Melbourne Day 3 – Nite time
Well as I mentioned before, i wanted to make it over to the Crown Hotel and Casino previous nights so that I could see the flame pipes they had. After updating my blog, I set out back to the Hotel. On my way there I passed the Hotel and decided to head over. Sadly the Aquarium closes at 6pm, and doesn't let guests in after 5pm. But I got a terrific picture of the Train overpass that they light up with blue lights. Its really a site, and looking at my pictures, it came out just the way I wanted... usually nite pictures are terribly blurry with my camera.
I wandered around the Crown for a while finding the place more like an expensive mall and resturant location rather than a casino... just probably needed to walk in the front door not the back. 😛 I eventually asked one of the people at the espresso stand if the flame pipes still go off every hour... she confirmed that they did, and I made my way outside to watch.
Sitting outside on the boardwalk, it becomes obvious that this is one of _thee_ places to go on dates. Which is understandable with the riverfront, the nice resturants, the stores, and FLAME PIPES.
I sat down under the east most town, and start my iPod up listening to Legion of Boom. I was very much in the zone... and then right on the hour... the wonderful sound of gas valves hissing open brought my attention to the top of the towers. The pilot light alone was a foot high, and was bluish purple color. The show was impressive. With 5 towers, they did simple 1 by 1 tower flame off's. They had a quick burst of flame that would shoot about 10 feet in the air, and fill the area with heat and light. But it was the 30+ foot high flames that roared into the air with a mushrooming cloud of flame at the top that would disipate into almost a flame ring floating upward.
The flame pipe/towers were everything I had hoped for, and made me yearn to go back to Burning Man... if only to see the flame vehicles and artwork. It will happen... yes it will.
On my way back to the hotel from the Crown, I stopped by the All Nations Pub. I walked past it, and got to the bar at my hotel, which was a bunch of business guys, so I turned around and went back since the All Nations definately cattered to a younger crowd. Talked to the bartender a bit since the place was pretty dead at that point. Had what I felt was the best dark beer I have ever tasted. Toohey's Old - Dark, Smooth, and not heavy. Talked a bit of politics with Dave, who was surprised I didn't have the 'bush is a great president' attitude, which he felt all americans did? That conversation could have gone on most of the night but luckly a women next to me ordered this wierd drink that looked like lemonade with a shot of some black syrup... its called Lime Bitters. This turned into a good conversation with her and her friend. They both work at a local news station doing Assistant Producing and Directing. They were there because Samantha wanted to see her boyfriend play (they live band at the place). She was also kind enough to give me a taste of her drink... which is not much to write home about.
Tomorrow - doing The Great Ocean Tour.