The most livable city in the world.

When I think back to Melbourne, I have to admit: We had a really good time. There was graffiti on every street corner and a Banksy exhibition as a highlight. There was the Eureka Tower and the priceless view from the Skydeck. Melbourne is a shopping paradise and a foodie heaven. Big city and beach life.
I remember the penguins we watched in the evenings and the skyline that opened up behind them.
Our encounter with an opossum where I don't know who was more scared at first.
The delicious food at the restaurants 'Lentil as anything' that work according to the motto "Pay as much as you think is right."
The huge bounce halls where we could be kids again. The Federation with its personal little starry sky. An international tattoo convention. And our day trips to Mornington Peninsula and the Hot Springs.

Melbourne, just like Berlin, has stolen a bit of my heart and I don't regret immersing myself in city life for a month.
Melbourne is lovable, but is it also livable?
I'm not a fan of sugarcoating things or leaving out unpleasant experiences just to give the impression that everything is perfect. Apart from the frustrating job search, which I already complained about in the last entry (sorry for that), Melbourne, the "most livable city in the world," also had its dark sides.
I'm talking about homeless people sleeping on cardboard in all the streets, which seem to be part of the scenery for all the residents. I'm talking about being a nobody in a metropolis. You won't see the same face twice and no one cares who you are or what you do. Although that's something I often wished for back home (please don't be too mad, hahaha), it's actually quite nice to greet acquaintances on the street.
Now it's time to turn my back on Melbourne. I take one more look back, enjoy the passing skyscrapers, press play, and look ahead again.

It was nice to meet ya Melbourne, but sorry, there's nothing holding me here anymore.

This view happened to us at the famous Brighton Beach. Kitesurfers flying over the sea and this magnificent skyline behind them. We spent half a day on the beach until the weather suddenly changed within minutes and a storm came in, churning up the sea and sand until the sand shot over the beach meters high and people panicked and ran back to the street. End of the world feeling!

Our first evening in Melbourne and we're already drinking again. Welcome to Australia, I would say, and Happy Halloween!

The H&M in Melbourne doesn't really impress with its selection, but rather with its impressive building! That probably makes waiting easier for the guys.

The Federation Square was often the starting point of our city tours. Sitting on the steps and observing the hectic city life like on a little island in the middle of crowds of people and trams was definitely an experience worth it.

I took advantage of my last days in Melbourne to the fullest. As I planned for a month, I finally went to St. Kilda in the evening and photographed the fantastic skyline. I made use of the time until the skyscrapers started to light up and simply crashed into my own picture.

Finally, the 7th of December arrives, and Maggie, Christoph, Sam, and I take the time to celebrate my birthday. Actually, Sam and I end up in a rooftop bar with plenty of Pimm's to celebrate my birthday and Sam's last night in Melbourne. After a midnight snack/breakfast at Macca's, we (reluctantly) take a walk home. I spend my birthday sleeping 50% and 50% with my dear Maggie, who takes the time to surprise me with a muffin and sparkler. We spend a nice day and evening together, and last but not least, I spend my last night in Melbourne before packing my backpack and setting off to Phillip Island in the morning.