An Overnight trip to Melbourne

According to those random Harry Potter online quizzes that I took, I belong to Gryffindor. But let's not deny the fact that my soul is a Slytherin. HAHAHA!

Storytime (from July 2019):
I bought my tickets for this 2-part Harry Potter and the Cursed Child musical about ten months before it was scheduled to start. If my friend did not send me a message asking, "When are you flying out to Melbourne?" days before the show, I would have completely forgotten about it! I was in the middle of my second term in uni at that time and there were major assessments due. I recently found out that I had to move again so I was also in the middle of looking for a place to move into. I was even in Melbourne a month ago with friends. My head and my pocket were basically stressed out. Haha! Initially, I decided to sell my tickets and just skip it. But no one wanted to buy my tickets, unfortunately! Since I didn't want the tickets to be put to waste, I booked a flight 2 days before the show instead. I didn't even bother booking a place to stay at because the tickets that I bought were first flights in and out.

A day before my flight and after work, I headed to a friend's place, which was conveniently near the airport, to stay the night so I didn't have to wake up too early. Lucky I did because dear, oh, dear I snoozed my alarm!!! Next thing I knew, it was 4:45 AM and my flight was at 6:00 AM! Man, I tell you, that was probably the quickest shower of my life! HAHAHA! A friend, from way back in high school who now lives in Melbourne and whom I haven't seen in 6 years, offered to pick me up at the airport. We had brunch. I met her husband and very charming baby boy for the first time. When she knew about my brilliant game plan (which was: brunch with her fam, see the show, dinner with another friend, go back to the theatre again and then head to the airport, bam!), she offered to let me stay at their place just so I can get at least a few hours of sleep before flying out. In between the shoes, I caught up with a friend from college and his partner over dinner.

So yes, it was a very looong and very tiring day but it was great (Hindi ko na uulitin though! HAHAHA!). A big thank you to all my friends who let me stay at their places and spared some of their time with me! Until next trip in Melbourne! :) And the show was superb (Okay, confession though: napapapikit na ako sa antok sa very early scenes of the show. I don't think it's the show itself, super pagod lang talaga ako, as in. Haha! Pero gising ako 95% of the show, I swear, so I know na maganda talaga siya.) To say that my 13-year old self was beyond elated is an understatement. :) If you're a Potterhead (even if you're not), go and see the show! You're welcome. :)

Jana Ticks It Off: Watch Sydney's New Year's Eve Fireworks (and what I learned to do next)

A short clip of the 12-minute fireworks

Even if we watched it far from the maddening crowd, it was still beautiful.

We had no 'game plan' for this -- not that you actually need any. Well, maybe just a little bit of planning. It is a public event, though. You need to somehow anticipate possible mishaps and you have to be smart about these things. Personally, the least thing that I want to happen on a good night like this is to be squished in a crowd (which I highly doubt, really, because crowd control here in Sydney is amazing) and to encounter strangers/revellers who tend to cause some trouble or to be scary or crazy weird when they are drunk (When you are a woman and you have lived on your own, you tend to be paranoid about this. It's not you, it's me. Maybe it's just me. Lol!).

Among the few who welcomed 2017 earlier than the rest of the world

So we packed snacks, water bottles, and a beach towel; braved the train ride; went to Yarranabbe Park around 8 PM; and enjoyed the night. Actually, the train ride was better than I expected. Probably because the suggested place (Yarranabbe Park) for us to go to was far from the city and usual vantage points (Thanks to my colleagues who suggested this place and who were also with us that night, along with their families). It was a good, family-friendly spot and not crowded, which was what I wanted. Also, entrance is free. The train ride going to the city and back home wasn't so bad either. Of course, it was stuffy going to the city but it was more than manageable. All thanks to NSW Police and NSW Train authorities (and the people who stood near the train doors and shouted, "Just wait for the next train!" and "No more!" to anyone who still wanted to squeeze in. Haha!)

While waiting for the 9 PM and 12-midnight fireworks, apart from eating and chit-chatting, my brother and I were also people-watching. We took mental note of what we should be doing the next time.

1. Bring and set-up a tent.

A group/family set up a tent not far from where we were seated. It was a bit chilly that night (surprisingly!) and we were there since 8 PM. We thought that having a tent is a good idea so we can sleep inside while waiting. Haha!

2. Or we can just bring blankets or a lightweight jacket/knit.
Because laying under the sky and stars isn't so bad either. And although it is summer in Australia during this time, you can never be too sure. Unless there's heat wave, of course.

