To Melbourne, with Love

December 30, 2014 23 Comments

Ho Ho Holiday Season is here again!  It is Xmas time, full of fun, feast and Cheer! 

Urban legend says that every Christmas, a cute looking guy called Santa who wears a red and white snow suit and rides reindeer sledge, sneaks every home through a chimney and gifts everyone stuff that they want. I want many a things and going to Australia-Melbourne is biggest of them!

Following the trend, the gifting tradition, I wrote this letter to Santa, stocked away it in a red socks and placed it very close to my fire place along with cookies and milk. I know a lot of Indiblogger members would have written a similar wish to Santa, to make them travel to Melbourne. 

So instead I have visualized Melbourne as an "Object of my affection" and written this letter to the lovely city of Melbourne, requesting the gracious Santa to deliver it for me :)

You want to read what I wrote to my beloved Melbourne? Here we go-




Dear Melbourne,

Hope this letter finds you in Pink, Green, Red and all colors splendor of your health.

I have a confession to make. It was a love at first sight and it grew with every additional glance, stronger and deeper. Yes, Dear Melbourne, I am in love and I am in Love with you. 

I am told that you are Cosmopolitan, Elegant and Chic, and have passionate soul, welcoming heart. The more I learn about you, the more I fall in love with you. From Thrilling world class events and renowned architecture, to cafe lined streets-capes, verdant park-lands, there is always something new and exciting to discover about you. Reasons are never ending and the spark refuse to fade away. You have been enchanting, charming and every citizen's dream on this globe.

Dear Santa may ask my reason for falling in love with Melbourne. Well there is no single reason for falling in love, as I firmly believe in-

Dear Melbourne,
I don't love you for Fun,
I love you cause you are the "One".
Love you for reason
and the reason is love!

However since Indiblogger-Santa insisted, I would resonate it with- 

1) Explorer's Dream Melbourne- Destinations
No matter whatever mood one is in, Melbourne has pocket for everything from it's eclectic precincts to city fringe suburbs. You have Bourke Street Mall for no strings attached retail therapy, to Collin/ Little Collin Street for posh awesome-ness, Chinatown for dumplings and heritage, Docklands for men's empowerment over seas , Flinder's quarter for creativity, Sport precinct for gripping sports, St Kilda Road for Tram stroll, Yarra Precinct for row, rides and picnic, city laneways and more. The CBD area has everything for every one. 

City Fringe/suburb offers no less where I can go to Carlton to explore student life, federation history and feast on Taste La Dolce Vita in "little Italy"- Lygon Street and catch an arthouse flick at Cinema NovaFitzroy with creative edge has great mix of art galleries, studios, specialist bookshops, the brunch and bar hopping at Brunswick street, Third Drawer Down to browse artful oddities, limited edition art, decal sets and hard to find journals. 

Then there is Northcote, North Melbourne, Praharan and Windsor, Port Melbourne, Richmond, Williamstown, Yarraville, Weribee and more

The more I speak of your beautiful destinations, bewitching glory, is less in comparison to the beauty, variety and vanity that you have amassed.

2) Engaging Melbourne- Things To Do at Melbourne
My beloved Melbourne assures that there is "no dull moment" between us with wide range of activities there. It teaches "how to live". Melbourne is a city full of parks, gardens and brilliant historical architecture offering from high-end cuisines to low brow rock gigs, plays, festivals and superb sporting events. The city celebrates everything from Food festival, Art festival to Music and design festivals. I am so much besotted with the awe-inspiring- world's Only edge experience of Eureka Skydeck 88 and Melbourne Aquarium that I want to be there and feel the rush.

I love your nightlife, I love your morning. I am lost in your thoughts, all day through what summer, what spring. You just do not cease to be enchanting and mesmerizing.  

3) Melbourne Most Happening- Events
My love Melbourne, you are multi-talented, multi faceted. Melbourne, you are always buzzing with throbbing pulsating life, all across the season. You always excite me with your multi faceted, world class events from sports to fashion, Food and wine and others.

