As I am sixty one percent Scandinavian and am writing a book about my Viking ancestors I thought that it was appropriate that I visit the viking exhibition that is currently showing at the Melbourne Museum.
So, yesterday I met my daughter in the city to go and visit the exhibit. First we had lunch at a noodle shop near the train station - our favourite food. We ate rice noodles with vegetables and tofu, followed by a custard bun. After lunch we crossed the road and did some shopping at Daiso, a Japanese store where everything is really cheap. I bought some plastic sandals, some heat patches, a small white board with pen and eraser and some mango strips to eat. The lot came to twelve dollars. We took a train to Parliament Station, followed by a tram. It was pouring with rain and very windy. Arriving slightly dishevelled and damp, we checked in our bags, bought our tickets and went for a coffee to warm us up. After a brief respite in we went. A large Viking ship greeted us, it's sail a vision in brown and cream patchwork.
The exhibition was well laid out but a little on the dark side. Artifacts from the Viking age were encased behind glass and included beads, jewellery, axes, swords, drinking vessels, glass wear, nails and runes. You could even replicate your name in the alphabet of the time. There was plenty of information to read and learn about the era and how the people lived. A sword was placed so that you were able to pick it up and feel the weight behind it. An interactive game helped dress a viking in his clothes of the day and to his station in life. It was all very interesting. On the way out was the usual gift store containing all things Viking, like a rubber duck with a horned helmet atop his yellow head. A must have. There were all sorts of merchandise including plastic helmets, silver jewellery, small long boats, tea towels, plastic swords, games, and stone runes. Your imagination could run wild.