3. Bring pillows, too.

Because laying under the sky and stars or inside the tent with a pillow under your head is also a good idea.

4. Bring games.

I was just envious of the couple seated near us who were playing cards while waiting for midnight. No, I did not and will not play games from my phone/tablet or browse social media the entire time. Too boring. I thought of Netflix-ing though but come on, really? No.

5. Maybe buy tickets in advance?

I'll brave the crowd the next time, I suppose. I held off buying NYE tickets for Barangaroo spot for months and when I finally decided to purchase, it was already sold out. It would have been a really good spot though.

Overall, t was a fun experience. And I get to experience it with my brother. As always, Sydney did greet the world a Happy New Year with a gorgeous bang. Gee, I used to only see this on television! :) So if ever you're in Sydney during this time, be sure to experience this. :)

Ending this entry with the complete video of the fireworks.


I hope you all had a peaceful and wonderful celebration. Happy New Year! :)

V I C T O R I A

About 2 months before my birthday...

"Makapunta nga ng Melbourne."

And so I did. :)

To explore a place by myself (and to pay for it with my hard-earned money this time) as a way to mark and celebrate my silver year of existence seemed like a good idea. Well, it really was. 

Tumblr image

With the help of everyone's trusted friend, Google, we searched for good and must-see places in Melbourne. I got too excited that I ended up with a long list. I thought it was good enough for my 5 days, 4 nights trip. Apparently, it was too much to fit in that short trip. The travel agent who processed my ticket, accommodation and hotel and airport transfers also included two day trips outside of Melbourne.

Touchdown! I was able to check in at the hotel around 10 PM that night. I went to the first convenience store that I saw and bought groceries. 

Join me as I look back on my trip that was... 

Lost in the city

While most people would have survived with a map in their hands, I wouldn't. Almost. Hahaha.  

       

Tram!

It took me at least an hour and a half to locate (and remember where I walked through) this shopping street (Elizabeth Street) that was near my hotel. I got it right the second time and it only took me probably 20 minutes to get there.

Melbourne's GPO (General Post Office)

Inside the GPO. Originally a post office but now, it houses a selection of boutiques and cafes

Flinders Street Station

I even tried to understand the tram route to get to the other places on my list but I will need few more days to get that. Or a month, perhaps.

       

Eureka Skydeck88 on the right

South Bank in Melbourne

Anyway, I enjoyed looking around and immersing myself with the random things that I saw but in my mind, I was almost screaming, 'Where the hell is the place that I am looking for??' Haha. When you're alone, you don't want to be too obvious that you are lost. :)

Photo at Shrine of Remembrance
(and got left behind inside the tram on my first tram ride)

On the second day of my trip, I met up with a college batchmate. She invited me to join her and her friends as they go around the city.

Look, Ma, I'm in Athens!

My first tram ride was going to this place. I missed getting off at the tram stop we were supposed to get off at because I couldn't find my transportation card in my bag. Waiting for me to find my card isn't part of the driver's job description, is it? Haha! The tram door closed just in time when I found my card inside the paper bag instead (Not in my bag after all!). My friend gave me a signal to get off at the next stop otherwise. Luckily, it was only a few meters away from so I didn't have to walk far enough going back. As if the first tram ride in itself isn't memorable enough! Haha!

       
Shrine of Remembrance

Strolled at Royal Botanical Gardens

Central Park? Not.

Mass at St. Francis' Church
It was a Sunday and after they showed me the Shrine of Remembrance and Royal Botanical Gardens and had an early dinner at Melbourne Central, we went to Church before heading to our respective abodes.

Stood at State Library of Victoria.
(Yeah, I did. Outside.)

This was standing behind us while waiting for the tram. This was on my list! Ah, I wanted to get in but it was already closed. Too bad. It's not just the books; I have a thing for libraries, too, you see. And bookstores. It's a happy, pretty place!

Blended with the vibrant Brighton Bathing Houses
(Unintentionally. It's spring, my brights are calling me. Hee.)

The third day was my first day of guided tour and Brighton Beach was our first stop. 

It was a gloomy morning for a supposedly fine, spring time. Well, you know what they say about Melbourne weather -- four seasons in a day. Anyway, we had our morning tea here while enjoying the cold breeze and the view.

Lunch at Tooradin Village

Tooradin is known as a fishing village and serves as a stopover for tourists or travelers travelling from Melbourne to Phillip Island

Oo, mahangin sa labas.

Quite a long drive but I didn't mind. I enjoy road trips.

Koalas and kangaroos (and more) at Maru Wildlife Park

Saw these animals for the very first time! :) It took me seven months to go and see at least one and I will not forgive myself if I had not done so.

