Melbourne Trip: Sorrento (^^)

So from Phillip Island, we drove straight to Sorrento. It was almost dark when we got there and most of the shops were closing. We head straight to the YHA hostel that we've just booked that afternoon, Sorrento Beach House. The check in process was, I say, unique where I have to call a number for check in. A woman with a friendly voice answered the call from the other end. Then comes the myriad of instructions..

"The security code of the front door is xxxx.. Now enter the house... Your key is at the counter where there's heaps of green bags. Your room is the first one on your right with number one on the door... Now go to the toilet... The switch is on your left... The sheets and blankets are inside the lockers.. There is kitchen and the common area on the left side of the counter... bla bla bla"

So I walked around, holding the phone to my ear, following each and every instruction.. 

"Aku rase macam dalam citer Saw weyh..."

Our room was a 6-bed dorm with washroom and a heater. It was very cozy and we agreed that it was our favourite room among all. We didn't do much that night. I retired early and skipped dinner. The rest spent the night chatting in the kitchen with the other guests; 2 Italians, one Asian guy who lives in Canada and an Australian who came to Sorrento for scuba diving. 

Early shopping at Coles. 

Definisi BAHAGIA. Chocolates!!!!!!!!!

It was difficult to decide where to go because the Mornington Peninsula area is so big and the attractions are quite far from each other. So that morning we finally agree to go to the Aschombe maze and lavender garden. It was about 45 minutes drive from our lodging and we have to drive back northward. I love the landscape along the way and the GPS actually directed us to a gravel road surrounded by tall pine trees..  So masa tu perasan brada di hutan Twilight sekejap :p

The garden is quite big. I don't think we covered everything. I got lost inside the maze.. It was a scary experience. I just can't find my way out! I almost scream for help actually. But I'm such a big ego that I tried to find my way out anyway hahaha

This garden is a pure sight seeing and picture taking place. So, yup, my camera battery was severely depleted by the time we left for Point Napean. 

Lepas tu bole ambil gambar bajet begini kan.. :p

So after strolling around, captured loads of pictures, we head to Portsea, the most southern part of the peninsular to visit the Point Napean National Park. The park is actually a  mixture of nature and history. The coastal area gives a very scenic view with giant waves crashing on the cliffs. While for the historical part, there are cemeteries, war memorials, forts, gun emplacement and a Quarantine Station where immigrants from Europe will be quarantined after their long voyage on the sea. 

This is the view at the ending of one of the walkways. SJ, RA and I decided to check out the Fort Napean which is about 30 minutes walk from this point of the park.. It was quite tiring to walk under the blazing afternoon sun.. So actually you can take a scheduled tour bus that cost $7 at the park's info centre to send you there. 

Paling bikin panas, masa ni la all my cameras batteries run out! Luckily I had my videocam inside my bag so it was our savior yaw! We were walking on graveled path surrounded by shrubs at first then exited the path to an asphalt road that leads to Fort Napean. 

We were hoping to see some animals and saw a lizard whose scales looked exactly like that of a crocodile! It's like a tiny crocodile living on land. haha sukahati!

The coast

This was where one of Australia's Prime Minister went missing when he went for a swim. Seriously, the waves were extremely huge that I wont even dare to go down to the beach apa lagi mau swim!

As we walk towards the fort, there were fenced areas with warning signs like this. So kami terasa awesome sekejap sebab berada berdekatan area unexploded bombs :p hahaha

Scenic background. Sila abaikan posing yang burok itu (-_-") I don't have the pic of the scenery alone so please bare with this huhu masa ni shawl ditiup angin dengan dahsyatnya...

Well, actually we didn't make it to the fort because we were running out of time. Need to catch the ferry to Queenscliff.. So, we actually hopped on the tour bus and went back to the info centre to pay and then returned to our car hehe tapi ada hikmah juga kami hopped on the bus. We encountered an Echidna!

Cumil2!!!!

After that we head towards Sorrento. Actually, we tried to find the artist trail in Sorrento but we couldn't find it so we just stroll along the Sorrento Historic Precinct. Sangat cantik ok!!!

Searoad Ferry (^^)

A wooden playground!!

we didn't explore the town area much but the town is quiet yet the beauty of the buildings' architecure was stunning. It was a mixture of modern and historical designs. This place is obviously a getaway place for the affluent since there were also lots of holiday mansions along the beach. 

Kalo aku diberi peluang untuk memilih, pasti Sorrento tempat aku mo settle down. I'll be back!

Next.. Queenscliff!

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Ku ingin bicara soal hati..

Aiseh.. Aku geli lepas taip title itu..

Anyway.. This is how I am as the month of December checks in... All sentimental and wistful.. Ngeh! A month full of past memories.. A month that marks my existence too..

