Ekka

Well, better late then never – I have to share the photos from when my mom, aunt, Ant and I went to Ekka in mid-September.

Ekka, short for Exhibition, is the big country fair of Brisbane, where people go to show their cows, sheep, goats, fruits, and veggies, as well as compete in horse shows, sheep dog trials, and so much more.

We arrived at around noon, and first went to look at the award winning cows, goats and sheep.

I’ve never seen so much livestock in one place.  The whole place was teeming with life!  The adorable baby animals made me want to run away to a farm and raise goats. Even though apparently, they eat absolutely everything. Including all sorts of food, underwear, elastic, hay, and their own collars, if given the chance.

We watched the sheepdog trials, which were comparatively uneventful. Comparatively, that is, to Babe. Which, as a New Yorker, is my only exposure to Sheep Dog Trials. I’m really not in Kansas anymore!

  We also watched the truck and motocross tricks, which were totally insane.

After we had enough of the sun and testosterone, we headed inside to see the dog shows.

Watching the various breeds compete was so much fun. I can’t imagine how the judges tell which are the best – they all look the same to me! Afterwards, we went backstage to check the pups out while relaxing. We saw poodles, borzois and a fabulously drunken Afghan.

For lunch, we stopped for some Greek food in the World Food Pavilion, which was stocked to the brim with snacks and samples. I indulged my fair share of vinegars and jerkeys, let me tell you! 

We had a really lovely time at Ekka, and I’d certainly recommend going if you visit Brisbane.  It’s such a trip to see all the animals and different attractions, and it really gives you the feel of Brisbane as a big country town, rather than the third largest city in Australia.  People are friendly, the competitions engaging and interesting, and the baby animals are too cute to bear.

Not to mention, the landscapes composed entirely of fruit and veg.  Definitely one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.  Didn’t stop me from getting hungry, though!

Yehaw!