The faithful flock to a holy river for a baptism of mire

The contamination of the Jordan River does not deter thousands of Christians from immersing themselves. Jason Koutsoukis reports from Qasr al-Yahud.

OUR SHOUT

Joe's Shoe Store 233 High Street, Northcote, 9482 7666 Tues-Sun, 4.30pm-1am

The cult of consumption

ART Tribal imagery is echoed in an exploration of mass production, writes Angela Blakston.

CAFE REVIEW

Address Bangbang, 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, 9281 0018

Master of make-do

This bright spark knows how to work with what he's got, writes Andrea Jones.

Take the party line

Karl Quinn goes in search of Chinese bohemia and, much to his surprise, finds it with a massive hangover.

FLIGHT TEST

Aircraft V Australia Boeing 777-300ER.

Food to drink by

Ichi Ni Izakaya Where 12 The Esplanade, St Kilda. 9534 1212. Prices Entree $6-$12; skewers $7-$18; mains $16-$22. Cards AE MC V Eftpos Fully licensed Open Mon-Fri, 5pm-11pm. Weekday lunch openings imminent. Sat & Sun, noon-11pm. Licensed and yakatori available until 1am.