Browsing the archives for the Australia category.

Today ~ 24 September 2009

Breakfast at Expresso Bagel in QV before work

They have a breakfast special, which isn’t really a good deal but it was just across the road from work. Ham, Cheese & Tomato bagel with a coffee for $7.50. Cream Cheese bagel with a coffee for $5.00. There is a variety of bagels to choose from. I picked poppy seed bagel this morning.
Bagel @ QV

Then boiled dumplings for lunch at Chinatown Dumplings on Swanston Street. I discovered and learnt to like northen Chinese dumplings (jiao zi) from a stay in China. It’s like a staple in northern China. Almost all ancestors of Malaysian Chinese are from southern China so dumplings, especially during the Spring Festival (which is how the northern Chinese refer to the Chinese New Year) wasn’t a tradition to me. The original northern Chinese dumplings contains pork and is boiled. There are more variations now – chicken, lamb, beef and prawn, fried and steamed. The classic is still the best.
Boiled Dumplings

And dumplings isn’t complete without vinegar. Black Chinese vinegar. And this is how i prepare my dumplings to be consumed…

Chinatown Dumplings

back to work. video recording was interrupted by a stranger who, seeing that i am shooting, thought i was a tourist and offered to take a photo for me. I am never a tourist. I am a traveller.

Random Melbourne

Ham, cheese & tomato bagel
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waiting for Up 3D to begin…

a ‘smuggled’ drink
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someone took a bite out of the ferris wheel…

?
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Measuring on La Trobe St
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a Chinese breakfast

in Box Hill
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Century egg (preserved egg) porridge
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Fried noodles
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Glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf
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unwrapped
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Coffee at Laurent

Laurent Boulangerie Pattiserie in Doncaster Shoppingtown
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looking to see what’s available

chocolate croissant
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a heartbroken latte for me?
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closing
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from above
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David Copperfield day

lunch at Old Town Kopitiam on Little Bourke Street (Chinatown)
Old Town Kopitiam

kopi-O (Malaysian black coffee)
kopi-O

o-chien (Oyster Omelette)
Oyster Omelette

inside

Curry Laksa
Curry Laksa

meal

food taste authentic, unlike some ‘modified’ Malaysian food found all over Melbourne.
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watching window dressing
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Albert Stone calling it a day
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scarf from somewhere in Tokyo
black long-sleeve tee from Uniqlo, Tokyo
checkered dress from a store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo
coat from Gap, Tokyo
stockings from Sportsgirl, Melbourne
boots from somewhere in Tokyo
bag and bracelets from Forever New, Melbourne

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grabbing a coffee at Starbucks before heading to Rod Laver Arena
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arriving at Rod Laver Arena
David Copperfield

The food and drinks prices are ridiculously high, as is with most events. A bottle of water that cost AUD$3 from the convenience store is sold for $4.20 here. It’s smart to always come prepared and not make any purchases unless necessary. It’s not about being a tight ass. It’s about not getting riped off. About being a smarter spender.David Copperfield

waiting for the gates to open
David Copperfield

Entering. No photos were allowed inside the arena.

David Copperfield

David refers to himself as an illusionist. He involves the audience a lot but selecting people to be a part of his illusions. He performed walking through a huge spinning fan similar to the following vid

a singing and dancing tie, making a piece of tissue twirl in the air, making a car appear on stage within seconds, and the final one was making about 10 people picked from the audience sit on stage and disappear and reappearing on another side of the seating area.
It wasn’t satisfying at all. The show was scheduled to start at 8 p.m. but was about 10 minutes late and David bowed and waved goodbye at about 9.15 p.m. Heard a lady behind “Is that it?”. Exactly. Unlike the Blue Man Group show, it just didn’t feel like i had enough. Not impressed. Was left wondering whether the show has ended or is there an in-between break.

Bootleg ramen

Got ripped off at 3 Kingdoms in Box Hill. Run by Koreans.
3 Kingdoms

Ordered a special ramen. This is what i got. What does it look like? I’m a Malaysian so don’t think you can fool me by not using Korean instant noodles. It’s Maggi Mee. And what’s worse is that i can even tell which flavour it is. Curry.
Bootleg ramen

It cost me $6 for a bowl of 50 cents instant noodle with some egg and carrot. This will be the first but final visit.
3 Kingdoms

Jeans for Genes day

Today is Jeans for Genes day. It cost me $5 to wear jeans to work, in the form of a donation. Tax deductible though.

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Izakaya Chuji

First time at Izakaya Chuji on 165 Lonsdale Street in Melbourne CBD
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Agedashi tofu
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Tori karaage (deep-fried chicken)
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Takoyaki (octopus balls)
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Gyutan shioyaki (salt grilled ox tongue) – the tastiest dish ordered
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near the kitchen
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towards the entrance
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Nikujaga (meat-potato)
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Yakisoba (stir-fried ramen noodles)
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waiting to pay
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This place is run by Japanese, unlike some fakes. The food was quite authentic, nothing fancy but a little pricey for the portion.

Max Brenner

First visit to Max Brenner

Chocolat, choice: Dark, served in the Hug Mug.
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Inside looking out.
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The counter.
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Max Brenner, the bald man.
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Cappucino, served in the Kangaroo Cup.
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Mugs and Cups for sale.
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Choco-ciggies.
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For sale.
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Outside looking in.
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Max Brenner Chocolate Bar on Urbanspoon

Ikea

A visit to Ikea in Richmond
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Carry bags for use while shopping in-store. Ikea doen not provide complimentary carry bags at check-out. Bags need to be purchased if required. Tip – bring your own bag.
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The ascend into Ikea
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Feeding at Ikea cafe. Salmon with cous cous
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Swedish meatballs with chips and a spoonful of cranberry sauce (yucks) on the side
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Plenty of simple, smart and affordable (mostly) solutions. How can anyone not like Ikea?
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You will…

Brother Baba Budan

Came across this cafe while reading the online paper this morning. A rather weird name though – Brother Baba Budan. Maybe i can refer to it as BBB for short. Love the earthy interior tones. Don’t love the communal seatings. Some privacy, please.

Images are from Breakfast Out.

To visit the next time i go into the city.

Vision: Hayrolls

Silhouette
Location: Helen Hills Winery, Victoria, Australia
CS4 Notes: Shadow/Highlights (Midtone contrast 3), Levels (right slider 226, left slider 18, centre slider 0.86), +33 contrast, Diffuse glow (graininess1, glow amount 1, clear amount 12)

Strangers

Lazy day

Tones

Vermillion

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