Poststick

Have been busy post trip and thus have been behind in posting this posts.

Reflecting on the trip, I think there are a few things that I few is a mark difference and something I like. Firstly it is how they have managed to conserve many old buildings and some of them are not as modern as we expect, mortar and cement but sandstone building and the like. So definitely it has not been easy maintaining it but yet it is still well maintained and is not just a monument but is still in used. So looking at some of my photos I post, definitely can see some of the old building some where.

Next, is definitely the aboriginals. They are definitely people who have roamed the land in Australia before modernization comes. So, some of the buildings, you would find plague stating this land belongs to which tribes. Though they have been “chased out”, their mark is not erased forever.

Travelling within the city is definitely a piece of cake for Sydney, everything is within walking distance, depending on how you define walking distance. But is relatively straightforward, and hard to be lost. Melbourne can consider to walk but then if there is free things why abuse yourself. City tram is free within their city area. So they would announce that the next stop is no longer within the free tram zone and that the boarding bus stop would show if the stop is a free area or not and if not the next stop is free or not. However, it can be confusing at times to figure which tram go wheres. Lastly, if you are at Melbourne, you can consider taking 35, which goes on the main route where the tram is an antique, good to take photo of it.

The bus stop within the free tram zone

Bus 35, antique

I used AA Kings local tour and Grayline local tour in Sydney and Melbourne respectively and their service had been fantastic and definitely would consider using them again if I were to go back again.

That marks the end of Melbourne and Sydney, till the next trip.

MEL-SIN 8/7/2018

Today marks the last day in Australia. So today we went on a half day tour to tour around the city area of Melbourne.

What intrigue me the most was the walk down their arcades and laneways, where the guides gave each of us a receiver so that we can hear what she was introducing to us while we walk and take a look. Gone is the day where there is a need to have a big microphone. But the laneways and arcades are fill with many things to see especially historical things. Then moving on to the Fitzroy Garden for a stroll in a garden before going to Queen Victoria Market where we end the tour. Of course in between, we drive past many historical buildings too. Shall let the photo do the rest of talking.

Laneway and Arcade:

the special clock at one of the arcade which will move at the hour. This is with biblical linkage

The other side of the Gog and Magog Clock, where they will blast their bugle

coffee shops after coffeeshops

Fitzroy Garden:

Captain cook house here… you can pay a visit.

Toilet in case you are full tide. Specially designed

Queen Victoria Market: 

MEL 7/7/2018

Well today will be our chance to capture the penguin I mean watch the penguin!

We had our own visit to the Queen Victoria Market which is open at 6am. Many things are sold like any other market but of course being a tourist spot, they also sell many tourist things like souvenirs. But still early so alot of places still not open as well.

But of course first stop before going for the Penguin Tour is to visit their Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park. Unlike the one in Sydney, everything requires you to pay like feeding the kangaroo, taking photo with the koala. Of course, this time around is to spot creatures we have not seen before like Wombat and Tasmania Devil if not is about the same.

Travelling all the way to Churchill Island which is an island after Phillip Island. There is a cafe there where we had lunch there. Afterwhich we went over to the farm areas where we could try to ‘milk’ the cow but there were alot of people and see sheep shearing. Behind the sheep shearing hut there is a wallaby enclosure which I believe to be wildlife.

Leaving Churchill Island, we proceeded to Nobbies where we get to see a rock which the seal would cogregate. Of course you need professional equipment to spot one. Walked across the broadwalk is quite chilling with the wind and sea coming towards you. Spotted some penguins sleeping in their boxes along the boardwalk. Also at the Nobbies is where you can see an exhibition on Antarctica as well and definitely the emphasis is again on conservation. There is quite a few interactive exhibit like experiencing the wind in Antarctica and also a chance to ‘interact’ with the seals and penguins.

Moving on from the Nobbies was towards the highlight which is the Penguin Parade. We got the premium viewing where we get to see the penguin up close and beside us, where we can waddle with them up to their house. There is also other type of viewing but I think premium viewing is good enough. The first penguin appeared at about 5.30pm(cannot remember the timing). So it was not that bad as the wait is short. Dependent on season, they could come later like 9 plus as well especially in the summer. There is a posting facility where you can get the postmark of Phillip Island. Sadly the person who did the stamping did it halfway so it was not a full postmark. There is no photography allowed in the place. However there are still people who try to take a shot. But the ranger will come to stop. The main reason is that there are people who tried to take photo with flash and it ended up scaring the penguins. It was freezing but at least the memory was positive where I could see lots of penguin waddling up. Many have wet sand on their body. When leaving do keep a look out for the penguins at the carpark where some may waddle there. But they would be moving the visitor centre soon so that the land it is now on will be return to the penguin!

Dinner was outside at a store that sell Bak Kut Teh. That marks today.

Raw Food area mainly meat sold here!

Bread!

Fruits and Vegetables

The tourist area of Queen Victoria Market

Watching a show on how they train their animals for show. Is free

Catching more Wallaby.

Tasmania Devil. So happen to be feeding time so can spot it out of its hole

Wombat!

Churchill Island, the shape and the kind of planning.

Tranquility on the island which is mainly farm and sea and grass. This is at the front of the farm area.

Pig!

Cow for those who want to milk cow

Sheep all ready to be sheared!

Wallaby on Churchill Island

Sheep shearing activity where the person shared sheep shearing method over the years. 

Sheep grazing grass

Nobbies Antarctic experience

Yup this is it! seal and penguin are example of Antarctica.

Distance of Antarctica to Phillip Island.

