Australian Experience 3

We set out on a journey to Great Ocean Road on the third day. Hubby was the assigned driver. Hubby, me, the kids and Chiu Pin were in one car while the rest of the group were in another car driven by Kevin.

I googled for Great Ocean Road and in fact most of the places that we are going to set our foot in when I first got hold of the preliminary itinerary for some idea on the places that we are visiting. I found this in wikipedia ;

The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool. The Great Ocean Road was built by 3000 returned servicemen (or "Diggers") as a war memorial for fellow servicemen who had been killed in the First World War. The idea for the road was suggested as far back as 1864. Surveying began in 1918 and construction took place between 1919 and 1932. Parts of the Great Ocean Road run around steep coastal mountains. These were the trickiest and the final sections to be built. In 1922 the section from Eastern View to Lorne was completed. In 1932 the section from Lorne to Apollo Bay was finished, thus completing the entire road.

Our first stop in this journey is at the Bell's Beach, a surfer's heaven.

Candid photo taken @ Bell's Beach

With mum hubby and Celine

Family photo

After a long drive, we finally arrived at the Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch. I was told that Kevin have never been here and thus do not know the exact location of this Memorial Arch. Therefore, he has to find the location from Google Map. Good work!

Chiu Hong and mum

Mum and dad

Photo taken @ Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch

Cheryl with a lollipop in her mouth

Along the journey, we passed through some eucalyptus trees. At one point, we saw some cars stopping at the roadside. We saw koalas on the trees and got down to take a closer look...

The former photo is the photo of me and the latter is of dad. The tiny little creature on top of us is the infamous koala bear

After a short pit-stop, we continued with our journey along the Great Ocean Road. Shortly after the pit-stop, we arrived at Port Campbell National Park. What is so interesting about this place is the Twelve Apostles. The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks, off the shore of this National Park. It was such a breathtaking and magnificient view...

Note: I was holding Celine and shielding her from the drizzles

After viewing the Twelve Apostles, we went to another tourist destination along the Great Ocean Road. It was the last destination that we went to before leaving for Boxhill. It was getting dark and still drizzling when we got there. Since we have the 2 kids to feed, hubby and me decided to stay in the car while the rest (except for Yvonne who also stayed in the car) went to the various tourist attractions near Loch Ard Gorge. It was a pity that I missed out the opportunity to view all those spectacular views there...ie the Lace Curtain, London Bridge, Razorback Rock and the Loch Ard Gorge itself. Actually, of all the places that we went to, I like Great Ocean Road the most. If given the chance, I would definitely wants to go again especially to the few spots that I did not manage to view during this visit.

Australian Experience 2

On the second day, we went for sight-seeing in the city. It was a Sunday. So, it was quite worthy to travel to the city as they have something called Sunday Saver. One only need to purchase a ticket at a nominal price and the ticket is valid for the entire day and can be used for any public transport, ie the train, tram or bus..... This is a good system. I think Malaysia should emulate this system.

We took a train to the city, alighting from Flinders Street Station. It is the oldest station in Australia. It is located at the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets.

This lady looks very elegant ......hahahha

The happy family

2 pretty girls

From there on, we walked to St. Paul's Church which is located just opposite the station.

We sat down on a bench near the St. Paul's Church to feed the babies while the rest of them walked to the Federation Square, which is just within walking distance.

Federation Square

On the way to other places of interest in the city, we passed by Chinatown. We went to Block's Arcade, State Library, Melbourne Central, Queen Victoria Market, Royal Exhibition Building and State Parliament before calling it a day.

Chinatown

Us @ Block's Arcade

Cheryl surrounded by birds @ the State Library of Victoria

At State Library
In Melbourne Central

Later on, we took tram to Queen Victoria Market. This is said to be the largest open-air market in Australia. It has a long history, dating back to more than 120 years.

According to http://goaustralia.about.com/od/melbournevictoria/a/victoriamarket.htm, it hasn’t been just a market. At different times in the past it has been a cemetery, a livestock market and a place to sell fruit and vegetables wholesale.

This photo was taken before we enter the Queen Victoria Market

After strolling the Queen Victoria Market for souvenirs to bring home, we went to the Royal Exhibition Building.

Mum and dad

We then went to the State Parliament of Victoria. When we reached there, we saw some couples taking their wedding photos. It brings back some beautiful memory...

Located just opposite of the State Parliament of Victoria is the Windsor Hotel

Australian Experience 1

I have wanted to post an entry about our Australian experience quite some time already but have yet to have the opportunity to do so due to my tight schedule.... *sigh*

This entry is photo-oriented. So this is it.....a series of my compact and complete summary of our trip to Australia.

Cheryl posing for the camera in KLIA on our departure to Melbourne

Celine with her 2 "sapo ah yi"

Celine and mummy in the plane

The whole family minus Kevin at Monash University

The morning after we arrived, the plan was for us to embark on a trip to Philip Island. Before going to Philip Island, we drove to Monash University first for a short campus tour.

On the way to Philip Island, we stopped to take photos of the bridge connecting the mainland (I guess) to Philip Island (Correct me if I am wrong).

Us (except for mum and Kevin) @ Anzacs Beach.

It was a very windy and cold day. But we can still see so many surfers in the freezing cold water. I can't even imagine myself in the water. I really don't know how those surfers did it.

Cheryl and grandma....

Family photo

The above photos were taken @ the Nobbies.....You can see that Cheryl is struggling to get down in the latter photo.

Actually, on our way to Philip Island, we stopped by at Maru Fauna Park. We took photos with almost all the fauna there. Cheryl is exceptionally excited when we were there.

5 sisters + 1 baby at the entrance of Maru Fauna Park

Cheryl and daddy taking photo with a "yak?"

Dad with some kind of bird...perhaps peacock?

Cheryl's mischivious little look....

This is only the first day. Too much to absorb, huh? Then, I will just stop here and continue next time. I am already running late to feed the babies....Till then, see ya!