:mattLandia:

Another amazing day. The Australia weather gods have smiled on me, and the weather is a breezy 85 degree day. I'm still not feeling great, so it took me a little bit to get moving, but I made it out of the hotel around 11ish.

I hopped the #16 Tram to St. Kilda's Beach. I didn't bother going down to see the water when I was here last winter (August), but this time I wanted to smell sweet salty air. The 20 minute ride was nice enough I suppose, as tram rides go, and then -- the beach! St. Kildas is south of Melbourne as is definitely a hot spot for shopping, cafe's, and beach bumming. The place is packed. The boardwalk has row after row of vendors selling jewelry, shirts, paintings, photos, sculptures, etc. I amble at a relaxed pace, enjoying the sun on my face, when I came upon the most sinister entry to a amusement park I have ever seen.

Luna park is a small beachside amusement park featuring your standard roller coaster, ferris wheel, etc., but the rides all look to me as they are ready for an episode of The Twilight Zone. I figured good photo opp for myself, so I start snapping away. Why the children aren't completely freaked out by it all is just as disturbing. I'm sure it will all resurface subconsciouly for them later in life -- whoopee!

After escaping Luna Park, I wandered the beach for a couple of hours. No destination in mind, just mindless walking, people watching, and pausing to take the occasional photo. If only my mind didn't keep drifting to work tomorrow, I would have been in heaven. I should have gone down to the beach later in the day though, the lighting is so much richer for photography in the late afternoon. I'll try to go back later in the week I think.

I took the 16 back to the city, and spent another hour or so wandering the alley ways collecting shots of graffitti and posters. Not only is it everywhere, for the most part, it's more vibrant art than vandalism, and it has my creative juices flowing. If only I had my music gear with me right now, I'm sure I would birth a tune or too. Instead, my photos and blog will keep occupied as much as possible.

On the walk back to the hotel, I stumbled across a record store that the DJ from Cherry Bar recommended to me called Missing Link Records. I got even more lucky when I tracked down a two disk rock compilation that the same DJ said I should check out. SCORE. It's called "The Rock 'N' Roll Disease!". I also stumbled across another promising compilation called "Shakin' In My Boots: A Texax Rock N Roll Compliation". Nothing like traveling halfway around the world to find great collections of music from my neck of the woods. Hey man, whatever works.

That's it for today. I'm in for the night, prepping for work tomorrow, and of course -- keeping you informed and sharing the digital love. Enjoy today's photos...click here...