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The travelogue continues…and this is just part one of what day 4 was all about. Since I went to two places on that day, might as well do two separate entries. Prior to coming to Melbourne, St Kilda is one of the places which I had in mind to visit, and I actually was planning to do so on my very first day in Melbourne. However, since I was post-call and all and had to pack and fly to the Down Under, I actually slept off half the journey inside the free tram that took us around the city. I decided to go there on another day instead. Luck be with me that after touring the Great Ocean Roads and seeing the wondrous Twelve Apostles and also spending a day petting (or trying to) the many animal natives of Australia, Naz asked me what else I wanted to go/see on the day before my last day here. I thought of St Kilda and the Sovereign Mountain (which will be in the 2nd part of Day 4 entry) so off we went to these two places.

From the town of Clayton where Naz was staying, we made a quick stop for breakfast at the nearest McDonalds before setting up north towards St Kilda. Along the way as we were approaching the city, I was treated with the grandiose sight of the beautiful houses along the roadside facing the beaches - the places where the rich and elites lived. My dream houses were all there. However, there was one very place I had set in mind on going although St Kilda had various attractions to offer. But since we were short of time I was asked of what I really wanted to do here, and I said I wanted to go to the pier. Just to take a walk along the St Kilda Pier, shot some photos while enjoying the sights, went up close to the St Kilda Pavilion, and that was pretty much it. St Kilda had one famous amusement park called the Luna Park which I wanted to go as well, but as I said we didn’t have that much time if we wanted to make it to the Sovereign Mountains as well. So to the pier we went.

It was a perfectly sunny day for a walk along the beach. As it was approaching autumn the bay breezes were actually rather cold but still…if I was able to survive a minus thirty winter in Russia there is no reason for me to complain about the cold hehe. The beach was also pretty much deserted with the exception of some other visitors plus local families going out for morning walks.

Probably one of my favorite candid shots. I wasn’t really looking at anything, was not even aware that I was caught on camera, and the photo turned out as if I was looking at something that came down from the heavens. I swear the only touch up I did on this particular photo was the brightness and contrast.

Then it was time to go to actual spot that I wanted to visit: the St Kilda Pier.

The city background is really nice. And the winds were strong! There was a roughly three year old girl who was walking and everytime the strong wind blew she’d always fall. Really pitied the kid, but she just got back up and continued walking. Really motivating. It was like she was indirectly giving me a message, no matter how many times you fall just get back up and continue walking forward.

The St Kilda Pavilion located at the end of the St Kilda Pier, Victoria. This is actually a reconstructed version of the original structure which got destroyed in an arson attack in September 2003. It was rebuilt after a massive public support, and some parts from the original structure were able to be salvaged to reconstruct the new kiosk which was reopened to public in 2006. St Kilda Pavilion is currently listed under Victorian Heritage Register. I wanted to go here simply because I read about it in my Melbourne guidebook.

Then we walked towards the back of the pavilion and was treated with a beautiful sight of Port Philip Bay, with those many yachts parked and further north, the Melbourne skyline. Hadn’t it been for the freezing winds I could stay there for hours just admiring the sights, but then again we still had to start our journey to the Sovereign Mountain by noon so we just stick around for fifteen minutes or so.

Hadn’t it be for the winds causing me to really shiver (forget what I said about being in Russia where it could go to minus thirty in winter, the winds were really freezing to the bone!!) I’d frame this pic. The Super Saiyan, Naz commented upon seeing this pic. Wahaha..

The St Kilda Luna Park - an amusement park I’d go if we had more time in our hands. However since I’ve already had my fair share of parks entertainment the previous year (Disneyland Paris) I didn’t mind missing this attraction. Besides, I’ll be going to a cowboy town! Stay tuned.