02/02/2002 @ 1100h (MEL TIME) Today, we made our way to Sovereign Hill. It is an open-air museum (situated in the early gold diggings area) which portrays the way of life on the goldfields from 1851, when gold was discovered here, to 1861.

1125h (MEL TIME) Here, you will see my girlfriend taking a photo with a volunteers. Here, there are over 250 volunteers who come to the Park, on a rostered basis to activate cottages, huts and other non-revenue generating areas. The photo also portrays a horse-drawn Whim which is used to haul large buckets up and down deep shafts, when man-power is not strong enough.

1130h (MEL TIME) As we were taking photos, a drama was put up in behind us. Here, at Sovereign Hill, episodes and dramas will happen when you least expected it. What happened was that this police constable suddenly demand to search the horse carriage which happens to go pass us. It was really interactive and interesting as at times, the actors will speak to the visitors also.

1135h (MEL TIME) We went further down to the Chinese village of Sovereign Hill. In the 1850s, the Government appointed European officials (Protectors) to look after and protect the Chinese miners from the often hostile European miners.

1140h (MEL TIME) This was how the Chinese miners lived. There is also a Chinese temple in the village.

1145h (MEL TIME) Here, my girlfriend has a go at being a lemonade seller...:P One thing to note though, there are several places within the "museum" that sells fabulous lemonade.

1150h (MEL TIME) Behind us is the Red Hill Alluvial Mine. There are tours conducted here regularly to bring you into the mines. Unfortunately, it was not available today.