I've lost my noodle!

Manda writes:

I have heard that Melbourne is the shopping capital of Australia. I'm not sure whether this is entirely true but I managed to leave Bourke and Swanston Street with several garments and a smile on my face. The weather has turned cold and I have not come prepared (only packed for warmer climates), so today I was on a mission to pick up a few woolies. Mission more than accomplished and, consequently, am feeling a little warmer under my new layers!

Prahran was recommended to us by Chris as a great spot for shopping, bars and cafés. We hopped on a train and went over to this trendy alternative shopping area. There is a mixed variety of goods on offer with a variety of cultural influences including ethnic, retro, grunge and designer shops. We didn't leave with anything but had a good look around.

Victoria State Library

Once back in the centre, we took the tram over to the library as we have been past it several times but hadn't stopped to take a closer look. It is an 1850's building with an interesting piece of architecture - designed to look like a small part of the library roof had fallen to the ground.

A chunk of the building, apparently sticking out of the pavement, Victoria State Library.

The library is well set-up for studious types and the high-domed reading room is rather impressive too. We had initially wanted to go up to the dome's observation gallery but this facility is not available until November 2004 - we'll have to save this for another visit.

Federation Square is a strange-looking place. Set amongst old buildings such as Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Church, this controversial civic and cutural complex is a marked contrast to its surroundings.

Federation Square - quirky design that you either love or hate.

This geometric shaped architecture - which was only completed at the end of 2002 - has received its fair share of criticism. Like it or loathe it, the complex sits boldly right in the heart of the city where you can't avoid it.

We had our evening meal at a place called Meekong's, a Vietnamese noodle restaurant on Swanston Street. A very popular place as it always looks busy every time we walk past. There is a sign in the window that reads 'Bill Clinton managed two bowls, how many can you?'. Great, a challenge!

We ordered our noodles and the waitresses (who spoke very little English) kept bringing dishes over that we had not ordered. Having questioned a few suspect dishes that were placed on our table, we either got blank looks or the dish got taken away (or sometimes both!). Maybe Bill Clinton hadn't ordered two bowls of noodles after all and the waitress kept bringing food out and he politely tucked into them. Perhaps John Howard was sitting on another table, looking around expectantly to see where his noodle dish had got to?!