The Royal Melbourne Show (Sept 17- 25 2016)

Most unplanned things give rise to happy moments of spontaneity and surprises. I didn't really plan to visit the Royal Melbourne Show until a friend in Melbourne suggested it after dinner at her place. Why not ? All I expected was a fun fair of sorts, but it was more than that. It was really a celebration of everything that the state of Victoria had to offer. The best livestock chosen through competitions- the best quality wool from the different sheep breed (I didn't know there were so many types of sheep ), the best breeds of cows, pigs, dogs and more. The DIY culture is very strong in Australia and the show didn't leave out the best bakes in categories like fruit cake, gingerbread, shortbread, carrot cake and more plus the best cake decorations. Also included were the best jam, honey, butter chosen through a series of competitions and put on display at the show. There were of course carnival rides and games for the family but what was most popular among the Australians were the show bags. Over 350 types with the best mix of goodies ranging from chocolate brands, toys, skincare and spa to teenager products. Best part of show bags -  its value came up to 3-4 times more than what you get from the usual retail outlets. My favorite part of the show was the MasterChef kitchen which featured a number of gourmet products. I was very happy with my show bags and nuts which were really a bargain and I couldn't leave without a glamorous Cupie showgirl doll souvenir complete with glitter and feathers. Apparently she is an  Australian tradition at events. And  to end off this day of surprises were a sheep herding demonstration by a farmer and his 2 frisky border collie dogs, a high thrills motorcycle stunt show that had the audience enthralled and wonderful fireworks. 

Camberwell Sunday Market , Melbourne

Wanted to experience an Australian flea market where treasures can be found amidst the pile of seemingly trash so my friend and  I trotted down to Camberwell Sunday Market despite intermittent light showers. Underestimated the time to get there and when we reached, we had  less than an hour to "rummage" as the market closes at 12.30pm. Still we wasted no time and had to be decisive about our buys.

The good part about it - vendors wanted to close deals quickly before they packed up for the day and my rusty bargaining skills got a bit of a polish. I would take at least 30 - 40% off any price and surprisingly, they took it at first bite. I targeted porcelain plates from England as I wanted to add on to my home collection and only places in England and Australia would have quite a fine collection of vintage plates such as Wedgwood, Johnson Bros and more from the kilns of Staffortshire and Stoke on Trent. It is amazing how most of these old pieces have stood the test of time due to their fine workmanship. Here's a video link to how it was done back in 1966 at Wedgewood. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB4h8DMDISk 

Dark clouds are looming in the horizon and open air flea markets like this are totally dependent on the weather 

This dog is not for sale but it's indeed a treasure ! 

These vintage bags are lovely but they weigh a ton.. 

Cakes at Acland Street, St Kilda, Melbourne

A path laden with magic dust from the sweet toothed fairy and as she waved her wand, sweet confectionery creations begin appearing at the shop windows. Acland Street in Melbourne seems right out of a page of an enchanting tale. To a cake person, this is what dreams are made of, fluffy sweets and confectionery with exotic European names, reminding me so much of shops featured in vintage Enid Blyton books where children stop and drool. The cake shops at Acland Street Melbourne have been here since 1934 and apparently some recipes have not changed since they first started.  I had a brandy snap with tea and it was filled with the most lip smacking vanilla cream. There are 4 of such vintage cake shops along the same street, each with its own specialties. Monarch seems to specialize in chocolate Kooglhoupf, a yeast based cake with thick swirls of melted chocolate, Le Bon Cake Shop seems to boast a pride worthy vanilla slice cake that comes in layers of flaky puff pastry, infused with the richness of vanilla cream. I was hoping to come again the next day for tea but alas, my schedule didn't quite permit it.

I will be back again next Spring and hopefully, I will trod down this path of least resistance along the yellow brick road.

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne

She's the iconic institution of Melbourne, representing the very essence of what makes the fresh food scene in Melbourne thriving and fabulous. Some of the market folks here have been doing business here for generations, upholding a very charming heritage and creating a very familiar family vibe. From fresh seafood and meat to artisan cheese and bread, the variety seems endless and that's why the Queen Victoria Market is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere. 

I was looking out for vegetables that I don't normally get in Singapore such as silver beet, broccolini ( a cross between the kailan and broccoli which gives it a longer stem and smaller florets compared to broccoli ), fresh figs and tangelos. But what amused me were the cages of newly matured chickens, doves and quails, all ready of age to present fresh organic eggs. But what I remember most of Queen Victoria Market are the delicious fresh mussels, served according to how you like it done. With wine and parsley or with the signature lime and chilli sauce.