Museum of Economic Botany

Adelaide has something that is by now truly unique. That's not something you'd often say about Adelaide, as it's often regarded as a little sister to other Australian cities.
What those cities do not have, is a Museum of Economic Botany. In fact, this is really the only one in the world that will give you a feel for what these places where like originally. This particular museum was founded in 1881, and remains VERY true to original form. The building and exhibits have been entirely restored in 2009, in conjunction with the sponsor, Santos energy.

Exterior, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

So what do you find inside such a museum? Plants - useful ones, and what they are useful for. The idea was to show what various plants could be used for, and potentially be used for in order to make the best use of available resources and reduce waste. Sounds good!

Interior, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

Interior, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

 A collection of papier mache apples from the late 1800's - these featured at the Exhibitions to show the variety of apple trees foreign suppliers could supply.

Apples, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

Reciept for models, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

 Various exhibits:

Brazil nut family, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

Timber samples, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

Legume family, Museum of Economic Botany - Adelaide, March 2011

If you are in South Australia or Adelaide - this place is a MUST to visit in my book - I can easily spend hours here.

Rigoni's Bistro

In each Australian city, there are several restuarants I frequent each time I visit the city. In the case of Adelaide, Rigoni's Bistro on Leigh street is one of them. Italian food is so good, particularly when done well, and when you have a choice beyond the usual pastiche dishes.

Rigoni's Bistro - Adelaide

So, last night I enjoyed their veal special, and the Tiramisu, which is to kill for. I'll give them a 9/10 for their efforts, and they have been consistently good for me over the years.

Overall, that's not surprising - they've been run under the same management since the seventies! The below image is stolen from their website.

Rigoni's Bistro - Adelaide

Ben Quilty - Inhabit

The Art Gallery of South Australia is always quite impressive considering the smaller city that supports it (unlike the NGA, NGV and Gallery of NSW which have a lot of funding).
I went for a walk through the gallery on Sunday. There weren't any major exhibitions on, but there was a gallery wtih Ben Quilty's latest works, entitled Inhabit.

Quilty is regarded very highly in the Australian portraiture scene, and this set of works explores the Australian national identity, and the problems faced with the changes since the arrival of Captain Cook, right through to the current reconciliation movement.

I enjoyed the 16 paintings, though the gallery doens't take too long. The custom birdcage in the center is particularly impressive.

Ben Quilty - Inhabit

Ben Quilty - Inhabit

A mini-fig scale signal box

I see many pictures of Lego models when I trawl through the internet. Here's a neat small example, a signal box built by Flickr user Oidan.

The model is really nicely scaled, perfectly minifig sized, and has neat colour usage. Morever, an interesting roof. I like!

Signal Box by Oidan

Signal Box by Oidan

A decent burger...

Ever since Burgerfuel has turned to hell, I've been missing a decent gourmet burger chain in New Zealand.

Fortunately, Australia has one - Grill'd. Their burgers are excellent, and feature the sorts of ingredients that the competition doesn't - read that as the ingredients that are expensive like herbs and spices, or the ones that go off quickly or need to ripen, like real avocado.

All up, I rate their burgers very well, and damn well hope they'll come to New Zealand and show Burgerfuel up. Burgerfuel was once good, and also had ingredients like Camenbert and Pear, but removed all of these to save on cost. That was one of the their first mistakes.

The second of Burgerfuel's mistakes is to not make the owner work in the business. Without this, you can hire some third rate staff, and wouldn't you know, end up with third rate burgers. That is something that won't happen at Grill'd, or at least not with their current franchise agreements.

The only downside I've found so far with Grill'd is that their chips are cooked in oil so hot that it takes ages for them to cool to an edible temperature. On the other hand, they're drained properly.

Overall, 8/10. The last time I went to Burgerfuel, I might have given them a 4 at best.

Dreams Come True: The Art of Disney's Classic Fairy Tales (ACMI)

The one thing you learn more than anything else at Art Galleries and Museums, is that children tend to have very short attention spans, and many parents don't know how to keep their childrens' behaviour in check.

