Autralia Part 4: What the????!!!

After getting 40 winks (okay, maybe 60 or so, he he he). We took the tram back to the city to get some grub. We saw a brochure that says that there's a pancake place in Docklands that closes late. So off to Docklands we go. We consulted our map and saw that we have to go back to Flinder's and take the no 48 tram to Docklands. Lo and behold, the whole commercial area is deserted. It was only 8pm! We were told that most stores close at 5:00 p.m. on a Sunday.





We had to wait half an hour more to get another tram. Hubby was a bit pissed and very hungry. We ended up eating at a 24-hour pizza place along Elizabeth Street. The pizzas were ordinary and they sell for AUD2 per slice.



After that, we went for some doughnuts at Walker's doughnuts. The doughnuts were nice. Not too sweet.



Hubby had his second ice cream for the day. The server was surprised that he wanted ice cream when the temperature outside was 13 degrees centigrade :-)

I said, "That's because it's not cold enough outside, *laughter*"

Melbourne, Australia Part 3: The Queen Victoria Market

After getting a general feel of the Flinder's area, hubby and I decided to go to the Zoo and see some kangaroos and koalas. Afterall, what's an Autralian trip without these animals, right?

We make our way to a tram station thinking that we thought would pass by the zoo directly. Long story short, we got lost in a suburb somewhere. But it was fun getting lost, we saw some really nice cottages along the way, some stores and other interesting buildings. We didn't mind getting lost. If you do get lost, just hop on to the tram the goes the other way and retrace your steps.



As we were re-tracing our route, we came across Queen Victoria Market. I've read about it and it was part of our itinerary for the day anyway so we hopped off the tram and explored it. The market is a happy combination of food shops, meat shops, clothing shops and souvenir shops rolled into one big area. We arrived there during a Turkish Festival so the area was packed and very lively.

















I had a grand time exploring the food, fish and meat kiosks. The cheese selection alone is worth the trip. Every imaginable cheese is there.

Queen Victoria Market, essentially, is a sosyal version of their Palengke. What a great way to shop for fresh food and produce. Libre tikim :-)

The Market opens at 9:00am to 5:00 pm daily except Mondays and Wednesdays.



After the Market, we trudged our way back to Williams street where the tram that goes to the zoo passes by. Little did we know that the same tram passes behind Queen Victoria Market as well. Oh well...

When we managed to ge to the Melbourne Zoo, it was almost closing so we decided to go there so other time. Shops and attractions close early in Australia because labor cost is high.

With dragged our sleep deprived, middle-aged bodies back to the hotel to recharge, freshen up and rest.

Before reaching our hotel, hubby wanted something warm to eat, we had some burgers at Burger Edge, just across from our hotel. They were giant burgers with Autralian Beef grilled to your liking and the buns are freshly baked daily.



I had the Greek Burger with Feta Cheese, pesto and pine nuts. It was nothing spectacular. Hubby had the cheeseburger. I didn't think he was up for any experimentation. The burgers were huge and we managed to eat only the burger and half the bun.

Melbourne, Australia Part 2: Tourist Information Center

Our excitement about our trip couldn't be contained. The first order of the day was to take the tram to the city. (City being five minutes away by tram). We didn't know where it was or how to get there so we saught help from a friendly tram employee and informed us to purchase a day pass ticket at 711. Day pass ticket allows you to take unlimited tram, bus and train rides within a specified zone. Zone one pretty much covers most of the city and it's outlying suburbs. Day pass costs AUD6.80 (roughly US$4.50).

Our first stop was Flinder's Street. A famous and busy street where all trams, trains and buses pass by. When you are in the area, be sure to drop by at the Tourist Information Center right at the Federation Square and get your brochures and maps. The center provides invaluable information on where to go, how to go there as well as general information about the city and the state of Victoria, where Melbourne is.



The Information Center is divided into two parts. The first one is the service part, wherein you can converse to a customer service person about anything about the city.

The Second part is the booking section. It is a central booking facility for all your trips within Melbourne and its outlying cities, suburbs and tourist attractions. The center provides a myriad of brochures, travel information, tours to choose from.

After conferring with a staff, hubby and I decided to take some maps and proceeded to see the Flinder's area with it's myriad of restaurants, cafes, shopping stalls. I fell in love in Melbourne, right then and there. It's a fantastic place with modern buildings situated side by side with Victorian structures. I love it's eclectic mix of people, buildings and culture.













I love Melbourne. Period.

Melbourne, Australia Part 1: Parkview Hotel, St. Kilda

Australia takes approximately 8 hours' flight from Manila. It was my first ever flight that lasted over four hours. Keeping comfy and keeping your sanity for 8 hours in a cramped plane seat was quite a challenge. We did manage to get a little sleep out of sheer exhaustion.

The Australian airport authorities are very strict. Wood (including trinkets and necklaces) raw or loose tobacco products are strictly prohibited. Wood products may carry pests, don't bother bringing them in because you will just have to get rid of them at the airport. Food and medicines are also checked. Be sure to have your prescription for your medicine when you take it with you, just in case they ask for it.

For the first part of our trip, hubby was on business and we were booked at Parkview Hotel, which is a stone's throw away from hubby's office.



The hotel is clean and spacious with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. There's walk in closet, with an iron and ironing board, hair ryer and complimentary toiletries. Housekeeping takes a while to get your room cleaned though.





Water, snacks and internet cost extra and they're quite expensive (as with any hotel). Better get your water and snacks at the 711 store across the street.



The service is so-so and the location is not very ideal if you are traveling for pleasure (if you want to walk). The hotel however, is close to a tram station so it's easy to get around. Trams pretty much travel all over Melbourne.

It has a good view of Albert park though and the F1 event was in the area when we arrived, we could hear the powerful engines roaring while we were in our room. It's a sound pleasurable only to hubby's ears :-) he he he.



Hubby and I decided to forego watching the F1 race and just went out to see the city.

7th Wedding Anniversary

Hubby and I are celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary today. What a great way to celebrate! Half of the day was spent in Sydney and the rest of the day will be spent in Melbourne.

We are so blessed.

Wishes do come true :-)

Qantas, Sydney Business Lounge

I love Qantas' Business Lounge in Sydney. They have free internet, free food, free cakes and unlimited camembert cheese. A wide selection of wine is also served.

What a treat!

I luv Australia!

I wanna live here :-) The weather is great during this time of the year (autumn).

Wait, I wanna stay in Manila too during Christmas Season (winter)...

Summer touring the best beaches in the world, maybe the Mediterrenean.

Spring maybe in Canada or the US....

Solution? I wish to win the lotto so that hubby and I can spend the whole year travelling. Yey!

Ay, teka nagising na ako :-) ha ha ha