It’s official. Melbourne, my home town, is the world’s most livable city.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2011 Livability Ranking has placed Australia’s Melbourne city as the most livable city in the world, with a score of 97.5. Austria’s Vienna and Canada’s Vancouver were ranked on the second and third places respectively among 140 cities. Source: www.economist.com
For those of you who haven’t been to Melbourne and are wondering why it won, here are a few snaps from my trip last Christmas.
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| Melbourne City View from South Bank (January 2011) |
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| Eureka Tower at South Bank – a new addition since my last visit |
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| Mentone Beach – lying on a beach towel (it was 26C and deserted, far too cold for the locals!) |
There were also a few fond memories that the locals are likely to appreciate a little more than your average tourist:
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| Hamer Hall? The Greatest Show On Earth? What a tribute! |
But those of you who read my meanderings regularly, or know me well, know how much I love London:
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| Harrods from the top deck of the number 14 bus, a regular drive-by after a night out on the town |
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| Another delicate sunset – from the front window of my flat |
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| The ice and snow last December – from my (then) office building |
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| Footprints in the snow – where I’ve been |
So in the livability stakes, it’s a tale of two cities for me.
The first is the one left behind laced with nostalgic and happy rememberings.
And the second is the one where I am quietly proud of the new life I have built for myself. The one where, despite it’s lower ranking, I feel like I’ve come home.
Like this:
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VW, a work colleague tried to convince me that Twisties were just like Nik Nax.
I begged to differ!
Charlie, I'm just a glass half full kinda gal. Melbourne has plenty of rubbish weather too but it didn't seem right to focus on the bad things.
Thanks Linda – yes it is.
Would you believe that the 'snow at night' one was taken at about 7am walking to the bus stop to go to work last December?
Isn't it wonderful that you now have two fabulous places to call slightly different versions of 'home'? Lucky, lucky you!
(Love the photos, especially the snow at night time)
Five pictures of london and no rain – do you work for the tourist board?
I've always fancied visiting Australia, even though you call crisps chips, but I can't do long flights.
God, now I want some Twisties. Or Burger Rings. And maybe a ticket back home!