However, this exhibition, on Disney's classics at ACMI (the Australian Center for the Moving Image) in Melbourne was different. The children were entranced.

For me, I enjoyed the exhibit a lot more than I'd expected. I don't regard contemporary Disney children's films all the well, in my opinion they tend to be a little too politically correct, and lacking anything for the unfortunate adults who watch them.

As it turns out, the older works definately do not fall into that category. As a kid I'd never noticed the argument between the ugly duckling's parents which was obviously along the lines of "I can't possibly be the father of that...", nor the pictures of the three little piggys' parents on the wall. Mother being a sow with piglets, and father a chain of sausages.

Seeing the pre-production art also gave the characters much more life - the animations are a bit too polished - I'd actually quite like to see some of these movies in comic book form drawn by these artists.

I spent about an hour and a half here, and would definatley suggest talking kids here. Even though I went on my own, I still enjoyed it greatly.

Koko Black Easter drawing competition

Koko Black makes excellent chocolate, though I gave that a miss this time. What I did not miss were the finallists for their Easter Drawing competition, which are on display in the Royal Arcade here in Melbourne.

You can view all the entries online at kokoblack.com, but here are some photos I took of my favourites:

The Pursuit of Easter Egg Manor - Troy John Argyros

Too Big for my Bucket - Tegan Rhianna Carter

The Motherload - Hayden John Dewar

Rabbit Proof Fence ... Fail! - Ainslie Wright

Choc-a-Block - Elise Martinson

Lost Delivery Bunny - Mel Mackin

Gustave Moreau and the Eternal Feminine

I regard the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) quite highly. Sufficienly so that when there is an exhibit they've brought in from overseas, and I've never heard of the artist before, I'll go in anyway.

So, that was me a few days ago, handing over $7.50 and an NGA membership card to go into this gallery of Moreau's work.

It is clear from the works on display that Moreau was more than a little obsessed with women, in particular heroines, queens and temptresses. The works range from biblical scenes through greek mythology.

While the exhibit only takes one smallish gallery, it is very good, and you really should spend a few minutes studying each picture in detail. Heres the one I found most intriguing - the Apparition.

Gustave Moreau - The Apparition

One Beef Tiger

It tends to be the case that as I get more tired on business trips, I go more to extremes when it comes to food - be that cheap and cheerful, or horrendously expensive.

This picture should instantly reveal which category this one falls into.

Beef Tiger - Hannah's Pies, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW - March 2011

That would be a Beef Tiger from Hannah's Pies in Ultimo, NSW. Never heard of a "Tiger Pie"? Well, it's a steak pie, covered with potato mash, mushy peas, and gravy. Yum!

So where are these wonderful concoctions made? Here, in this factory. Note the window to buy the pies from on the right. Not many food miles there.

Hannah' Pies, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW - March 2011

As an aside, Hannah's Pies actually manufactures the pies that are sold in Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Woolloomooloo too (along with all the less icon Harry's's).

All up, a tasty pie. 7/10. And less than ten bucks too!

Historic Architecture in Melbourne - another one bites the dust.

If there is on city that I would consider architecturally barbaric, it would have to be Melbourne.

Yes, Melbourne has a small amount of really cool new stuff but most, like Federation Square, are awfully try-hard and actually not that good.

My problem really though stems from what is destroyed so that such progress can be made. Melbourne was once one of the world's weathiest cities (think wealthy in a comparable way to modern-day Dubai), and the architecture of the day showed it.

Of course, walking around Melbourne now, you needn't ever know - the likes of Whelan the Wrecker helped bring the city down a few pegs. Gone are buildings like the Federal Coffee Palace, and gone are all the cast iron verandahs.

Sorry, I should apologise about the later - they weren't removed to be make the city look more modern. No, they were removed due to a new law in 1951, enacted to help avoid citizens accidentally walking into the poles holding them up!

