Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Melbourne Day 2: Belgrave Cafe

Returning to Belgrave town after our steam train ride; we wander around the town looking for foods.
There is plenty of choices; consisting of Asian foods. From Chinese to Japanese style etc.
We opt for Western style. Belgrave Cafe.
I ordered Mocha again. My favourite drink :)
Seriously, the mocha in Melbourne is so tasty. None I can find in Malaysia.
A very large portion of burger!
Fish and Chips.
Grilled fish.
And another burger.
The portion is too large that we could share 2 pax per servings.
Price was reasonable. Taste was so-so.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Melbourne Day 2: Puffing Billy

We start our journey to Belgrave for Puffing Billy - steam train.
Please refer to their website here to plan for your visit.
We opt for a ride from Belgrave to Lakeside which cost AUD$46.50 for return ticket.
Remember to collect your vouchers (in a travel guide book for tourist) at the airport or from the skybus kiosk. It gives discount of 10% to this ride!
I love the oh-so-english feel :)
Very antique feeling.
The ride was so fun, I didn't realize the bridge is made from wood!
Everyone was actually sitting on the window pane with legs hanging out of the window; despite there is bench in the train. Cause it feels more thrilling and enjoying this way. Just be careful that the dust from the charcoal burning will make you dirty.
Arriving lakeside station; 1 hour later.
We spent 1 hour at lakeside, eating pies, drinking coffee and enjoying the autumn view before hopping back to the train, heading back to Belgrave.
Unforgettable steam train ride :)

Friday, June 20, 2014

Melbourne Day 1: Yarra Valley & Healesville

Arriving Melbourne airport at 8.30am; just on time.
But out of my expectation, we were delay for airport clearance due to long queue. It took almost an hour!
We then cross the street to Hertz office to collect our car rental which we did online.
They upgraded our car from a compact toyota corolla hatch to nissan; without extra charge! :)
After collect our car rental, we are really out of our schedule. So we skipped Healesville Sanctuary and decide to spend longer time enjoying our first meal at Beechworth Bakery :)
It's the type of cafè I love to hang out in. More over, with the natural cool breeze. Add on with smells of coffees, cakes and pastry! Bliss :)
We had carrot cake and pies and mocha's. The mocha's are superb! Nice! :)
After filling our tummy and relax ourself.. we headed out. Beautiful autumn color! I love it!
We walk to next door, which is a brewery.
And bought half dozen of apple cider :)
We stop by coldstream brewery for more cider! But it is disappointing that they don't have the cider taste testing counter. So we didn't bought anything.
Next was Yering Station for wineries :)
Free tasting.
Then to the diary farm.
It disappointed me that they don't sell mini size cheese.
We went to Lavender Farm before we call it a day.
Actually there's not much of lavender left due to it's already end of season.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Melbourne 6 Days 5 Nights

On the last day of LCCT, we flew to Melbourne.
We were one of those last flight to depart from LCCT. What an honor =P
Despite the fact that we were so worry, how's the condition would be in LCCT. But everything turn out smooth and fine =)
Bye LCCT!
Melbourne! 6 Days 5 Nights.. a land of ..
Of Mocha. Their mocha is seriously nice! :)
Of wines! Free tasting. Endless.
Of wineries. But due to it's end of autumn, the plants have been either bald or yellow.
Of Puffing Billy!
Of Berries! :)
Of Koala's.
Of Apostles.
Of Unique buildings.
Of trams and of fun, of memories, of priceless experience and a lot more :)

How we spend our 6 Days in Melbourne?
Day 1: Yarra Valley & Healesville
Day 2: Puffing Billy & Phillip Island Penguin Parade
Day 3: The Great Ocean Road: Lorne - Apollo Bay
Day 4: The Great Ocean Road: 12 Apostles - London Bridge - Port Campbell - Colac - Melbourne
Day 5: Melbourne City
Day 6: Bye bye Melbourne

We are on a budget trip of 4 people and total expenses of each pax sums up to roughly RM1.3k per pax (excluded air ticket). Cheap isn't? I will further share how we able to make it. Stay tune!  :)

Melbourne trip of 6 days 5 nights was actually too short and too rush. We didn't manage to cover everything planned earlier. That's a regret. We should have planned for longer stay; but too bad we ran out of annual leave from office. I personally think 9 days 8 night would be great to cover all the places planned in itinerary in a slow and steady pace.

Monday, June 2, 2014

The Ship @ Damansara Utama

Another celebration in April.
This time, we choose The Ship for a nostalgic day.
Smoked Salmon Salad.
Russian Chicken
Grilled chicken fillet garnished with vodka bechamel sauce, served with french fries and vegetables
Seafood Au Gratin
A combination of mixed seafood, baked with cheese and bechamel wine sauce, served with baked potato and mini salad
Chicken Au Chambertin
Grilled chicken fillet garnished with mushroom and red wine sauce, served with french fries and vegetables


I couldn't recall the price anymore but as I remember, it is not as cheap as I thought it was. And the food taste was so-so only. The environment and ambiance is awesome though. Nostalgic feel.