Day 3

Buckle Down and Get to Work

24 August, Day 3


LOCATION: Melbourne




I woke up surprisingly fresh and jet lag free. I went for a workout in the hotel gym and found the gym to be just as big and well equipped as my local gym.

After my workout, I found  1932 Cafe for breakfast. It was in and old art deco arcade.  The location and the decor made it appropriately named.

Breakfast pudding is the best pudding of the day.

I had the avocado smash (which I have learned is quite popular here).  I had to learn how to order coffee in Melbourne, and for most of Australia: what's known as a coffee in the US is known as a "long black" in Australia. IF you just ask for a coffee, they will ask if you want a long or short black, espresso, or a Cappuccino. Once I had that sorted out, I wanted one of their specialty drinks which was the fusion of hot apple cider and a an apple pie. My Australian was not that good because the waiter returned with a plate and proclaimed "Breakfast pudding is the best pudding of the day." The "pudding" was an apple crumble cake cake to me.  I was not going to turn it down and just thought of this as an adventure.  The pudding was dense and rich.  The waiter realized eventually, that I had ordered the apple drink and not the pudding, so I received both, but only paid for the drink.

The apple drink I ordered

After breakfast, it was time to get to work finishing the presentation I would give the next day. I was able to get through all of the content I needed to add.  I hit a jet lag wall.  I had to take a nap.

After the nap it was time for the evening welcome reception.  I had the chance to meet some great people and great finger food.  The poppy seed encrusted salmon was a favorite. of mine  I was still groggy and wanted a good sleep, so I excused myself early to go bed.

Day 2

Touch Down...Hello Australia

23 August, Day 2


LOCATION: Melbourne, AUS




Clearing customs was a breeze and I got my bag fairly quick. Everyone here is bundled up for winter and I don't want to put my coat on! The cool air feels so good and I could see my breath when I stepped outside. It is a bright, sunny day.

I planned to take public transportation to the hotel, but I was not in the mood to learn how to pay or the chance of getting lost, so I took a cab.  Well, 7:40 in the morning Melbourne has commuting traffic, just like any city so I got to sit in traffic and got to enjoy the happy faces of commuters stuck in traffic.

Getting to the hotel at 9:00 am means that no rooms were ready, so that means I am delayed further (30+) hours. So I am sitting in the farthest corner of the hotel restaurant lounge having eggs Benedict for breakfast, Love the ham..,it's not like US ham.

People watching from from the hotel bar

 I was finally able to check into my room and shower.  It was around noon so I was determined to stay awake and see some of Melbourne. First, I topped by the conference check in to say hello to Donna and give her a gift.  She is partial to gin, so I picked up a Leopold Brothers Gin for her.

Next, see Melbourne.  I hooked a right out of the hotel and started walking.within a few blocks I found a nice park.  The sun was out and many people were enjoying the warmth during this late winter day. St Patrick's Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church were not too far away so I took a stroll to check them out.

The Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

St Patrick Cathedral

 I was able to go into St Patrick's.  Even with a few other visitors, the chapel was serene and the sun was at the right moment in the sky to perfectly illuminate the space.

The main window of the cathedral

After sitting for a while, I continued my stroll and found the Victorian Artist Society. Appropriately housed in an old, red painted Victorian building. At the moment, the spaced had a portrait exhibit.  Unfortunately I was unable to take any pictures of the portraits, but I was able to snap a pic of some of the detail of the building.

After the Victorian Art Society, I needed food and was determined to get something on the local side of Melbourne's food scene. I picked Victoria's Secret Bar and Cafe. I arrived at the end of their lunch, so the only thing that they had left was a spicy pork sandwich. That and a local beer made the meal. It The sandwich was good and truly spicy.  The dining was al fresco, which was perfect for the sunny day.

After the meal time for more sight seeing.  Melbourne has a mix modern and historic street cars.  I tried to capture some of the later.

The Evening

Donna invited me to join the conference staff (two others) to drinks and dinner.  We went to the Gin Palace for drinks and had amazing cocktails. I had the Four Pillars Dry and Fever Tree Indian gin and tonic. The drink had gin infused orange marmalade and garnished with a green apple fan and bay leaf. However there was a drink the was the winner of the table by appearance alone.

 

I can't remember the name or composition of the drink, but it had silver flecks floating around in the purplish bottom portion of the drink, The drinker enjoyed it and said the drink was refreshing and citrus flavored.

The night ended with dinner at Lucy Lui Kitchen. The cocktails were upscale and creative.  We decided to let the chef decide for the table and we we treated to excellent dim sum plates.  The highlights for me were the oysters, duck and fried fish.  On the oysters.  The were the best that I have had.  They had a flavor unique to any oyster I've had in the states. It is hard to explain, but they had a creamy quality to them.  I am looking forward to exploring Australian seafood.