My 53rd birthday dawned some time before we woke up, so by the time the curtains were drawn it was a blazing bright day. Uncharacteristically we had planned our activities so we didn't have to go through the usual guessing what the other would like to do and suggesting it. First stop was the South Melbourne Markets, with a visit to Cobb Lane. This is a place of much YouTube renown so it was one more place off our tick list.
Some definitely Melbourne prices in there but the quality was very good.
We went inside and found a place that sold all types of sandwiches and bakery things but a million times better quality than the normal. This is a photo of their pastry section because their savoury counter was too busy.
Breakfast of mortadella and mystery cheese (maybe mozzarella) on focaccia. Like luncheon mixed with salami, and tastes amazing.
The pastry from Cobb Lane was good but way too sweet. We were astonished and aghast that our self-imposed hype based on a couple of random internet mentions didn't quite measure up.
The markets are set up as well stocked stores, and there is all manner of foods and some other tat mixed in. I've put a bunch of photos below. Everything without exception was the most amazing food I've ever seen. The meats were either the same or cheaper than NZ, with beef mince about 2/3 the price.
The fruit and veges all looked like they were in the photos the local supermarkets put above the wilted soggy greens we get.
One very strange thing was the meat (passage / corridor / alleyway / shaft - I can't think of anything that makes it sound good) was red meat on one side and chicken on the other. So there were four butcheries with similar products all side by side and two or three chicken ones on the other side. Handy but cut throat I imagine.
Just looking at this much pastry in one place gave me heartburn but it was spectacular.
After our market we jumped back on the tram to the zoo. We bought the PT> (no idea why it's called that) card because the tram rides were all out of the free zone. We needn't have bothered. Absolutely nothing stopped us from doing any of today's trips free, other than a deep sense of Catholic guilt on Louie's part and whatever moral lessons I happened to accidentally pick up as my poor parents tried to drag me up kicking and screaming.
Anyway, we tapped on and off with absolutely no idea if it worked or not.
The zoo was confusing a bit, and we got lost often, despite the cheery bloke at the ticket box telling us how easy it was to get around. He didn't mention the frequent blocked paths and un-signposted entrances. The Tapir is in fact the only exhibit we actually arrived at by using the map and going there. It was literally just next to the front gate and we got promptly lost soon after.
This little bugger was bombing it around his pool so it was almost impossible to get a decent photo but he looked like he was loving it.
Typical sleepy, lazy, doped up stinking Australian. That's who was next to me when I took a photo of a koala.
Bird, had big feet and a shiny head. I remember no other facts about it.
As typical they were doing fuck all.
Tawny Frogmouth. It did some looking. Hot days seem to be not so great to see animals doing anything.
Other than otters.
These monsters were absolutely bombing it around the butterfly habitat and this was the best I could get of them. Maniacs.
It was about here we realised why it was a bit challenging to work our way around using the map; this is the front entrance which we spotted about half way around. We had come through the tram entrance which was at the bottom of the map. Bugger.
At least we knew where we were at last
This was notable for two reasons. Firstly, there a bunch of penguins torpedoing around like crazy while the zoo staff were cleaning the water.
Secondly it was about here that I had to do some complex maths and worked out I am 52 today and not 53. Yay.
A lion looking hot, probably because he was.
Something very creepy about a curled up snake that just watches you.
It took me a good minute to spot the tiger, clearly sitting out in the open. I've got a big zoom lens so it was a bit further away but still. When we all return to the jungle I'm gone by the first afternoon, my predator detecting skills are zero!
Glad it was Louie who said they look different than the video game and not me.
After a "rush hour" tram ride back the day was still blazing hot so we had for an hour or so. It's always a treat to step out of your hotel at 6:30pm and it's hotter than when you went inside. Luckily dinner was at a close by restaurant Collins Kitchen.
This place is attached to the Grand Hyatt so was reasonably swanky. Our host asked if it was a special occasion and Louie gladly told them it was my birthday. He reassured me they wouldn't do anything embarrassing because it's a 5 star hotel.
Elderberry cocktail.
Louie had steak with wanky French butter, which means it immediately dropped of the steak and tried to surrender.
I had brisket which was 100x better than the other night's.
Overcomplicated coleslaw with too many bits and pieces, even had aniseed which is just strange.
Mashed potato and fries, both excellent.
For desert Louie had affogato, which kind of just ended up being tepid milky coffee.
Vanilla panna cotta with sour bits. Very good.
And being a classy place they of course brought out this and proceeded to sing happy birthday to me.
Looks like a lovely birthday day and I'm glad they sang to you in my absence!!!
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