Marvelous Melbourne

Melbourne is a surprising city.

While it is certainly very Australian in its flora and everyday culture, visually it seems that a fragment of Europe had somehow fallen into place on the other side of the World.

The cast iron decorations on so many houses were brought over as ballast for the many ships that traded back and forth and the influence of a large Italian population ensures that there are many houses that have pleasing proportions and classical interior details.

The architectural ugliness and clashing colours that causes the visitor to Europe to jump with alarm is not a feature of the Australian cities I have seen so far.

There is much to be learned...