I just realized I'm entering the late 20's this month.. I haven't thought much about my age; I'm more focused of living my life to the fullest... Every time I look at that huge surgical scar on my left knee, I'm reminded of how I was once deprived from doing the things I love to do and how I've to struggle to even pick up a fallen object on the floor.. There were days when I buried my face in my pillow and cried but stood strong and tall with my crutches minutes after that just to tell those around me that I'm actually accepting it, know that it's temporary and you don't have to worry. I never got a proper physiotherapy due to the long queue. Since my practical exam needed me to stand and move about to conduct an individual experiment, I was determined to walk.. What my friends didn't know, I told myself, "I will never waste each and every moment of my breath starting from now" that evening when I hand both my crutches to my roommate and walked for the first time without my crutches after 4 months..


That scar also reminds me of how hard it was to put the fragments of a broken heart back together.. Reminds me of shattered dreams.. And most of all reminds of pain.. An unbearable pain that takes years to heal... I've forgotten and I've forgave.. I've forgotten so well that I can't even recall clearly how he looked like though I used to notice every mole and every wrinkle that appear every time he smiled. I've forgave that I'm willing to maintain good ties with his families but the pain... It's not something that I want to go through again... You know that song by Christina Perri? That part that says "I learn to live half alive..."; that was how I live as I try to pick up pieces by pieces of my severed heart and put them back together...

I got lots of comments from friends about me not having a replacement after all these years. Close friends were more understanding since they know what I've been through; saw me cried to sleep and walk into class with baggy eyes. "Irreplaceable???" some asked. HELL NO! haha "You are too choosy.." is the most common one.. Though I am hoping to find someone like Hugh Jackman, I am actually not at all choosy..

Who wouldn't want someone like Hugh Jackman; good looking, hot body, family guy etc. But  who  am I to put such high expectations? It's never about taste.. It has always been about not wanting to feel the pain ever again.. When it comes to relationship, there are two things that I can't fathom..

 1. How can someone fall in love so easily?   2. How can someone heal from a heartbreak so quickly?

I just don't get it...

For the past few years, there were some who came knocking on the door. When  there was no answer from inside, they left without knowing that the door was actually unlocked. They were never determined enough to get what's inside that they left without even trying to twist the knob. Or in another situation, lets put this in another analogy, they bargained with the goods not the merchant.

After all these years, I learnt to stand again. I manage to collect love, trust and hope from where I've dropped them and placed them along with honesty, loyalty, patience and respect in a small box. I wrapped it and tied a nice pink ribbon to it.. It's a small gift but very dear to me that I don't want it to be in the wrong hands. I'm waiting for that someone who can accept me for who I am, who has the urge to go extra mile and get what's behind the door. I'll hand him the gift in hope that what's inside can grow and grow while they're in his hands. I'll be patiently waiting.. And while I wait, I won't waste my time feeling sorry for myself and fret. I have the whole world to explore! I want to see the small, medium size and big wonders of the world while I am still able to and given the chance to because I'll never know when it'll be taken away from me again...

Some might ask, why am I am making a 4 months of handicap such a big deal that it changed my life so much? Not only the hardship of the 4 months ordeal has led me to my conscience.. There was something that  the paramedic said to me while attending me that ever so frequently rung in my ear..

"Adik, adik tau tak adik dan kawan adik la yang pertama kami bawak keluar dari terowong tu hidup-hidup..."

(^^)

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Melbourne trip: Philip Island

We were in a hurry that evening because we have to check in at our campsite before 6pm. There was the Grand Prix in Philip Island that week so most of the accommodation were full but we manage to book a campsite in Anchor Belle Holiday Park. We brought 2 tents with us; one was mine and the other was MR's. We were also rushing to catch the Penguin parade which starts at sunset so we decided to set our tents first and then drive to the Penguin parade.

This is my tent... (^^)

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The campsite

The welcome signage to the Penguin Parade at the entrance

We bought the 3 parks pass so we paid $37.50; that's for entry to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre and Churchill Island. Or was it cheaper.. Hurm.. I can't quite remember.. Anyway..

Unfortunately, photo taking was not allowed during the penguin parade. And no touching the penguins too. So I just describe to you how things were.. The entrance was opened at around 6.50 pm so we walked our way to the seating area that faces the ocean. It's quite huge and we don't know where the  penguin will be parading so to be safe we sat at the middle.. But actually they'll walk towards their nest at both ends of the seat. They come in groups. So some of them will be walking on your right side and some on the left side. But it was too dark when they came back from the sea and there were few spotlights so we can't see them clearly. Plus there were extremely small!! CUTE!!!!!!!

