Sections - Puffing Billy/Winery | Sanctuary/Shrine | Botanical Gardens/Victoria State Library IMG_8525 Next we stopped at Healesville Sanctuary (one of only two zoos in the world to breed platapli in captivity) which was much larger than Lone Pine but had only a small number of koalas. They took a different approach to the sanctuary theory allowing animals such as kangaroos both a public area where people could approach them and a roped off private area in case they got too overwhelmed/wanted to hop around more I suppose IMG_8530 Was the electric fence for a koala? I don't recall...maybe it was for the... IMG_8535 DINGO! Looks a bit skinny, maybe a few babies would fatten it up... IMG_8537 Jie made a new friend in this lizard IMG_8538 I think this was a Satin Bowerbird but there was a bird making this distinct "ping" sound as if from a smoke detector with low batteries but I forgot the name of the bird... IMG_8542 Frog... IMG_8544 The Tasmanian Devil population is only 20,000 to 50,000 mature animals and recently animals were given to several Australian zoos/sanctuaries in order to protect the survival of the species including Healesville with this adult and also successfully born babies nearby in isolation IMG_8547 The Echidna is native to Australia and New Guinea and a relative of the platapus. It is named after the "mother of all monsters" Echidna in greek mythology. IMG_8550 Many of the water fountains in Australia had these cages around them, perhaps to prevent birds from trying to drink from remaining water there? IMG_8551 An administration building dedicated to the founder of the sanctuary I believe IMG_8553 Kangaroo IMG_8562 Two Kangaroos (look closely!) IMG_8566 There seemed to be a lot of replanting efforts likely linked to the bushfires, but I hope these trees or other plants can survive in that density beneath the large tree! IMG_8567 A very fancy winery with regular concerts bearing big name performers in the concert shell, I think this might be Rochford Winery IMG_8568 More plantings IMG_8570 Lots of toll roads, but the decorative aspects along the highways were quite modern and pleasant IMG_8573 Water conservation notice at a park back in Melbourne, interesting that whatever came before 50% wasn't enough thus the sticker! There has been an extended drought in Melbourne since 1998 and only 500 days of water remained in the resivoir system when we were there. A desalination plan will be built nearby for $3.1 Billion AUD ($2.5 B USD) at Wonthaggi but that was 900 days off (2011)...so hopefully it rains more... IMG_8575 We were at the Radisson at Flagstaff Gardens and looking south (I think) we could see the Southern Star, an observation wheel that closed shortly after it opened when in January 2009 during a heat wave it developed several critical fractures in the structure/welds IMG_8577 Ok...I give up - is this to prevent animals from climbing the trees or being overprotective against rampant drunken bicyclists running into trees? IMG_8578 Good to recycle... IMG_8580 We stopped over along Swanston Street at a great vietnamese restaurant (I think) for lunch with Miranda, Hoy and their family IMG_8582 Miranda's post-wedding relief IMG_8584_pano It's amazing how much more variety of architecture one finds outside the US...kind of sad... IMG_8587 I'm not sure if this is a licensed Harley dealership...(wrong logo and non-Harley bikes inside) IMG_8589 IMG_8590 IMG_8592 Federation Square near Flinder's Street train station is a great stop for tourist information although the visitor's center is a bit consealed underground IMG_8595 IMG_8596 It gains strength by going / as it goes. (Virgil) is found on the Yarra bridge and serves as the motto on the coat of arms of Melbourne. Quite an appropriate motto since Melbourne's growth has increased rapidly and by 2028 may exceed Sydney's population IMG_8598 Sunbathers along the Yarra River IMG_8600 Optus is the 2nd largest telecom provider in Australia and a subsidiary of Singapore Telecom IMG_8601 A nice condo on the way to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Melbourne IMG_8603 Australians take their kidney health seriously (or at least the gardner does) IMG_8604 Plaques along an avenue to the Shrine of Rememberance IMG_8607 IMG_8621 Eternal flame in front of the shrine IMG_8622 IMG_8625 IMG_8629_pano The view inside the shrine, on the marble in the center is carved John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" The opening in the roof was built such that a ray of sunlight falls on "love" at exactly 11 a.m. on 11 November, the time and day of the Armistice ending World War I. Sadly darned daylight savings time means a mirror is required to make it hit at the right time... IMG_8637 From the top of the shrine, a view to the city IMG_8642 Looking down from the upper area of the shrine to the stairs below IMG_8644 Interesting pattern below IMG_8649 A much more well-rounded approach to military honor than the posturing we resort to in the US too often: ANZAC is not merely about loss it is about courage and endurance and duty and love of country and mateship and good humor and the survival of a sense of self-worth and decency in the face of dreadful odds IMG_8652 The entrance to the crypt is well designed and the deep red of the poppy, symbol of ANZAC IMG_8653 Further along there are medals from each war/engagement throughout Australian history IMG_8655 Quite a complicated formation... IMG_8656 I'm glad the views of Viewnam photo book were closed...not fun views perhaps... IMG_8658 Woohoo armed conflict... IMG_8659 IMG_8660 A very crypt like hallway IMG_8664 Sad statues outside the crypt/shrine IMG_8665 Sections - Puffing Billy/Winery | Sanctuary/Shrine | Botanical Gardens/Victoria State Library Return to Features