Monday, December 29, 2014

Melbourne Menu

             My dear readers, I am going to be your hostess and present Melbourne to you as an exquisite 5 course dinner, which I am sure you will enjoy to the fullest. You have 2 options. You can have it a la carte ( Visit Melbourne-Tourism Victoria website) or table d'hote ( Come Alive in Melbourne videos ) ... with me. 

             We have crunchy , tangy Pani Puri for starters. Melbournians' warm , joyous spirit is infectious. City is not just the art, architecture and infrastructure but also the citizens' culture. Melbornians are accommodating and possess large hearts. They mix up genuinely with foreigners, without any inhibitions. This is totally evident in the following video.

                               Why George Columbus loves pani puri  
                

For the main-course we have richly rich history .Let's revel into the golden past of Melbourne, which is literally GOLD, with gold-mining history. Melbourne is founded by John Batman and John Pascoe Fawker. Governor Bourke named it Melbourne in 1837 after the then British Prime minister William Lamb, 2nd  Viscount Melbourne. 

Gold was discovered in 1851 and the resulting gold rush transformed Melbourne. The accelerated population growth and the enormous wealth of the goldfield ushered in the era known as Marvellous MelbourneMelbourne was the national capital of Australia from 1901 to 1927. In 1956 Melbourne hosted The Olympics. In 2003 Melbourne was named as a UNESCO City of Literature.



            I am sure all of you enjoyed the historical main course. Now it's time for the present. Melbourne hosts the majority of Australia's contemporary festivals , thrilling world-class events, art-culture-music shows etc. Tourism is a major industry. Have a look at what makes Melbourne Australia's second largest city  modern , commercial-financial center, cosmopolitan, elegant and chic ... the most livable as well as lovable city in the world. 


Next on the platter is ' Melbourne in 1 word - Awesome ' which consists variety entertainment for all in the family. Thrilling experience of the Great Ocean Walk, Melbourne Cricket Ground, different types of Australian wildlife, especially Penguin parade at Phillip Island, Cruising the streets of Melbourne and enjoying delicious meal in the Colonial Tram car restaurant, Hot air ballooning , Segway-rides, wonderful vineyards of Yarra valley, crossing the West Gate Bridge for amazing view of the Melbourne city. 



              Finally it's the time for nutty , sweet dessertsLet's fall in love with Melbourne as Shantaram did with our Mumbai. *Shantaram is a blockbuster novel by a Melbourne-born author Gregory David Roberts. He got addicted to heroin when his marriage broke. He was a convicted bank robber who escaped from prison and fled to Mumbai, lived for ten years as a fugitive. He established a free medicine clinic for slum-dwellers. Simultaneously he worked as a counterfeiter, smuggler ,gunrunner, and street soldier for a branch of the Mumbai mafia. Recaptured in Germany, he served out his sentence there and in Australian prison. After his release, he established a successful multimedia company, and since the publication of Shantaram, he is a full-time writer. 

            In 2003 G. D. Roberts wrote the novel 'Shantaram'. The novel is a smashing hit all over the world in general and Mumbai in particular for it's in your face portrayal of fast n furious life in Mumbai. The book's name Shantaram is derived from the name his best friend's mother gave him, which means "Man of Peace,". Shantaram loves Mumbai as his own so it's quite natural to reciprocate the love with Melbourne. Shantaram has literally given his blood and soul for Aamchi Mumbai.

            Do we have any other option but to fall head over hill, in Love with Melbourne? There is so much common between Mumbai and Melbourne. I wish Prime Minister Narendra Modi declares Melbourne as the sister city of Mumbai. It will promote cultural, commercial ties, foster friendship, understanding between different cultures, and will encourage trade as well as tourism.

( This post is a part of a contest with Visit Melbourne and IndiBlogger )

Contest for Readers 

Which of  these places   would you want to visit in Melbourne and why ?

The best answer will win a gift voucher worth Rs. 500 /-
Contest ends on 5th Jan 2015 
Please answer in a comment box.

Thank you all for participation. Heartiest Congratulations to D.Nambiar for winning the Melbourne Menu contest. Kindly inbox your contact details by tonight.





*Reference : Wikipedia- Shantaram





33 comments:

Balaka Basu said...

Hi, I nominated you for the “very inspiring blogger awards” as your blog truly inspires me. Thanks. http://mumbong.blogspot.in/2014/12/very-inspiring-blogger-award.html#gpluscomments

Balaka Basu said...

I actually loved your post on Melbourne. The place I would love to visit would be the Philip Island to watch the penguin parade. :-)

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thank u so much Balaka. What a pleasant surprise.

Keyur Seta said...

I am eager to visit Melbourne now. Cheers!

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Balaka , Thanks for your choice

Meghana Hassan said...

Wow, tht looks like a perfect menu..
For the nature lover in me, I would love to visit Ballarat Wildlife Park n handfeed Kangaroos and Koalas. My little one would love to watch them in the wild..

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Keyur, I know you are eager to visit Melbourne for the WORLD-CUP. All the best

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Meghana , you are welcome to the Melbourne party with the lil Princess.

Gowthama Rajavelu said...

Interesting as well as informative post Sujata. Tasty main course and platter with little bit history and some interesting stuffs. Enjoyed reading it completely. I love to see myself standing amidst a bunch of penguins, kissing and playing with them, at phillip island.