You are running The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier from Oct 2014 to Feb 15,  hosting Formula 1 Grand Prix this March, The Asian cup in Melbourne Rectangular stadium on 9th-22 nd Jan 2015, Tennis masterstroke Grand Slam, Australian Open 2015, Disney's The Lion King musical event in Regent Theater in Feb and also, the magnanimous Festival of Sails 22-26 Jan at Geelong for a long weekend of sailing, food, wine and entertainment

Dear Melbourne, you have completely enchanted me with your Art and culture, Food and wine, Entertainment quotient, Shopping extravaganza, Spas, Nature and wildlife, all rounder outdoor activities, history and heritage, Aboriginal Victorian Culture, awesome weather, beautiful architecture that I could not help falling in love with you. With this letter, I am sending you my heart. 

They say "a thing of  beauty, is joy forever". You are "naturally beautiful and I dream about you, and dream with my open eyes. You are the beauty, bounty, knowledge and blossom. I want to be with you, in your "natural" lap that spreads around Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. I want to disappear in your secret fern glades, towering forests and eclectic villages. Let the love further bloom in it's magnificent, manicured gardens which contains thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and daffodils. The Blue lotus water Garden, RJ Hamer Arboretum , Pirianda garden, Alfred Nicholas Garden and many more. With Boutique wineries around every bend in your valley, picturesque spots, Christmas Hills, Sugarloaf reservoir, there is no end to your charm.

Beloved, Love is in the air and you have swept me me off my feet. I want to not just "Fall" but "rise in love with you. I want to propose you my endless love on a scenic hot air balloon flight in a tranquil silent sunrise, looking over the panoramic view of your vine-laced valley and forest. You simply take my breath away. I hope you will accept my love and call me to your beautiful province.

Come Let's "Rise in love" and show the world, how Love and Melbourne is such a splendor thing!

With Fondest Regards and Love,
Yours sincerely,
Ekta


_____________________________________________________________

This post is written for Indiblogger as my reason for falling in love with Melbourne, the most livable city in the world.  I have been wanting to go Melbourne but unfortunately have not been there yet, I browsed through the Tourism Victoria' website and taken a flight of fancy [once I was done with gasping away, with eyes and mouth open, exploring the Melbourne Tourism]. Yes, I am besotted with Melbourne and hoping that my secret Santa listens my heartfelt plea and grant me rendezvous with my love, Melbourne.

Now love is all about sharing and caring. So if you are a reader for my blog, here's an interesting contest for you, where you can win a gift voucher. 

The contest: I have mentioned many places in Melbourne [some with links too]. All you have to do is, read my post and answer the question-

"Which of these places would you want to visit in Melbourne and why?". 

The contest is till 4th 5th Jan 2015. One best entry will win, a lovely gift voucher. So hurry and participate today. 

You can also browse through these YouTube Videos under "Come Alive in Melbourne" while answering the above question. I am posting one of my favorite videos wherein Rohan Joshi is trying to describe the magnificent Melbourne in one word-





Ciao!

The autor is half Human, half machine. Go Figure or just revel in what I write

23 comments:

  1. I'd want to go for the hot air balloon ride and the Hot springs. Both have been beautifully captured in our Bollywood movies and are part of every girl's adventure dream! Of course along with bountiful shopping from the Queen Victoria Market!

    The videos you posted actually helped mefinalize m6 destinations! Melbourne seems highly inviting as if asking me to fall in love with it! A charmer!

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  2. I admire your creativity Ekta Chetan. I can feel the emotion sprinkled around the post. Really fantastic dude. I'm starving to visit MCG for world cup 2015, being a hard-core cricket enthusiast.

