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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

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Postcards from Melbourne

January 15, 2013 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Last week, Pete and I enjoyed a couple of nights in Melbourne.

Inspired by Lorraine’s review, we stayed at the fabulous Olsen Art Hotel in South Yarra. Our room was a deluxe studio – small, but generously appointed. It offered proper coat hangers that came off the rack (a pet peeve of mine), decent shampoo,  very reasonably priced internet access ($10 per day, less if you’re a member) and the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on…

All the artwork in this boutique hotel is by Australian landscape artist John Olsen, and most of it is for sale, with the exception of the giraffes on our bathroom wall…

On our first night, we dined in South Bank with our old friends Andrew and Alex…

Melbourne at dusk is remarkably beautiful…

Having parked in the Crown Entertainment Complex, we had to walk past this aquarium on the way back to the car…

It was full of cheerful fish…

Every single fish in the aquarium was smiling!  I thought they might be a nice addition to our fish tank at home, but Pete wasn’t convinced…

The following morning we had breakfast at Cumulus Inc. with David and Marie. I had the shakshouka – baked eggs with roasted peppers and shanklish..

Then we tried to master MyKi!

Melbourne has an integrated electronic public transport system based around a single key tag. As visitors, we only needed it for one day, but had to buy  reusable cards nonetheless.  Having said that, the tram system works brilliantly – much better than our Sydney buses. The only real problem with the trams is that they require passengers to walk across a lane of traffic to board, hence this advertising campaign…

I dragged Pete out to Kew to buy Naot shoes – an Israeli brand with removable cork innersoles. They’re the only sandals I’ve found that I can successfully use my orthotics with…

We ate old fashioned fish and chips at Hunky Dory in South Yarra…

…and had dinner at France-Soir with Pete’s brother Greg, his partner Michelle, and their cousin MJ.  I had to try the duck à l’orange (it was very good!)…

On the way home, I took a photo inside the plane cabin with the new panoramic camera option that came with the latest iPhone software upgrade. It works really well…

And I checked for snakes on the wing, but didn’t see any!

It was a fun and much needed weekend away, and a great joy to be able to catch up with family and friends whom we hadn’t seen for years. If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne, I’d recommend the Olsen Hotel – it’s in a great location, the staff were cheerful, and the attention to detail really impressed us!

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Posted in Food & Friends, My Photos | 72 Comments

72 Responses

  1. on January 15, 2013 at 12:07 am sallybr

    Quick comment from iPhone as We are in camping mode once more. ;-)

    LOVED the giraffes, absolutely loved the painting!

    I shall return to proper net-mode tomorrow and sleep in our nice bed. (Sigh )

    Great post, Celia


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:36 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, the artwork was fabulous – and everywhere! In the hallways, in the lifts, and all by the same artist!


  2. on January 15, 2013 at 12:07 am Debra Kolkka

    Melbourne is a great city. I’m glad you had a good time.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:36 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Deb! It was a nice couple of nights.


  3. on January 15, 2013 at 12:12 am Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen

    It’s such a wonderful break to get away with your husband and visit another city just a short plane ride away. I don’t know why I don’t do it more often, it’s so much fun. I would love to take a much longer plane ride and visit Australia too:D What wonderful food and I love boutique hotels, they’re so much more “artful” in decor. It’s very cool that the art is for sale, it must be local artists’ work they’re promoting? But those shoes.. that’s what caught my eye, they’re so pretty!! I love red shoes!!xx


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:38 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Smidge, the artwork is all by the one artist – John Olsen – whom the hotel is named after! Certified prints are for sale, but they cost a fortune – $1430 each! Needless to say, we didn’t buy any.. :)


  4. on January 15, 2013 at 12:52 am Sally

    Love that artwork on the wall. Illustrations always make me smile.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      All the art was great, Sally, but unfortunately I only had the iPhone camera, so I couldn’t really do them justice!


  5. on January 15, 2013 at 1:04 am niasunset

    WOW! This is wonderful post… and postcards from Melbourne. Thank you dear Celia, love, nia


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Nia, I’m glad you enjoyed it! x


  6. on January 15, 2013 at 1:53 am Misky

    Snakes on the wings? Snakes on the wings?!


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:41 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hehehe…did you watch the videoclip, Misky?