Nobbies Rock

Can you spot the penguin inside this box

Blatantly taking photo of penguins if not inside cannot take.

They will provide you with estimate time of penguin coming either by the past day timing and by season

A reminder no camera and videography

That is how many penguin which cross the beach last night, the day before we go.

MEL 6/7/2018

Today will be the day where we get to sit Puffing Billy, the famous train in Melbourne where most tourist will take when they are at Melbourne. However the first stop is Grants Picnic Ground at Dandenong Ranges. For the tour I am on, they provide tea and biscuit at the picnic ground. After a short tea and biscuit, we get to explore Sherbrooke forest slightly before leaving the place. Things to do there include visiting the forest and spot animals. It was raining that day so we did not see any animals. Of course there is a bird feeding area where you can buy the feeds to feed the birds, but mostly are white cockatoos. Lastly there is a visitor centre and a cafe.

Leaving the Picnic Ground, it is to Puffing Billy. The steam engine. Largely maintain and run by the volunteers. So most of the people are old people who still keep the legacy alive as much as possible. For tour group, most will take from Belgrave to Menzies Creek and alight from there. So, the train master will fit the people from the same tour group into the same wagon which is at the back. And reaching Menzies Creek, the wagon at the back will be detached. Overall it is a fun experience to sit on a train crossing the Dandenong Ranges. The wind is chilly but there is a lot of chance to take nice photo, that is if you can ensure your hand is steady and do not drop your camera or phone outside of the train. Some of the crossing is quite scary especially there are some where the track is on a wooden structure. Smoke is very heavy, so even if you sit far you also can smell the smoke of the train. Reaching Menzies is a chance for people to take photo of puffing billy.

After the train ride, it is a bus ride to Yarra Valley to visit the winery there which is filled with winery there because of the fertile land of the valley. Shall not write about the winery.

Dinner we return back to Chinatown where we have dinner in a restaurant. Slightly Claustrophobic because the area is very small and tight and the structure of the restaurant is such that it is very echo-y in the restaurant. Subsequently it will be a tram tour again, enjoying the scenery as we travel with the tram.

This is a small picnic table where we had our morning tea at.

White Cockatoo waiting to be fed!

Puffing Billy Station

Still keeping it very traditional. Yup we took the 1030 train.

Head of puffing Billy where the smoke shows that it is being heated up

Engineer pouring in coals for the train. Old uncle as we can see

Inspector here. Yup, you can also see tour group have a separate area.

And off we go… Trying to take a photo of the head of the train from my angle. 

Smokey as always which spoil the photo for the head of the train. But notice the wooden structure of the track which is simple. 

Dinner here and yup this is where I said I was slightly claustrophic.

Parliament at night.

Flinder Street Train Station at night

Horse Carriage been spotted!

 

SYD-MEL 5/7/2018

Well today will be the day we say goodbye to Sydney to go to Melbourne. So of course, what do we do while waiting for our flight to go to Melbourne? We hit the ground even more!

First stop is definitely to General Post Office, which I love the most. Was hoping that the post office had more product but the product line is limited to some extent. But if you are a postcard fan, there is a lot of Maxi Card for sale and it includes mailing.

Then moving from the Post Office, we head down the street to where it is near to China Town. First to go is definitely Paddy’s Market Haymarket. Although it was stated that it opened at 10, there were shops open at about 9. Other than souvenirs being sold, there is also fruits and vegetable being sold and even clothes and you could walked for hours if you have the time to capture everything there. This is only the basement 1 of the shop, there is more to shop there. There is Souvenir King store, which give freebies to those who likes their Instagram!

Crossing the road, we hit the Chinatown of Sydney. The entrance and exit is marked by a  Chinese signboard.

This will mark the end of my fun in Sydney city.

Heading back to the hotel, it was waiting for our transfer to the airport. The Qantas airport or the domestic terminal of Sydney is where we waited for our flight to Melbourne. If you are too early, you can go up to the Qantas historical gallery where they show the history of Qantas like the uniform over the years.

Flight took off and landed in Melbourne and is a challenge to figure out where is our transport to our hotel. Thankfully for the Australia SIM card where I could just call them and figure them out.

Reaching the hotel and putting down our bag, we head off to explore the city.

Taking their city tram, we head to shopping area, Bourke Street Mall. Will talk more on the city tram in my subsequent post. Headed to H&M behind the bus stop and explored the area. Next, we took another tram towards Waterfront City Docklands, where we get to see the nice port scenery and get to walk around and explore the area abit. There is a big ferris wheel there as well, Mebourne Star.

For dinner we took the tram to go towards Chinatown area along Lt Bourke Street. which is behind Bourke Street Mall. First dinner was at the food court area which still suprisingly had food to sell us to eat. Then from Chinatown we walked towards the supermarket to see if we can find more things to buy. Walking and walking towards Melbourne Central Station to take tram back to our hotel. Of course, I was slightly lost because the sign is not clear enough.

Entrance/Exit to the Chinatown in Sydney

Paddy’s Market, look straight will be where the souvenir  and many other things are sold.

Fruits sold on the right and at the front you see other goods like clothes

Domestic airport most or if not all is Qantas plane.

H&M which was previously a post office in Melbourne.

Such a big and spacious shopping mall.

Night Scene at the Dockland. Nice view but my camera is not good enough!

Chinatown in Melbourne keeping many building from the China Revolution in 1911 like this KMT building and opposite is Sun Yat Sun statue.

The entrance to Melbourne Chinatown. Realise the similarity to Sydney