More exploration around Melbourne in this post! Was so glad that I managed to catch the 007 Exhibition (Celebrating 50 Years of James Bond) in Melbourne! I've been a fan of James Bond for quite some time now, and it was such an exciting experience, to be able to see the props, outfits and stuff used during filming.
Had some lunch along Lygon Street, before walking over to the Melbourne Museum.
When I was still studying in Melbourne, I used to walk over to this area at the end of every semester for exams! Exams were held in the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building (we usually call it REB for short). The REB is a heritage-listed building designed by Joseph Reed, who also designed the Melbourne Town Hall and State Library of Victoria, and was used for various purposes since its completion in 1880 (yes that includes those dreaded exams!). The REB was the first building in Australia to be listed as a world heritage site.
The REB was situated right next to the famous Melbourne museum - where the 007 exhibition was held. Here we go - the REB and Melbourne museum right next to each other. Both are so different! One is more historical, the other is cutting-edge and modern.
And should I also mention? We had really good weather that day!
The 007 Exhibition! All the actors playing James Bond have been displayed at the main entrance! The theme for the 007 Exhibition was black and gold.
Woohoo! Going down the escalator to the 007 Exhibition! A number of props were already on display, including the vehicles used in the movie. We also got to look at some movie stills from the various James Bond movies.
Had an opportunity to chill out in the Bond Bar - a bar specially set up for the exhibition. The bar had pictures of the sets used, and had a gold and black theme. There were also hanging lights where we could see our reflections in. Posters from all the Bond movies were also displayed along the entrance.
Ah yes - here we go! The martini I ordered! It was really good. It was one of the best cocktails ever!
Decided to walk around Carlton Gardens - the area surrounding the Royal Exhibition Building for a bit.
The first place we visited - the REB of course! Unfortunately we couldn't go in due to restoration works, but I swear, the interior of the REB is absolutely beautiful!
Well - I did take lots of pics of the outside! Here's one of the decorations outside the REB.
And here's one of the entrances of the REB - the one which we enter through, in order to get to exams.
The REB and the surrounding Carlton Gardens. The REB's dome was modelled based on the Florence Cathedral. There used to be rear wings, but these are no longer there.
It's late spring, but some flowers were still blooming. Here they are - in front of the REB.
The REB and its iconic fountain. The fountain is situated at the end of the main Carlton Gardens avenue.
Time to walk around Carlton Gardens! I haven't been around Carlton Gardens since March 2011 or so, and it definitely has changed quite a fair bit! I actually don't have much memories of Carlton Gardens, so going back there was a good refresher for me.
Oh yes - and for the sake of it, I had to feature the iconic fountain. Check out the amazing carvings! This is known as the Exhibition Fountain, designed by sculptor Joseph Hochgurtel.
The fountain was off when I went to Carlton Gardens, but later on the water supply was switched on.
Smaller fountain just around the corner. If I'm not wrong this is the French fountain - another of the three main fountains in Carlton Gardens.
Walked to the other side of the gardens and discovered remains of these pillars. I presume they're remains from certain buildings, but this was quite an unexpected discovery! They're pretty well-preserved.
And that's it for today's post! In the next (and final) post of this series, I'll be putting up the remaining pics I have from this trip! Do stay tuned!