      • on January 15, 2013 at 6:45 am Misky

        Yessssssss. :)


  7. on January 15, 2013 at 2:26 am thecompletecookbook

    What a fabulous weekend away Celia.
    My maiden surname is Olsen and haven’t come across the artist John Olsen while doing family tree research – oh well, sure there is another famous Olsen we are related to… ;-)
    Have a super week ahead.
    :-) Mandy xo


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mandy, he’s very famous – if you ever come to Melbourne, you now know where you have to stay! :)


  8. on January 15, 2013 at 2:29 am cecilia

    fantastic to see a little of melbourne, next time let me know and maybe you can pop in and see my daughter, she works at the European which is evidently a lovely restaurant with an exceptional wine list! c


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Celi, I wish I’d known! We were looking for a place for dinner on the Saturday night!


  9. on January 15, 2013 at 2:32 am cravesadventure

    What a Great Escape – love your captures – thanks for sharing! Happy Monday:)


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Renee! :)


  10. on January 15, 2013 at 3:09 am Glenda

    Fantastic shots. Looks like you had a great time. I love Melbourne and I really love your shoes.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Glenda, I really love my shoes too – I walked around in them all day and my knees didn’t hurt! Always a good sign.. :)


  11. on January 15, 2013 at 4:06 am Kitchen Butterfly

    Welcome back from a great get away. You did have fun, and that’s a good way to start the new year.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Oz, it really was great fun!


  12. on January 15, 2013 at 5:40 am Roslyn MacAllan (@roztaste)

    John thought you did not like flying, so now you can definitely come up to Brisbane.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 6:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Or Tassie! :)


  13. on January 15, 2013 at 6:56 am bizzylizzycooks

    A weekend in Melbourne is just the ticket sometimes!


    • on January 15, 2013 at 7:07 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      So true, Lizzy! :)


  14. on January 15, 2013 at 7:31 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

    Looks like a lovely weekend Celia. Aren’t the fairy lights at Southbank beautiful at night? I wouldn’t mind a few of those smiley fish here. So happy!


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, that’s what I thought, but Pete figured we’d be creeped out by them after a while.. :)


  15. on January 15, 2013 at 7:40 am GourmetGetaways (@GourmetGetaway)

    What a great story! I love the art series hotels, they are so modern and comfortable! Like a trendy home away from home.
    Sounds like you had a great weekend :)


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:06 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thank you, we really did! The art hotel was just fabulous!


  16. on January 15, 2013 at 7:59 am heidiannie

    What a great trip!
    I like your shoes- and the smiling fish.
    But the giraffes caught my attention and heart.
    Lovely way to spend a weekend- sharing a room with original art and eating duck AND fish and chips!


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Heidi, you’ve summed it up so well – it was a short but diverse and interesting weekend! :)


  17. on January 15, 2013 at 8:21 am theintolerantchef

    Isn’t it lovely when the boys are old enough that you can sneak away for a few days and have such great time! Love those smiling fish :)


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Just so nice, Becca! Maybe next time we’ll nick down to Canberra!


  18. on January 15, 2013 at 9:17 am Le Petit Potager

    Oh how wonderful; a weekend away.
    I would be sold on the hotel just for all the John Olsen works.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:30 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Elaine, if you’re a fan, you really should go and stay there! There are documentaries on John Olsen, and books, and just so much artwork to admire!


  19. on January 15, 2013 at 9:21 am Le Petit Potager

    Celia, I meant to say I bought a pair of Naot sandals a couple of years ago at Northbridge in Sydney………..they’re gorgeous.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:30 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh, that’s good to know, the shop I used to buy them from in Glebe has closed down. Thanks! I’ll go hunting on google now!


  20. on January 15, 2013 at 10:10 am hotlyspiced

    What a great few days. What a treat. I think my husband and I are long overdue for a few nights away on our own. I love the look of the duck and your new sandals are gorgeous. What airline were you flying? I haven’t seen individual screens for domestic flights EVER xx


    • on January 15, 2013 at 11:31 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I was so looking forward to showing off my sandals to you, Charlie! Next time! :) We were flying Virgin – individual screens were only on the flight back, not the one there.. x


  21. on January 15, 2013 at 11:38 am Norma Chang

    What a delightful get away and the opportunity to visit family and reconnect with friends.


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, it really was, thank you! :)


  22. on January 15, 2013 at 12:31 pm Eha

    Don’t care if my mathematics sounds wonky: one + one = about five, in this instance regarding your hotel: know which one in Melbourne I’ll be suggesting to friends about to go down!! Thank YOU and Lorraine! And, yes, DO love the look [and feel?] of those Naot shoes – have to do some homework!!