    I enjoyed your post thorougly and I'd like to know your say on mine as well http://creatikaa.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-awe-inspiring-place-to-visit.html

    My best wishes for the contest and a Happy new year 2015 :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous02 January

    I want to step back to History in the era of the Victorian gold rush by heading out over the West Gate Bridge, en route to the beautiful town of Ballarat and then Sit back and relax with DVD entertainment where they'll introducing me to Sovereign Hill, a wonderful outdoor museum exhibiting in 'real life' the story of Australia's gold rush history. I envy Tanmay and Rohan as I watch the video where they revisit the 1850 iconic gold rush during their Melbourne visit!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Air ballon ride sounds very exciting. I love Aerial photography and that's the main reason. In 2013, I had a chance to work for MP Tourism and captured following shots from Helicopter - http://phototravelings.blogspot.in/2014/01/travellingcameras-best-photography.html

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  5. Hot air balloon ride is what most captured my imagination. I see that others have the same thought so I'm neither innovative nor a genius in picking this one but it surely is the most exciting thing to do among the myriads on offer and it made my hear soar to think of floating along above the vineyards. Hope it lives up to its promise.
    In case you have the time, do visit my blog and participate in my contest/giveaway at http://www.kalpanaawrites.com/2014/12/fall-in-love-with-melbourne/
    Cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I’d most like to visit the Dandenong Ranges for it’s scenic beauty, breathtaking view and cool breeze blowing through my hair. :P I’d give anything away for driving through the winding roads which are present throughout the ranges. I’d love to stay at one of the bed and breakfast cottages and go on frequent excursions in the forests with my camera which provides excellent views. And not to forget the famous ride in the Puffing Billy, a day reserved especially for that. To add to that, there are also several picnic spots for me and my friends to spend a fun-filled day and the ranges are a perfect spot for hiking and cycling.

    Pingback: https://cruxrebels.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/melbourne-the-place-to-be-see/

    Wish you and your blog a happy new year! :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Team,
    Thank you for a lovely contest. I truly enjoyed the post. I absolutely loved reading it. I realized, Melbourne is friendly and beautiful - with art on street corners, tree-lined boulevards and parklands that extend right into the heart of the city, and a unique tram system that makes it so easy to get around. To know this city, you need to immerse yourself in one of its unique facets.
    It has many subcultures, personalities and styles, and it is these layers and specifics that make it so interesting. I loved the most their arts and music. Melbourne has a vibrant arts and music scene, live music venues, markets, designers, community activities, eccentric Cafes, cobbled laneways, quirky shops, intimate bars and restaurants, festivals, activities and events..
    Given an opportunity I would love to visit the Queen Victoria market as I am a shopping freak diva who loves to shop every time she is out. I would also like to visit the Melbourne zoo that my many species of animals that are never seen in the Indian subcontinent including my favorite penguins and kangaroos. Many Bollywood movies have been shot in the Loch Ard Gorge which makes it a perfect holiday destination. I also love the concept of Melbourne Tram as it covers all the major hot spots of this beautiful city. Last but not the least I would love to be a part of the Sidney Myer Free Orchestral Concert since I am a music lover and cannot miss this experience. I would also love to drive on the Great Ocean Road. Last but not the least I would love to enjoy the Hot air Balloon ride and enjoy the exquisite scenery of this beautiful country.
    I loved being a part of this contest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congrats Heer! You are the select winner for the Giveaway. More Details here- http://www.numerounity.com/2015/01/blog-giveaway-winner-announcement.html

      Delete
  8. Ekta,

    I so loved your post. I want to take a ride in the hot balloon, visit Melbourne Cricket Stadium and enjoy some time in Docklands. Well reasons... I want to view the world from Top, be at MCG and feel the cricket there :D

    Good luck for the contest. And good luck to me for the contest hosted by you :D

    Thanks,
    Sarav

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  9. Hi Ekta,
    At the first place, I was really attracted by the way you write :)
    Its beautiful. Since Childhood there has been this dream of being a traveller and wandering places and through your beautiful description of Melbourne the first place that caught my eye was "Chinatown" as being a big foodie I love trying out variety of dishes. I feel that brings out the beauty in travelling. The second place I would like to see would be "Third Drawer Down" to see various arts and limited edition stuff because I always have loved seeing such things. The third place would be "Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges" because the experience of travelling alive only when you come in contact with the nature.I think that would be a great place to just relax the mind and body.Well being true, before playing this contest I had done a bit of research about the places you mentioned and also a bit beyond that.I just want to say after reading so much, I would definitely want to have an experience of travelling each and every place of Melbourne.
    Thank you for the contest :-)

