Early look at Chapel street

These pictures were taken around Chapel St. and the Prahran market, where Liat's current project at work is located. We were on a mission to 'capture' the street's spirit on film and it is slowly becoming one of our favourite strips in this city.

Footy fever

So we finally had a chance to go to Melbourne's pride and joy - A Footy match (Aussie Rules Football) at the MCG! Can't tell you much about the rules of this game because our eyes weren't really on the ball (or the match), but focused on this amazing arena and the nutty crowds. We had 4th row seats(!) and the atmosphere was just electrifying. Check out the bright lights and what is probably the greenest grass in Victoria.
















What's footy without beers? yup, went for the hot dogs and meat pies as well...
















When we did try to follow the game it turned out to be a real chaos - there are just too many people on the field - about 15 players for each team, six (?) umpires (i.e. officials), cameramen, waterboys - and the Oval (field) itself is just huge. Still, we were close enough to see some action. Don't judge by these low-resolution pictures - these guys are the size of a small tank...








































The fans were very loud, mildly offensive and in many cases, simply pissed. Despite that, they were well-mannered and as such quite a contrast to the hooligans that crowd soccer fields in Israel, Italy or the UK. Whether it is the cause or the result of this anticlimax, there are just so many kids, young girls and 'father and son' duos in the crowd. Altogether it seems a pretty safe, clean, family-oriented experience.








































Some emotional moements...






















































Don't think this guy is a St. Kilda fan...
















In the end, St. Kilda F.C. beat the Melbourne Demons by 30 or so points. Though we couldn't care less, the crowd's reaction had swept us away into celebrating... well not really, but we did go for a drink later...

































Finally, this guy is far more efficient than me - That's a proffessional photographer, sending his photos to press right after the game is over.

FINA Festival

Living in a city that prides itself of being a home of the "world's greatest sports supporters" means that there's always something going on - this week it's the FINA world swimming championship. Not much of organised sports fans ourselves (which is considered to be an incurable disease in Melbourne) but the atmosphere around the tournament was quite contagious and fun. If you're for some action shots then better head for this site (they sure have better tickets). There's plenty of action to see outside the pool, though -

Check out this band, for example - They're not only great street performers but also a group of very talented musicians. Their act is a mixture of medieval-style travelling band, pyrotechnics and segway-aided dancing. A very cool and stirring mix.

I actualy went for the guy's face, but I like this little mishap due to the camera's auto focus.























































And the final shot for this theme - some FINA flags at night (OK I admit it - I am addicted to long exposures...)








































You can never have too much of Melb's graffitti. I'm gathering stuff for a complete post. Until then, enjoy these beauties -

A slow weekend

Didn't do much this week, so here are a couple of pictures of us, some places in the city and of the coastal environment in a nearby promenade.








































Not sure about this one, but some kind of a local buzzard





















































This is but a tiny section of Liat's favourite city store. Go figure.

Being somewhat of a redhead (and a rebel) myself, I have always had a soft spot for the Irish. I love Irish music, though every time the pipes are calling, I'm not sure whether it is music I hear or just the tunning up of the instrument - these two were no exception. Unfortunately St. Patrick day this weekend had not been dramatically felt around the city. Most Melbournians probably prefered that anaemic Grand Prix over this.

I'm really proud of this one - it was taken in complete darkness excpet, of course, the city lights...





















A detail of a cool laboratory-style city institute named 'the Croft institute'.

We really miss those of you who are abroad, and we hope you're all enjoying these.

Grampians NP

This weekend we finally got out of the city and went to Grampians NP, about 3.5 hrs drive from Melbourne. We packed everything we could - including some indulgent camping gear- as far as we're concerned- such as folding chairs, a double gas stove and a Hesky (Aussie for cooler). We placed it all inside the Getz, our 4WD in disguise.

The first impression of the park was quite shocking as most of the camping grounds were filled with families BBQing and playing bush crikcet, supersized caravans and luxury tents, but it actualy meant that the rest of this park felt quite isolated and full of life.

















The missing McLeod's daughter...

Those of you who don't live down under, don't believe the hype – marsupials are essentially huge rats. This guy had neither shame nor fear as he searched vigourously for food in our belongings, all while posing for the camera.

This is no bushfire - these are the actual colours of the sunset in the bush.
















and the gloomy sunrise of the following day.
















Every now and then I feel the landscape architect creeping out and I just have to take these pictures.

























































This is the Banksia - the queen of the Australian bush.








































The summers of 2006 and 2007 have been disastrous in terms of bushfires, and yet the regrowth that follows is quite remarkable. The contrast of the locsious green and the bleak, burnt trunks is quite difficult to capture on film.







































These Parrots are so common around here, that even they were surprised that someone had actually bothered to take their picture. I just had to test zoom of this lens...





















If the Banksia is the queen then this guy is the joker - the shameless Kukaboora.





















Despite the drought, the famous McKenzie falls were still a nice photo-op. We were lucky enough to be there all alone, have a nice breaky (Aussie for breakfast) and get some uninterrupted long exposures.







































Liat says that most of you don't care about Banksias and natural wonders and what you're really after are pictures of us, so I feel compelled to place these in here as well, though they are not my favourites...