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Eha, this is the first time in years that I’ve been able to wear open-toed sandals – I haven’t taken them off since I got home! :)


  23. on January 15, 2013 at 1:14 pm sponge

    Glad you enjoyed the weekend,The pics are beautiful,love the pictures of girraffes,


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Sponge! The giraffes were very cute…


  24. on January 15, 2013 at 1:16 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    I’m so glad that you enjoyed your stay there! And yes the bed is so temptingly comfortable indeed! :D


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:16 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It was a great suggestion, thanks again! I don’t usually manage to sleep through the whole night in a different bed to my own, but on both nights in Melbourne I didn’t wake up until after 6!


  25. on January 15, 2013 at 1:20 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    What a wonderful weekend of food and fun. I lived in right downtown at Southgate and then later we moved to the Eastern suburbs and I loved it. When I lived downtown I’d walk to the Queen Vic market every day. We ate great food and I lost 10 kilos. :)


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:17 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      M, we thought about going to the Queen Vic markets, but half the retailers were still on holidays! Next time.. :)


  26. on January 15, 2013 at 1:21 pm ChgoJohn

    What a great spot for a get-away! The city looks inviting and the food delicious. I regret not seeing Melbourne when I visited Oz. Maybe next time. And I so agree about removable hangars. Is it really too much to ask that I may easily hang up my clothes?


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:19 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      John, the coat hangers thing is important enough for me to mention it as one of the hotel’s positive features! :) I hadn’t been to Melbourne in a couple of years, so it was great to just wander around!


  27. on January 15, 2013 at 2:53 pm cityhippyfarmgirl

    Celia I think everyone needs a smiling fish in their aquarium…how could you not?! :-)


    • on January 15, 2013 at 3:19 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Brydie, Pete kept saying, “remember that movie Chucky?” ;-)


  28. on January 15, 2013 at 5:09 pm Craig

    Great to read that it was a nice weekend away…. I love the smiling fish – how cool! I’m trying to replace my Naot sandals so I was interested to read you found a good place there.


    • on January 16, 2013 at 7:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Craig, I’ve only just discovered the Naots, and they’re absolutely wonderful! I wish I’d known about them years ago!


  29. on January 15, 2013 at 7:22 pm Kari @ bite-sized thoughts

    What a fun trip – and a great hotel by the sounds of it (I relate to coat hangers not coming off as a serious peeve!).


    • on January 16, 2013 at 7:02 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Kari, I was really happy with the hotel, although on Lorraine’s advice we went for a slightly larger room, as the basic studio is apparently tiny!


  30. on January 15, 2013 at 7:39 pm Tandy

    Proper hangers to me are so much easier to use! Sounds like a great trip. We have reusable cards for London which we just lend out to who ever needs them :)


    • on January 16, 2013 at 7:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Tandy, the reusable MyKi cards would have been annoying if we were overseas travellers! It’s the only downfall to the system, I think…


  31. on January 16, 2013 at 2:12 am marilynscottwaters

    Thanks for sharing your adventure, Celia! The shakshouka looked yummers. And Naot does make the prettiest shoes. I love the detail on them. Hugs, Maz


    • on January 16, 2013 at 7:04 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Maz, I’ve only just discovered Naot – I wish I’d found them years ago! You’d love this art hotel, darling! x


  32. on January 16, 2013 at 10:11 am Jane @ Shady Baker

    This looks like a lot of fun Celia! I have not spent any time in Melbourne since I was a child. I would love to return and you have given us some great recommendations!


    • on January 16, 2013 at 7:00 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, I’d like to go back again too! It was great fun! x


  33. on January 18, 2013 at 7:10 pm Sophie33

    Thanks for sharing your get away weekend! It looks that you had lots of fun, Celia! Melbourne looked great!


    • on January 18, 2013 at 7:12 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Sophie, it really was! :)


  34. on January 19, 2013 at 7:31 am lambsearsandhoney

    Oh, I love those giraffes – very sweet. I also love France Soir – we’ve eaten there a few times. We are off to Melbourne tomorrow and I’m still trying to decide where we should eat this trip!


    • on January 19, 2013 at 7:36 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      A, there’s so much to choose from in Melbourne! It’s foodie heaven.. :)


  35. on January 20, 2013 at 1:47 am Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

    Lucky you and I am going to Florida on Tuesday…I need the sunshine after this flu epidemic. One day Celia you will see me knocking on your door…LOL


  36. on January 21, 2013 at 5:47 am Joanna

    What a great trip, so exciting to see you having such a fun time and thank you for sharing the sights and meals you had. I have enjoyed this post a lot xx


  37. on January 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm Nic

    Love your new shoes gorgeous!



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