While living in Melbourne for more than 1.5 years during my assignment for 4 consecutive projects, I was given one of the unprecedented opportunities while working abroad. What kind of opportunity was it that I am talking about? An opportunity to see another country which is Australia, to see another state which is Victoria and to see another city which is Melbourne.
Melbourne is one of the major city that always included in the list of most livable city in the world. Before, I know nothing about the said city but after I got a chance to lived in Melbourne for sometime, I realized and understood the truthfulness why the city is one of the most livable place on earth.
If I will be given another chance to go back in Melbourne I will come back and if I will be given a chance to live there, I wholeheartedly accept it.
Living in one place for a while does not mean you already see everything. I live in my country since birth but I haven’t even got a chance to see quarter of it. While living in Melbourne, I tried my best to see more of the city. To appreciate Melbourne or any other places, I always think that walking is the best way to see it specially if times allows it. I prefer to walk even there’s a tour available, not only because it’s cheaper but because walking in the city or walking in places gives me a chance not only to see it but to experience it.
I did some walks in Melbourne together with my camera following the walking tour maps that I got from Visitor Center at Federation Square and other interesting walks available near or within the metropolis.
Here are some of the posts portraying Melbourne with European atmosphere city down under.
Arches and Colonnades (with Elevator)
Escalators and Balustrades on large openings
Arches, Balustrades and Ceilings
Dome
Balustrades
Stained-Glass Windows
Great Australian Clock
Royal Clock
Tiled-Mosaic and Carpeted Flooring
Carpeted Flooring
