Melbourne (Again). This time for a good stretch!

I arrived first in Melbourne, but left pretty quickly, before I had a chance to really adjust to the 16 hour time difference and settle in. Loved my trip along the great ocean road and into South Australia and Adelaide. But I am happy to have the chance to be back in Melbourne for a stretch now. I’m back at the same hotel, and this time have a room overlooking my large gold insects. Perhaps they were aware of my infatuation with them?

I flew back Monday and had an amazing dinner at an Asian fusion restaurant called Supernormal. I ordered the banquet menu. Wow, it was remarkable.

First course was housemade kimchee, raw tuna with bonito mayo on a nori cracker, and the most delicious spiced nuts that were perfect with my cocktail. Then cucumber and radish salad with green kosho and sesame, Korean rice cakes with sweet chili glaze, and prawn and chicken dumplings. The main, as if I hadn’t eaten enough already, was slow cooked lamb shoulder with eggplant and coriande, with jasmine rice and spinach on the side. Then this desert, peanut butter, soft caramel, and chocolate parfait. Amazing way to restart my re-entry to the city

I had a completely open day on Tuesday, and used it to visit the national gallery of Victoria and the Royal Botanical gardens. The museum was lovely…did not compare to the Met or MOMA, but I am spoiled.

One of the highlights was a Dior exhibit. Fantastic collection of vintage clothing, much of which was modern before its time. Loved the feminist message, which was a little incongruous with the very feminine dress shapes.

Across from the museum was the botanical gardens. I couldn’t resist walking through, and also took a brief tram tour, which was helpful because the gardens were huge.

I had reserved a very late lunch/early dinner at a modern Australian restaurant, called Gimlet. It had been highly recommended by the guide from our walking tour, and it did not disappoint.

After a fantastic martini, I started with a gnocchi frito, filled with Parmesan and topped with braesola. This was followed by raw tuna, sea bream, and mussels escabeshae, with a saffron rouille, and whiting with caviar sauce. The main was grilled duck breast, with sides of French fries and a salad. And desert of spiced cherries, vanilla cream, and candied orange. Unreal.

I waddled back to hotel to read and turn in early. Perfect day.

Today, I am having a Iong Italian lunch, then taking a day tour to Philip Island, about 2 hours south of the city. We will go to a koala preserve, see some shoreline, then get to the headline event at dusk, the “March of the fairy penguins”, where 1,000 little penguins leave the ocean and head back to their homes in the dunes. Can’t wait to tell you more about it!