Melbourne CBD (^^) Part 1

So we did our Great Ocean Road and the Grampians tour, went hot air ballooning in Yarra Valley, drove all the way from Melbourne to Philip Island then to Sorrento, crossed the channel to Queenscliff and finally drove back to Melbourne CBD...That left us with three days to explore the CBD.

After so  much trouble from finding our way to return the car (where I almost hit an old lady because I don't understand how the traffic light works) MR and I decided that we should just walk back to our hostel..

MR and I were so hungry so we had Indonesian food that evening and strolled a bit to get the feel of how Melbourne City was like on a Saturday

There was this guy who used water to make a very nice painting on Swanston street that evening. He calls himself Splash Baron and he even has his own facebook page. Quite famous (^^)

There were some youths breakdancing at the same street; a few blocks from the Splash Baron. And at that time there was this kid who was actually passing by with his parents. They were standing there, like MR and I, watching the dancers and suddenly the kid just dance his way towards one of  the dancer hehe sangat confident dan comel ok!

It was a cold evening so I thought some calories would give me some heat. So I tried the African sauce! PUNYA SADAP!

Then on our way to the hostel, we passed this park. Not sure of the name but we walked pass it almost everyday. Cantik ok benda itu. I'm not sure whether this is considered as fountain ka bukan haha macam shower jak kn :p

This is one of the cathedral there. I think this one is St Patrick and the one in front of Federation Square is St Paul.. And.. I was right when I said St Paul was built in early 1900.. Ok actually it started earlier la but the construction finished around that heee  (^^)/ I looked it up in Wiki. Thanks Wiki heee

So then, the next morning, the rest decided to go shopping at the Queen Victoria Market while I decided to start off a bit late and head straight to the Museum. So on top is the Royal Exhibition Building.. It is a UNESCO world heritage since it is one of the great exhibition building built in the 18th century. Actually there's a scheduled tour that cost around $5 but the timing was not right for me because I want to go somewhere else.. So I didn't see how it was inside

Right in front of the Royal Exhibition Hall is the museum. So I bought the entrance ticket and also a ticket to watch a short film in the IMAX hehe I just wanted to experience the world's 3rd largest screen :p

Sadly, the section about the aborigines was closed until 2013. I was there for that actually.. So I just stroll at the 'The Melbourne Story' section. There, it tells the story of how Melbourne was  opened by John Batman and there was the chronology of how Melbortne become of what it is today. There were quite a number of signage that has Batman on it in the city, so we were actually wondering who is this Batman.. Ingatkan ada kaitan dengan Gotham city or what haha rupanya the founder.. 

While waiting for the IMAX movie to start, I trudge to Swanston street with my growling stomach. Swanston street has a number of halal food restaurants but I like to eat the Briyani at this small shop just next to the Lord of the Fries. So, I sort of helped to clear up the table because I want to eat on it la kan.. Then I ate la kan, and took that bottled orange juice with pulp which cost $3 from the fridge. The worker said something to me when I took it from the fridge, but I can't hear him clearly. Maybe I was too hungry.. Then when I paid with 2 pieces of $10 note he returned one of it to me..

GG: I thought the change should be $7

Worker: No no.. It's only $10

GG: What about the drink?

Worker: That's free for you

T_T woho berjaya jimat $3 weyh! that's 3 x 3.2 =RM 9.60 \\(".) syukor!

Woho! Nampak pakcik itu?? Okay this is actually the Old Melbourne Gaol.. Sebotan Gaol itu Jail yah hehe The entrance fee is quite pricey but I think it's worth to visit. Not much of a picture-taking place. But I think the history, events and the stories of the criminals are interesting.. 

I was actually scared walking in there alone. There were only few visitors so I was in the cellars alone all the time. The cellars were small and each cellar used to house one convict at a time. They will be given a bible and placed in solitary to allow them to repent. The place has this eerie attribute to it that sometimes I had goosebumps and decided not to finish my reading haha One of such occasion was when I was reading this letter that a convict wrote to his parents before he was executed

These are the death mask of some of the convicts.. Sangat takot ok kalo tengok benda ni sorang2 di dalam bilik yang kecil and dimly lit! (-_-") dan sy bukan seorang yang penakot sebenarnya..

This is how it looks like outside the cellar.. Kena letak orang kan sy cakap baru bukan dari google image

This man, he was accused to have raped and murdered a girl. He was given death penalty and to his death he constantly said he was innocent and one day it'll be proven. And it was proven that he was innocent quite recently by modern forensic.. Kesian...