As it stands, Melbourne can no longer hold itself up with it's collection of late 19th and early 20th century architecture. You'll see an awful lot more in Martin Place (Sydney), than you'll do in Collins Street.

Of course, you assume that people have learnt from the mistakes of the past. The thing is though - that's not the case. Victorian architecture tends to be relatively safe, but that which is newer is still in danger, in particular early modern and brutalist structures which most people don't (presently) appriciate.

Today's example WAS here:

Lonsdale house site, Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 22 March 2011

Of course, two diggers on a pile of rubble don't tell you much - but I remember. Here's the current scene from the street:

Lonsdale house site, Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 22 March 2011

Now, what was here was a nice little 5 story Streamline Moderne Art Deco number. This is what it looked like a few years back (not by photo):

Lonsdale house, Lonsdale St, Melbourne, 2010

The building of course wasn't in an ideal state, but, then, nore are the buildings right next to it which are having their facades overhauled as part of this new development.

Lonsdale house, as it was known, was of course in the councils heritage overlay, and was considered by the Art Deco and Modernism society to be one of Melbourne's most icon Art Deco buildings. (It was actually a rebuild of two existing buildings in 1934 by the architect IG Anderson).

So, you'd logically expect them to oppose the demolision? Of course not... the demolision was happily pushed through by city and state officials. In the process, the city even made $1.4 million by selling the neighbouring Caledonian laneway to Colonial Global Asset Management, who want to use the site for a loading dock, as well as using part of the site for a new Apple store.

The Emporium, Melbourne, Proposal

So, a new 240 store shopping mall - just what the city needs. Do they genuinely believe that people genuinely come to Melbourne because the shopping in the malls is so much better than the other malls (like the malls in suburbs like Chadstone, or the likes of Westfield in Sydney).

I don't think that's the case at all. If people come to Melbourne to shop, it's either (a) because they were already in Melbourne for some other reason, or (b) because they actually want to shop in different shops, which can still be found in the laneways that these sorts of developments destroy.

It saddens me that no "solution" could be found to this other than demolition. It seems to me that it would have been reasonable to maintain the facade and tower of the Lonsdale building, and simply make the loading dock more accessible from the back, that is, Little Burke Street. But then again - money talks.

At least if the new development is built to a high standard, I can be OK with it. If it turns out like the Melbourne Central complex accross the road (built by Daimaru, the Japanese department store who've since left), I'll be rather depressed.

Melbourne Central (formerly Daimaru), Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC 22 March 2011

ABBA World at the Power House

A few months ago, while in Melbourne (where I am now too), I missed this exhibit. Fortunately, it didn't move far, and I could catch it while in Sydney the other day, at the Power House museum.

ABBA Sign, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

The first thing that really disconcerted me is the way that you are not allowed in the accept until you accep the terms and conditions. Yes, not just the usual small print on the back of your ticket, but you MUST go to a computer and read through and accept all manner of wonderful conditions. I really don't like that sort of thing.

Once inside the exhibit, there is a wonderful collection of memorabilia, outfits, and most importantly, music.
Of course, a bit like looking at only the picures in a book, a lot more can be gained at such an exhibition when you read the plaques that go with. The story is told very well from ABBA participating in the Eurovision song competion, even the lives of the artists before and after ABBA, but what is not clear from the information provided is exactly what went down to cause the group to break up - which I felt was a bit of an ommission.
Overall though, a neat exhibit, assuming you like ABBA - if you don't, you'd best steer well clear of this one. Some pics:

Costumes, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Boots, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Costumes, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Wall of Fame, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Silver Cassette, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Discography, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Recording Studio, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Dancing Holograms, ABBA World Exhbition, March 2011

Sydney in the rain

The weather on the weekend in Sydney was, umm, rubbish. Some people reckon early autumn to be a good time to travel, but over the last four years traveling to Australia in March, it's rained for three of them.

Despite this, I'm not one to let a little bit of rain stop me from doing something, even, when perhaps it should. So, yesterday I headed out of my comfy hotel room, and out into the rain. Where to go? The Chinese Garden of Friendship - one place you'll guarantee you'll get soaked if it rains.