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  10. Hello Ekta :) This is really a well written blog post and a big Thumbs up to you for that :) If I visited Melbourne the first place I would visit would be Flinder's Quarter . It seems like the place for fashion delights, creative artwork and food too. I feel it might be a great start. My next stop would be Third Drawer Down to see and browse through all the limited edition things.My Next destination would be Bourke Street Mall and Collin/ Little Collin Street for some shopping time. I would love to go on a picnic to Yarra Precinct for a picnic ! The next stop would be Praharan & Windsor to visit eclectic eateries and boutiques. I would love to be on the Eureka Skydeck 88 and witness the beautiful city from that point of view. I would love to go on the Hot air Ballon ride with a loved one :) Last but not the least I would love to be there for the Festival of Sails 22-26 January at Geelong for a long weekend of sailing, food, wine and entertainment and then for the Disney's The Lion King musical event in Regent Theater in February! Thanks once again :) You have made me rise in love with this place. :) Good Luck for further endeavours :)

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  11. Wonderful post and interesting videos that make me feel that
    Melbourne invites the eternal romantic in me to hold hands with my beloved and go see the Twelve Apostles .Go on long drives on the great ocean road. In the middle of nowhere in a vineyard spread a table and enjoy a meal and a glass of wine with my dear one. Enjoy the sunsets holding hands and do lots of shopping at the Queen Victoria Market and see all the graffiti being created at the hosier lane.
    Great Post and interesting videos watching them I am sure to visit Sovereign Hill for spending some time in the era gone by. The lure of gold and panning for some nuggets is a temptation that is too much to resist. After I have found the gold I am bound to celebrate it with some wine so I will visit the vineyards and enjoy some great wine from the Yarra region .Visit the Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory and have my fill with this yummy delight.
    therisingstarz.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-selfie-capital-of-australia.html
    http://goo.gl/ByJqvP
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    http://goo.gl/59Omjz

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  12. I would like to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) which is located in Yarra Park. Cricket has fancied me since childhood. I still remember those days when the elders in my neighbourhood used to start shouting and hunting for us the moment the cricket ball hit by me broke one of their window panes. Running away from them was even more exciting than playing cricket itself.

    I used to follow every cricket match played by India religiously and used to analyse and discuss it with friends and siblings for days and months. Being such an enthusiastic fan of cricket, visiting one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums is one of my dreams.

    The thought of being seated amongst 95,000 other fans of cricket and cheering the players itself sounds exciting to me. Such large cricket stadiums are one of the ways to explore how much the passion for cricket has penetrated among the people of the world. MCG is located in Yarra Park, which also has many other sporting fields. This would allow me to explore not just cricket, but also many other games.

    - Ranjith (http://www.alightheartedtalk.com)

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  13. Interesting Post
    After reading your post and watching all the videos
    I feel I have stepped into a kaleidoscope called Melbourne
    Where Vistas of experiences would unfold one after another
    The nature lover in me is enticed by the thought of watching the penguin parade.
    Traveling though the great ocean road, soaking up the freshness as the breeze ruffles my hair gets me in the mood to pack my bags for Melbourne.
    But before I can move ,Puffing Billy whistles and invites me for a ride. The kid in me jumps with joy at the thought of visiting Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
    Even before I can deside on the list of places that I would like to see in and around Melbourne.
    What’s that noise that I hear ?
    Oh its loud cheer from MCG as the cricket world cup 2015 is about to kick start.
    So many plces to see and so much to do.
    I am thetimetraveler ( http://goo.gl/wdXDzu ) and I have decided … Melbourne here I come ( http://goo.gl/RvUCQf ).

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  14. Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I would definitely want to visit all those amazing places when I get to visit Melbourne :) But of all, my top pick would be a visit to Yarra valley for a beautiful sunrise balloon flight. After seeing the video, I can't stop myself from dreaming a romantic magical flight above the scenic vineyards and watching the sunrise from up above! Throw in my favorite wine, I will doubly enjoy the ride sipping my glass and taking sensational selfies all the way :) Now I can't think of a better way of spending a vacation!!

