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Margo's travels |
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Margo's Exciting Travel AdventuresA Supercalifragilistic weekend with Qantas, Tourism Victoria and Mary Poppins, in Melbourne!July 2010 : Qantas and Tourism Victoria recently hosted some New Zealand Travels agents to Melbourne to the Invite only Opening of Mary Poppins. I was one of those very special agents to be hosted! We started off being treated to the Qantas Club Auckland International Airport and enjoying a couple of New Zealand Sauvignons, then fabulously being upgraded to Business Class – thank you Qantas! Arrival was late into Melbourne, so it was a brisk check in at the Novotel on Collins – to be greeted by our massive comfortable rooms. What a great location the Novotel is! Day one: We had a very full on itinerary, so it started with a hearty breakfast at the Novotel to set us on our way. First stop was the Melbourne Museum, to view the Titanic Exhibition. Here we were given a Boarding Pass – with permission granted to come aboard – White Star Lines R.M.S - TITANIC. This gives you a passenger name, class of travel and a little information on who you are. Very excitedly I was Mrs Pekka Pietari Hakkarainen aged 24 from Finland, travelling in 3rd class with my husband – and a little more history. What a truly amazing Exhibition full of amazing treasured artefacts, rooms that we rebuilt to that of the Titanic – even the amazing staircase. To finish off with an actual ICEBURG and a wall of survivors and non survivors – of course to check against your boarding pass....I survived ! But also the realization of such a tragedy. Many heartfelt conversations were had... Next was a short taxi ride to the National Gallery of Victoria – where the collections of the NGV are regarded as the most comprehensive in the country; indeed, in certain areas, the collections rival in quality and depth the best in the World. The newly renovated NGV International offers Visitors some of the biggest names in International Art. We viewed the European Winter Masterpiece collection: Stadel Museum 19th – 20th Century. This was an unprecedented opportunity to see a spectacular array of the finest European art spanning the dynamic and transformative years of the 19th – 20th Centuries. After these two exhibitions it was definitely time to rest the feet and refuel, to the restaurant recommended by Tourism Victoria – Mo Vida del Tapas - Melbourne’s foodie culture is made for tapas-style dining. The multi-dish grazing method endorses the sharing and encourages extra helpings. Mo Vida’s authentic tapas represent various regions of Spain but utilises fine local produce. Main course appear only on the specials board but always include a version of paella. Our group chose the Set Menu, understanding it was 4 courses “perfect with a local bottle of Victorian Savignon” WOW about 13 courses, and 3 ½ hours later... a few Savignons, our taste buds had gone through any flavour available to the palette possible. What a gastronomic extravaganza ! AMAZING EXPERIENCE... definitely allow time to enjoy the food, wine, staff and surrounds. You must make a booking ! http://www.movida.com.au With full bellies to drag along, it was off to view the Legal Graffiti in Hosier Lane. Then a brisk walk back to the Novotel, in time to freshen up and frock up... ready for Mary Poppins. Pre Drinks.... we chose the elusive kitsch upstairs garden bar of Madame Brussels to indulge in Moscow Mules. What a gorgeous nook high above the lights of Melbourne, close to Her Majestys Theatre, and oh so full of many tales... very worth finding, thanks June ! Curtain Call – up the Red Carpet, past all the famous and infamous invitee guests only we dance among the flashing cameras ! To our wonderful row B – Grand section seats. What an incredible treat to see such an amazingly talented show, lots of colour, lights, singing and general good feeling. Of course the Musical of everyone’s favourite Nanny !! – MARY POPPINS - Following on from the Show we were invited to the 1500 odd invitee after party at the stunning Sofitel, where we were yet again greeted by the red carpet, paparazzi and free flowing champagne. A lounge room with wonderful swing music playing or if your feet were ready for dancing was another room with a live local band, playing the latest chart toppers. Being at the Sofitel we had to sneak up to the 35th floor and check out the view from the male toilets, where the windows are floor to ceiling..... amazing ! A little tired the next morning we still had a very busy agenda, so it was off to Federation Square to visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image ( ACMI) – of which is Australians first centre dedicated solely to the most popular visual form, the moving image. The centre exists to encourage and assist the development, production, exhibition and knowledge of film, television and new media in Victoria. ACMI houses facilities for the exhibition of film, television and digital media in an interactive environment of 10,000 square metres over five levels. Here we also took in the Tim Burton Exhibition, which explores the art and imagination of one of Hollywood’s most unique filmmakers. An Australian exclusive, this landmark show brings together over 700 examples of concept designs, drawings, paintings, photographs, puppets, costumes and films. This extraordinary range of artworks charts Burtons 28 year career, from his earliest work to his spectacular version of Alice in Wonderland. Also to name a few of his masterpieces – Pee Wees big Adventure, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Mars Attack, the Nightmare before Xmas, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hallow and Beetlejuice. It was then a little shoe shopping as one must do in Melbourne, a quick visit to Chapel Street before resting those feet again to Dine at the European - http://www.theeuropean.com.au ..... Again what an gastronomic delight, from the fresh whitebait to the ever so stunning fresh gnocchi. And YAY Qantas did it again – Business Class on my return – thank you So Melbourne is an amazing place to explore, immerse in the cultural activities and indulge in the fabulous delicacies, and of course SHOP. Easily done in even 3 days ! Treat yourself to a long weekend, a ladies trip, an anniversary – there really is something for everyone! |
