Festival Melbourne2006

So what do you do in Melbourne when the Commonwealth Games is on and you didn't get tickets to any of the competitions? Join in the fun with Festival Melbourne2006 which is a major feature of the Games and everyone can enjoy for free!

Remember the flying tram which kick-started the Opening Ceremony at the MCG? The one that flew down with wings and people started pouring out of it when it landed in the middle of the stadium?

Well its right here at Melbourne Museum for everyone to see! I just couldn't help myself, I had to camwhore with it! Did the touristy thing and people thought I was an overseas visitor. LOL!

Festival Melbourne2006 is a cultural celebration of the Games bringing together over 2000 artists and performers from across the Commonwealth including Malaysia. Malaysia Boleh!

These intricately carved surfboards are the works of a New Zealander who's here to showpiece his art to the world. Mixing traditional Maori art with modern surfboards, Aaron Te Whanatangi Kereopa is a self-taught carver.

Here's Aaron describing his works to his audience the Whakairo, the art of Maori carving following strict guidelines that govern the designs and the type of carvings they are permitted to make.

Here we have Wayne Alfred and his friend who came all the way from Canada showcasing their traditional art of carving a totem pole. Wayne is a master carver from Alert Bay, British Columbia and a member of the Namgis Tribe of the Kwakwaka'wakw People.

You could be forgiven to think you're somewhere in Pakistan when you see this tram in Melbourne because of the decorative displays! This is the work of Nusrat Iqbal and his team of vehicle decorators all the way from Karachi to brighten up our dull Melbourne trams!

Down in the Alexandra Gardens there are plenty of things going on on a daily basis right up till the end of the Games. All these are happening all over the city like the Federation Square and the Arts Centre.

Remember Treebeard and his Ents at the Moomba Parade? Here they're part of the Erth & Naisda performance groups performing 'Clearing'.


Strewth! I thought I've died and this angel is here to take me to heaven! Glad I was wrong, she's just part of the many performers roaming around the Gardens and other venues in the city for the Festival Melbourne2006!