    Next of course, cruising through the great ocean road in a open-top car to enjoy the coastal scenery and the iconic 12 apostles for the nature's amazing work at play. Then a ride around the city in the vintage trams to enjoy its urban splendor and the legendary puffing billy to enjoy its natural splendor. Finally a day at the hot springs to unwind and totally rejuvenate myself :)

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  15. Hi!
    We know beauty never need words but without words it cannot be explained and when you get wordless after seeing it... your mouth still get open wide and WOW comes out. Dear! Your explanation about Melbourne is wonderful and picturesque description. I am a person who always attracted to nature first of any place so I would love to see the Melbourne Nature & Wildlife. The 12 Apostles rock formations is world famous rocks which changes its color in sunrise and sun set. And then I will see the Phillip Island Nature Park where I want to see the animals which I hardly see in India. I never saw Penguins, Koala and other animals.
    Driving on a smooth road with natural beauty around you, it always gives you a feeling of heaven on Earth. I would love to drive on Great Ocean Road which is also famous in world to give you a scenic experience and the pleasure of that driving is amazing.

    Bhawna

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  16. This article is weaved nicely, a good post.
    In short and to be frank, I wanted to visit all these places in Melbourne due to not been there :), Travelling is my passion and would like to visit to know the natural beauty of the Melbourne and its nearby places to bring back some memory for ever.

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  17. Ah the love affair that is Melbourne!
    I was privileged enough to visit this gastronomic city last year , but sadly a broken ankle had me restricted to a wheelchair and there are so many things that have been left undone on my Melbourne wish list. My heart aces cause I missed experiencing so many things.
    Here’s one of them:

    We had started the drive on the great ocean road. Our first major pit stop was at the bells beach. They parked the car. Everyone hopped off. I dint want to slow them down. I parked myself on the bench close by. Close enough to feel the salt in the air but far enough to not feel the sand between my feet. I shed to tear that day. I really missed out. Saw my son build sand castles, I shed a tear for the fact that I couldn’t be down there sharing this moment with him. If given a chance id go back on the Great Ocean Road just to feel the sand between my feet.
    All over again.
    How I wish!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hey ,Superb post ,so all set to pack bags to have a thrill at Melbourne,Now being high on my wish list .U’ve very well covered the best of Melbourne and for the entry in contest ,there cannot ever be a single place for me.It has to be a bouquet of places to calm down my zest to explore it.So naming ,first comes the Great Ocean road not just to linger or have a decent walk but to amaze myself with Jetskiing ,Scuba diving and to try swim with Dolphins,seal Yay,these beautiful creatures would be lucky to share a swim with me.ha ha.Then it would be Eureka Sky deck, to have an awe inspiring experience to be closest to sky and get the sky deck view of this liveable city, MCG to watch and cheer the players on one of the worlds best cricket ground!

    Wishing u Best of Luck & a great year ahead.

    Visit my blog

    http://jhilmilbhansali.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/a-date-for-life-timea-date-with-nature-wildlife-art-cuisine-ah-melbourne/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous05 January

    I am an adventurous soul so it would be a thrilling ride on the Great Ocean Road. I want to witness all the natural and lush green beauty along the drive. After the drive I would like to soar high on the hot Balloon and want to experience the holistic view of Melbourne from the balloon.

    Visit my entry for the same on
    http://rubysingh147.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/mesmerizing-melbourne/

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous05 January

    I am an adventurous soul so it would be a thrilling ride on the Great Ocean Road. I want to witness all the natural and lush green beauty along the drive. After the drive I would like to soar high on the hot Balloon and want to experience the holistic view of Melbourne from the balloon.

    Visit my entry for the same on
    http://rubysingh147.wordpress.com/2014/12/17/mesmerizing-melbourne/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear All,
    Thank you for your lovely participation. I loved all the entries in fact and had hard time selecting the winner. The winner has been announced at- http://www.numerounity.com/2015/01/blog-giveaway-winner-announcement.html
    Thank you for participating. In case, if you could not win this time, do not lose heart as we shall come up with more such contests soon. Stay tuned.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congrats on the win Ekta! Loved your letter to Melbourne :)

    ReplyDelete

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