Wallaby

Emu

White kangaroo!

"Please don't hop! Just one shot."

Random acquaintance

I am not the talking-to-strangers-because-I-just-feel-like-it kind of person. I talk to strangers for a reason -- to inquire a price, to ask for a different size, to ask for directions, you know, things like that. But not to actually start and create a conversation. True enough, this girl, who also went for a trip alone and sat beside me inside the tourist bus, was the one who initially started the conversation. The day ended with us adding each other on Facebook. Haha! Maybe next time, I'll try to be the one initiating the conversation. And maybe I'll meet up with her when I visit Sydney! :)

Internalized Charlie at Panny's Chocolate Factory

Oompa Loompa, Oompa Loompa...

Ah, chocolate everywhere, it was heaven! :)

 

Old chocolate ads

       

Overwhelmed by the view at Nobbies Center

This was definitely my favorite part of my trip.

Standing and overlooking the vast ocean of Bass Strait. The long boardwalk, The seal rocks.

On the edge!

The seals (through a binocular inside). The birds and the green, leafy things. All of it were amazing and breathtaking enough.

It started to drizzle as you can see from my camera lens. I was a bit wet but I couldn't care less. I tried to use my hood though but I look funny in the photos. 

This is why we have to take care of the earth, of what is left of it to preserve.

Watched the penguins at Penguin Parade

This was the last stop on the first day of my guided tour. Photos weren't allowed inside so this is the closest that I can get to show you the penguins.

I'll just tell you what happened and let your imagination do its work. There is a long boardwalk that you walk on to get to the benches near the shore. People can sit, of course, on those benches and wait for the penguins to come to the shore. The penguins come ashore at around 6:00 PM at night. They are really cute! Especially the little ones. It was really dark at that time because it was raining so it was a bit of an effort to find them. Once they went up and reached the grassy area of the place, it was easier to see them because the boardwalk trail has lights lining it. You would also hear them make sounds.

Missed out on Great Ocean Road Experience

(This was probably the highlight of that trip. So much for making this trip memorable down to the core, eh?)

On the second day of my scheduled day trip, I got left behind by my tour guide. She was late for 30 minutes so I rang their agency. I thought they might have forgotten about me or they have arrived earlier than scheduled. The tour guide really was running late, the lady on the phone informed me. I sat a few more minutes, hoping she would arrive anytime soon. I was hungry and I badly needed to pee as well, so I was like, 'Screw this, I'm going. I'll pee quickly and grab something from the fridge.' So I went back to my room. AND YES, SHE ARRIVED WHILE I WAS ON MY WAY BACK UP. When she couldn't find me at the lobby, she left me instead. I'm not sure if she asked the hotel receptionist/s to check if I'm in my room or if I'm actually going. When I got out of the elevator, the receptionist told me, 'Oh, you're going on a tour today, right?' I affirmed. He replied, 'Oh, they just left.' I almost dropped what I was eating. 'What??' I looked for my phone and started calling the agency again. I know it's not her job to wait and so is being late. Another receptionist added, 'I told her you were sitting there and waiting. She called out your name twice. Maybe you can still catch them, they might be picking someone else at the next nearest hotel.' OMFG. Really.

I wasn't able to find them. The agency had been calling the tour guide but they only got hold of her just when she got out of the city and refused to come back for me. Of course, why would she? I think she did ask for me through the hotel receptionist/s. I just wished the receptionist/s bothered to call my room or my phone perhaps. One of the receptionist did that two days before this incident. He thought I was the one that some other tour guide was looking for that day so he rang me through my mobile. Isn't that the standard protocol or something? What if something happened to me inside the room instead, that's why I wasn't there? That happens, right? Oh, you can only imagine how pissed I was.

According to my day trip the itinerary for that day, this was what I missed: Torquay, Bells Beach, Split Point light house, Great Ocean Road, Apollo Bay, Southern Ocean, Otway National Park, Port Campbell National Park, 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, fishing village in Port Campbell, 'action packed day full of nature walks, wildlife, surf beaches, incredible rock formations and spectacular coastal views while heading towards Melbourne,' and Colac for dinner. They gave me a refund for this though.

Anyway, it is partly my fault. Next time, it is probably best to let the receptionist/s know that when someone looks for me (or any hotel guest), call me (them) on my (their) room or mobile phone immediately.

On the brighter side, this just means that I must come back. I should also request to be a part of Andrew's (the tour guide on my prior day trip. He's good, by the way.) tour, if that is possible. If not then, (and if also possible), I will ask for the name of the tour guide scheduled on September 30, 2013 and I will request not to put me in her group. Haha.

