Categories
Uncategorized

Good Timing for Gardens and a Shrine (6/24/23)

Bob and I ventured into Melbourne proper today to visit the Botanic Gardens and the Shrine of Remembrance. It was a good day to get out with temps in the lower 50s F but wind and rain predicted for mid afternoon.

We again took the tram in, as we knew that it runs every 10 minutes. We got to the stop just as it was pulling in. We had an hour ride in — from stop 66 to stop 5. It is slow but reliable.

We got off near Flinders Station and crossed the Yarra River to head towards the Botanic Gardens and Shrine of Remembrance.

A view down the Yarra River

Before we made it to the Botanic Gardens, we walked through the lovely Alexandra Gardens, Victoria Gardens, and Kings Domain.

Entering the Alexandra Gardens
A water nymph in a pond in Victoria Gardens
Looking up towards the Queen Victoria Monument in the Victoria Gardens
Looking back towards the City Center from the gardens.
The interesting white tower is the top of the Melbourne Arts Center.
Some lovely landscaping in the Kings Domain. I love the bright orange flowers.
Seeds of Friendship Memorial in the Kings Domain

We saw signage for the Shrine of Remembrance, so we headed there next. It brought back memories of having stopped there in 2003 during a trip for our 10-year wedding anniversary. At the time, we visited Melbourne and Sydney and were on a city bus to St. Kilda when we saw the Shrine and decided to get off the bus to visit. It still impresses.

Walking down into the Shrine of Remembrance Visitors Center
This is the crypt commemorating the fighting units of the 1st World War.
It is in the center of the first floor
and surrounded by the galleries of remembrance.
The center statue is of father and son,
the father who served in the 1st World War, and the son in the 2nd.
This commemorative stone is in the center of the sanctuary
on the floor above the crypt. It is illuminated by a skylight every half hour,
so that it is illuminated at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month — Remembrance Day.
The top floor of the shrine has an outdoor balcony, which provides a 360 degree look at the grounds and surrounding area.

Next, we were off to check out some of the Botanic Gardens. The Botanic Gardens were established in 1846 and contain over 8,500 plant species, representing 98% of the world’s sovereign nations. It was being enjoyed by many humans and pets on this Saturday, and amazingly, both the gardens and the shrine are free to visit.

The Western Lawn of the gardens with some white lights set up
for Lightscape, their winter festival.
Beautiful landscaping within the gardens
Looking across the ornamental lake towards the city center
One example of the gorgeous and varied succulents
along our walk to the train station.

We opted for the train/bus combo on the way back. The train was in the station when we got there and we caught the 735 bus (new one for us) when we got to Box Hill. All of that meant we were back in the house for about 20 minutes or so before the skies opened up. Good times and good timing!

Leave a comment