Thursday, February 23, 2017

Destinations. Melbourne, Australia


There are some things they just don't tell you about Australia that you have to find out on your own.


  For example, like, that the pubs look just like Victorian English pubs on the 


outside - but that their opening hours can be rather different.....to English ones.....


And inside, no cozy velvet covered banquets and low tables crowded together but rather wide open spaces, with high stools.  And that the beer tastes QUITE different too - says Mr. Paradis.


That pub management can be a bit stroppy and selective about the customers they welcome ("this is no gentrified ale house or hipster-filled gastro pub") - or not.   And they might not even bother to open AT ALL during your visit to OZ......which is something that must be considered - but more on that later.


"They" also don't tell you that places like the "Bon App'' (run by "Damien, Francoise and Sebastien") exists -which has such a fidelity in spirit 


and flavor to your very favorite Paris bistro that you could ensconce yourself in one of it's


cozy corners and never miss the City of Lights


and its churning terraces, its fog of Gauloises, its


crusty croissants in homely paper sacks and glasses of pastis...ever...ever...again.  


They don't tell you that in Melbourne a single modest door can be a portal to a universe of entertainments.....oh, maybe o.k., the tourist books DO tell you THAT.  But you'll have to see it, to believe it.  (Brunswick St., Fitzroy).


They DO tell you that Melbourne is home to a proper olde worlde covered market chock-a-block


with homely olde-world-ie set-your-heart-a-fluttering goodies.


I DON'T think "they" tell you though,


that the fish at Victoria Market are impeccably, IMPECCABLY  FRESH.  (And at these prices it should be.)    So much so, that they will make you want to move to Melbourne and cook fish every day.


"They" don't tell you that many pubs started out as hotels also and retain that as part of their names.


Or that sleek indoor-outdoor entertainment emporia


can be stumbled onto off the scruffiest out of the way lanes (with Bentley's parked outfront!)


when and where you're least expecting it on the coldest January 2 in 20 years in Melbourne.  (They also didn't tell the Paradis family that you can experience all four seasons in one day in Melbourne - apparently that is not uncommon.  Whereas we spread our seasons out over six days - going from 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a Wednesday arrival through torrential rains on the weekend, to 60 degrees and drizzle the following Monday.)


"They" never prepared me for HOW INSANELY GOOD the food in Melbourne is - from 


Singapore noodles, to (those very fresh) traditional fish and chips.  

"They" may not tell you that in OZ, fish and chips are NOT consumed with malt vinegar and curry sauce and mushy peas as in Mr. P's native climes, but rather, Dutch style - with mayonnaise, for dipping!  (Because once upon a time there were many Dutch in Melbourne on their way to the East Indies - otherwise known as Indonesia. There's always something to learn, isn't there?)  


The servers at the Precinct Hotel will possibly not tell you that just down the road on Swan Street, you will find a branch of Australia's famous ("best") Messina Gelato...........


So don't forget that I TOLD YOU.  Because.......well, Y'KNOW - you might want to try some.


Finally what "they" REALLY don't tell you.....is that even though the middle of the Australian summer seems like a great time to visit OZ, many businesses close for the week before Christmas.  And/or, the week between Christmas and New Year's.  (When the Paradis family were there.)  Or the weeks right the way through to Australia Day on January 17!  (For crying out loud.)  It makes perfect sense because it IS.  THEIR.  SUMMER VACATION.  

But seriously.  You really wouldn't want to miss anything.  (Like we did!)   SO.  


Try another season.  Like the Fall - my Melbourne friends suggest.


until then,  and make sure you let me know when you go.......

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!















Sunday, February 12, 2017

Persistence, Eleven Ways. And Commentary Thereto.


 (The Grand Canyon, U.S.A. by David Hockney at Tate Britain via the Guardian)


 (Il Duomo, Milan, Italy)



 (Stacy Kendra Williams for the March for Science)





 (David Hockney see also above)

(via PoetryofMaterialThings)


Sorry, I lost the links to the other pictures.  None of them are mine.


I HOPE IT'S A GOOD WEEK!










Monday, February 6, 2017

Gertrude Street - Melbourne, Australia; It's All Happening Here


It may be the buzziest breakfast destination place


in all of Melbourne.


With its mix of glam and global vibes.


Wafty with it's whiffs of Olde Melbourne - 


from her Goldrush days, when she was the richest city in the world......


Gertrude St. has an arty bent.


and a fashion-ey flair.....


If you are looking for Australian fashion design


with a bloomingly nostalgic profile


or a blowsily romantic one....


a blocky-n-boyish allure.....or


full-on fantasy


FANTASTIC-ness....you will find your heart's desire here.  It's very likely.


Bounded by Brunswick St. roughly to the West, and Smith St. to the East-ish


Gertrude Street's vibe is happy, adventurous, communitarian


and colorful.  Poised between sophistication and sincerity.


It has a particularly bright and approachable


flavor - a characteristic that Aussies are known for the world over, it seems.

(Spacecraft's uber-glammy, dressing alcove)

But it wants to remind you that Australians are also hip and able to leave home and soak in all


the very best the globe has to offer.  Then come home and fashion those influences into


ATTITUDE and PERSONALITY and WELCOME with GREAT STYLE.


This you will find on Gertrude Street.  


Within the Victorian shopfronts.


And along the shady sidewalks.






You'll be spoilt for choice for snug winebars 


and vest-pocket restaurants.


If noon is a little early to start with the vino....and you're feeling slightly


monstrous from too many Xmas parties already - like the Paradis family were....


If the lines are too long in the mid-summer heat for that breakfast......can we suggest that you tame the savage beast and simply treat yourself to a nice cup of COFFEE?


  Because the coffee in MELBOURNE IS THE VERY BEST.   And you'll want an excuse,

on Gertrude Street, to have a little sit and watch the world go by.  I promise you that!