12 & 13 oct, 2018
One fine afternoon, I was telling Annie I am going to Tasmania for holiday with my hubby. And I am going to Melbourne first. "Melbourne? when?" "September" "come, I go too!"
We are going Melbourne together! We were both very excited.
A : "we can cycle there?"
me : "Errr, I am not good with cycling...but I would love to"
A : "no worry la, I can wait for you. but I will be walking a bit slow "
me : "No worry, I can walk very slow too"
"ok, let's plan one day to cycle along yarra river"
That was how our discussion always go, compromising, easy going with much teasing . Somehow I felt that it's like my first travel, so exciting.
later . . ......
me : " u want to drive? car rental is quite affordable and we can go further"
A : " sure, let's do it"
It would cost us $18 each to/fro airport. that's $72. bicycle rental $28 each. that's $56. There will be public transport and some free tram ride, but with a car we could go further and not worry about the bus schedule. Our car rental was booked at A$275 initially. Later, due to many changes in our flights schedule, we did a re-booking to add a driver, with their new promotion we pay $193, including insurance.
Unfortunately, Annie had a severe pain in her knee and needed an immediate knee replacement operation. That was about 3 months before our departure. We were worried that she may not recovered quick enough to do the travel, whether driving or not. But Annie was determined she could recover good enough to do the trip and work hard towards her recovery. I supported her and admired her determination secretly. I told her it's fine if she cannot go, but nothing stop her eagerness to go.
I did a new plan taking out our trail walks and those with steps. There are still a lot to do and see. A good companion is such an ideal option.
Annie will fly home from Melbourne , I will meet Mr, hubby in Melbourne (where he transit) and fly to Hobart, Tasmania . Hence, I had intentionally arrange my flight to Hobart almost the same timing as hers to Singapore. This, we can check in together and I could also ensure she is at the right gate. Plan seem perfect....til...my flight with Tiger change their departure to a later hour. But I assure her I'll check in with her still.
Then, my hubby's flight with Scoots also change their flight schedule, which means he will arrive Hobart 2 days later! I suggested he fly earlier so that we could start at Hobart together. That mean he'll join us for 2-3 days in Melbourne. Annie was supportive and think the more the merrier. all is fine? not really.
Once again, Annie's flight with Scoot change their flight schedule to Singapore. She could fly either a day earlier or a day later. Its ashame to leave earlier , that mean Annie would be missing 2 days activities. Worse still , I will not leave her alone in Melbourne to fly off. Hence, we cancelled the flight and take Jet-star instead. We will fly off from Melbourne on the same day. We send Annie to the airport and check in for her. We have 2-3 hrs to spare before returning the rental car and fly to Hobart.We have not decide what to do.
our little adventure date comes finally.
12-9-2018
Singapore ➤⾶ ➤ Melbourne
Margaret & annie
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Melbourne, we coming.
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Annie " It's my first time driving abroad, I am excited"
Me "what? first time? I thought you always drive oversea. you should have told me."
I was concern that the driving may be too tiring for her...so during the trip she drives and I read the map. We felt we matched well. She read far, I read near. perfect team.
we upgraded our seats hoping to get a better rest . +S$201@
During the flight, I accidentally toppled the drink (belong to the man next to me) that was left on the armrest. I was amazed when the air hostess passed me the serviettes and walked away. Is she expecting me to do all the cleaning? Anyway, I cleaned my seat and when she returned I passed her the remaining serviettes. This is what the first class to be treated? I thought even in economy class, that's not the right treatment. what a shame.
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| First we bought the prepaid sim card, called to arranged pick up in order collect our car. once we exit after collecting our luggages, the row of shops all line. You will notice a queue. |
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| our red lady for Melbourne |
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| lovely day, lovely start |
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| pretty driver |
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| our first stop : Artist Lane it's on the way to our stay |
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| The Borek bakehouse : we share a mutton borek it's quite a big portion. It's taste better when piping hot I think it's about $5 or so. |
We had a tough time looking for our stay as I mixed up the unit no. and the block . They both exist but at different end of a long long street. After checking-in, we had some rest and showered to freshen up.
