Blue Mountains to Melbourne Jan 2018

Our good friend and sailing buddy, Bev Horton (Sv Kokoh), had invited us to join her in her tiny tin tent (Campervan) and travel with her thru the Blue Mountains to Melbourne. 

We previously visited her in 2015 and had such a wonderful time it was a no brainer and we were excited to see her again.  We took the train from Sydney and met her in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.  

We would journey south to Melbourne where Kaija and I would spend a week enjoying the sights and sounds of the Australian Tennis Open. 

It was something I had always wished to see and despite my discomfort of being amidst large crowds did enjoy the terrific display of high level competitive tennis, albeit it was hot hot hot…with temperatures reaching into the 40’s (Celsius) on the courts it was amazing the players could even lift a racket let alone rally at the level of play they demonstrated. 

It was thrilling to watch one of the tennis greats, Roger Federer practice on the outer courts.  What can be said or written of this humble tennis great is probably not worth writing.  Needless to say despite being near the end of his prime...he is a true Master of the game and watching him is like watching silk flow over satin....smoooooth! 

As a lefty I have long enjoyed watching Rocket Rod...A True Tennis Legend. 

The Aussies have rightly Immortalized the Tennis Legend, Rod Laver.  The big house, or Grand Stadium is a shrine to his accomplishments and as a true living Legend those players fortunate enough to play their matches in this venue in his presence,were very fortunate.  

 

It had been a fun few days enjoying some world class matches but unfortunately our tickets were only for the first week of the Open and we had a ferry to catch to Tasmania.  I had already established that no matter where we were we would be watching the finals. I felt confident my favorite Roger Federer or lefty Rafa Nadal would be on court and with the Rocket in the house to witness, it would be an awesome spectacle. 

Melbourne is an architecturally beautiful city.  Modern but having retained it's sense of of style thru a combination of Nuevo and  Historically Classic designed buildings.

Our time in Melbourne was fun.  The people were friendly, the food was fantastic, the scenery was vibrant and the Tennis was AWESOME!