Melbourne

The second largest city of Australia towers before us as we berth. We purchase day tickets for the public transportation system. A quick tram ride takes us to the city center. 

The Queen Victoria Market, a large, flat collection of sheds sheltering hawkers of everything under the sun, is close to the center. Today will be a shopping day. Wandering the aisles, I find a leather belt and merino sweater to my liking, and we acquire a few souvenirs. Then off to the food stalls. 

Ogling the fresh produce and meats arouses hunger pangs, which we sate with crisp, warm Böreks. The pause gives us energy to continue our tour. 

The city is a striking combination of the New and the Old Worlds. Glass high-rise towers sit intermixed with Victorian era row houses, tree filled gardens, and sidewalk cafes. 

Wide streets are filled with cars. The steady roar of traffic and sirens is hard to escape. Yet streetcar tracks and their overhead lines run everywhere. The trams apparently can be easily overlooked in the daily tumult. 

We loop through the main shopping area where Eve finds a pair of pants she likes. And then back to the ship. Our shopping day is a success. 

Tomorrow is a sea day.