Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Ol' Man River

Paul Robeson Would Have Loved This City

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON



Where's Batman when you need him? Naaaaah, relax, this ain't Gotham City and there's no sign of The Joker or The Riddler. This is Melbourne, the graceful southern city that is the capital of Victoria.

But why the reference to Batman? Because a bloke called John Batman chose this site, famously saying it would be a great place for a village. Not surprisingly, that village is now a world-class city, so I guess Batman knew a thing or two about picking a great spot.

I took this shot from the pedestrian footbridge that links the north and south banks of the Yarra River, the same stretch of water up which Batman travelled to find a suitably inhabitable spot. To my right, when I hit the shutter, was the CBD and Flinders Street Station. To my left was Southbank, famous for its promenade, its restaurants, Eureka Tower, its office buildings and its proximity to the true heart of Melbourne - the vibrant arts precinct.

Every time I fly back to Melbourne from a trip interstate or overseas, I give Batman a nod of approval. Come on over and you'll see why he was right. Let me know before you get here and I'll take you to Batman Avenue. No kidding ....

Visit the creative team behind That's MyWorld Tuesday.

44 comments:

lime said...

it does strike me as a lovely city from what i've seen here and elsewhere. i have another pal in melbourne too. someday...

San said...

Lime and I are on our way...

Sandi McBride said...

Was there ever such a voice? I know there was never such a city, for my dear dear friend and colleague Julie Farmer (maiden name) has told me so!
Sandi

Hannah said...

Beautiful!

Hilary said...

Hopefully we'll make it down under sometime in the not tooooo distant future... The husband keeps saying we should move there, even though we've never even visited. I think it's like Canada in the sense that people, at least Americans, are always threatening to move there. ;)

Daryl said...

Reminds me of Chicago ...

:-Daryl

Deb said...

beautiful shot! my kids are dying to visit australia, but between the sharks, jellyfish, and those crazy super-poisonous spiders (funnel web?), i am a little hesitant. and where to begin? it seems too huge to go everywhere, so i don't know. do you hear many people complaining that australia seems overwhelming? probably not.

thanks for stopping by my blog! come again soon...

Saz said...

I always enjoy a view of a man made skyline, with the juxtaposition of the beautiful natural sky! fab..

Louise said...

There is not doubt that YOUR "My World" posts will always be interesting.

By the way, I haven't forgotten your blog. I'm just WAY behind. Yours is a bit daunting for catch-up, but I'll sit down and do it one day this week... I hope! I know I'll see some great photos and get some good laughts (or more likely groans) from your wit!

Texas Travelers said...

Thanks for sharing this city and a great photo.

Come visit anytime,
Troy and Martha

Ivar Østtun said...

Excellent shot and thank you for joining this new meme. And for your future posts please enter your name AND country :-) Have a wonderful week.

Cath said...

What a view. I am on my way...
(Sadly, metaphorically speaking. *sigh*)

This is a fantastic meme. I'm going over to see the originator and I am definitely coming here every Tuesday for this! (And Wednesday for Wordless and stuff, and Thursday, Friday, Satur.... oh stuff it. You know I'll be here.)

Anyway, how better to get to know Australia than from a guy who lives there? Seriously this is a brill idea. Glad you're taking part.

kjpweb said...

A gorgeous photograph - and another thing learned! That's pretty much, what I had in mind, when thinking of MyWorld! :)
Cheers, Klaus

Diva's Thoughts said...

Oh my how beautiful!!!

EG CameraGirl said...

Very interesting, David. I didn't realize there was a REAL Batman and that it was his idea to place Melbourne where it is. ;-) I look forward to learning more about Melbourne...and your part of Australia.

marcia@joyismygoal said...

I will visit some day I am sure probably not for quite a few years but it is on my list! till then I so always enjoy your view:)

Reader Wil said...

Thanks for showing us around in Melbourne! And for the information.

Carletta said...

What a lovely image to welcome us to your part of the world.
If they could see us now I wonder what all our forefathers would wonder about 'their' world.

SandyCarlson said...

That looks like a lovely city--er, village--David. What a great time of day, too.

Anonymous said...

beautiful initial entry. i cant wait for next week. i havent seen a lot of melbourne photos, not as much as sidney, so i am very very curious.

Pernille said...

Wonderful photo from Melbourn. I think it must be very beautiful out there in the big city:)

kylie said...

hi david
today i want to nominate leah at theweatherinthestreet.blogspot.com for POTd. the post is "in the reign of louis seize....."

one day i'll figure out how to put a link in here but for now you'll just have to be patient!

have fun
k

Anonymous said...

Batman probably having a beer.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

David: That was one smart Aussie, Batman. I'm so glad you are aboard and showing your great country.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for introducing your world as well as Mr Batman. Who knew?

raf said...

Thank you, David, for a great intro post to Melbourne to help kick-start this new meme into motion. Will be fun, I'm sure.

Maggie May said...

Ok, see you next week!
Beautiful shot!

Unknown said...

Great post, that sky looks like someone was just dabbing a brush here and there gently. It looks lovely there.

I will be joining this new weekly thingummyjig too!

Anonymous said...

Great post and a stunning photo, David! It does look like Gotham City. Thank you for the glimpse of your world!

Dar's Foto Faze said...

Interesting history of a beautiful city.

indicaspecies said...

David,

Interesting introduction of Melbourne, and a fascinating photograph to go with it. Thank you for sharing.

MWT sure is a nice new Meme and it would keep us busier with our cameras. I've posted too:
http://indicainq8.wordpress.com

- celine

RiverPoet said...

There's an amazing amount of movement and geometry in that shot, David. It illustrates just what a pro you are, that you could time it and position it in such a way as to create that mood and balance. Expert!

Peace - D

Leslie: said...

Great shot for the first of this new meme. I've also joined in and mine is over at my "Photologue" blog.

Arija said...

Nicce one Robin.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot and fun how you worked batman in. I didn't know about John Batman so you had me going.

Guy D said...

Great pic, love the clouds in that sky. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers

http://reginainpictures.blogspot.com/

Rural Writer said...

I've always wanted to visit Australia. Thank you for a glimpse into your world.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Delightful perspective of the heart of Melbourne!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Srtiking cityscape. I expect your world to be a little on the far side each week.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shot...
My friends are visiting right now :)
Greetings from sunny Spain!

AphotoAday said...

Well, I'd love to visit...
And like Daryl said, it reminded me of Chicago...

Anonymous said...

What a lovely place and great shot!

Anita said...

Wonderful post... The #1 place on my dh's list of places he'd like to visit... :)

Prairie Visions

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Always love to see your world! One day I would really like to visit Australia....... for now I'll just visit via the net.