Melbourne and Windsor

Parliament House, Melbourne

Looking for a mini-break we decided to visit an old favourite, Melbourne, Victoria. It's been over 6 years since our last visit so it was time to familiarise ourselves with this lively city once again. I love Melbourne, I love its friendly hospitality and its lane-ways and arcades. I love the people, passionate and confident and noisy. The city is busy and vibrant, I love the trams and nowhere in Australia can equal the dining experiences.

We had booked a package to stay at The Windsor, an establishment that cannot be described as simply "an hotel". This old-world hotel oozes charm, character and history. The corridors and stairs squeak and groan and the ancient lift takes an age to transit floors. All of this enhances the true experience of a stay here. The staff are formal but not stuffy, helpful and friendly. The rooms clean and old-fashioned, chintzy, cosy and delightful. If you travel to Melbourne, don't turn down an opportunity to experience The Windsor!

I confess we were spoiled, we were upgraded from our pre-booked Junior Suite to a Windsor Suite, on the top floor our huge corner suite overlooked Parliament House and there was no shortage of space, from the huge lounge, to the even larger bedroom and the walk in robe! Heaven!

Before we unpacked, a knock on the door brought a complimentary bottle of Yarra Valley wine, ahhhhhh, it was nice!

This wasn't our first stay at The Windsor, but it was the best and I guarantee it won't be the last!

It didn't take long for us to settle in and set off for a short walk. Lots of restaurants nearby and we soon found our afternoon favourite haunt, the delightful Wine Bar in Little Bourke Street, just around the corner, with a delicious cheese platter consisting of Pyengana Cheddar and Brillat Savarin, an exquisite accompaniment to a bottle of perfectly chilled wine.  Ideal to put you on until dinner!

Having arrived mid afternoon and checked out the locality, a short glamour nap was followed by dinner at Bamboo House! Yes, ok, I do love Chinese food, along with Thai it is a personal favourite.

Peking duck wraps, possibly the best ever, spicy dishes, mouth watering! As I write this, I am already planning my next trip!

I know my friend @2aussietravellers will be so envious!

We spent the next few days exploring the lane-ways and shopping, checking out the architecture in the Melbourne shopping malls. Our stay too short and a trip to the Yarra Valley, wine tasting was fun!

China Town, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

All too soon, it was time to head home ... our few days in Melbourne and The Windsor, just awesome! In the catchphrase best associated with Arnie, I'll be back!

G20 Colours Brisbane

The Brisbane Sign, Southbank

Last night was fun, an early dinner at Obsession Chinese Restaurant, at Southbank, followed by Felicity Kendal at QPAC in Noël Coward's 1925 play, Hay Fever! A farcical, very British comedy of eccentricity, upper class snobbery and appalling bad manners! 

Sadly, Obsession, once a favourite haunt has lost much of its character and personal touch with the handover of control from the proprietor Joyce to a new generation. Our friendly wait staff all gone, the genial atmosphere is no more but in fairness the food remains exceptional and the staff helpful, its just that ... welllll ... the enjoyment factor isn't quite the same.

Hay Fever was entertaining, I can't say it was quite up there with Helen Mirren's, The Audience in the West End, London last year but Felicity Kendal looks great and stands out on the stage as a professional.  Her delivery of witty lines had the audience chuckling throughout.

After the theatre, we made our way into the city to see "Colour me Brisbane", a Queensland Government hosted cultural event in honour of the G20, which descends on us in two weeks time. For locals, the arrival of so many heads of state and senior government officials from around the world is likely to bring disruption, road closures and excessive security no doubt fraying a few nerves. On the plus side, we have a bonus public holiday and lots of entertaining events. Below are a few amateur snaps of lights projected onto our city buildings, to see more check out the official Government site here.

I am proud to see Brisbane hosting the G20, a perfect opportunity to showcase our fabulous river city, our sunshine state and our casual and relaxed culture as well as our friendly people. Many around the world will watch in envy those of us who live here!

Living in an apartment with the view of the city, I am looking forward to plenty of activity in the skies as the security services practice their anti-terrorism techniques!

TheTreasury Hotel hosts images of "The Changing Face of Brisbane"

Australian flag, King George Square projected onto the city building behind Uniting Church

British flag, King George Square projected onto the city building behind Uniting Church

All in all, a very pleasant evening! And today? Well just blogging on the balcony, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and a BBQ for lunch! Trust me, it doesn't get much better than this!

Brisbane, Story Bridge and River

Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia