Mad About Melbourne by Linh
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Melbourne and spending the last few days in the Donald Bradman room was a lovely change, but I still love the Penguin room.
I'll be missing Melbourne when I leave and will definitely return next year to see more theatre, live entertainment and visit the Melbourne Aquarium again.
I haven't been to many eateries as I'm not a dedicated foodie but I will attempt to increase my visitations to restaurants and cafes during future trips to Melbourne.
I'll miss The Stork Hotel, and will look out for more theatre when Helen and Paul Madden open up their new theatre venue next year. Hopefully it would be in the CBD and within walking distance.
Best Things About Melbourne:
- Everything in the CBD is within walking distance including the Melbourne Aquarium, the Victorian Arts Centre, the Immigration Museum, Federation Square, Chinatown, Greek Precinct, Queen Victoria Market, Bourke Street Mall.
- There are internet cafes on every street. Some internet cafes are within metres of each other.
- The Skybus Super Shuttle which transfers you from Tullamarine Airport to the Southern Cross Station, where you then board a Skybus Mini Shuttle to transport you to your hotel.
- Choco Churro, the enchanted Spanish doughnut.
- The Victorian Arts Centre which is the equivalent to the Adelaide Festival Centre.
- The Queen Victoria Market which is combination of Adelaide's Central Market and the Brickworks Market.
Worst Things About Melbourne
- The sexual predators who goose, grope and rub up against women and young girls on crowded trams. This would become a problem in Adelaide if Transadelaide decides to remove more seats from public transport instead of getting more trains, trams and buses. (Yes, I was groped during a short trip on a crowded tram).
- The closure of the historic Stork Hotel, not only losing accommodation for tourists but also a wonderful theatre venue.
Showing posts with label Melbourne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Melbourne. Show all posts
Monday, 10 December 2007
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne - Hotel Heaven Part Three ; Bradman; Spanish Doughnut
Bowled Over by Linh
For the last weekend at The Stork Hotel, I have been lucky enough to get an upgrade of sorts to a different room.
It was sad to leave The Penguin room but exciting to be in a room dedicated to one of cricket's greatest players and an Australian icon.
The Sir Donald Bradman room is The Stork Hotel's tribute to the man who epitomised outstanding excellence not just in sporting pursuits but is also a fine example of professionalism, dedication and sportsmanship for future Australian athletes in all sports.
It's inspiring and wonderful to be in the midst of a truly great Australian.
Spanish Doughnut by Linh
My idea of a conventional doughnut are those voraciously devoured with much haste by Homer Simpson. That is until I came across the enchanting Spanish doughnut stand 'Choco Churro' on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.
Cooked in cholesterol free vegetable oil, without preservatives or artificial colouring and sweeteners, the Churro comes with a variety of flavoursome fillings including chocolate, caramel, custard, jam, orange, lemon, passionfruit and apple and cinnamon.
The lightly textured dough and the crispiness are appealling and the taste is pleasing although slightly chewy. Having only tasted the Choco Churro Loops and Bombon Churro, I would recommend the Spanish doughnut as an alternative to the ringed and circular filled ones.
Unfortunately, Choco Churro is a franchise only found in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia but not in South Australia.
For the last weekend at The Stork Hotel, I have been lucky enough to get an upgrade of sorts to a different room.
It was sad to leave The Penguin room but exciting to be in a room dedicated to one of cricket's greatest players and an Australian icon.
The Sir Donald Bradman room is The Stork Hotel's tribute to the man who epitomised outstanding excellence not just in sporting pursuits but is also a fine example of professionalism, dedication and sportsmanship for future Australian athletes in all sports.
It's inspiring and wonderful to be in the midst of a truly great Australian.
Spanish Doughnut by Linh
My idea of a conventional doughnut are those voraciously devoured with much haste by Homer Simpson. That is until I came across the enchanting Spanish doughnut stand 'Choco Churro' on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.
Cooked in cholesterol free vegetable oil, without preservatives or artificial colouring and sweeteners, the Churro comes with a variety of flavoursome fillings including chocolate, caramel, custard, jam, orange, lemon, passionfruit and apple and cinnamon.
The lightly textured dough and the crispiness are appealling and the taste is pleasing although slightly chewy. Having only tasted the Choco Churro Loops and Bombon Churro, I would recommend the Spanish doughnut as an alternative to the ringed and circular filled ones.
Unfortunately, Choco Churro is a franchise only found in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia but not in South Australia.
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne - Ali McGregor; jazz concert review
CABARET QUEEN: Ali McGregor presents some of her favourite jazz songs in 'Jazz Cigarette'.Image: Damian W Vincenzi
Jazzbird On Song by Linh
Beautiful soprano Ali McGregor has spread her vocal wings to explore and experiment with different styles of singing and music genres, in this case the soulful rhythms of jazz.
Ali admits she wouldn't have considered jazz singing if it weren't for the immense enjoyment she felt following her impromptu performance of jazz songs at a friend's engagement party.
In her one-off jazz concert 'Jazz Cigarette' staged in the world famous Spiegeltent, Ali is joined by a trio of music's finest, namely Ben Winkelman on piano, Ben Hendry on drums and Sam Anning on bass. Their expert musical accompaniment throughout adds exceptional sparkle to Ali's scintillating vocals.
Performing jazz standards from some of her favourite singers including Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughan, Ali gives a thrilling and crowd pleasing performance.
Ali shows vocal versatility with deep and rich tones for Georgia On My Mind, silky smooth eloquence in So In Love and an abundance of playful sassiness in Ain't Misbehavin'.
Her rendition of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered is beguiling and Ali gives an impassioned delivery of Summertime.
Few performers can cross musical boundaries and singer Ali McGregor is a rarity whose vocal talents make her the impressive all-rounder.
Friday, 7 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne - Short and Sweet; theatre
In 2001, Sydney writer/director Mark Cleary created 'Short and Sweet', a series of theatre performances to showcase the best new writers, actors, directors and independent theatre companies in Australia and the world, also giving new talent an opportunity to surface.
'Short and Sweet' is a competition where applicants present a season of original short plays of ten minutes or less that reflects quality writing, performance and production skills.
Mark Cleary's aim of making theatre more accessible and affordable to a wider audience has been realised as 'Short and Sweet' has become the biggest short play festival in the world.
In 2007, the festival assessors received a staggering 1141 scripts from 12 different countries including Germany, Singapore, Canada and Finland. The Melbourne season of 'Short and Sweet' runs for three weeks with ten plays from the 'Top Thirty' performed four times a week and 'Wildcard' entries to be performed as a one-off during each week.
Bite Size Theatre by Linh
Being in Melbourne for a week, I was fortunate to attend week one of the 'Short and Sweet' competition.
It was refreshing and entertaining to see such diverse talents and skills on display.
However, some of the plays were bordering on ludicrous to sicko, while others were insightful, poignant and humourous.
An exciting aspect of 'Short and Sweet' is audiences who attend the performances can vote for their favourite play, and the winning plays will receive cash from a $20,000 prize pool and other development opportunities for their production.
The standout plays that satisfied my theatrical appetite are:
Michael Goes Home directed by Jae Dee Scott and written by Melbournian Bridgette Burton, is about a young former drug addict who has completed his time in prison and hopes to reunite with his parents.
It's a moving, and engaging human drama with great performances from a cast of four.
Mick Lo Monaco plays the estranged junkie prodigal son, Michael, with gentle charm and warm appeal. Ian Rooney gives a strong performance as the unforgiving and deeply hurt father whose lost faith in his only son. Liz McColl is exceptional as Michael's long suffering mother who is willing to give her son another chance. Devon Lang Wilton gives a subdued performance as Michael's girlfriend Tracey.
Thrilling Hostage Melodrama at High Speeds With Pineapple directed by Heath Miller and written by Adam Hadley, is an hilarious, fast-paced action thriller with fruit, guns and two female hostage takers preparing to kidnap someone.
This is a brilliant take on the Quentin Tarantino films but it's done with a feminine touch. Sheridan Harbridge is superb as the overly excited and eager to please kidnapper-in-training, Gills, whose short term memory creates havoc for her partner in crime and brings on the laughs. Robynne Kelly needs to give her character Junie, more punch and vigour yet her cool as a cucumber approach is an apt contrast to Gill's impromptu displays of lunacy.
Bury Your Goldfish directed by Jonno Katz and written by Michelle Wallace, is a visually beguiling display of hand painted cardboard props accompanying a delightful monologue.
This is a family friendly theatre performance where the colourful props, designed by Justin Caleo, represent physical, emotional and funny elements from the monologue in story-telling and re-enacting events. Evie Katz narrates the entire play, while Emelia Symington Fedy and Nicola Gunn portray the fish Itchy and Scratchy respectively. A highly imaginative and inventive play that suits the short form but may become tiresome if stretched to a full production of two hours.
'Short and Sweet' is a competition where applicants present a season of original short plays of ten minutes or less that reflects quality writing, performance and production skills.
Mark Cleary's aim of making theatre more accessible and affordable to a wider audience has been realised as 'Short and Sweet' has become the biggest short play festival in the world.
In 2007, the festival assessors received a staggering 1141 scripts from 12 different countries including Germany, Singapore, Canada and Finland. The Melbourne season of 'Short and Sweet' runs for three weeks with ten plays from the 'Top Thirty' performed four times a week and 'Wildcard' entries to be performed as a one-off during each week.
Bite Size Theatre by Linh
Being in Melbourne for a week, I was fortunate to attend week one of the 'Short and Sweet' competition.
It was refreshing and entertaining to see such diverse talents and skills on display.
However, some of the plays were bordering on ludicrous to sicko, while others were insightful, poignant and humourous.
An exciting aspect of 'Short and Sweet' is audiences who attend the performances can vote for their favourite play, and the winning plays will receive cash from a $20,000 prize pool and other development opportunities for their production.
The standout plays that satisfied my theatrical appetite are:
Michael Goes Home directed by Jae Dee Scott and written by Melbournian Bridgette Burton, is about a young former drug addict who has completed his time in prison and hopes to reunite with his parents.
It's a moving, and engaging human drama with great performances from a cast of four.
Mick Lo Monaco plays the estranged junkie prodigal son, Michael, with gentle charm and warm appeal. Ian Rooney gives a strong performance as the unforgiving and deeply hurt father whose lost faith in his only son. Liz McColl is exceptional as Michael's long suffering mother who is willing to give her son another chance. Devon Lang Wilton gives a subdued performance as Michael's girlfriend Tracey.
Thrilling Hostage Melodrama at High Speeds With Pineapple directed by Heath Miller and written by Adam Hadley, is an hilarious, fast-paced action thriller with fruit, guns and two female hostage takers preparing to kidnap someone.
This is a brilliant take on the Quentin Tarantino films but it's done with a feminine touch. Sheridan Harbridge is superb as the overly excited and eager to please kidnapper-in-training, Gills, whose short term memory creates havoc for her partner in crime and brings on the laughs. Robynne Kelly needs to give her character Junie, more punch and vigour yet her cool as a cucumber approach is an apt contrast to Gill's impromptu displays of lunacy.
Bury Your Goldfish directed by Jonno Katz and written by Michelle Wallace, is a visually beguiling display of hand painted cardboard props accompanying a delightful monologue.
This is a family friendly theatre performance where the colourful props, designed by Justin Caleo, represent physical, emotional and funny elements from the monologue in story-telling and re-enacting events. Evie Katz narrates the entire play, while Emelia Symington Fedy and Nicola Gunn portray the fish Itchy and Scratchy respectively. A highly imaginative and inventive play that suits the short form but may become tiresome if stretched to a full production of two hours.
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne - Greek Precinct
Going Grecian by Linh
Melbourne has the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece, yet its precinct in the CBD seems peculiarly small. I was spoilt for choice in the bustling Greek Precinct, walking past the numerous Greek cafe's, restaurants and shops along Lonsdale Street.
I decided on something sugary to satisfy my sweet tooth and chose 'Cafe Medallion', a modest sized restaurant with alfresco dining. All cakes, pastries and hot food were authentically Greek and homemade at an affordable price.
Friendly staff explained what the various sweets contained and the sight of such delectable delicacies caused me to salivate.
The cabinets were filled with traditional Greek sweets including Baklava – spiced almond and filo slice covered in honey, Kataifi – shredded filo and walnut roll soaked in honey and spices, Galatobouriko – egg custard baked in filo with lemon syrup, Kourambiethes – shortbread covered in icing sugar and Amigdalota – almond biscuits.
After much indecision, I settled for Karioka - chocolate slice with walnuts and Ekme - pastry layered with custard and syrup (the Greek equivalent of Vanilla Slice).
One couldn't leave without learning a few Greek words and phrases, so I picked up "Kali Orexi" which is Greek for healthy/good appetite or 'Bon Appetit'!
Melbourne has the largest population of Greeks outside of Greece, yet its precinct in the CBD seems peculiarly small. I was spoilt for choice in the bustling Greek Precinct, walking past the numerous Greek cafe's, restaurants and shops along Lonsdale Street.
I decided on something sugary to satisfy my sweet tooth and chose 'Cafe Medallion', a modest sized restaurant with alfresco dining. All cakes, pastries and hot food were authentically Greek and homemade at an affordable price.
Friendly staff explained what the various sweets contained and the sight of such delectable delicacies caused me to salivate.
The cabinets were filled with traditional Greek sweets including Baklava – spiced almond and filo slice covered in honey, Kataifi – shredded filo and walnut roll soaked in honey and spices, Galatobouriko – egg custard baked in filo with lemon syrup, Kourambiethes – shortbread covered in icing sugar and Amigdalota – almond biscuits.
After much indecision, I settled for Karioka - chocolate slice with walnuts and Ekme - pastry layered with custard and syrup (the Greek equivalent of Vanilla Slice).
One couldn't leave without learning a few Greek words and phrases, so I picked up "Kali Orexi" which is Greek for healthy/good appetite or 'Bon Appetit'!