I'd love to hear your say on my post http://creatikaa.blogspot.in/2014/12/melbourne-awe-inspiring-place-to-visit.html

My best wishes for the contest and a Happy New Year 2015 :)

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Gowthama , Thanks 4 so many compliments and wishes.

cruxrebels said...

Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I’d most like to visit the Dandenong Ranges for it’s scenic beauty, breathtaking view and cool breeze blowing through my hair. :P I’d give anything away for driving through the winding roads which are present throughout the ranges. I’d love to stay at one of the bed and breakfast cottages and go on frequent excursions in the forests with my camera which provides excellent views. And not to forget the famous ride in the Puffing Billy, a day reserved especially for that. To add to that, there are also several picnic spots for me and my friends to spend a fun-filled day and the ranges are a perfect spot for hiking and cycling.

Pingback: https://cruxrebels.wordpress.com/2014/12/24/melbourne-the-place-to-be-see/

Wish you and your blog a happy new year! :D

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Cruxrebels , Thanks for your elaborate comment and wishes. Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year.

Abhi said...

Enjoyed reading the blog. Lovely pictures.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Abhi

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Hemaaa. Happy New Year

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Ranjith for sharing your Cricket-mania. Happy New Year

Kaushal Gupta said...

Hello Ma'am, this is wonderfully written and I have already started craving to visit Melbourne! I want to visit MCG - Melbourne Cricket Ground, one obvious reason being I am a die hard Cricket fan and would want to explore MCG and be stunned with it.

Mom said...

Great post! After reading your post & watching all the videos, I would definitely want to visit all those amazing places when I get to visit Melbourne :) But of all, my top pick would be a visit to Yarra valley for a beautiful sunrise balloon flight. After seeing the video, I can't stop myself from dreaming a romantic magical flight above the scenic vineyards and watching the sunrise from up above! Throw in my favorite wine, I will doubly enjoy the ride sipping my glass and taking sensational selfies all the way :) Now I can't think of a better way of spending a vacation!!

Next of course, cruising through the great ocean road in a open-top car to enjoy the coastal scenery and the iconic 12 apostles for the nature's amazing work at play. Then a ride around the city in the vintage trams to enjoy its urban splendor and the legendary puffing billy to enjoy its natural splendor. Finally a day at the hot springs to unwind and totally rejuvenate myself :)

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Kaushal , Thanks and Welcome with your stunning comment

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Suji and Happy New Year

alok said...

Interesting Post
After reading your post and watching all the videos
I feel I have stepped into a kaleidoscope called Melbourne
Where Vistas of experiences would unfold one after another
The nature lover in me is enticed by the thought of watching the penguin parade.
Traveling though the great ocean road, soaking up the freshness as the breeze ruffles my hair gets me in the mood to pack my bags for Melbourne.
But before I can move ,Puffing Billy whistles and invites me for a ride. The kid in me jumps with joy at the thought of visiting Pannys Phillip Island Chocolate Factory
Even before I can deside on the list of places that I would like to see in and around Melbourne.
What’s that noise that I hear ?
Oh its loud cheer from MCG as the cricket world cup 2015 is about to kick start.
So many plces to see and so much to do.
I am thetimetraveler ( http://goo.gl/wdXDzu ) and I have decided … Melbourne here I come ( http://goo.gl/RvUCQf ).

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Alok.

Manisha Tavate said...

Ohh.....Nice Menu Sujata....It was just Yummy....
I would like to go for Main menu first and then have starters.
But seriously I would love to Melbourne to street art...Hope both of us will definitely enjoy shopping at The Queen Victoria Market!!!!

Bhawna said...

Hi!
We know beauty never need words but without words it cannot be explained and when you get wordless after seeing it... your mouth still get open wide and WOW comes out. Dear! Your explanation about Melbourne is wonderful and picturesque description. I am a person who always attracted to nature first of any place so I would love to see the Melbourne Nature & Wildlife. The 12 Apostles rock formations is world famous rocks which changes its color in sunrise and sun set. And then I will see the Phillip Island Nature Park where I want to see the animals which I hardly see in India. I never saw Penguins, Koala and other animals.
Driving on a smooth road with natural beauty around you, it always gives you a feeling of heaven on Earth. I would love to drive on Great Ocean Road which is also famous in world to give you a scenic experience and the pleasure of that driving is amazing.

Bhawna

D.Nambiar said...

I hope you get to feast on Melbourne soon. Happy New year to you.

My answer :
If I were to visit Melbourne, the first thing on the to-do list would be that seaside drive. I can’t get enough of scenic drives and rock formations.
Looks like if I do the Great Ocean drive, I’ll get to see the sea, drive along it and go see the Apostles and London Arch and Ginson Steps and Lock Ard Gorge and all that. So yeah, that is what I’d like to do most of all — The Great Ocean Drive.

Kalpana said...

Very creative interpretation of the prompt. Of course its too late to participate in the contest so I won't. Good luck and Happy New Year.

Ajay Pai said...

That was an awesome post. Felt the urge for visiting Melbourne.

Thanks for the share.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Manisha . Yes Let's go shopping at Vic market.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Bhawna.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks D.Nambiar.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks kalpana . Happy & Prosperous new year to you.

SUJATA TAWDE said...

Thanks Ajay. Wish you get to visit Melbourne for the World Cup.

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