I travelled to the other side of the world for a bizarre reason that left my friends and family wondering... 'why?' And boy was it worth it
While most people travel thousands of miles to Memphis, Tennessee, to visit Graceland or learn about the history of the blues, I went for a slightly more unique reason.
At the top of my bucket list was staying at The Peabody Hotel to witness the iconic Peabody Duck march and be the Duckmaster for the day - something you may have seen on social media.
Twice a day five trained ducks march from their duck palace on the rooftop, into the elevator, down the red carpet with spectators on the sidelines and up the tiny stairs into the fountain in the centre of the hotel.
It may sound quite bizarre to those who aren't familiar with the tradition, but thousands travel from all over the world to see the duck march which takes place 11am daily.
When I told my family and friends I was going to travel America's south solo to see a flock of ducks, I received a mixed bag of comments - as expected.
When I explained I needed to go see the ducks and be the 'Duckmaster', they stared at me blankly - often hitting me with an endless list of questions.
But after living out my dreams and leading those ducks down the iconic red carpet I would absolutely do it again in a heartbeat.
Plus, when else do you have the opportunity to be famous for a day?
Twice a day The Peabody Hotel ducks march from their duck palace on the rooftop to the fountain in the centre of the lobby
On February 26, I was lucky enough to be chosen as the honorary Duckmaster for the day accompanied Kenon Walker (right) to guide the ducks down the red carpet. It'll certainly be a story I tell for years to come
How did the tradition begin?
In 1933, Frank Schutt, General Manager of The Peabody, and his friend Chip Barwick returned to the hotel from a weekend hunting trip. With them were live duck decoys, which was legal at the time.
As the story goes, the men drank a little too much whisky and thought it would be a funny idea to let the ducks loose in the fountain that remains in the hotel today.
The reaction from others was enthusiastic and positive, and so the tradition began.
It wasn't until 1940 when Edward Pembroke, the hotel bellman and a former circus animal trainer, offered to train the ducks to march to and from the fountain. He became the first Peabody Duckmaster and served for a staggering 51 years until he retired in 1991.
Now more than 75 years on, five ducks march up to the fountain at 11am then back to their duck palace at 5pm.
The ducks are trained on a farm, are hosted at The Peabody for three months before being released and a new flock of ducks are welcomed to be treated like royalty.
For the last six years Kenon Walker has been the honorary Duckmaster and is proud to be part of the hotel's history, but it's not a path he planned.
'I've been an actor since I was 13, I also was a tour guide at the National Civil Rights Museum for seven years, I created the tour for the Stax Museum, and I'm a father too - all these things prepared me for when I arrived at The Peabody,' Kenon tells me.
In October 2018 Kenon started working at The Peabody Hotel as the concierge and got to know the assistant Duckmaster, Doug.
Three months later the official Duckmaster Anthony left his position after becoming a father and Doug took his place.
Kenon was offered the role as the assistant Duckmaster and less than a year later became the official Duckmaster when Doug retired.
For the last 75 years, five ducks have marched up to the fountain at 11am then back to their duck palace at 5pm
I flew from Sydney to Memphis to be the Duckmaster for the day - and I'd do it again
Being the Honorary Duckmaster for the day
On February 26, I was lucky enough to be chosen as the honorary Duckmaster for the day accompanied Kenon to guide the ducks down the red carpet.
Prior to the march, I had a front row seat watching Kenon welcome the guests in the lobby of the glorious hotel, as he explained the history of the tradition.
Then he welcomed me to the 'stage', asked where I was from, and officially gave me the title as Duckmaster.
I accompanied Kenon to the rooftop to lead the ducks downstairs and while I was nervous, everything went perfectly.
'Are you sure you haven't done this before?' Kenon asked me.
I then led the ducks to the fountain and heard the roar of the applause from the audience while dozens took photos and videos.
It was, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip.
Along with the Duckmaster title, I also recevied an official brass-head Duckmaster Cane, Peabody t-shirt and Peabody Celebriduck rubber duck toy - as well as bragging rights.
After the march, and for the remainder of the day, others came up to me asking how I was given the title and wanted to know more about me. Even at Memphis airport on my way back home I was recognised!
It'll certainly be a story I tell for years to come.
THE ULTIMATE MEMPHIS ITINERARY
DAY 1
Sun Studio tour - allow for at least 1 hour
My first tourist attraction was the studio where Elvis Presley was discovered. Sam Phillips launched the record studio in 1952, which was originally named Sun Records. Big names including Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash passed through the doors.
