National Gallery of Victoria - Melbourne

We were lucky to see the exhibits from the Hermitage : The Legacy of Catherine the Great at National Gallery of Victoria when we visited Melbourne.

It was an immersive experience, recreating the rich atmosphere of the Hermitage, a showcase of these exquisite works.

 Having seen the actual exhibits in Russia, this exhibit brought back fond memories for me. It was as though as I was being transported back to Russia.

Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great showcased one of the world’s greatest art collections. Featuring works by artists included Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez and Van Dyck. The exhibition offered a dazzling array of works including the finest group of Dutch and Flemish art.

 This exclusive Melbourne exhibition highlighted the innovation and vision of Catherine the Great, whose inexhaustible passion for education, the arts and culture heralded a period of enlightenment in the region. 

The extraordinary works sourced and commissioned by Catherine during her thirty-four year reign, created the foundations for the Hermitage today – considered to be one of the world’s greatest treasure houses of art and decorative arts.

Victoria Market Place Food Court

Here we are at Victoria Market having our first taste of Melbourne coffee. Iced Latte for me while hot Latte for Anthony.

Situated between the Meat Hall and the Victoria Street Shops, the Food Court caters to almost every visitor’s taste. The range includes Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, as well as fish and chips, sandwiches and vegetarian food.

 Hotdog

 Fish & Chips

The Food Court offers take-away foods, with ample seating for over 400. The space is heated for those chilly Melbourne mornings and is well protected from the rain and wind. The modern fabric and glass canopy provides a stark contrast to the surrounding Victorian buildings.

Queen Victoria Market - Melbourne

Here we are -our 2nd day in Melbourne. All set to explore the sights before we meet Angie and her family for dinner.

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Australia, is also affectionately known as ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’. The Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. 

It is a historic landmark spread over two city blocks. A vibrant and bustling inner-city Market where you can shop for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, and local and imported gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs.

The Market is open five days a week—Tuesday, and Thursday to Sunday.

We see particular cuts and styles of meat, for example, in offal or sausages. Others are pork specialists. There is also the sale of meat cut to suit particular cuisines, such as Italian or Asian.

 Cheese - now who moved my cheese

 Located in A & B sheds and H & I sheds, you can find Australian, Asian and exotic produce all under the one roof.  We bought strawberries and berries. Simply delicious and fresh.

Jams

Time Out - Melbourne

We visited Time Out which is located at Federation Square, St Pauls Court. No. 2 Swanston St, Melbourne, Vic 3000,Australia.

Time Out is located in the centre of one of Melbourne’s most iconic tourist destinations and is known for all-day dining from an extensive International menu 365 days a year.

 Pat & Anthony

 Warm Roast Pumpkin Salad - Honey glazed roasted pumpkin, Persian feta, sundried tomato, pine nuts, tomatoes, Spanish onion, cucumber and roasted kale dressed with a balsamic glaze

 Chicken Parmagiana- Chicken breast schnitzel topped with hickory smoked ham, Napoli sauce and melted cheese served with fat chips and a side salad

 Vietnamese Pulled Pork Sliders - Spicy shredded pork, Asian slaw and hoisin mayonnaise in a mini brioche bun

Dinner with delicious food -  Thumbs Up

Waffee - Melbourne

We chanced upon Waffee which is located at Shop 1, 77 Swanston Street Melbourne (Cnr Collins St & Swanston St) after mass and on our way to dinner.

Combining quality ingredients with love, each crisp golden waffle is handcrafted to bring you a new

taste sensation.

Waffles for supper and breakfast - From Melbourne

St Francis Church - Melbourne

St Francis' Church is the oldest Catholic church in Victoria, Australia on its original site in Melbourne. It is located (at 326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne) on the corner of Lonsdale Street and Elizabeth Street. 

 We attended evening mass on 7 November 2015 after visiting Federation Square. 

 For over 160 years, St Francis’ has been an important place of prayer and worship in the centre of the city of Melbourne.

 In 1929, St Francis’ Church became a eucharistic shrine in the care of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation.

Centrally located in the Melbourne's CBD, St Francis' has never lost its place as one of the city's most popular and widely used churches, and today is the busiest church in Australia, with more than 10,000 worshippers attending each week. 

Federation Square - Melbourne

 

Federation Square is a mixed-use development in the inner city of Melbourne, built on top of a concrete deck above busy railway lines. It is located at intersection between Flinders Street and Swanston Street/St Kilda Road in Melbourne's Central Business District, adjacent to Melbourne's busiest railway station.

 

 

 When we arrived at Federation Square, there was  Deepavali celebrations with dance and music.

 Massive Crowd

 

 

 

 

Federation Square occupies roughly a whole urban block bounded by Swanston, Flinders, and Russell Streets and the Yarra River. The open public square is directly opposite Flinders Street Station and St Paul's Cathedral. The layout of the precinct is designed to connect the historical central district of the city with the Yarra River and a new park Birrarung Marr.

Finders Street Station