Friday 8 May 2015

Hidden Secretes: Weekend Reflections


Reflections appear as ghostly figures in the Majorca windows. This building is an art deco treasure found in Centre Place - one of the City's iconic laneways.

Beneath wall to wall awnings and umbrellas, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, buzz of chatter and tinkling of table utensils embrace you like an old friend  as you turn into petite Degraves Street. Welcome to Mebourne's laneway and arcade culture.

Designer apparel, homewares, distinctive gifts, cobblers, dress makers, vintage whatever, fabulous coffee  and food, artisinal chocolate, pastries and cakes street art and  performers - whatever your fancy, it can be found in one of Melbourne's iconic lanes or arcades.
Graffiti takes many forms.
There is always a queue down the arcade waiting patiently for a table in the renown Hopetoun Tea Rooms - the meeting place for generations of Melbourne women in the Block Arcade.
























The city's CBD consists of a rectangular grid of wide streets - the most well known to visitors being Swanson, Flinders , Collins and Bourke Streets. Parallel to these is a series of narrow streets, aptly named Little Collins Street, Little Bourke Street and so on. Interconnecting theses thoroughfares, broad and narrow, are  laneways and arcades with their own distinctive architecture and culture - often referred to as Melbourne's hidden secretes. One can take a formal tour with a specific focus  or just amble along on their own voyage of discovery.

Royal Arcade
The mythical figures of Gog and Magog stand guard over the clock in Royal Arcade. 


The roof of Melbourne Central


14 comments:

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

The tour through the arcade is magnificent, and the architecture reminds me of Paris. Well, the architecture and the macarons and the pastries!

Lovely stroll and I always love a map to get a perspective.

Bises,
Genie

Anonymous said...

cool reflections and thanks for the walk through the hidden arcades and lanes

Leovi said...

Exquisite compositions! Wonderful reflections of human figures !!

Valerie said...

quirky reflections in that first shot, and an attractively created archway over the door. Thank you for the pix of Melbourne's arcades - they are very special and no trip to Melbourne would be complete with a visit there, stopping off (of course) for a cuppa and gateaux at Houptoun's!!

Vagabonde said...

I really like the look of these arcades with such a variety of shops. The one I would love to try is Hopetoun Tea Rooms – must be an experience to go there. I like all your photos. They give a good idea of what this great place is all about.

Jeanie said...

What a glorious arcade and what an extra-special tree of macarons! I'm new to your blog and am looking forward to more journeys with you! (New follower, too!)

Lynne said...

A place in this world I would never have laid eyes on if it had not been for you!
Beautiful images of a fascinating place!
~Lynne
w/L

Karena said...

What a gorgeous slice of the city!! Thank you for sharing your journey with us Elizabeth!!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Jackson Pollock

Karena said...

Dear Elizabeth I just wanted to thank you so much for your kind comments on my site...
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Decor To Adore said...

How did I miss this post? Ah well, the important thing is I am reading it now.:)

I hope you are enjoying every inch of summer. Thank you so very much for your friendship. It is a true treasure to me.

large dining tables said...

The images are beautiful. I love the place. Thanks for sharing!

Martina said...

Dear Elizabeth, thanks for taking me on a stroll with you - i have enjoyed it very much. Just the right way to start the weekend ;) Thanks for visiting me, your comment made me smie! xx

Fun60 said...

I hope you make it to London and see some of the more unusual places to visit for yourself. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.

NatureFootstep said...

lots to see in that area :)