200 Reasons to Visit St Kilda

It was in 2003 when Mama first visited the market at the Esplanade of St Kilda beach. Then, there were 222 stalls selling all sorts of handicraft that she had blisters on her feet as she visited all of them - from #1 to #222!

I wasn't even born yet then. So, as part of my Australiana lessons, Mama took me there so that I'd appreciate home-grown art. You see, the organiser of the market is very strict in making sure that the products sold at the Sunday event is truly Australian - they'll even visit the home or factory where the products are claimed to be made.

And am I glad they do that. At least, I'm assured that we won't be buying some clunky products that are imported from some dubious manufacturers that employ child labour or prisoners! The downside is, however, as is typical of any Made in Australia product, the offerings at this market are pricy. But doesn't stop us from dishing out the moolah....as some of the products are just so exquisite and unique. It's as if they know my weakness for the finer things in life....Wish I were a millionaire like my namesake!!!

We took the tram from QVM to Flinders St, then changed to another one that took us direct to the Esplanade on St Kilda Rd.

The tram we took from QVM to Flinders St.

In the tram...gets more crowded as it picked up more passengers at every station.

Best burger in St Kilda? We didn't check it out though as that would mean getting off the tram too early and then walk far to the market.

As Mama had learned a very good lesson seven years ago, we didn't start from stall number 1. Instead, we started from the middle. That was where the tram stopped anyway. Then Brad and I tossed a coin to see which direction we should take (head = left, tail = right). It was the tail and so we headed to the right. I think we did good although we didn't get to see all 200 stalls.

At stalls where we actually made a purchase, the owners didn't seem to mind us taking photos. At the rest, we usually asked their permission first. Some put up notices that no photos are allowed. We had to respect that, don't we?

The first stall we visited at the Esplanade. Lovely bells, eh?

I love playing with puppets...the good Uncle allowed me to play with his.

That smiling fat white cat is now ours!!!!

Mama bought me a couple of these lovely silver bracelets....plus some other jewellery pieces.

The beach at St Kilda is always busy and crowded.

Interesting handicraft....Brad likes that alphabet thingy.

Wouldn't you want to take home one of these beautifully crafted time keepers?

Yeay! A new retail therapy "piggy bank" for me!

Aah...Mama's favourite - unique fridge magnets.

We saw many canines accompanying their masters....they must be envying us, two felines with a slave...har har har!

Errr....do we look like these? Definitely not....

I love pet-friendly stall owners.

Bold and beautiful...amazing talent...

Ice cream parlour @ St Kilda... Brad was happy enough to lick them scoops after all that walking along the Esplanade.

We spent quite a long time at St Kilda, at least three hours. My feet felt like lead by the time we took the tram back to the city. Mama said we can all take a nap as soon as we checked in at the hotel. Which hotel? Shhhh....it's a secret!

This tram goes round and round the city....for free!

Catch the pigeon! Stop the pigeon! Feed the pigeon! Ooohhh...can't decide what to do with these pigeons. Too many of them...aaaarrrgh!!!

Mama was checking out the train station. She'd have to take one to her meeting place the next day.

Hmmm...my sister-in-law Nicole seems to be well-known here. Must tell Tom about this.

We returned to Sydney on Monday. Oh, Virgin Blue had a computer glitch starting 9am on Sunday. Phew! Lucky our flight was earlier. Then, we thought our flight on Monday evening would be delayed or cancelled. It wasn't! Boarding was late by 30 minutes but the flight still arrived on schedule. Hmmm....was the pilot speeding up in the sky? purrr....meow!