The trip Home (Part 5): Melbourne, Australia

Hi all! This update sure has taken me sometime to complete, coz (a) school is darn busy, (b) there are many photos to upload, and (c) I have to seek my dear's approval on what I should write in this part, since it concerns both of us and therefore very very important. Anyway, here it is! :)

We were practically dragged out of our beds very early in the morning to go to the airport. We didn't even had time to have breakfast, so the tour guide packed us some food. Guess what? We had to spent around 3 hours in the airport, and the food he packed certainly didn't help much. We ended up buying our food from the airport restaurants after we finished our packed food. The flight was delayed, so... I spent more time in Sydney, doing NOTHING. Duh... That's until I saw my ride and decided it would make a great lame joke on my blog. :P


Everyone can ride a Virgin. :P (sorry, can't help it) 


Bye bye Sydney! 


Admiring clouds from above. Cool! 


After 1 hour of flight, we arrived at Melbourne, the so-called 'rival/sibling city of Sydney'. We took a city tour before we can check in to our hotel. Soon enough, I noticed some peculiar sights...


"No Drugs or Nuclear Weapons Allowed Inside" Hmm... NICE neighbourhood we got here in Melbourne... 


Parliament building. 


Nice! 


St Patrick's Cathedral. 


'+' marks the spot :P 


A closer look at the intricate design. 


Lavender... 


... unknown yellow flower... 


... unknown purple flower... 


... and unknown red flower :P 


Looking across from St Patrick's Cathedral. 


The Conservatory in the Fitzroy Gardens. 


The inside of the Conservatory. There's a bridge there! 


WHAT'S THAT?! 


Captain Cook's cottage. It was said that this cottage was shipped from England brick-by-brick! He must had loved his cottage very much... :P 


Chinatown, Melbourne. It's everywhere! 


We were supposed to visit the Queen Victoria Market that day, but by the time we reached there, the stores were already shutting down. The guide said he remembers that the place used to close later in the day. Geez, when's the last time he ACTUALLY been here, man?! A quick aimless stroll ensued, and we're off to the hotel. Dinner was at Chinatown, as usual...

I guess my days in Melbourne wouldn't have been so great and so much fun, if it wasn't for my nights there, and a wonderful then-friend guide, Wynne! I had been looking forward to see her ever since we last met in July. To be honest, I thought I was meeting a friend who'd show me around town, until the time drew near for us to meet. I became restless, took great effort for my looks, and hoping to get away from my parents as soon as possible (sorry mom n dad :P).

I made my way through town to her place in the evening, which is really quite scenic and pleasant. Outside the metal gate, I beeped her apartment, and a warm and familiar voice rang out. I dunno why then, but my heart was racing as I waited for her to come to the gate. A few minutes later, a familiar silhouette arrived at the gate. The gate opened, and there she was, just the way I remembered her, sunny and pretty. I guess I couldn't stop smiling, coz I felt a slight strain on my face. :P However, there was someone else at the door: her sister! She was staying over at Wynne's place during her Oz trip. She, er... smiled "knowingly" when she saw me. Hmm, did she sense something in advance?


The Royal Exhibition Building outside her place. We'll return to Carlton Gardens later that night. 


We made our way to the Crown Casino next to the Yarra river, which has a casino (DUH!), a cineplex, a gaming arcade, and a lot of cafe and restaurants. We took a quick stroll around the place, and seated ourselves at a cafe for cakes and coffee. The food and the place was great, and we must have spent more than 2 hours there simply chatting. I was totally at ease beside her, and I half suspected I ate slower than usual coz I subconsciously didn't want to leave. However, we were eventually drove away by the forces of Oz's nature: flies! It's the one really annoying thing during summer here, and flies are really stupid. She killed one, I got one too, and a nameless bug indulged itself with our strawberry cake and DIED on it!


All that is left of our 'little' snack... 


Me and my 'then-friend' :P 


By the time we're too full to finish the food (or becoz of the flies?), we took a long walk to her place, passing through the town centre. There were pillars lined up along the river outside the cafe that shoot out great balls of fire from time to time, and the heat could be felt far away! The night scene there was simply wonderful! It's not as urban-like as Sydney, and it surely felt safe to walk in the dead of the night. Wynne took me to some great night spots and I wasted no time taking photos.


Night lights over Yarra River. 


Eat your heart out, Paris! 


Sacred and holy... 


Some sort of train station, I think... 


Big ball of steel :P 


It was near midnight by the time we reached her place. I was a bit sad, but then she suggested that the park of the museum is great at night, so we went to the park and boy, was she right! Picturesque fountain and grand buildings, tree-lined lanes, and benches around the pond. It was really romantic, I think. We sat down beside the pond and chatted the night away. I happened to look up, and a shooting star flew by! I still can't quite explain it, but I made a very important wish there and then. She pestered me on what wish did I make, but I didn't tell her.

Eventually, I sent her home at about 1.30am (I guess we really like the park :P), but I made sure we arrange to meet again the following night, my last night there. On my way back to my hotel, I got a plan in my head. It's bold. It's daring. It's never been attempted by me before. But first, I needed to survive my mom's rage when I reach the hotel at 2am... Apparently, she tried to call my handphone but dialed the wrong country code, so some poor soul in Sydney was awaken by her phone call at 1am. TWICE. Needless to say, he wasn't too friendly in the end, to say the least. Mom even thought of calling the police if I wasn't back at the hotel any sooner! :P :P

Well, that's quite a big night in a small city, but there's still the next part to look forward to, in which I carried out THE PLAN. So, stay tuned!