The Rocks Aroma Festival and Marilyn (Sydney)

Around 5,200 cups, 780 litres of coffee and 680 litres of milk were used to produce a stunning caffeinated mosaic of Marilyn Monroe at the historic Rocks area in Sydney last Sunday. As part of Sydney’s annual Aroma festival, a group of creative artists sculptured a sultry image of Marilyn over around four hours armed only with cups of coffee. The folks have a claim with the Guinness Book of Records of it being the world’s largest coffee mosaic (see it on video).

Over 100,000 Sydneysiders and visitors sampled their way through coffees, teas, chocolates, spices and tasty snacks as the who’s who of warm beverages promoted their various wares. The festival was split into four zones: the Latin quarter showcased the best of Central and South America, Europe highlighted the Italian and Greek passion for coffee, the Oasis adopted Turkey and its exotic culture and the Orient primarily promoted teas, chai and spices among dancing dragons and drummers. Music, dancing and street theatre rang out from all four quarters.

While people are probably still awake from overdosing on caffeine, the Aroma festival is a wonderful celebration of food, coffee, tea and music on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour.