I almost forgot about this wonderful experience of ours when we visited Melbourne in September but today I remembered to share it with you because what do you know?  I haven’t finished sharing our Melbourne stories from our September rendezvous and here we are about to go there again TOMORROW!  How crazy wonderful is that?

One of the Husband’s request for his birthday was to spend some time looking at cameras in Melbourne’s camera haven.  This area is located in surrounding areas of Elizabeth and Lonsdale Streets.

We had a good walk along Elizabeth Street and entered one of the little streets near Lonsdale Street and found ourselves in photography gadgets heaven.  There are many stores here for your photography needs; whether vintage, new or second hand gadgets, there are lots to choose from.

Our great find that day was the michaels Camera which initially looked like a big store from the outside but turned out to be more on the inside.

We explored the ground floor and looked at everything we can get our hands on.  We didn’t have plans of buying anything but we were on the lookout for sales.  They had a few containers full of polarizers and that’s where I spent most of my time.  Their polarizers were on sale, some for only AUD$10.00.  I think I bought one or two.  The Husband on the other hand, spent ample time looking at films for our vintage Fujica camera and he was able to buy a few rolls.

We noticed that there was a floor above the store and so up we went to find the most amazing camera collection.  It was a Camera Museum!!!!!!  


WOW!!!!!! I’ve never been surrounded by so many cameras in my life! 🙂    Finding this place was such a happy accident.  Let me share with you a few photos that I took.  Some may be blurred because the cameras were inside glass cabinets.

michaels Camera



Here’s the Canon exhibit…..

michaels Camera



Canon lenses….

michaels Camera



and a Canon flash.

michaels Camera



Here’s the Nikon exhibit….

michaels Camera



They’ve got Olympus.

michaels Camera



Here’s how vintage Olympus Pens looked like before.

michaels Camera



From Germany…the Voigtlander!
michaels Camera



I love Leica!  It’s my dream to own one someday.

michaels Camera



Once upon a time, Carl Zeiss used to create cameras.
michaels Camera



The golden collection.

michaels Camera



A golden Nikon.

michaels Camera



A golden Leica.

michaels Camera



Do you want to see a bigger version of the golden Leica?  Here it is!!!

michaels Camera Museum


michaels Camera

The museum consists of some 8000 pieces (there are approximately 2,000 on display), of which about 3000 are cameras ranging from subminiature to 12×15 inches in size. Many of the cameras date back to the late 1880’s through to recent times, and include early digital cameras.

The museum also features lenses; movie cameras; movie and still projectors; darkroom equipment, including enlargers; flash equipment; films & plates; advertising material; microscopes; a vast library consisting of reference books, instruction books, photographic magazines & brochures.

If ever you are in Melbourne and very much interested in photography, I highly recommend you to visit this place.  Entrance to the museum is FREE and open to the public.

michaels Camera is a one-stop photography shop.  Their services include film and digital printing, camera repairs and equipment servicing, rental and hire of photography equipment, memory card recovery services, DSLR sensory cleaning and video transfer DVD duplication and file conversion.  They also offer photography and camera classes as part of their media school.

michaels Camera
Cnr Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets
Melbourne, VIC 3000 Australia

Phone: (03) 9672 2224
Fax: (03) 9600 0898

Trading Hours:
Monday: 9am – 6pm
Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
Wednesday: 9am – 6pm
Thursday: 9am – 6pm
Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm


Affirmation:


I am
WORTHY!


Reflection:

A statement so simple and yet so true.  Whenever in doubt, facing insecurities or losing some sense of self-worth, utter this powerful affirmation and truly believe in yourself.  Believe in yourself because you are worthy!

You are worthy to…
               receive and give love
               be happy
               be blessed with great things in life
               experience true love and friendship
               be made a priority of loved ones
               showered with attention and care
               be offered opportunities
               show and share your talent to others

               pursue and make your dreams come true


 
Face your challenges with confidence.  Outgrow self-doubt and believe in yourself all the time.  Never believe people who tell you otherwise.  You are worthy!


The Husband and I got lucky recently when we received our first-ever Royce Chocolates!!!!  One of his workmates visited Singapore and thought of giving a box of Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate to us.  How sweet!
Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate

I’ve heard so many raves about brand of chocolates so I was very excited to have a taste.

Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate

A regular box of Nutty Bar Chocolate contains 10 pieces of chocolate.  If you want more Nutty Bars, buy the bigger box which contains 18 pieces.

Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate

Look at the back and it will show you how to open each bar.  Just peel the part where it says OPEN.  The wrapper should split in two halves.  Pull the other half and voila!  The Nutty Bar is ready for your first bite.

Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate

Very nutty, indeed!  Delicious milk chocolate and gianduja of hazelnuts and almonds with lots of pecan, cashew, and macadamia and the crispy and spicy almonds.  The crunchiness comes from added cookie crunch and almond puff.

Royce Nutty Bar Chocolate


I wonder what (and when) my next Royce Chocolate experience will be? 

I went crazy over Spanish Doughnuts when I was in Melbourne and missed them so much.  So when my Husband and I had a chance to be in Parramatta for a dinner party, we went early and had afternoon tea at Chocolateria San Churro.

I’ve eaten at Chocolateria San Churro’s Glebe branch once before with friends and I’ve loved the experience ever since. 

Who’s San Churro?  San Churro is the Spanish patron saint of chocolate.  He witnessed many miracles of chocolate including the healing of the Queen of Spain and made it his life’s work to spread the ‘secret’ of chocolate across Europe.

Their serviettes reminds us to enjoy, indulge and never care for the mess we make when we eat. 

Chocolateria San Churro

Some chocolate cafes you’ll come for the pastries or drinks, but in Chocolateria San Churro, you go here for the best Spanish Chocolate and of course, Churros.

Chocolateria San Churro

We shared a plate of Churros for Two with generous pots of melted milk couverture chocolate.  The churros were served fresh and warm, sprinkled with icing sugar.  The Spanish milk chocolate has a very strong chocolate taste, a good fusion of sweet and bitter flavours.

Chocolateria San Churro

Chocolateria San Churro

The Husband partnered our churros with a Hot Spanish Chocolate drink.  It was very rich and thick–we loved it!  It was great to have a break from all those Belgian chocolate drinks we have with other cafes.

Chocolateria San Churro

It was a warm afternoon so I had a big glass of Mocha Mambo topped with chocolate bits.  Refreshing, smooth and delicious. 

Chocolateria San Churro

Right now, I wish there would be more Chocolateria San Churro branches so I can have my churros fix all the time.



Chocolateria San Churro

287 Church Street,
Parramatta, NSW. 2150
Phone:
02 9633 1566
Other branches click
here.

This month’s “Ang Kalatas” is out!
Ang Kalatas (Nov-Dec 2010 edition) 

For my “Life Down Under” column, I wrote about adjusting to married life while managing a home with no helpers.  Please check out my article entitled (click, click, click please!)  “The Challenge of Household Chores“.

Ang Kalatas (Nov-Dec 2010 edition)

To those who asked, “Ang Kalatas” is distributed to the following establishments every last Saturday of the month:

 Sari-Sari (Stanhope)
Chowking (Quakers Hill)
Magnolia’s Restaurant (Doonside)
Starlight Bakery (Doonside)
Lutong Pinoy (Rooty Hill)
Jaz My Waffles (Rooty Hill)
Melchrishel Bakery (Rooty Hill)
J&M Takeaway (Rooty Hill)
Calesa (Plumpton)
Good Luck Butcher (Blacktown)
Masagana (Glenwood)
Pabico (Mt. Druitt)
Sari-Sari Oriental Food Mart (Westfield Mt. Druitt)
Jenny’s Discount Store (Dean Park)

We also distribute to the following suburbs:Liverpool, Fairfield , Holroyd, Bankstown, Ryde, Auburn, Parramatta, and Penrith
 

We are currently in the process of looking for more places to distribute.  In the meantime, please visit our website


for the online version of Ang Kalatas.