My first trip to Australia was seven years ago, in 2005. I had planned and planned my year-long trip down under and was eager to escape my job and living situation and to spend enough time at the beach that I could actually get a hang of surfing, if I was lucky.
My first stop was Melbourne.
This is where the love affair began. My first big trip started with two layovers in Asia: In Tokyo and Singapore. But it wasn’t until I landed at Tullamarine Airport that fateful morning, that I was overcome with emotion.
At the time I just assumed it was because I had spent so much time dreaming about and prepping for the trip. The release of finally seeing a long-held dream realized. I wiped my eyes, breezed through immigration, and I made my way to my hostel, and got settled in.
But almost immediately I knew. As I walked the streets, jumped on the trams that trundle through the city, got lost in the secret alleys and had my first taste of Melbourne coffee, I was hooked. I was in love and there was nothing that could change how I felt about this city.
Since that first visit I have worked here, worked here again, visited many times, met and made lifelong friends and spent hours upon hours just soaking in the charms, scents and sounds of the city, mostly on foot. I am never happier than when I am spending time in Melbourne.
No matter what I’m wearing or what I`m doing, I always feel cooler, more badass here in Melbourne than I do at home or anywhere else. I feel more creative, more enlightened, like the world is my oyster and that here, all my dreams can come true.
That’s how a city, your favourite city, should make you feel: Energized, fulfilled, tickled pink. Like your best friend and your boyfriend, your favourite city should bring out the best in you, make you want to be a better person, and enable you to do all that you’ve ever dreamed of.
That’s what Melbourne is to me. The perfect city to visit, to live in, to dine in and to explore. I hope I can spend a lot more time there this year. After all, she’s my true love.
Comments (11)
Cute post! I love how energized you feel and how Melbourne is making you feel that way! It’s nice to hear that you are happy. 🙂
Thanks Nat. I’ve always loved Melbourne but this visit it really hit home for me. I could stay here forever. With frequent trips home to my other favourite city, Toronto:)
Great post about Melbourne Mel, I couldn’t have said it better myself!! For those who haven’t been, there really is no way to fully describe the brilliance that is Melbourne.
Aw thanks Steph. I knew you’d agree:) I hope you get the chance to visit Melbourne again soon. And if you do, make sure you let me know.
It probably won`t be until next Christmas 🙁 will you still be there?
I’m not sure, playing it by ear at the moment. Really missing home but love Melbourne so much, so have to find a way to make them both work:) Christmas will be here again before you know it, and what a great time to come back to Oz.
Biggest catch 22 isn’t it!! Keep up the great work with the blog, I love living vicariously through you. And you’ll have to share all your adventures with me when you get back (hopefully later rather than sooner for your sake). All the best!
Thanks for reading, Steph! Yes, definitely let’s catch up when I’m back in TO:)
I’m in tears. In a good way. I could not have written, or said this any better if I tried. It’s perfect Melanie. And it is exactly how I felt in Melbourne too. EXACTLY. I will never ever get over my visit there….
Oh I’m so glad you feel that way. I was in absolute toe-curling bliss that week in Melbourne. It’s funny how you can put such great memories out of your mind when you’re not in a place or situation that you love. It’s so easy to forget…
It’s no wonder we get along so well, eh? We’ve got so much in common, not the least of which is our intense love of the city of Melbourne:) xo
[…] Fast forward to last month, when I finally had the chance to re-visit Melbourne, my favourite city. […]