Rediscovering Melbourne

I'm so pleased that I came back here. I visited Melbourne in January but left feeling slightly cheated. Whilst I'd really enjoyed exploring St Kilda with its beaches, cafes, funky shops and arty creations, I gave the city short shrift. I spent less than a day in the city and so I only scratched the surface of this cracking place.

This time, I felt that I got to know it so much better. So much of Melbourne life happens behind the scenes. You have to look beyond the main streets and enter the lanes and passageways which weave between the glittering shopping malls and office blocks. With the narrow streets and pavement cafes buzzing with people sipping cappucinos, it felt more like Italy than Australia. I loved pottering around the hidden gems of the city and deciding whether to tuck into European, Asian or typically Aussie tucker.

There was lots happening whilst I was there too. I managed to catch a catwalk show which was part of the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Week. It seemed weird seeing models showing off winter clothes whilst the sun was beating down on them. It was also the Melbourne Food and Wine festival (I suspect the fash pack didn't make it to this one though). I missed out on Jamie Oliver's event (slightly out of my backpacker budget) but I did sample some tasty delicacies, learn more about local food and admire the edible garden.

In true Pip fashion, I managed to fit in a winery tour. My day in the Yarra Valley was just great. I learnt more about the cool climate grape varieties that do best in that region and I found some new varieties that I hadn't tried before too. It was a lovely day - glorious sunshine, great scenery, tasty food and lots of good wine. The day ended at Domaine Chandon with a glass of bubbly. Now that's my kind of tour!

Foodie discoveries

One of the big pleasures of this trip for me has been learning more about local food and drink. I've opened my mind about many things along the way which is a wonderful thing.

In Cambodia and Vietnam, I think I managed to avoid eating dog although I couldn't avoid the sight of butchered dog in the markets. I did eat a tarantula though. The legs were like twiglets, so I told myself.

I really enjoyed the fresh, fragrant flavours in SE Asian food. I still crave a decent Vietnamese pho or banana leaf salad now. I felt so clean and healthy after eating the delicious Vietnamese food. I lost a few pounds on it too.

That's why I loved the cookery courses that I did in Cambodia and Vietnam. I've looked into cookery courses in Australia too. The choice seems to be Thai, Italian, Greek, Japanese or tapas. What about Aussie cooking? What exactly is Australian cuisine other than pies and barbeques? They also lay claim to the pavlova but I'm dubious about that!

I have eaten kangaroo. Actually, I ate barbequed kangaroo on Kangaroo Island while kangaroos were watching. I felt slightly awkward about that. It is tasty - kind of like lean beef. Apparently it's only the tourists that eat it though. My tour guide has only ever cooked it for her tourists or her dog.

So instead of learning about Aussie cooking, I've immersed myself into learning more about Australian wine (it's hard work you know!). I've studied hard, taking wine tours in various regions - Margaret River, Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley. I've done plenty of extra curricular research too. Wine isn't something to be sniffed at!

I've had to open my mind here too as I would normally avoid Australian wine back in the UK.

I have been pleasantly surprised. My preconceptions of rich, oaky Chardonnay (usually the colour of stale wee) have been shattered. I actually like Australian Chardonnay. Who'd have thought it? The recent varieties are buttery and delicious. My memories of Bridget Jones style Chardonnay drinking are oh so different. But as in fashion, I predict a resurgence of the 1990s trend of Chardonnay but this time it actually tastes pretty darn good.

Cheers!