At the iconic Sun Studio where Elvis Presley was discovered I was able to touch and feel one of his microphones
Sam Phillips launched the record studio in 1952, which was originally named Sun Records. Big names including Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Ike Turner, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash passed through the doors
Edge Motor Museum - 20 minutes to 1 hour
If you're a die-hard car fan, be sure to stop by the Edge Motor Museum, which is only a five-minute walk up the road from Sun Studio.
The museum has a regular rotation of old-school cars worth up to $250,000 USD ($394,845 AUD), including a car owned by American actress and singer Doris Day.
If you're a die-hard car fan, be sure to stop by the Edge Motor Museum, which is only a five-minute walk up the road from Sun Studio
Dinner at Second Line
If you're after a true southern-style meal, look no further than Second Line. Indulge in tasty New Orleans food by Chef Kelly English.
DAY 2
Visit the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland - minimum 2.5 hours
Graceland, the mansion of the Elvis Presley, it a hot tourist attraction for obvious reasons.
When I arrived, I was shocked at the grand size of the Elvis Presley's Memphis Entertainment Complex and well preserved every item is.
You could easily spend an entire day at Graceland, but the minimum time is 2.5 hours.
I visited Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, on my second day in Memphis
You could easily spend an entire day at Graceland, but the minimum time is 2.5 hours. It's chilling walking through the mansion once owned by the King of Rock n Roll
Lunch at Beauty Shop Restaurant in Midtown
For lunch I caught a quick Uber to The Beauty Shop restaurant. At this point in the trip I was dying for some fresh food or anything that wasn't deep fried - and this was the ideal spot.
The hip and trendy spot takes the idea of a 50s-style beauty shop and has transformed it into a restaurant. Interestingly it was actually Priscilla Presley's go-to curl-and-dye spot.
I ordered a fresh salad with grilled prawns, which was delicious and light yet filling.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music tour - minimum 1 hour
My next stop was the popular Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The self-guided tour lasts about an hour and much like the Sun Studio tour, the Stax studio is 'where it all happened in the 60s and 70s'.
The small movie-theater-turned-recording-studio in South Memphis produced a string of hits that stirs souls of today.
The tour starts with a short introductory video followed by a collection of more than 2,000 interactive exhibits, films, artifacts, items of memorabilia, galleries, and Isaac Hayes' gold-plated, peacock blue 1972 Superfly Cadillac El Dorado.
Rendezvous Charles Vergos
Hidden down a small alleyway that's only a two-minute walk from The Peabody hotel is The Rendezvous, which has been serving ribs in a downtown Memphis since 1948.
It has been owned and operated by the Vergos family for three generations. As recommended by a local Memphian, I ordered the classic ribs with BBQ sauce on the side. After a busy day I was starving, so I quickly devoured the whole thing.
The staff were friendly, accommodating and the restaurant is full of character with so much to look at in every corner - they even have a juke box.
Explore Beale Street
Beale Street is the ultimate place to feel the history of the blues and listen to live music pouring out from the numerous venues.
Top spots include B.B. King's Blues Club, Rum Boogie Cafe, Blues Hall Juke Joint, and Silky O'Sullivans.
Beale Street is the ultimate place to feel the history of the blues and listen to live music pouring out from the numerous venues
DAY 3
National Civil Rights Museum - minimum 1.5 hours
The powerful National Civil Rights Museum is one that shouldn't be missed or overlooked. It's a powerful self-guided tour which starts with the shocking history of slavery in America to the present day.
It's also located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
The interactive displays gives visitors an idea of the complexity of the history, the protestors who stood up for their rights and the chilling stories of what occurred through the decades fighting for civil rights.
The Civil Rights Movement & Memphis Music Captured Through The Lens Of Ernest Withers - Withers Collection Museum & Gallery
Continuing on the theme of civil rights, the The Withers Collection Museum & Gallery features the remarkable work of Ernest Withers - a photojournalist born in Memphis.
Mr Withers captured an estimated 1.8million images over 60 years. He captured the lively nature of Beale Street along with many musicians including Elvis Presley and Tina Turner. He also took personal images of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dinner at The Lobbyist
My final dinner in Memphis was at the Lobbyist - only a five-minute walk from Beale Street.
The restaurant is one of the top 30 best in Memphis, and it's easy to see why. The stunning interior matches the intimate atmosphere. I ordered the sweet carrots, grilled cauliflower, rigatoni, and mussels which were equally delicious.
