The Ekka…
The Ekka, or the Royal Queensland Show (Formally Brisbane Exhibition which is where the name “Ekka” came from- This is Australia after all and all words must be shortened!), occurs every year in Brisbane in August just as the westerlies start to blow! Guess what there is even a Wiki about it here.
I hadn`t been to the Ekka in years and years. Not since I was in primary school I think (Although I used to to go the Strawberry Festival most years and my mum just used to tell me it was the Ekka) and I thought it would be an experience that Shumpei shouldn`t miss. So last Tuesday off we trundled to the Ekka after work and school.
First stop was the animal area (Animal Nursery)- where Shun got to see lots of farm animals up close and personal- I don`t think he was overly impressed with the smell but I loved it (not so much the smell, more the animals!)
I found out that Shun doesn`t like goats- cos when he was in kindergarten a goat ate his name badge (It would of probably been shaped like a cherry blossom as most Japanese kindergarten badges are- I think it would of been better if it had eaten his yellow kindergarten hat!)
We saw some crazy birds- chicks hatching and also ducks with funny hair cuts. This one even won an award!!! Shumpei also enjoyed walking around looking at the giant cattle (and I mean GIANT!) and saying “mmmm…aussie beef” (I apoligise to vegetarians/vegans and rawists!)
Next stop was the Ferris wheel- which we paid $8 for the chance to ride on- It was fun though! We also had a walk around side show alley and the showbag pavilion (I got a small freddo bag!)
As it started to get dark, and cold, we had a quick dinner and went into the arena to watch the monster trucks, truck races, polo, motercross (This was surprisingly awesome!), parachuters and then finally the fireworks. The fireworks in Australia don`t really compare to some of the firework shows I have seen in Japan but there is something about fireworks that brings the kid out in everyone I think!
I am really glad we went because we did have a great time and the fact we could sleep in on Wednesday due to the Ekka public holiday was also a big bonus ( I slept til about 2pm!).
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Wow, I grew up in Melbourne with the Melbourne Show ad I had no idea other cities had their own, too. And it sounds like they all pretty much have the same stuff, too! Does the Ekka have the yellow brick road showbag where you go around and get samples at each pavilion? I loved that.
Taking photos of fireworks for me is the hardest one can do! Even with the tri-pod my timing is still always off…the carnival looked like a blast!!!!
Not quite the same as the fairs and fetes we have in the UK but pretty much.I miss them SO much.Thanks for the pics…brought back lovely memories!
And great pic of the 2 of you BTW:)
I remember going to the Ekka for the first time when I was 14… but the only memory I have of it was those yummy strawberry sundee’s!! Since then, I have been twice – once with my first host student and the other with Naoki!!! Like you, I thought it was something that I thought he should at least experience once.
By the way – I’m back in Oz… I arrived back yesterday morning
I learn so much stuff by reading your blog! I didn’t know the name Ekka and now I do! So that’s cool! : ) Anyway, it seems like a very fun day you both had! I also really loved the pic of the two of you together in the ferris wheel. Cute, cute, cute pic!!!
PS, I loved the story about Shun not liking goats and the reason why! Ha ha ha. That is an adorable story! Nerve of that goat eating his poor badge!!! *winks* : )