Mar 19, Melbourne

We started the day at the Melbourne Museum, a little disappointed because the indigenous galleries were closed. The most interesting displays were of stuffed animals from all over the world, arranged by continents. Below them was a computer screen with pictures of the animals on it. If we touched a picture, it told us about the animal and if it was secure, vulnerable, endangered or extinct. Very well done. We saw dinosaurs from Australia, sea life, minerals, an exhibit of Melbourne from early days to present. The famous race horse Phar Lap was even on display there.
In the same area was the Victorian Exhibition Centre, built for a world's fair tpe exhibition and restored and used today. They were getting ready for an international flower and garden show the day we were there.
We walked around the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT, with its modern architecture, then to the City Baths. Built in the 1880's as a Turkish bath with separate men's and women's pools and separate first and second class pools, it now has pools and exercise rooms and is still a beautiful building.
The former Royal Mint is now the Hellenic Museum. It houses exhibits on the immigration of Greeks to Australia. Some came as early as the gold rush, sailors jumping ship to seek their fortunes. The majority came in the 1950's when the Turks invaded Cyprus. There was an example of a small church, icons, a collection of pottery and casts of statues. And there was an area where we could listen to the stories of Greek immigrants.
We walked by the Supreme Court Building and saw the statue of justice without a blindfold, but with open, innocent eyes. Through 2 shopping arcades, little covered walkways with shops on both sides and offices above. These arcades go back to the early days of Melbourne. I was tempted by a shop selling macaroons. They said the most popular flavor was salted caramel and it was wonderful, melt in your mouth good.
We were near St Paul's Cathedral at 5pm and they had a sung evensong at 5:10, so we stayed. The boys choir sang and it was a lovely way to end the day. I am surprised by how many people attend the services in the downtown churches in the evening.
Pictures of Samson and the Exhibition Building, RMIT Building, City Baths