Australia: Ekka '08

What's Ekka? It's one of those classic Aussie fascination with shortening long English words... basically Ekka is derived from the word Brisbane Exhibition (huh? what derivation??) ... which is also formally known as the Royal Queenland Show. It's an annual event that's held in Brisbane for 10 days!. It's a pretty massive event and economic generator that there's a public holiday declared for it to enable families to go over and spend their monies... :D

The Brisbane Exhibition Ground

The first show started off in 1876, and it's main idea was to show off agricultural and industrial stuff, together with other farm animals like big fat cattles, ugly turkeys and also the cute baby farm animals. One thing of interest to note, although there were many farm animals thsat were on display, there's hardly any animal smell eventhough these animals are placed indoors and the waste is displayed in full glory for the public!

Char siew and suckling pigs... :D

How would you like it? Rare, medium or well done?

KFC-select-your-chicken-menu... :P

Lamb steak or fried chicken?

No this can't be eaten...

Fruit Display Competition

Try finishing this pumpkin yerself!....

Anyway, I don't think modern city bred kids give two hoots about agriculture. Give them a WII or PSP anytime. I'm pretty much sure the kids are attracted to the "sideshow alley". The term pretty much explains itself... and this is where the EKKA comes big. You can get pretty much all the thrill rides in Genting over here like roller coasters and sky rides. There's also Ghost house, cooking class for kids and plenty of game booths around....

The crowd at Ekka

Ferris wheel and other thrill rides...

Game booths...

Cooking class for kids too!

The main attraction for my niece is pretty much simple. DORA Goodie Bag. Since the day I came she's been harping about the goodie bag she's getting. Basically it's known as "Show Bags" in Ekka. Historically it started out as sample bags distributed by the farmers and vendors over the exhibition hall, but right now it's a huge commercial market with each bags costing in the range of AUD10-20.

Various Vendors and their Showbag Stalls...

My niece kitted out with her Showbag stuff... Dora Brolly, Hat and Bag.

It was pretty much an interesting day out. After spending about a good 6 hours over there we made our way to Sunshine Coast... more pics on that later... below more pics... till then... G'day...

Wood chopping competition

Lost Kids... was a pretty long line too!