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!