Theatre and a long weekend away
My friend Jane, who you know I regularly travel interstate with knows I love all things China, so told me about a Chinese dance troupe that was visiting Australia. Without either of us checking out anything about it on the internet, I said ‘let’s go’. We arranged to spend a long weekend in Melbourne which is about an hour in the plane from Canberra and we organised tickets, flights and accommodation only to find out that the dance troupe was coming to Canberra…ah well we both love Melbourne so decided to still go – lots of eating and shopping to be done anyway!
The dance troupe is called Shen Yun Performing Arts and was formed in New York. It performs classical Chinese dance and as it’s website says ‘was founded in 2006 by practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual discipline with the mission of reviving the essence of 5000 years of Chinese culture, which it states to have been nearly destroyed by the Chinese Communist Party’.
(source: internet images)
It was an interesting event I must say – lovely dancing but a little bit political which neither of us expected.
I organised an Airbnb two bedroom/two bathroom apartment and I travelled on the Friday afternoon and immediately left the apartment to go shopping as Melbourne is known for its great shops. After a while I was tired from carrying too many shopping bags so stopped at a lovely cobblestone street for something to eat and drink and do some people watching.
I ordered my usual; a glass of wine and glass of sparkling mineral water along with a bowl of fresh tomato and basil pasta…delicious!
Before Jane arrived around 8pm, I caught up with a Melbourne based friend at a lovely little pub around the corner from where I was staying followed by a quick dinner at one of the five star hotels. I forgot to take photos!
The next day Jane went out early to the fresh food markets (I think I have told you she is a ‘foodie’) and she enjoyed some oysters and fresh fruit. I stayed in the apartment as was feeling a little unwell from a recent cold, then we both went for a walk around the city to find the theatre where the dance troupe was performing. By this time it was after midday and both of us were a little hungry [I was ravenous]. We decided we needed to eat something delicious for lunch but not knowing the city we didn’t really know where to go. Then a wonderful surprise – across the road from the theatre we saw a gorgeous little French bistro ‘BISTROT d’ORSAY’…what a fabulous find.
The interior is evocative of a typical Paris bistro with dark wood panelling and soft lighting and a towering vintage French poster adorning the dining room. The menu has French bistro classics such as bouillabaisse and crème brûlée and also Mediterranean style dishes.
Jane ordered a bottle of French wine which we started drinking whilst waiting for our meals and snacked on some thick fresh bread.
This was such a lovely restaurant we didn’t want to leave and I think it had something to do with a very charming [and very handsome] waiter who had that beautiful French accent [and told us he was from Paris]. After perusing the menu for some time, I decided on the risotto with rich mushroom ragu which I really enjoyed and even the chef was happy to make it without cheese for me (very kind).
Jane ordered the bouillabaisse; Marseilles’ famous soup of prawns, scallops, fish and mussels in a saffron, tomato, fennel broth with crouton and rouille. She couldn’t stop talking about how incredible this dish was.
And of course the obligatory pommes frites [which I have now learnt from the very handsome waiter, are ‘fries’ in French]…sounds much more eloquent than ordering ‘fries’ or ‘chips’.
Then it was time to head over to the show followed by dinner at a lovely little Italian restaurant that I had been to previously [post to follow].
Sophie said:
How surprising ! The ShenYun troupe was in Nice early March this year, but we could not go. That sounds like a great weekend, a week-end that I would have enjoyed a lot myself, and I loved your story, the photo of the cobblestone street in Melbourne, and of course of all the dishes!
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twobrownfeet said:
The Shen Yun Troupe had a scheduled performance in Seoul (early this year). I was enthralled by the teasers of the performance and wanted to catch the performance. Sadly, I missed it. 😦 Gorgeous captures of the troupe and your weekend.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks so much Sophie. Yes I think you would love Melbourne.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much. The dancing was very good as were the costumes.
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Lignum Draco said:
Melbourne is always great to visit for food. I’ve noted Bistro D’Orsay for my next trip thanks to you. Iy looks good.
I’m careful about political things when it comes to China. Who knows when you might turn up at Customs and get detained.
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faizzapain said:
Follback, please
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes please go there. It really was good. Yes it was a bit concerning especially during intermission reporters were interviewing theatre goers. I kept away of course.
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Little Miss Traveller said:
I would love to visit Melbourne sometime, I’ve not been along he South coast at all. The dance troupe looked good.
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vinneve said:
I miss asparagus! It is so expensive here, unfortunately 😦 Your foods looked so YUM! what a night to end up in a nice restaurant with good foods. Very nice to be with friends.
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Snapshotsincursive said:
Looks super-fun! Traveling brings me joy! 🦋
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Simone said:
What a wonderful weekend – travel, shopping, fabulous food, entertainment and a handsome waiter! What more could you have wanted?!
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sidran said:
Seems like a lovely weekend and you managed to do quite a lot.
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Joyce Belfort said:
Those traditional Chinese dance always look so unreal. The whole Falun Gong thing is a huge mess. I have no idea that they funded cultural stuff too. From what I could see, they preach political agenda wherever they can. Each time I see Falun Gong people, they tell me some pretty extreme anti-Communist party ideas and ask me to donate to their cause. I avoid them like a plague. They’re in here Paris too.
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Amy said:
What a beautiful city to spend a weekend. Lovely photos, Sue!
I watched SY Dancing in Texas a couple of years ago, was very impressed. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Marion. I do love Melbourne.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you for your lovely comments Vinneve.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks very much Gail.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It was great. We shall do it when we go there Simone. Yay!!!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes eating mostly. Ha ha.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Oh really I didn’t know they were in Paris. How interesting!!!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
It was lovely Amy. I treacly enjoyed my time there.
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Lyn said:
Melbourne is such a fun place. I must return soon. The French restaurant looks fabulous
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sileas said:
What a lovely trip nevertheless! I’ve always wanted to visit Melbourne, but I too bad I couldn’t go during my short time in Australia several years ago… The restaurant looks like a lucky find! I mean great French food served by a handsome waiter, who wouldn’t enjoy that?! 😉
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Lyn. I love it too.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Julia. The handsome French waiter was just the icing on the cake.
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1girlonejourney said:
After reading your post I would wish to visit Melbourne soon.
Amazing post!
Lovely pictures 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting.
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1girlonejourney said:
Your welcome!
Do check out posts on my blog and follow if you enjoy 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I have checked out your blog. It’s really interesting.
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intenttowin said:
I’ve never been out of the USA, but your post certainly makes me want to travel.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I do hope you do it someday. Thank you for your comment. It’s much appreciated.
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The Anti-Oxidant Blog said:
Nice article. Keep writing. Goodluck!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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The Anti-Oxidant Blog said:
You are welcome to our blog
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