We only took one major holiday in 2015, and that was to Australia! I wanted it to coincide as a birthday trip, and just nice that in August - September it is the end of winter. So we could enjoy the chilly weather we don't get in Singapore. This trip was also largely sponsored by Joel as a birthday gift :D
Since we had two weeks, we could explore three areas - Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania.
Took SQ because they were having a two-to-go promotion. We got double windows!
We chose an airbnb on the Southbank side near the Crown Casino and complex. So we took the Skybus to the nearest hotel drop-off, which was only a short 100m away. As we stayed at the fringe of the free-tram zone, we only had to walk 5 minutes to get to the nearest tram stop with free service within the city.
For guides on the trams we used an app called Yarra TramTracker to plan our journeys. There are also maps and tram information at each tram stop, much like Singapore's! So it was pretty easy getting around Melbourne. If all else fails, we could rely on our legs haha.
Our first stop was Queen Vic market!
There are quite a few large sheds, selling fresh produce, clothes, and many others.
There was a large crowd watching a band perform (they were quite good!). This little girl in purple was dancing to their songs - too cute!
This isn't how the trams in Melbourne look like, this is just the special city circle tram.
Next stop was State Library of Victoria.
Yep, we (or rather, I) wanted to visit just for this view.
Definitely one of the more beautiful libraries I've been to! Besides that, there are also some museum/photography displays that are also worth the visit.
The lawn in front of the library where everyone chills. I guess the weather was really much warmer for people to be enjoying the outdoors.
Churro break at San Churro just opposite the library. Was expecting more and ended up being quite disappointing. I've had better churros. ):
Flinder's Street Station, probably quite photographed here in Melbourne.
And just opposite that is Federation Square. You can get some tourist information here, book day trips out of Melbourne or visit the Australian Centre for Moving Images. We didn't have any agenda here except to take pictures. Haha.
Just a few blocks away is the very popular Hosier Lane where we spent quite a bit of time taking pictures.
One of my more favorite works were of Scully and Mike.
There's quite a ton of good eats in Melbourne because it has a really vibrant foodie scene. Besides cafes, there's a number of famously yummy restaurants worth a visit. We picked this place called RICE PAPR SCRS, which serves Viet fusion food. We got there about half an hour early, because I read on Tripadvisor that there is always a long queue. We were probably the second or third party to arrive before they opened at 6pm.
It's a really small and cosy place, and we got the bar seat. We are going for the $55 for five dishes!
First up: Sticky pork belly, twice cooked pork in a tamarind caramel sauce, topped with fragrant herb salad.
BBQ lamb ribs, marinated with mekhong whiskey in a special sticky sauce.
Crying tiger: char-grilled wagyu beef with a spicy citrus dipping sauce.
Soft-shell crab with bahn mi.
Balinese roast duck, baked in banana leaf and spices, served with coconut sambal and betel leaves.
Everything was so tantalizing to the taste-buds. It was really a gustatory journey. I would definitely recommend it. Oh, and the restaurant encourages you to use your hands to eat. Haha. Though, chopsticks were provided if necessary.
Day two! TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! We aren't doing anything very expensive or extravagant. I guess being overseas is already a special celebration in itself.
Our airbnb is within walking distance of South Melbourne Market. I would consider this market not as popular as the touristy Queen Vic, as it is more catered to locals.
It's my first time trying oysters! I generally don't like things in shells (except for crab, lobster and prawns?) I don't eat la la, gong gong, top shell, oysters....etc.
But since the ones in Aussie are so fresh and highly raved, I decided to give it a try. I still don't like it after trying two. Oh well.
Had a cuppa at Padre cos it was bustling with people!
We ate a couple of finger food here and there around the market. Headed opposite the market to Chez Dre to see if they had any nice pastries/cake to buy.
Left empty handed, cos I was not feeling any craving for the selection there. It is considered good stuff though!
He had just bought this jacket at Queen Vic the day before.
On the other side of our airbnb away from South Melbourne market is the Direct Factory Outlet. But is was disappointing because even after so called discount, the stuff were still same price, or more ex than Singapore. Aussie isn't the place to shop! We walked a quick round and left empty handed.
We decided to walk around the wharf promenade instead.
Our airbnb is in this white apartment building! Really convenient location, not super central but still accessible to many places. Plus the trams in front of the building reach many areas in Melbourne.
Went back up to the apartment to layer on more clothes cos we had a long day ahead!
Next up, we took a tram to The Shrine of Remembrance located at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne.
Love how the sky was an amazing shade of blue! The sky in Aussie is always so pretty due to the continent being surrounded by ocean.
From the Shrine you can view the skyline of Melbourne.
From the Shrine, we took a tram to the last stop at Albert Park, which is close by the beach!
My purpose here was to have late lunch at that little cafe by the seaside!
Wanted to try NSHRY out after reading good reviews online. In fact, we were seated right next to a large group of Singaporeans!
We got an outdoor seating cos the indoor seating was full. But at least we got a really cool view!
TOO COLD. Had to hide my hands in my snood even though I was already wearing gloves.
We ordered:
CRUMBED EGGS – Two panko crumbed eggs w grilled asparagus,
parmesan crisps, smoked salmon, watercress, yuzu yoghurt
dressing + brioche toast // 21.0
FRENCH TOAST - brioche french toast w kaya + caramelised
pineapple, toasted coconut + vanilla whipped cream // 18.5
FISH ’N’ CHIPS - Tempura battered
fresh gummy flake, seasoned w
seaweed, sesame + wasabi flakes,
served w beer battered chips,
salad + tartare sauce // 25.0
Yup I copied everything above from the menu. But can I say that everything was soooo good! A pity the food turned cold so fast cos we were outdoors. Looking at the pictures now makes me crave for some french toast haha.
What it looks like: "Take an awkward picture of me sitting casually by the pier"
Reality: "Freaking cold, help me take a picture so we can quickly leave." lol.
After like more than half an hour of walking along the seaside, we finally reached Luna Park! I'm not into taking rides at amusement parks. In fact I'm quite scaredy when it comes to anything thrilling. Just always wanted to visit a pier-side amusement park place!
I do not even dare to take haunted house rides. Haha. No balls srsly.
Yup, so we just walked around and watched other people taking rides.
And chilled until the sky fell dark.
Our purpose of waiting for sunset is to see the fairy penguins at the St,Kilda breakwater! If you don't have the luxury of time to head all the way to Phillip Island, this is a good alternative. Tcehnically you are seeing the same breed of penguins, and it's free!
You have to use a red light to view the penguins because normal flashlight from our camera will harm the penguin's vision. Whereas they do not see red light somehow. You will definitely encounter ignorant people (especially PRC) who do not get this concept.
And that's all for the first two days of Melbourne!
xx
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