We booked a room with air-bnb. The price was fine, but the cabinets in the room were totally filled up with misccellaneous things. The shower is quite good.
I decided to skip the murals hunt to next day. First day drive, safe and sound. good job , girls!
For dinner, we challenged to a eating place without map or any recommendation. After a few turns we were teasing if we could find one when this restaurant pop out."yes. let's go" we agreed unanimously. It is serving greek's cuisine. We order what the lovely waitress' recommendations.
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| this is a Greek restaurant ↑ mutton, very delicious → |
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| king fish love the bouncing texture and freshness ***** |
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| salad - huge portion crunchy and very inviting |
We head to st. Kilda's pier for penguin watching. The parking is $4/5 per hour.
We drove thru citylink toll way, M2. It has really colourful lights , very beautiful. I am not sure if the lights are on in the day.
It's quite a short walk to the pier. Please do not take photos of them with flashlight nor shine a torchlight. It would hurt them. The guides on site has red lights. Watching them is fun even without a camera.
Our second day started with street murals in Melbourne. Some how we keeping missing the street or turn so we skipped it for later when Mr. hubby comes. It is not very easy to drive in the city especially when one need a turning. sometimes you keep right to turn right, sometimes u keep left to be able to turn right.
| this must be the free tram ↓ |
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| we only manage Hoiser lane |
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| pet shop |
We set off our great ocean drive. first stop : Torquay
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| my friend is happy like a little girl. |
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| "quick, put your specs over my head!" |
We park our car near Coles supermarket and thought it would be great to do our groceries later. After the walking, shopping, eating fun and laugh, we totally forgot about Coles and walked into Woolsworth. only to realised when we cannot find our car!!! I take care of all our shoppings while Annie has to go fetch the car. After a while, when a red car comes into the carpark and the lady driver also wear a cap, I pushed the cart quickly and almost the car door when I noticed a baby in the car! Oopsie!!! wrong car!
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| I see Annie from the beach |
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| Annie look at me from the top |
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| Bells beach |
my shadow |
| Point Addis boardwalk |
we drive by and saw the lovely water and a playground so we stopped.
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| all smiles with our little achievements |
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| lovely post |
you post there... i post there...
lovely kids
Next we drive to Kinnett River Holiday park . . . we came prepared with cornflakes to feed the birds.
They were very smart, they flew to Annie immediately even before she opens the food packet. We shared some with the others too. We enjoyed ourselves here thoroughly. Remember to wear a cap to protect your head. They just flew to you and land anywhere.
my friend busy with her new friends
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| "Annie, where 's your bird?" |
a kookabaru come to say hello
We set off to our farmstay earlier than plan. Since it's Annie's first time, we should be more relax and night driving is not advisable at all. We were very lucky to find our stay easily. I was concerned after yesterday's experience.
We had a good rest. Not such a great shower, the water just turn cold too fast but we enjoyed it totally and cooked our dinner. The owner in our stay were great people with lots of animals. She saved a joey and I got to feed him too.
↑ dinner by two chefs
feeding joey →
Two great days, looking forward to tomorrow's.
Day 1 - getting lost to look for stay
- Great dinner find
- enjoy citylink tollway
(wonder how much is the toll)
- penguin watching
Day 2 - a little of street murals
- Torquay
- Point Addis board walk
- random stop
- Kinneth holiday park
- farmstay
video
day 1 video Some wordings posted run out with the timing.
point to note :
- be very careful with the address, checking which is block or unit no.(my silly mistake)
- for booking airbnb, it may be good to check if the room/cabinet is filled with things
- there's a $3.30 daily toll charge at Melbourne if you drive
- each toll charges applies separately
video
day 1 video Some wordings posted run out with the timing.
point to note :
- be very careful with the address, checking which is block or unit no.(my silly mistake)
- for booking airbnb, it may be good to check if the room/cabinet is filled with things
- there's a $3.30 daily toll charge at Melbourne if you drive
- each toll charges applies separately
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