So I go from a day of intellectual stimulation to one of complete relaxation and enjoyment. I began the day with a 3 mile run around the Carlton Gardens; I’m still delighted by how lovely the parks are in Melbourne. Then a tram ride out to St Kilda, where I had gone for a late afternoon wine and snack with Yvonne yesterday. The trams here are so efficient and easy to understand — a real delight compared to city subways in so many places. Today I went for the beach and to check out the renowned pastry shops.
I added a photo yesterday of Luna Park, and old time amusement park with a wooden roller coaster and sorta scary entrance — walking into a clown’s mouth. What I didn’t realize is that the first Luna Park was built at Coney Island in New York (Brooklyn) in 1903. The one in Melbourne was designed and built in 1912 by T.H Eslick and 20 builders from Coney Island for North American entrepreneurs J.D. Williams and the Phillips brothers. The Great Scenic Railway (roller coaster) was the principal feature of Luna Park when it first opened. Williams returned to Hollywood in 1913 and established a major film studio which he left Herman Leon and Harold Phillips to to run Luna Park. Then one in Sydney opened in 1935. The moorish entrance towers and Mr. Moon (the scary clown) were built as part of the Great Scenic Railway and from 1912 it was a unique example of roller-coaster and amusement park design. It is now the only roller coaster operating from this period, and has the only example of brakeman operated carriages in the world, which were built in the U.S. Fascinating.
During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, St Kilda became a favored suburb of Melbourne’s elite, and many palatial mansions were constructed along its hills and waterfront. Shortly after the turn of the 20th century, St Kilda served a similar function for Melburnians as did Coney Island to the residents of New York City and its history draws an interesting parallel. But then post-war it became Melbourne’s red-light district and home to low cost rooming houses. Now it’s touristy, but also bohemian, and lovely and hosts weekend markets as well as a street lined with lovely restaurants and shops.I n the 1930s and 1940s this part of St Kilda was one of the centers of Melbourne’s Jewish community, and Acland St featured a number of shops and restaurants catering to the Jewish community, and still features several Eastern European style pastry/cake shops.
An quote from Optimus Prime completed my stroll along the avenue and an easy tram ride brought me back to Carlton and a lovely surprise FaceTime call from Lizzie…
And now onto the next episodes of The Crown — loving Netflix!
Did you ride the coaster?! Love me some wooden roller coasters, as you know!