But the reasons why some of the convicts were prisoned kadang2 x bole blah ok.. curi kasot di England  pon kena penjara di Tasmania ok! And then baru di transfer pi Melbourne..

But there's one thing that I missed when visiting this place. It's the Watch House Experience. MR, SJ and RA went for it while I hurried for the IMAX show. It's a short visit into the watch house and you'll experience how it feels like to be arrested and locked up. They told me the guards were really strict and they really feel like they were real prisoners. 

Next will be the last part about Melbourne CBD (^^)

Read More

2012 RECAP!! \(^^)/

I say, 2012 was awesome!!!!! So I'm welcoming 2013 WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN *dengan sora garau ala2 Creed*.. So before I start with my resolutions.. Lets just do some recap.. I do expect this to be a lengthy post heeee

TRAVELS

I guess 2011 was tough for me; trying to adapt to new responsibilities at work.. So I needed a quick getaway as a start and one evening, I just sort of merajuk because my dad only bought nasi ayam for my brother and that actually triggered the idea for the expensive 1 night stay in Gayana Resort in Gaya Island.. Duh! Spoilt brat!!! (-_-") But really.. I think it was not solely because of the nasi ayam incident.. I just want  to clear my mind and start anew.

Gayana Getaway

Then.. in February was my Beijing trip which is currently at the bottom of my 2012 best moments list.. I don't like to remember about it much because I didn't really enjoy it. Since I was joining a tour group, so I'd to follow the tight schedule and have to bear with all the shopping centres instead of enjoying my time at the main attractions.. Anyway,  I still enjoyed my time walking along one of the world wonders; The Great Wall of China yaw! And I learnt something new about myself too.. HAZIAH SALLEH HATES WINTER!

And in April, I finally conquered Mount Kinabalu \(^^)/ and I also walked the world highest via ferrata .. AWESOMENESS

And a week after that, I went climbing in Batu Caves. HH said, "Aku baru je jumpe ko last week kt Sabah,G" hikhik Actually, I didn't realize that both trips were so close together hehe maen join jak kan ;p

Then comes my first white water rafting experience in Padas River. Happy that I repeated it last weekend, 29 December; gave me a different experience altogether. Will blog about it later (^^)

Then comes our Sandakan trip to visit this fella hehe And we cruised along the Kinabatangan river and spent a night in a budget lodging there (^^)

Then comes our long-awaited trip to Korea.. This sure was a long wait. HH and I bought the tickets in October 2012, and suddenly it just passed... Korea is actually not in my wishlist but I did enjoy this trip very much. Will come back to Korea but maybe in 6-7 years time.. Still too many countries to explore! \(^^)/

And finally comes our Downunder trip. A long wait also; bought the tickets in December 2011!!! Australia has always been on the top of my wishlist. What allured me?? Everything about the continent; the wildlife, the nature and the people \(^^)/ and I love the trip so much that I know I'll be back soon.. Yeah.. soon! (^^)

And finally, as a closure for my 2012 travels was my family trip to Bandung (^^)/ Will blog about this after I finish my Melbourne trip.. Adeh! Slow btol la blogging di hujung tahun ni

EVENTS

One of the most important event for year 2012 is....

of course HH's wedding heee

Then Ricci and Fega's visit to my home in Labuan is also considered important. we had BBQ at the beach with my family and the two of them shopped bags of chocolates! And kalo dengan jijiyana, pastilah ada sesi bersukan! haha We played badminton too \(^^)/

 And one more thing that I consider one of the best blessings for year 2012 is watching my brother stand up again after a year full of turmoil in 2011 (^^) An event that taught me; every person deserve a chance.. Some things are worth praying hard for and worth waiting for.. while I'd been given the opportunity to witness the beauty of Allah's creation in different parts of the world this year, the best sight was when I saw my brother spread the prayer mat on the floor one evening, stood facing the qiblat and  started praying... 

Career

Though I'm very much into exploring and doing outdoor sports, but when it comes to career, I actually prefer to be in my comfort zone. But, in August, there was some sort of twist of fate and I was posted to another place to replace a colleague who'd  resigned. At that time, I was actually at a plateau. Where everything was in order and were under good control and suddenly I've to start all over again.. I was depressed for a few weeks but when I've adapted to it, I think this is how it is suppose to be (^^)

Currently, I'm feeling so lucky that I was chosen to be posted there. I'm learning a lot in daily basis and I'm lovin' it!

Pharmacist mode (^^)

Others..