The species found in this island is the smallest of the penguins. They're called the Little Penguins or Blue Penguins or also Fairy Penguins. They spent the whole day swimming in the sea and only return to their nest at dusk. Macam mana mau describe the size..? O maybe about the size of 2/3 of the A4 paper! Very small! And they look exactly like the plush toy SJ is holding in the pic.

Actually we didn't see much when they were walking on the beach. But we got to see them close enough at the walking area but we were bordered by the fence, of course. As close as, if it is allowed, you could actually reach to touch or grab them with you hands. They're very tame. They don't seem to be intimidated by the presence of visitors at all.

I say, this is actually a must go place. You only get to see penguins in the southern hemisphere so going to this Penguin Parade is an opportunity to watch them at their natural habitat. Although, the building and the parking lot are there, still it is their natural habitat kan.. heee You don't have to go if you're planning to go to antartica, galapagos island (dream destination!) or if you don't like penguins :p

After the Parade, we went straight to our campsite to have dinner at the camp kitchen. It has a microwave, an electric kettle, a grilling stove and some power points that we used to charge our cameras. Sadly, we have to eat quickly too because the kitchen is closed at 9pm. Semua pon rushing that day..

It was super windy and freezing that night! My sleeping bag is meant for 7C but still the cold penetrate through it.. Deym! So the next morning we head to the Nobbies Centre

(^^)

The Nobbies Centre is located at the tip of the island. There's a boardwalk where you can stroll on to enjoy the spectacular view of the coast. The Seal Rocks can be viewed from here but I didn't see it.  

The network of the boardwalk might look like it's a long way to the end (well, it is quite a long way but definitely less than 1 km) but to me walking to the end is worth it because a reward awaits you there.

Wahaaaa!! Jaw dropped!!  My  camera is just an ordinary digicam thus this is all I can show to you. But seriously, all of us just stood there in awe. 

That's the famous blow hole. It gave out this distinctive blowing sound when a wave came crashing in that hole. 

Next was the Koala Conservation Centre

The building has this informative display inside which I think were actually neatly arranged. Meaning, it start off with what people usually thought about Koala; the misconception that they are bears and then followed by the basics like as you can see what's in a name there, then the life cycle, then the diet, then the habits, then the mating etc. Very helpful for someone who is Koala naive like me (^^)v I don't even know that they have pouch like Kangaroos (-_-") Do you know..?? Please don't make me feel stewpeed (oz accent d ctu)

Anyway, the grounds of the conservation centre is actually at the back of this building. We exited a door and there were walkways there and actually there were other animals too. But since we were there for the koalas, so we just focus on them.

There were wise-looking koalas snoozing on the trees but our closest encounter were these two adorable ibu dan anak! There was a mesh wire fence that prevented us from getting any closer but they were very close. Like if you stand right in front of the fence, they were like about a meter from you. O tengok la buah yang terlekat di atas mata joey itu!! COMEYL!!

Our next destination Churchill Island Heritage Farm!

It's actually a very small Island but I consider it as a big piece of land for a farm. When you first enter the entrance, you'll be driving on a narrow road sandwiched between tall bushes that you can't see what else is there behind the bushes. Then as we exited that road, we found ourselves driving on a gravel road on the sea and straight ahead was a narrow bridge that connects Phillip Island with Churchill Island. We were stunned by the beauty and were greeted by these Cattle

RA: Wah! Ni kalau bawak balik raya haji memang sebenar2 korban nih!

In this farm they let all the animals loose so they were wandering about and coincidentally, this beautiful  peacock was opening its feathers! So I stood close to it and "SJ cepat snap!" 

There were farm activities too. When we were there, it was time for sheep shearing. The guy demonstrated how it's done and after that we could touch the sheared coat but there were no session for visitors to try it :(. Sheep tu nampak pasrah jak bha masa tu.. It'll be living without it's fleece for a year because that's how long it'll take to make the fleece to grow again. Kesiannya sejuk la dia malam tu... haha And after that was the whip cracking and boomerang throwing activity. We'd wanted to try both but we only tried the whip cracking. O aku telah meng'whip' diriku sendiri on few attempts (-_-")

So the above is our group picture at one part of the farm. It was so cloudy so we can't get a nice pic. I'm not good with camera setting and I think the others' cameras battery were depleted because I can't find many pictures in their albums too. (-_-") Anyway serious bha cantik Churchill Island and we enjoyed out time there (^^) Should go!!!!!!!

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And finally, we shared this tasty hot mocha before heading to Sorrento; the place where I will settle down if I'm given the chance to choose.. (ya la tu.. Aritu ko bilang mo settle down di Jeju!)

So lesson from this part of our trip..

Yeah~ So next will be the place where I will settle down.. Sorrento.. And will combine it with Queenscliff if it's not too long hehe

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