Standing at Federation Square, I could see the Yarra River, a river that is nearly as polluted as the Brisbane, stretching from the CBD down past the major sporting complexes of Melbourne - the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) and Rod Laver Arena. Even though I had missed tours through both stadiums that day, I was still intrigued. I had seen Rod Laver Arena and the grounds of the Australian Open during many late nights in the middle of January, when tennis' first Grand Slam of the year is held. I wanted to see them for myself, even if the players weren't there, and as I had no other plans, I set off down the path by the river.
The path was surprisingly quiet for its proximity to central Melbourne. City sounds of trams and cars floated over now and then, but only added to the scene. To my left was one of the newest parks of Melbourne, Birrarung Marr (meaning "river mists"), which was created around the same time as Federation Square in the early 2000s.
About halfway along the trek, a mini-circus appeared on my left. I could hear plenty of happy kids and blaring circus music from inside the large white tent. I passed up on the chance to go in though, because, well, I wasn't a parent or a child.
I turned around many times as I was walking to look at the city itself, which was visible both standing regally against the horizon and perfectly reflected in the Yarra. When I did turn around and walk in the correct direction, I enjoyed being in the shade of the trees, gazing down the river, so much that I barely noticed when I reached my destination. When I finally looked to my left, I saw Rod Laver Arena looming through the trees. This arena was named after one of the greatest Australian tennis players of all time, who won 2 Grand Slams - meaning all four major tournaments in one year, not just a single major, as the term has morphed into - and would have won more, had he not turned "pro" and been excluded from the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, all of which were only open to "amateurs" for many years in the 1960s.
When I moved away from the river and slightly uphill, I realized that I didn't know where to go. I certainly couldn't just walk into the arena, and I wasn't even sure if the grounds were open to all that wanted to come in, or just to members, or what. I realized quickly that there was not much that I could do inside anyway, and that I was content just to see the place up close. I would just have to come back in a few years' time to see the complex bustling with people, dying in the heat but thoroughly excited to be taking in such great tennis action.
The walk back was just as enjoyable as the way there. I didn't have to turn around to see the late-afternoon sunny haze envelop the city. I finally took advantage of one of the many benches next to the well-trod path and spent as much time as I could there before having to go back into Melbourne to get a ride to where I was staying.
Just like the Brisbane River, I found that the Yarra is quite a nice place to have an afternoon stroll next to - as long as there is no chance that I could fall in, since I might come out glowing green!