Melbourne - World's Most Liveable City

So how important are these things to you?

STABILITY

(houses in Fitzroy and Clifton Hill)

HEALTHCARE

(Federation Square and the "CBD")

CULTURE

AND

ENVIRONMENT

(Federation Square with New Year's barriers)

INFRASTRUCTURE

("CBD" - Central Business District from the Eureka Sky Deck)

(Flinders Street Station)

 AND

 

 (St. Kilda Botanical Garden)

EDUCATION

If all these qualities in a city are important to you.

Then you might have to LOVE Melbourne.

In last August 2016's Economist Magazine's Intelligence Unit's Liveability Ranking, Melbourne retained it's top ranking among major cities in the world for overall liveability.  For the sixth time.  

Its score of 97.5 is based on the five broad categories cited above.  Melbourne earned a score of 95 for stability, 100 for healthcare, 95.1 for culture and environment, 100 for education and 100 for infrastructure.  So you don't have to believe me, Mlle. Paradis, that it's a very enjoyable place to visit and probably, an even nicer place to live.  Take it from "Experts".

The Economist does not rate it for food but I think I've said it before....the food is FABULOUS!  And I will claim just a little expertise in that department.  More of that coming in another post soon.  

until then, HAPPY WEEKEND!

Australia's Impressionists at the National Gallery, London

So happy to discover these paintings and painters of Australia

at the same time as my first visit there.

This artwork is part of an exhibit now on view

in London, England

at the National Gallery until the 26th of March 2017.

These paintings for me capture so well the light, and the freshness of Australia.

For a place so far removed geographically from the rest of the world, and occupied by

a population (on a landmass nearly the size of the U.S.) of approximately only 24 million

i.e., that of New York City, London, and Hong Kong combined......

it should not be too surprising that the air seems magically clean

the beaches phenomenonally uncrowded

 and its landscapes unencumbered.

Australia presents itself as a country whose possibilities are still seemingly limitless.

Many of which are yet undiscovered.  Where a certain vibrancy

and yes, mystery prevails.  I WAS surprised by all that.

I was mostly struck, by these paintings, and the range of artwork that I saw in Oz

by a considerable clarity, exuberance, confidence, elegance and fineness of sensibility.

If you're judging a country by Baz Luhrman, Cate Blanchett, and Nicole Kidman this should really not have been a surprise.

The Australians are carrying forth a stunning artistic legacy into the world.  If you ever get a chance to enjoy some of it, i.e., by visiting OZ, or via this gorgeous exhibition, do yourself a great favor:  

Don't miss out!

(More pics soon, hope you all had a great weekend!)

The Wonderful Riches of Oz - And I Do Mean, Australia!

Some highlights for you all......

I'm still recovering.  Soaking it all in.  Remembering.  Regretting.

How little time I had to wander Melbourne's pretty little neighborhoods.

The meals I missed in cozy, authentique, gemutlich bars.

I'm still marvelling over the exuberant creativity.

And wishing I could experience more of the artistic energy.

 I'm still gobsmacked by the creatures and the features.......

The plethora of neighborhoods with history and charm.

The best of the new world and the delights of some older ones......

The food of uniformly high standard, and freshness.

The mix of the exotic and the mundane.

A cheeky insouciance.

And did I mention the food!!!?????  O.M.G.!

Did you know that OZ would look like this?  I did not.  Oh the wonder, the wonder......!

(Peoples got it allllll going on!!!!)

Happy 2017 - With Greetings From Australia

Happy New Year!  How were your holidays?

The Paradis family went on an amazing adventure to OZ.  Have you been there?

Hope you're having a lovely lovely year so far.

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