Federation Square

Even though the sun had risen as I board the tram down to Flinders’ St, the Visitors' Centre there isn't open till 9am, so I walked around Elizabeth St and Swanston St, wrote down the addresses of the shops that I wanted to visit, especially the shop that sells Australian Open souvenirs “Traveller Souvenirs & Luggage” at the corner of Flinders’ Lane and Elizabeth St. As the only place that is open this early, or should I say never close, is the Internet Café, I went in and downloaded yesterday's photo into my thumbdrive.

After all that, it was only 8.30am! So I did what the Aussies would do. Sit around Federation Square, soaking up the sun, watching the world goes by. Yup, the world still goes round even when I’m not working. There are people rushing to work in their suits and ties, backpackers wondering around, looking at their maps as they searched for a place to rest their tired feet, or looking for the place where they have booked their lodging.

At long last the Visitors’ Information Centre opens! I walked in and bought a bottle cooler. My pouch that holds my toiletries has a HUGE lobang at the bottom. Determined to get one that last, I chose this Commonwealth Games bottle cooler. Hey! Might as well get something worthwhile right?

This place offers more brochures than the Visitors’ Information Centre at Swanston St. They even have brochures that bring you to Outer Melbourne and Surrounds. I focused my attention on these places, with a strong resolution to explore places not inside the CBD. I hope this adventurous state of mind lasts.

I picked up the seven Melbourne Walks brochures, and Walk No. 6 takes you around the sports and entertainment precinct. This was of course, the TOP priority in my list. So Rod Laver Arena, here I come.