Love..  I said I want to keep it for another year and I did haha New people keep coming in my life but it seems that I just haven't met him yet. Or maybe we've met, but it's still not the right time... So, for year 2013, my calendar is full until December; all are for my travels yah! So do not expect any wedding invitation for this year heee (^^)v


RESOLUTION

I want to keep this year's resolution simple and concise..

I want to make 2013 an even greater year for me than 2012! 
\(^^)/

yah! But first.. Kasi habis la post 2012 ko tu Haziah!!!!

Read More

Melbourne Trip: Queenscliff (^^)

Wo0o0p! My Aussie post got into a halt for a bit there.. Was on vacation with family in Bandung.. Had a shopping and food galore and badan seperti di pam pam skarang (-_-") anyway, lets continue with the Queenscliff post.. I can't believe it took me 3 weeks from my last post to actually get this started..

So.. From Sorrento, we took the Searoadferries to cross from the Mornington Peninsula to the Bellarine Peninsula. We took the 6 pm ferry; the last ferry. The fare was $59 for the car plus the driver and $10 for each of the passenger. It's kind of like the ferry we use for Menumbok-Labuan but this one was more cozy and luxurious-looking.

We enjoyed the cruise. SJ and I kept our eyes vigilant for we really wish to see dolphins but there were none hehe It was too cold when we got to Queenscliff, checked in at Queenscliff Inn and spent the night chatting. There was not much to do at small towns but we really enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at night since we could all recharge for the next day.

Suka kan ambil gambar begini?? Nanti kalo teda orang dalam gambar, 

orang bilang ambil dari Google image :p

The initial plan was to spend some time in Geelong before we head to Melbourne but then when we were at the tourist centre, I sort of overheard an old chap telling a worker there of how amazing the boat tour was so I thought maybe we should at least check it out at the port and later decide whether we should go for it or not.

I say, the port itself is a very scenic place. On the right side of this pic, there's actually a block of diving shops, boat tour companies and restaurants.You can go up the light house and get a  360 degree view of Queenscliff and the Mornigton Peninsula too!

Satu lagi gambar bajet~

This pic was taken as we were climbing the stairs to the top of the light house.

So after looking at what they are offering for the tour at the price of $65, we decided to have a go. I already watched dolphins last time in Bali but then an extra for this boat tour package was the seal watching.

So we suit up! My jacket was obviously too big for me. I was wondering, why do we have to wear such a thick jacket and not just a life jacket alone like we use to in Malaysia.. Na kau... Dalam boat, ombak dia.. OMG OMG OMG!! Besar betol!

At first, we just cruise along the coast to watch the lighthouses; black and white. We were told about their history and functions back during the gold rush era. The channel is narrow and the rapid and high water is a big challenge to the skill of ship navigators so these lighthouses assisted the navigation through. Even nowadays, there are still Pilot boats hovering around the coast, helping ships and boats to navigate into the channel.

So we went to the deeper side of the ocean when searching for the dolphins and seals. This was when my butt got lifted from the seat when the boat got hit by the waves. 

"Ni tak payah gi theme park ni!!!"

Then the boatman told us we were actually on top of an underwater canyon and that was why the wave is so huge though the land is still in sight. We were still close to the land but yup, the wave was treacherous!

I couldn't get any pic of the dolphins since they passed us too quickly, but to me this was a closer encounter compare to the one in Bali. They even jumped! And for the seals... when we were on the rough sea, we saw something floating. From a distant, it looked like a shark fin.. But it was actually a seal's flipper! It was lazing, staying afloat on the surface. Sangat santai!

Then we went to watch the Gannets' nesting place! I've never been a fan of birds, but since my Kinabatangan trip, I seem to be more fond of them. And in Australia, it seems that they have lots of different species and they are surprisingly tame.. So I was somewhat intrigued by the behaviour of the Gannets though I was only watching them for a few minutes. One thing that amazed me most was when they dive into the water to catch fish! 

And after that we crossed over to Mornington Peninsula to watch the Fort Napean and The Quarantine station

The Quarantine Station.. o0o0o0 seagull.. Mula2 aku cam excited nampak seagull but after a few days, I found them annoying because they like to disturb human and steal food!

The port view from the boat

And finally, on our way to Melbourne, I got to be the passenger and not the driver. Just lepas tu tension sangat drive dalam city because the traffic is soooo confusing!! It took MR and I more than an hour to get us into the right street to return the car!! 

Next will be Melbourne CBD post.. And that should be after my new year's resolutions post :p

Read More

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!

Read More

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..."

(^^)

Read More