Melbourne: Bombs and Locks

The horizon of Melbourne beckoned us as we sailed in off the rocky Tasman Sea, two days late due to 60 knot winds. We were given a half day to explore before heading back on the Tasman to catch up to our preordained schedule towards Sydney. Given the short time frame, we decided to explore the city center by foot.

First stop was City Square to check out the Knit Bombing. The history behind these knitted yarn peaceful protests is either to make a statement about feminism or to beautify a sterile urban landscape in a feminine way. It is a form of street art, or “tagging” often done by women as a way to rebel and/or share a message with their community. Since I am a knitter myself, I found the knit bombs fascinating, beautiful and unique, and I realized the hours of work that went into each piece.

Luckily for us, there was an Aperol stand in City Square, so we stopped to have my favorite cocktail, an Aperol Spritz, before continuing our journey.

Next stop was Southgate Footbridge that crosses the Yarra River, to see the lover’s locks. The tradition states that lovers must come to the bridge and place a lock on the fence. Then they must throw the key into the water to ensure that their love will last forever. Since we weren’t prepared for this, we sealed our love with a kiss.

Next stop was “the beach” where folks hang out to watch the Australian Open. It’s an open air patio right next to the tennis courts, with a giant outdoor screen featuring the tournament in live action. Groovy and athletic fans were in abundance.

Early the next morning before departing, we headed out for a quiet walk on the beach path. The architecture was a unique blend of modern and mid-century, with some of the buildings architecturally converted for adaptive reuse. I enjoyed the quotes they inserted along the pathway from local residents. We had a stroll and headed back for our sail to Sydney, praying for calmer seas.