Monday, March 30, 2009

13 & 14 Mar 09 | Day 1 & 2 : LCCT - Melbourne - Great Ocean Road

Travelling to Melbourne was actually not in mind till one particular Sat, my mom-in-law brought this up in the living room. Her plan was to decide today/tomorrow and then quickly book Air Asia and then travel next week! I was like... wow, really an adventure because this was seriously a last minute plan. Well, last minute plan.. and there were many things to consider, how many days can I apply for leaves, will my manager approve, how about my meetings and etc etc.

Melbourne is always in my mind, my initial plan was to save money this year and then go to Melbourne next year. Who ever knows that I get to go 1 month after my Italy and Austria trip. Wow, this will be my third honeymoon.. hahaha. Travel period was from 13-18 Mar. Unfortunately, I was not able to apply so many days leave, otherwise I will make sure every bush in Melbourne I must go!

At LCCT waiting for departure.. flight at 1.20pm on 13 Mar 09. Too bad, we will reach Melbourne at 11:45pm Melbourne time (DST). Wasted 1 day leave... We arrived at Clayton (Linda's house) about 1am on 14 Mar 09 and then we have to wake up at 5:45am to catch the Grayline tour to Great Ocean Road.


Clayton train station, waiting for the train to Melbourne Central...


Sleepy faces....


At Melbourne Central....


The tour bus that we used to travel. Total was $945aus (3 adults and 1 children) inclusive of Helicopter flights at 12 Apostles.


The first stop was at Bell's Beach. Bell's Beach is in Victoria, Australia, about a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne. It is on the Surf Coast, just between Torquay and Anglesea. This is where you will find true surfers, ripping the waves apart to the delight of thousands of people perched on the cliffs and lining the beach.




We had our lunch at Apollo Bay Hotel, included in the package.


Roast beef for the day...


Chicken Snitzel ~ Crumbed chicken breast served with chips, salad and sweet chilli sauce on the side. The portion was so large that this meal can actually be shared with 2 persons.

Fish and Chips ~ First time Justin ordering this. No more meat for him? hahaha... Fresh blue grenadier in beer batter served with chips, lemon and tartare sauce. Well, Melbourne/Victoria is always famous for its fish and chips.


And finally, the thrilling and exciting moment came. This was actually my first Helicopter adventure, recommended by hubby's mom. Pretty excited as usually I get to board an aeroplane and not helicopter. From the 12 Apostles Heliport launch into a flight experience not to be missed. Highlights include Loch Ard Gorge, Bakers Oven, Port Campbell, panoramic views of the coast line, the Glenample Homestead and of course the spectacular 12 Apostles. Cost bout $95 per person. For child you will get cheaper rates.





Soaring the apostles!


Oh ~ the sea is just sooo blue.


Duration of the flight was about 10 mins, seems like so fast and I want more!



Adventuring around the twelve Apostles.. The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park. The stacks have been formed by erosion, and are all different heights and thicknesses. A number have fallen over entirely as waves continually erode their bases. The rate of erosion at the base of the limestone pillars is approximately 2 cm per year. You will never know after 100 years, 12 apostles will only left with mini 1-2 apostles. =D


Loch Ard Gorge ~ The gorge is named after the clipper ship Loch Ard, which ran aground on nearby Muttonbird Island approaching the end of a three-month journey from England to Melbourne. All but two of the fifty-one passengers and crew perished - Tom Pearce, a ship's apprentice and Eva Carmichael, an Irishwoman immigrating with her family. Pearce then proceeded to climb out of the gorge to raise the alarm to local pastoralists who immediately set into plan a rescue attempt.








London Arch ~ a natural arch in the Port Campbell National Park. This stack was formed by a gradual process of erosion, and until 1990 formed a complete double-span natural bridge.




Our tour guide for the day.... he was very good, drive and talk at the same time. He loves the word "Amazing". Throughout the whole journey, left and right and even the sky, he will say it's amazing! Hahaha... This was a full day tour and we reached Melbourne city about 8pm.


We headed to Vietnamese Beef Noodle restaurant for dinner. Smells good, but I just don't know how to enjoy beef.


Beef Ball noodle..


Beef Noodle...


And this was definitely mine ~ Real Vietnamese Style Vermicelli Soup with crab meat, beancurd, pork loaf and tomato. ($8aus)


Sightseeing while walking back to Flinders Street for train to Clayton.


Day 1 ended with extreme tiredness due to the early morning call, but the whole trip was really fun, especially when you soar around twelve apostles by the helicopter!

15 Mar 09 | Day 3 : Planet Shakers Church - Docklands - Eureka

Day 3 was a Sunday, so we attended Planet Shaker's City Church at the heart of Melbourne. I just can't believe that I can actually stepped into Planet Shakers City Church in Melbourne. Not the concert itself which held every year in Sunway Pyramid, but I was there at the church! Their own local church!!! Planetshakers City Church is a church for this generation. It is filled with vibrant, enthusiastic, passionate people with the focus to champion the cause of Christ. Founded in 2004 by Pastor Russell and Sam Evans, this church has indeed impacted the heart of Melbourne. More to come and more to be blessed as they hang on to their vision on Isaiah 61:1-3: "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor!"






After church service, we planned to go Chinatown for Chinese food. Unfortunately, the response in Chinatown was so good and almost every restaurants there were crowded with people of all races!


So, hop on to tram again...... heading to Thai food!


While waiting for the Thai food, Mr Sunny can no longer accept the hunger in his stomach. Thus, beef sausages as appetizer!!!


Lamb kebab, filled with veges... and few slices of lamb. Hahaha....


Tomyam soup for the day...


Rice in the tupperware... lolz.


Green curry chicken....


Stir fry pork with cashew nuts...


Fried omelette with crabs... but, I didn't taste any crab at ALL. =(


Dessert time !! Immediately after the Thai food... yummy yummy! Ice cream tasting in every country is a must.


Chocomint on the top, followed by bla bla bla and then durian at the bottom..


This is mine! Tiramisu on the top, followed by Ferrero Rocher and then bla bla bla... =D




State Library at Melbourne...

Southern Star ~ Unlucky enough, this was temporary closed. Check out their website at Southern Star.


DOCKLANDS ~ Where the Ericsson company is....such a nice environment to work and if only HP is like this. *dreaming*


Tea break at Docklands ~ After this chocolate drink, I went to the Ladies 3-4 times in a row.. sigh!








Pointing towards the Eureka Skydeck 88... it's 88 floors! Wow, and we will be there at night!!






James Cook Cottage ~ If you would like to know more bout James Cook, search in wikipedia.. hehe.

Yarra River... heading up to Eureka Skydeck!





Wow, 88 Floor in 13 seconds! Created to reach for the sky, nothing you have ever experienced will prepare you for the awe inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere's highest viewing platform. An experience above all else.









'The Edge' - The world's only edge experience! A glass cube which projects 3 metres out from the building - with you in it - suspended almost 300 metres above the ground!