Australia Tour, special section: Australian scenery

After a journey of twists and turns lasting nearly a day, Cindy and her companions returned to Wuhan last Saturday, bringing to a close their two-week trip to Australia. This marks the official conclusion of their Australian adventure.

Despite the busy work schedule, considering that the purpose of this trip was not solely for leisure, there was still some time to steal a glance at Australia, on the other side of the vast ocean, amid the hustle and bustle of work.

There used to be a saying circulating in Australia: If you want to keep up with the latest trends and indulge in fashion, it's best to go to Sydney; if you prefer a more traditional and gentlemanly style, Melbourne is more suitable for you.

Several crisscrossing old streets make up the central district of Melbourne. Here, a mix of various European architectural styles, including Victorian and Gothic, transforms into landmarks such as train stations, post offices, and city halls, creating a three-dimensional network that outlines the character of the old streets.

At the same time, modern skyscrapers stand in orderly rows, and Melbourne is home to the Southern Hemisphere's largest shopping center, Chadstone Shopping Centre. Graffiti, representing the trendy street art, can be found scattered throughout the city, adding a contemporary touch to the urban landscape.

Our accommodation this time was in Box Hill, known as 博士山 (Bóshì Shān) among the local Chinese community. It is situated in the eastern part of Melbourne, approximately 15 kilometers from the city center, and falls under the jurisdiction of the City of Whitehorse. Box Hill is a hub for the Chinese community, with a high Chinese population of 35.4%, making it the largest Chinese enclave in Melbourne.

Melbourne has evolved over the years, showcasing a diverse and vibrant character.

Melbourne is indisputably the "food capital" of Australia. In addition to the renowned Australian lobster, a diverse array of seafood is available. Moreover, water buffalo, camel, crocodile, and kangaroo are also featured on the dining tables as delicacies.

Although kangaroos hold a cherished status in Australia, their population is not as scarce as China's national treasure, the giant panda. In fact, with several million individuals, kangaroo numbers have even become somewhat excessive. As a result, the Australian government conducts annual culling operations. Besides using their hides for leather goods, kangaroo meat has also become a delicacy on dining tables.

The magic of Melbourne's cuisine lies in its diverse and authentic flavors, closely tied to its substantial overseas immigrant population. These immigrants have brought a variety of culinary styles from around the world to Melbourne. For instance, in the Richmond area, particularly on Victoria Street, many restaurants are run by the Vietnamese community, offering authentic flavors from the Indochinese region. Sydney Road in Brunswick is a gathering place for Middle Eastern cuisine. Known as Melbourne's "Little Italy," Carlton is famous for its authentic Italian dishes. On Lonsdale Street, Greek-style cafes provide a taste of Mediterranean joy. The Tramcar Restaurant, established in 1927, is the world's first fine dining restaurant set inside a tram. It is hailed as Australia's "most popular tourist restaurant," offering patrons a nostalgic interior while enjoying delicious cuisine and city views.

Among the numerous food districts, one that cannot go unmentioned is the area from the Myer department store on Swanston Street to Spring Street. This section constitutes Melbourne's Chinatown and has become a significant location for promoting tourism in Melbourne. During our visit to Melbourne, a longtime customer and friend even hand-drew a map for us to navigate this vibrant area.

As night falls and much of Melbourne settles into silence, Chinatown comes alive with exceptional vibrancy. With over a hundred restaurants offering a diverse array of Asian cuisines such as Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, and Japanese, it becomes a bustling hub. The Flower Drum, located here, is renowned as Australia's finest Chinese restaurant, specializing in Cantonese cuisine. It has attracted countless diners from around the world, maintaining its singular presence in Chinatown for several decades.

Melbourne's vibrant atmosphere is enchanting, and its vastness leaves many in admiration.

To the southwest of Melbourne, there is a breathtaking world-class coastal road stretching from Geelong to Portland, spanning approximately 260 kilometers – the renowned Great Ocean Road.

The construction of the Great Ocean Road took place after World War I. At that time, over 50,000 Australian soldiers returned from the war in Europe. With Australia experiencing economic depression, the government found itself compelled to employ these soldiers in road construction projects along the coast. Given that World War I was often referred to as the "Great War," the original "Ocean Road" was aptly renamed, adding "Great" to become the formal designation we know today as the "Great Ocean Road".

Some say that there is no other road in the world comparable to the Great Ocean Road. Perhaps only those who have traversed it truly understand the depth of this statement.

Driving along the Great Ocean Road, breathtaking vistas unfold approximately every kilometer. Aside from the unique local bird and animal life, the towering rock formations emerging from the sea elicit a sense of wonder. Among these, the most famous are the Twelve Apostles.

These rocks have stood by the coastline for around twenty million years, and they earned the name "Twelve Apostles" because their number and forms coincidentally resemble the legendary twelve apostles of Jesus.

The Twelve Apostles were formed through the relentless erosion of limestone cliffs by the sea over millions of years. The energetic storms of the Southern Pacific Ocean created numerous caves in the limestone cliffs, which gradually turned into arches. When these arches collapsed, the colossal rocks, some as high as meters, separated from the mainland. Slow erosion of their foundations by the waves has led to the collapse of some of these formations. Presently, only seven of the Twelve Apostles remain. There's a local saying that from the next thirty seconds to the next thirty years, any of the remaining brothers might succumb at any time.

If one wishes to confirm the saying about thirty seconds to thirty years, London Arch provides a vivid example. The so-called London Arch is, in fact, a sea cliff at the end of the Great Ocean Road, with two natural arches formed by the erosion and scouring of the waves, perfectly resembling a pair of arches. On January 15, 1990, the left and right sides of London Arch were still connected. However, at dusk, with a loud roar, the central section suddenly broke away from the mainland, transforming into what is now known as London Arch.

There are several ways to admire the Twelve Apostles and London Arch. You can descend to the shore, gazing upward to marvel at the changes wrought by time and the sea. Alternatively, standing on the rocky cliffs, facing the formations in the sea, one can feel the surging emotions, momentarily forgetting the passage of time.

Whether it's the diverse cityscape or the expansive coastal road, the beauty of Melbourne leaves an indelible impression on anyone who experiences it.

The Australian tour is officially over, if you are interested in any products displayed at the Australian exhibition, please let us know