Getting the most out of the Queen Victoria Markets

A few days ago, I posted a blog about my visit to the Vic markets.

The market is huge, and it is so easy be overwhelmed! I thought I would share a couple of pointers that help me get the most out of the day. (Well that and I just wanted to do another blog about the vic markets because there are so many photos that I love which I didn't my last post!)

• Bring cash. The lines for the ATM are always huge, and most stalls don't have EFTPOS.

  

•  Wear comfy shoes. The Vic markets are massive. You will be doing alot of walking during the day, and you don't want to get sore feet!

• Get there early so you get a good park, or catch public transport. We got a park pretty close, but it was only a 2 hour spot, and we had to go back and move it. Trust me, you will end up spending longer there than you expect to!

• Bring a bag. We forgot to do this, and boy did I regret it. By the end of the afternoon, my arms were loaded up with all our goodies. My hands where so full I couldn't take anymore photos, and I was scared I was going to drop something!

• Don't be afraid to haggle. That's what markets are for. You will almost always be able able to get things cheaper. Don't be shy either. There is no harm in asking 'What's the best price you can do?', 'Can you do it for X amount', or 'Will you give it to me cheaper if i buy 2 (or more) ? "

• Take you time, and shop around. Many of the stall have the same things, or similar. You would hate to buy something and then see if a better range or cheaper version three stalls down.

• Take you time picking fresh produce. Have a look around before you pick what you want. Many stalls will have the same produce, but different quality or different prices. 

What do you do to get the most out of your day are the market? Do you have any tips that I haven't mentioned? 

Queen Victoria Markets

One of my favourite places to go in Melbourne is the Queen Victoria Market.

I remember going there a few times as a little kid, and being overwhelmed by everything I found there. I would spend all my money on lollies and junky little toys, which I thought where the best things ever!

Even now that I'm older, I still love it!

My partner and I went in a few weeks back, and spent hours wandering around all the different parts of the market.

There is just so much to see, do, eat, watch, smell, buy......

The markets is great for cheap presents. We got a belt buckle for my brother (who is a little cowboy) and some jewellery for my little sister.

Belt buckles

One of many jewellery stands

While we where working our way up and down all the isles, I was surprised to come across this stall.

Knife stall

I couldn't believe that they are aloud to sell weapons at such a public place! Any one could buy them, then and there. I was so amazed that it was so easy to purchase them! Many of the knives being sold we not hunting or cooking knifes either. They were purely intended as weapons. It just seems so ironic that the police are trying to crack down on weapons, but are allowing this place to operate.

You really can find anything at the Vic markets. Including coloured hair and a fluro man-kini, if you so desire.

Wig anyone?

Hmmm... sexy?

Another thing that I love about the Vic markets is how multicultural it is. There are so many different cultures selling there goods, and so many different languages being spoken. The sign at one of the jewellery stalls made me giggle.

' You no lean on glass! O.K. Please. '

Then, we got to the good bit. The food! The food stalls are one of the busiest parts of the market. They are always so alive with the beautiful colours of all the fresh produce, the yelling of the merchants trying to sell their produce, and the haggling of customers. Not to mention the amazing smells!

These spices smelt amazing! They looked beautiful too.

All the gorgeous colours of the fresh fruit looked and smelt fantastic.

Yummy!

More delicious fruit!

We brought some of these to make our dinner with.

After going through all the fresh produce, we moved onto the food pavilion. This is one of my favourite places of the whole market. There is always lots of food to sample!

We brought some delicious parmesan cheese, and some fresh pasta to have with our tomato's for dinner.

Cheese!

Our last stop for the day was the meat hall, to get some chicken for the pasta sauce. There is so much interesting stuff in there though that we just had to have a look around!

 Chicken for dinner

Whole Snapper

Crayfish, one of my favourites types of seafood.

More fresh Seafood

Monkfish. Apparently they are some of the best eating fish you can get!

The good thing about going to the food hall last, or later in the afternoon is that the stall holders are keen to get rid of their produce so that they don't have to pack it all up and take it home. We got a whole tray of fresh flake for $10!

We had a fantastic day at the market, and I would highly recommend it to anyone, of any age. You can get some really great things super cheap.

At the end of the day, we came home with fish, chicken, fresh sourdough bread, parmesan cheese, a pineapple, fresh tomatoes, fresh pasta, 3 bottles of red wine, a belt buckle, a ring, a jewellery box, chilli oil, lemon butter and lots of lollies!

And a big grin on my face :)

Have you been to the Vic Market? What was your favourite bit?

About Time

I love to read, I love to write. I seems logical for me to have a blog, yes? 

Unfortunately, due to my indecisiveness, I am only just starting one now when I probably should have done it years ago. It's not that I haven't though about it. In the past I've got as far a registering a domain name and drafting my first blog (both on separate occasions).  But each time I've started, I've just ended up overwhelmed ,and given up.

My brain always bombards me with a million questions :

What should I blog about? Why would anyone want to read what I have to say? What should I call it? When will I have time to write? What if no one read what I write? What if I'm actually not as good at writing as I think I am? You get the idea...

On top of that, I am what I describe as mildly 'computer illiterate', meaning that my technological skills are somewhat limited. Although, they are getting better, the idea of physically making my blog was another daunting factor. How do I make it look pretty? It didn't help that I've just started working part-time at Nuffnang, a blog advertising company where I have been exposed to some beautiful blogs, written by some amazing writers. I just found myself thinking  "as if I can compete with that!!". 

However, on Saturday morning I was lucky enough to get to go to the NuffnangBlogopolis conference in Melbourne. Not only was I inspired by all the talent in the room, but I also realised that they where just normal people, who love to write. They probably had all the same doubts as I do, but look at them now!

So last night, I finally sat myself down with the intention of starting my blog. For real this time. Four hours and lots of procrastinating later, I had register a domain name. I'm off to a great start....

Anyway. God knows that I am the sort of person that desperately needs a blog. As I lack any creativity ability to use as an outlet of expression for  my endless thoughts and opinions. My poor family and friends end up being on the receiving end of hours of my senseless drivel. Of course I think what I'm saying is great, however I'm pretty sure they don't. I hope to find a few like-minded friend in the blogosphere who I can share my thoughts and experiences with, to save the ears and sanity of those dear to me. I am sure that my boyfriend especially will appreciate this. I've lost count of the amount of times he has told me 'I wish that you had an off button' after listening to me crap on about every little detail of my day. Gee thanks babe. 

While my University, work, social commitments and love of Tetris battle on Facebook may prevent me from blogging as much as I might like, I will do my best! I promise to share myself with you, if you do the same! I will attempt to make you laugh, and make you think, while giving you an insight into what the life of a broke, over excitable, talkative uni student is like.

I would love to hear about other people who shared my doubts when first starting their blogs! What was the most daunting thing for you? Do you have any tips for me? Or are you a wanna-be blogger that hasn't taken that first step yet?