After I return from a trip, I kind of laugh at what things I decide to photograph and what moments I do not. I look back at my pictures only to find that some fond memories haven’t been captured on film.

Like our visit to the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne, for example, which is probably the biggest market I’ve ever been to in my life. I’ve read that it is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

I could have roamed around the stalls of organic produce, fresh meats, honeys and cheeses for days! A photograph could never have captured the smells and sounds of the busy market filled with such shoppers from diverse backgrounds. If I lived here, this is where I would pick up my groceries.

But the foodstuffs only represent part of the market. There are also eateries and shops with crafts. You’ll find clothing and touristy souvenirs, as well. We stopped in one shop filled with Aboriginal Art {which I love!} and spent time talking with the owner. We bought an inexpensive piece of artwork that I regret we packed in our luggage {what was I thinking!?} because it didn’t make it home with us.

We wandered for a few hours through that market and still didn’t cover the entire thing. It was a perfect day for a walk and for browsing.

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We also had to be sure to walk the St. Kilda pier since we were staying so close to that beach. We read that Little Penguins may show up here at night and that there are volunteers who point them out. We walked along the pier one sunny afternoon. This is one place were we did get photos:

But we photographed nothing of the comings and goings of all of the people along the shore. It was a beautiful day, so the beach was hopping.

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Still one of the most moving things we did in Melbourne was completely free:

Visiting the Shrine of Remembrance.

 

The Shrine of Remembrance was originally built for the Australian soldiers of World War I.

 

It was a place for where grievers could visit to honor their loved ones who perished in combat and whose bodies were not returned home.

It’s appropriately located on a hill. It just feels right to be walking up to building like this.

We walked the steps up to the entrance.

Then we looked out from the top of the steps toward the city of Melbourne.

I have no photos of the interior. I’m not sure if photography was allowed; but it just didn’t feel appropriate when we went inside. Instead, a guide immediately stopped us because a short ceremony was taking place in the Sanctuary.

When it was finished, he proceeded to give us a free tour of the Sanctuary, explaining the history and what everything symbolized or represented on the walls. I found it all absolutely fascinating.

There is a Stone of Remembrance in the center that is sunk lower than the floor so that all who visit must naturally bow their heads in respect. It was designed so that light shines through at 11am every Remembrance Day.

As Americans, we learn a bit about our own military history; but we don’t often learn about the military histories of other nations.

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You see, Australia was a rather new nation when they participated in WWI. Australians were searching for their own identity, as a people. We were explained that equality was a huge part of this identity. For this reason, you can find books throughout the Shrine of all 89,000+ Victorians who served in the war, listed alphabetical, without rank.

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Some things you can photograph while on vacation. Others you experience by smelling, hearing and tasting. Some things you learn about and expand your knowledge of the world. But some things you can just feel.

What have you found moving in your travels?

Other posts on our trip to Australia:

• The One Thing I Didn’t Need to Bring to Australia
• The Wattle and Bush Tucker
• Scenes from Sydney
• A Morning at Bond-Eye
• The Blue Mountains
• Sydney Eats
• Sydney Dinners: His & Hers Picks
• An Afternoon in Melbourne
• Meet our Aussie Mum & Dad
• Is This Real Life {Penguin Parade}
• Permagrin, Australia {Or That Time We Fed the ‘Roos}
• It’s Not a Bear. And That’s Not a Bat.
• Thirsty Thursday in Melbourne
• Along the Great Ocean Road

Cheers~
Carrie