Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne became my first stop in Australia, and it turned out to be the perfect entry point. The city is easy to navigate, relaxed in its rhythm, and welcoming in a way that makes arriving on a new continent feel surprisingly simple. Within a few hours, it already felt familiar.

One of the first things that stood out was the street art. Melbourne treats its laneways like open‑air galleries, and you can spend hours wandering through them, turning corners that reveal entire walls of colour, characters, and ideas. It’s the kind of place where you slow down without noticing, just to take in the details.

Inside, the State Library Victoria offered a different kind of beauty. Its main reading room is one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen, a bright, symmetrical space that feels almost ceremonial. And just as I was leaving the elevator, I suddenly came face‑to‑face with a friend I hadn’t seen in years, there with his family on their own trip. None of us knew the others were in Melbourne, and the coincidence added an unexpected warmth to the day. We caught up briefly, the kind of spontaneous reunion that travel seems to make possible at exactly the right moment.

Exploring Fitzroy, especially Brunswick Street, showed a different side of the city: creative, slightly chaotic, full of cafés, vintage shops, and small places that make you want to linger. Later, walking along the river offered a calmer contrast, with wide paths and a skyline that looked especially striking in the evening light.

Melbourne didn’t overwhelm or demand anything. It simply opened the door to Australia with ease, colour, and a few memorable coincidences. As a first stop, it couldn’t have been better.