So alternatively, here was what I did that day:

Shopped the annoyance away
I even promised to myself that I will not shop during my trip unless it is; 1. a winter item, 2. a boardshort and 3. pasalubong for my friends. I ended up buying three jeans, one knit, two longsleeves for my brothers and one leggings on top of the one winter jacket, two leather boots, three boardshorts and two clothing items for my friends that I swore to buy only. I decided not to purchase the coat I planned to give to another friend because of the fear of going over my baggage limit. Ayayay. However, excess baggage, we met again (I should have purchased the coat after all!) :)
  

Cruised along the Yarra River

I bought the Melbourne Highlights ticket before my flight. Melbourne Highlights cruise is a combination of two river cruises, the River Gardens and the Docklands.

Unfortunately, due to the unsteady weather, we didn't continue going to the Docklands.

Viewed the city from The Edge and 88 stories above in Eureka Skydeck 88

How wobbly my knees felt just standing near the glass window! So you do what you got to do -- suck it up! Haha!

       

I challenged myself to go to The Edge. It's like a glass box that protrudes from the side of the building. You get inside that box and wait for it to slowly move forward and surprise you with the view. That was the scary part. You hear the creaking sound while it is moving. They intentionally made that tinted effect with the glass so the next thing you know, you're already floating in the air and the city is below you.

There was one kid who asked her mom, 'What if this glass breaks?' No, kid! You do not ask questions like that!!! Hahaha! I dared myself further by looking down. I swear, I could have passed out any minute thereafter. But I didn't, thank God! :p

Near the glass windows, there are metal, monocular tubes that tells you what landmark you can find when you take a peek through it. There are also lighted and moving statements, like digital banners, across the floor regarding historical information of the landmarks.

Luckily, Andrew gave me my ticket for this the day before. This was also a part of the second day trip itinerary. I already missed enough, I don't think I can handle if I missed out more. Haha. When I come back, I'll drop by here again to see the whole city by night. Ah, that would be lovelier, I think.

Learned something from Immigration Museum

A guy who was in the same tour group as I was the day before suggested that we should visit the Immigration Museum if we have extra time to spare before going back to our own respective countries or states.

I only had 20-25 minutes left to look around since it was nearing closing time when I came, unfortunately.

Knitting machine owned by a migrant (Edda Azzola, if I remember correctly) who did clothes for a living

It was a worthwhile visit. I had only seen the first floor but I already learned a few about how Australia become populated with people from different races and culture. They also featured some personal stories of people who migrated to Australia. In as much as it is a building filled with historical and cultural information, you can also say that this is a very personal place, especially for people who moved miles away from their home country. Immigration Museum is a good place to start learning how Australia became the multi-cultural country that it is today.

Hipsters at Brunswick Street

I met up with a college friend for dinner before going back to Brisbane the next day. He brought me to Brunswick Street, which, according to him, has really good places to dine in. It was only a Tuesday night but the street and the vibe doesn't look like it.

We had Thai that night (I apologize! I do not know the restaurant's name! Gee. I'll ask my friend and post it here as soon as possible.). OMG. It was the first sumptuous Thai food in my life!





We had desert at Vegie Bar, which from the name itself, of course, is a vegetarian restaurant.

Vegetarian Strawberry Cheesecake. :) It tastes like Nido!

Inside Vegie Bar. Looks like a warehouse but I think that's what makes their ambiance appealing.

Thank you, Marc, for the dinner and for giving me goodies from your store (see photo below, upper right and click on the link to visit his Facebook page)! I'll see you soon, mate! :p

And that's how my Melbourne trip went. Bow.

Keepsakes. :) (I ate the chocolate and the pastries. I didn't keep them. Lol.) See what I mean with the glass box in Eureka Skydeck88?


If you want to arrange your own Melbourne trip, here are some links to the services that I used. Feel free to check them out, if you please:

For what to do, where to go and eat, where to stay, random tips and such:
www.visitvictoria.com.au
www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
www.melbournecb.com.au

For guided tours:
www.autopiatours.com.au (Look for Andrew. If possible.)

www.tripadvisor.com.au (review)

www.melbcruises.com.au

For tickets, promo flights, travel deals, etc:
www.studentflights.com.au (Or you can use whichever travel agency you prefer) 

For hotel and airport transfers:
www.sunbusmelbourne.com.au

Affordable hotel option/suggestion:

www.greatsouthernhotel.com.au