CHARM

I consider myself very lucky to live in Melbourne – “the most liveable city in the world!” Indeed, I’m happy and proud! I remember when I was here for barely three months and living on my own in Caulfield, my old landlord who was a migrant from Italy said that this place for him is heaven, or whatever the word means (like - nirvana, paradise) …. Such that in conversations he asks his friends that if they want to send a letter to heaven, where would they address it to? answer: Melbourne postcode 3000! Well that is quite a statement! I still have to find my unique way of expressing my love to this place. It could be about my passion for flowers – it just peaked to the max! I am stunned by the variety and the quality of the blooms. It could be about Melbourne’s natural beauty that continuously turns me on. I would say Melbourne is a “big park full of beautiful flowers, trees, birds and people”. I could dare someone to show me an ugly spot, for there is none! I could endlessly sit on a café in Soutbank or in South Yarra for a cup of coffee while watching these native birds happily playing around you – oblivious to events and people around. It is pure magic ! I could find beauty everywhere and anywhere on a street corner, a lamppost, a stone on a street, a wild flower growing on a rooftop, a rising multi colored balloon early in the morning, fruit and flower stalls on Saturday market, a glass of champagne, flowers everywhere. This is like a dreamworld. But these are common experiences of the locals. I have yet to find my very unique way of articulating it. For now, I call it home. The following describes Melbourne very aptly….read on…. “There is much to love about Melbourne. Just ask the locals. This sophisticated world city in the south-east corner of mainland Australia inspires a deep passion in those lucky enough to live here. They love its vibrant energy, staggering choice of restaurants, funky boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, luscious parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character. Melbourne, a relatively modern city which is less than 200 years old, never sits still. New futuristic designs add to the fascinating mix of architecture and ensure the skyline is constantly changing. Melbourne is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to residents that their city has been named in an international poll as the world’s most liveable city. Melburnians embrace three things in particular: sport (Australian Rules football is almost a religion); fashion (the look is chic with a dash of quirky); and festivals (the calendar is packed year round). They even embrace their notoriously changeable weather. A standing joke in Australia is that Melbourne can experience four seasons in a day. But, really, it’s just another example of how they have it all! Sometimes, the best part of visiting a new city is when you unexpectedly depart from the tourist trail and glimpse the city’s “real” side. While the big attractions can be great fun, often it’s the more subtle “insider” experiences that leave you feeling really satisfied.