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne - Melbourne Aquarium
AQUATIC FUN: Plenty to see and explore in the Southern Hemisphere's largest aquarium exhibition, the Melbourne Aquarium.Image: Linh - www.linh.chameleon.blogspot.com
Marine Marvels by Linh
The Melbourne Aquarium is one of the most spectacular tourist exhibition I have seen.
The majestic marine life immersed in massive tanks and swimming freely as if in their own natural habitat, is awe-inspiring and mesmerising.
There are all shapes, sizes, species and colours of various fish, mammals and amphibians you could imagine and all on display for your viewing pleasure.
If you're brave enough you could swim with sharks, be photographed with your head inside a life size shark jaw, or relax while you watch the animals being fed.
For those in search of a souvenir to remind them of their underwater adventures, the Aquarium Shop is an ideal stopover.
All animals are well treated, well fed and staff at the Melbourne Aquarium advocate the importance of preserving and protecting all species of marine life.
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Linh in Melbourne - Mouthwatering Melbourne; Ume Hana
APPETISING ASIAN: Ume Hana Restaurant and Cafe on Elizabeth Street.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Yummalicious Ume Hana by Linh
Ume Hana restaurant and cafe on Elizabeth Street serves up a sumptuous feast of Japanese and Korean delicacies and divine dishes for meat lovers and vegetarians.
There are the usual sushi, nori and californian rolls and miso soup, but also some other gastronomic goodies.
A modest sized restaurant and cafe, Ume Hana is decorated with beautifully hand painted fans of all colours, shapes and sizes which hang on the walls.
The food prices are affordable and served in generously large portions.
With friendly staff and excellent customer service, you can relax while watching television (there are two large screen televisions which are wall-mounted) as your meal and drinks are served with a smile.
Having savoured the delightfully scrumptious 'Yakitori Don', number 44 on the menu, I would definitely be heading back for more in the near future.
HHHMMMM: What's on the menu for a carnivorous chameleon?Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
YAKITORI DON: Chicken and vegetables skewered, steamed rice and salad.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Linh in Melbourne ; Hotel Heaven - part two
ARRIVAL: Finally, I can unpack some of my luggage.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
PLUSH TOUCH: An adorable plush toy penguin hangs from the corner adding playfulness to the room. Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Playful Penguin Room by Linh
I immediately loved my hotel room.
Apparently every room in The Stork Hotel has a theme such as Foster's Lager or Ned Kelly, and mine is Little Penguins. All themes in the rooms are related to the history, arts, culture, tourism or environment of Victoria.
It instantly brought to mind the various artistic and literature connections of penguins. For example, Penguin publishers of classic works from plays to novels or The Flying Penguin Productions which is a South Australian creative theatre production company. Also the Adelaide Angry Penguin blog or the villainous Penguin from the television series and movie Batman.
It's a joy to be sharing a room with a unique symbol of artistic greatness and eternal cuteness.
PHOTOGENIC ART: Penguins are a tourist attraction and threatened species due to global warming.
HANGING AROUND: Exploring the room from all angles.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
THIRSTY: Quenching my thirst............
.........Anybody for milk?Images: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
LITERATE LIZARD: Interesting reading from The Stork Hotel Directory booklet.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Linh in Melbourne ; Hotel Heaven - part one
HISTORIC HOTEL: The Stork Hotel has links with Ned Kelly and the Kelly Gang, opened in 1855 and shuts its doors at the end of 2007.Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
Stoked With Stork by Linh
I'm finally in the boutique pleasure of The Stork Hotel on Elizabeth Street.
I particularly love the Stork perched upon the roof as if welcoming all guests to its humble abode.
I chose The Stork Hotel for its proximity to the CBD, affordable accommodation prices and live entertainment - particularly theatre productions.
Helen and Paul Madden run The Stork Hotel enabling guests to enjoy their hospitality as a publican as well as a theatre venue.
Theatre producer Helen Madden has worked tirelessly to bring audiences and hotel guests extraordinarily obscure yet brilliant theatre in an intimate setting. Throughout 2007, Helen has staged classical works and rarely performed productions such as Homer's The Odyssey, Homer's Iliad, and various other pieces from French playwright Albert Camus and currently playing is a one-woman production about the Greek poet Sappho. All the productions feature familiar Australian performers from television, theatre, radio and film such as Helen Morse, Richard Piper and Kate Kendall.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and the end is nigh for The Stork Hotel. After thirteen years, the lease is up and the Stork must fly away in search of greener pastures at the end of this year. In it's place would likely be a shopping centre or swish eateries.
However, Helen and Paul will still be around and will continue presenting more theatre in the near future somewhere in Melbourne, and you can bet I'll be there.
Image: Linh - www.linh-chameleon.blogspot.com
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