Sydney vs. Melbourne

I’m sitting in the heart of Australia, this magic spot on earth where so many pictures are taken, Alice Springs.

I loved Melbourne. It is fascinating, contrasts of architecture, people, weather, lifestyles… It’s really a shame that I have to leave it, now that I started to get confident with it. There are cities you love at the first sight. You feel confident and secure, you don’t get lost, or at least you think so. Sydney is one of these cities. As I wrote before, Sydney has the best indications for public transport I’ve ever seen.

Melbourne has a pretty good working public transport system too. But not as well described to the user as Sydney’s. The tram network map has no stops on it, just the lines. In some of the trams you don’t know how the stop is called where you have to get off the train. At the beginning it can be annoying or frustrating (if you take the first tram, with a bike bag, it’s raining and you go in the wrong direction). But it becomes challenging. Like a Sudoku game you are not able to resolve at the first attempt. For those of you who travel to Melbourne some day: get the map of the city with the tram routes in it, otherwise you might not know where you go.

Sydney is pretty. And Sydney’s people are the most beautiful people I’ve seen. It’s hard to believe that there are so many pretty women and handsome men living at the same place. Everyone sports addicted of course. Sydney is the famous glamour woman; Opera House and Harbor Bridge are the photo models of the city.

Sydney is aggressive, fast and cool, a bit arrogant maybe. I haven’t had the opportunity to sort out the cool parts of Bondi, maybe I change my mind and impressions at my next visit.

Melbourne seems a bit shy when you meet her. But pretty fast you notice that she isn’t and that she has much to offer. Melbourne is moody. The weather can change from one moment to the other, fashions come and go, and you find the modern buildings next to old ones. Melbourne has a lot to offer. And some interesting people walking around, watching for fashion aspects ;)

Sydney has 4,35 Million residents, Melbourne’s population is 3,9 Million. Both seemed way smaller to me; familiar. Sydney was founded as an European settlement in 1788 the tribes were robbed and distributed by the Europeans and after a time of crime, political tumults and famines Sydney became big with the gold rush in the 1850’s.

Melbourne is a bit younger, it was in 1935 when John Batman bought 240 000 hectare from the aboriginals. Growing fast Melbourne became “Marvellous Melbourne” due to the fortunes of the goldfields.

Anyway… Both are modern, big, vibrant cities. I had very different kind of views to them, one, Sydney meeting people, training, sailing, visiting old friends. The other one thoughtful, alone, focusing training, talking little.

I already left both of them behind, heading to the read centre to know the other Australia. The bike stays in Melbourne for a little rest. I have had enough riding during these 4 days. Great riding, especially the beach road from St. Kilda to the south! On the way back have a coffee in Racer Café!

Good swims in Melbournes Sports and Aquatic centre (7AU$) and Prahran aquatic centre (5AU$), fantastic running on the Tan round the botanic gardens and in Albert park around the lake (aprox. 4km both tracks, Tan a bit hilly, Albert park flat).

I had a quick look at the Queen Victoria Market too, fantastic place to shop fresh food…

thats a loooot of dead animals!

A pretty, small and welcoming hotel: Albany Hotel in South Yarra, Millswyn Rd. Famous sportsmen staying here, 1500m olympic champ and company (also fast!!):

I’ll be back in Sydney for the ITU race in April and I am curious if I’ll change some thoughts. Looking forward to it! Looking ahead, towards the Northern Territory.