Eureka!

The 30th was a quieter day. Jeff got to spend the morning with Jim Sinatra (yes, distant relative of the famous version) who taught Jeff Landscape Architecture at RMIT when he studied here. Jim and Jeff would rollerblade to school every morning together and have stayed in touch over the years. Jim was watering some very expensive trees at a huge private landscape plan so Jeff went to help for 4 hours.

The boys and I went with Lucy and the kids to a park for an hour and then off to return the rental car. I drove to the park and the rental agency all by myself, without getting lost - no GPS, or killing anyone. I was giddy I was so pleased with myself, and the fact that Jeff didn't think it would go so well on my first try 'backwards' driving. Jeff and I checked the windshield wipers many times every time we wanted to turn because the controls are all opposite too!

Kyle and Henri at the park 

Ali on the swings

Henri and Kyle - they formed quite a little friendship

Kyle and Thomas with the Cheezels - they are junk food that Jeff and his buddies consumed (along with VB beer) days and perfect for fitting on small fingers

pedestrian bridge over the Yarra River and the Eureka Tower

golden insects on the Eureka Tower - not sure of the significance

at lit up table game of sorts for kids while waiting to go up the elevator

downtown Melbourne

sporting facilities like Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG) and the above centre is where the Australian Open is played

the glass floor portion that some people choose to go in, but not me for the money or the line-up

more golden bees - they are huge on the side of the building

We all headed downtown on the train for some lunch on the Yarra River in South Gate - a gorgeous river side development and pedestrian area. The weather had been a bit cloudy since the 24th but today the sun returned and it was hot and fabulous. Then we went up the Eureka Tower - a 92 story residential building with a viewing tower on the 88th flr. Almost the same height as the CN Tower in Toronto, the Eureka is the tallest residential building in the southern hemisphere with the top 10 floors' windows plated in 24K gold. The kids thought it was great and the weather made the view spectacular. There is a glass floor portion that costs extra but given the 1.5 wait time and the fact I did not bring extra undies, we passed ;)