In either case, this is one of my favourite parts of the city, and a welcome change from the commercialism of Darling Harbour. In fact, I'd rate this as one of the gardens I most like to visit of all those I've ever visited. Well worth the $6 admission.

Perhaps the reason I like this garden so much is the way it has been designed - there are many distinct areas, so you cannot get an overview easily, and the garden has many hidden delights (most of which I've not exposed here).

The garden is modelled after traditional gardens of the Ming Dynasty, and was designed in Sydney's sister city, Ghangzhou. The garden opened in 1988, so has matured nicely over the years. A few photos (apologies for the water drops on the lens).

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Chinese Garden of Friendship - Darling Harbour NSW - 20 March 2011

Tourist trap restuarants...

When I'm in a foreign city, I tend to avoid the obvious tourist areas when it comes to places to eat. In Sydney, that means Darling Harbour, Circular Quay, and The Rocks.

Why do I avoid these areas when it comes to food? Because they don't need to rely on repeat business, and some tourists can't pick a restuarant to save themselves.

This evening I walked down to Walsh Bay with the intent to dine at one of my favorite Sydney restuarants, Ottoman Cuisine - except, of course, for the simple fact they weren't open. No big deal though - I'll just go somewhere else I thought.

So, I walked around, under the bridge, past the YouTube orchestra who where playing under a tarpaulin, and into the rocks.

Reading the menu at Cafe Vintage it seemed like a reasonable place to eat (though the menu is almost impossible to read outside in the dimmly lit alley), so I went inside to grab a table. The table I was given had not yet been cleaned (which they dealt to within a minute, so I can forgive that), and there was rubbish on the floor near my table (which remained there, and was still there when I left).

Cafe Vintage, The Rocks, NSW

What really sucked me in to this place in the first place was the fact that Patatas Bravas appeared on the menu. It's always the first snack I order from my favourite Christchurch Restuarant, the Curator's House.

Anyway, I ordered the Patatas and a steak. The patatas where fine (though a bit more paprika would've been more to my taste), but the steak was god-awful. I knew I was in trouble when it arrived. Here's what it looked like:

Cafe Vintage, The Rocks, NSW

The steak meal comprised three boiled potatoes, with a nasty steak on top (you know, the one you get if you just pick a random steak from the bargain section of the supermarket freezer), some brown gravy ("pepper sauce" on the menu, I think it might have been OXO), a sprig of parsley. The steak had a few tough bits for good measure too.

I'll be generous and give this place a three out of ten (3/10). The atmosphere in the old building is kinda neat, but they really should clean the place up and offer a steak meal that's better than what can be had at many Sydney pubs for ten bucks.

Brunch is the most difficult of meals to procure... but it can be done

The problem with breakfast (or should I say brunch in a lazy weekend context) is that there really isn't the diversity that I'd like there to be.

It seems far to many people are happy with some sort of variation on the traditional English breakfast, that is, one based around bacon, eggs and bread.

Now, I have no problem with that, (unless the holandaise sauce on eggs benedict comes from a cash and carry), but, it gets boring real quick.

So this morning I went in search of something a little bit different, and settled on Toast in Surrey Hills (no, not toast to eat, but a cafe named Toast, on Resevoir Street). What I actually ate was a Morrocan Breakfast (flat bread, pouched eggs, hummus, dukkah, garlic coriander spuds, and I added haloumi).

Toast Cafe, Surrey Hills, NSW

It goes without saying that it was a very good breakfast, and my long Macciato came out exactly as I wanted it to be too (there seems to be some confusion amoungst barristas as to what a Macciato actually is some days - but these guys know!).

While today has been the first time I've been there, for my brekky today, I couldn't fault them one bit. It hit the spot, was sufficiently out of the norm, and well spiced. The coffee was perfect, the cafe immaculate, and the staff prompt and friendly. 10/10. www.toastcafe.com.au

Toast Cafe, Resevior St, Surrey Hills, NSW - 20 March 2011