On our last full day of vacation in Melbourne, we toured the area beyond the Flinders Street Station and visited the NGV International and the Shrine of Remembrance.  The latter is Melbourne's version of the ANZAC Memorial.

On our way to the museum, we passed by the Travelodge Melbourne.  This was the other hotel we thought of staying in given that the price for a night's stay was very similar to the IBIS.  The Travelodge is not right in the city center but it was not far away either.  In fact, I liked the area even more given that it is surrounded by swank condominiums and offices.  Swanston Street was likewise within walking distance.  Staying in this hotel meant crossing either the Sandridge or the Foot Bridge to get to the more swinging part of town.  However, the walk is not at all far and it was quite scenic.  I think we'll stay here next time we travel to Melbourne.

The Travelodge Melbourne

A closer view of the Travelodge Melbourne

Melbourne won't be Melbourne without art.  Just take a look at these bee sculptures on top of a building close to the Travelodge.

A view of the Melbourne skyline from across the Flinders Street Station

More of the Melbourne skyline from across the river on the South Bank

The Foot and Sandridge Bridges

In the South Bank with the Foot Bridge crossing the Yarra River in the background

The National Gallery of Australia International

The NGV International is another major museum not to be missed in Melbourne.  It showcases international art and it is very impressive.  That time we went they had an exhibit on very flamboyant men's fashion from the late 20th century.

Here's what we saw from the Asian wing of the museum:

I forgot the name of this Chinese statue but I had seen reproductions of it for sale in Z Gallerie in San Francisco years ago.

A lintel from Bantay Srei in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Historic Japanese block prints

I bought prints like these in Tokyo on my very first visit to Japan last 2004.  They're absolutely exquisite.  I love how they portray scenes of Japanese life from the olden days prior to Japan becoming an economic giant.

I loved how this ice skater was placed in the middle of the room full of European oil paintings.  So chic!

Just look at the ceiling of one of the rooms inside the NGV International!

The tiny patio inside the NGV International also had art.

What I thought was an oil painting displayed in the museum's patio turned out to be a tile mosaic.

More outdoor art at NGV International

A different side of the NGV International

The Victoria Barracks a few yards midway between the NGV International and the Shrine of Remembrance

The main gate to the Victoria Barracks

A banner of the Shrine of Remembrance

This monument honors all Australians who fought in different world and regional wars.

Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance

More views of the Shrine of Remembrance Building

This is the entrance to the Shrine of Remembrance

Me at the entrance to the Shrine of Remembrance

Inside the Shrine of Remembrance

A closer view of the statues of Australian soldiers on the pedestal inside the Shrine of Remembrance

More images from inside the Shrine of Remembrance

Light shining through one of the SOR galleries' ceilings

Marc on the terrace of the Shrine of Remembrance with a view of the Melbourne skyline in the background

My turn for the photo op on the terrace of the Shrine of Remembrance with Swanston Street (on the right) and the Melbourne skyline in the background

A better view of Swanston Street, one of Melbourne's main commercial streets, from the terrace of the Shrine of Remembrance

A view of the area surrounding the Shrine of Remembrance:  a mix or residential and office buildings

More residential or condo buildings surrounding the Shrine of Remembrance.  The area surrounding the SOR was definitely very upscale.  If I were to live in Melbourne, this is one of the places I would seriously consider.  It was very close to the city center.  Old style trams actually traveled on its streets.

As we walked back to Swanston Street from the Shrine of Remembrance, we passed by these sculptures sitting on the lawn of one of the buildings in the area.  By this time, I was more than convinced that Melbourne was a city full of art.  It was everywhere!

We took a picture of this map from a board by the Royal Botanic Gardens.  It gave us a good idea of the lay of the land South of the Yarra River.