melbourne

Traveling to Melbourne after Bali felt frivolous.  Not only was the idea expensive, but it's winter in Melbourne and I hate winter.  It also didn't help that after I booked the trip, a few Australian New Yorkers pretty much called me an idiot.  They said I should have picked Sydney.  But despite my hesitation and all of the haters, I traveled down to Melbourne and had the time of my life.  

I stayed in St. Kilda, a beachside suburb known for it's art scene, bohemianism and chocolaterias.  It was kind of like San Francisco meets Venice Beach meets Coney Island.  I fell in love with St. Kilda  after watching a House Hunters episode years ago, but I don't think the rest of my Melbourne friends were in love with it.  Most of them wanted to hang out downtown or around Fitzroy.  

I found an awesome place on AirBnb that wasn't too far from the tram and all that was happening.   I stayed with Zoe, a British expat with lots of energy and advice.   She had a pretty cool pad.  She's suppose to be in New York next week and I'm hoping we'll meet up.   She was great.  

I spent a couple evenings with friends at this local bar on Acland St. 

I spent my first full day walking around the Arts District and Federation Square.  I stumbled upon the Royal Botanical Gardens, a war memorial and some great architecture.  

I came across a collection of short films projected on a building near Fed Square.  

One was a cryptic short entitled "Phillip Seymour Hoffman On Happiness."  I believe it was created in 2012.  Kind of eerie, but still awesome, like all things PSH.  

I love wandering down these alleyways.  We need more of these in New York.  

Later, I headed over to Chinatown to meet up with a friend.  

We shared a plate of dumplings and went on to have a couple beers at this cool bar that resembles a skate park.   I was having too much fun to take quality pictures.  

He took me to see Rita Satch at Toff in Town.  Her music is Amy Winehouse meets Lana del Rey.   She also plays the violin.  It was brilliant.   Here she is performing Lana Del Rey's "West Coast" at the same show.  We were up front, but I don't think you can see us.  This recording is kind of sad.  She sounds so much better live and the rest of her music was great.  Even her opener was amazing.  

Above Toff in Town is a glorious rooftop bar overlooking the city.  I wish I had some photos, but after a few drinks I was in no place to take pictures.  That's kind of how it was the whole trip.   Sad I didn't get any pictures of myself or the friends I made, but the experiences outweigh all of that.