Travelling On Cloud 9

Sunday, 28th Aug

Set my alarm for 8 am but once again snooze and laze until 930am. Woke up and made my breakfast and planned my meals for the next 2 days as I had to finish up all my food. Finally left the apartment around 1130 am and took the tram to Fitzroy Garden to look at some traditional cottages.

Walked from there to MCG hoping to get the free tourist shuttle but due to an AFL game today the stop was not operating. Ended up walking from there all the way to Federation Square to find out how to catch the shuttle. It was then 120 pm, had an aching left knee, think because I cycle and ran last night at the gym and since I recently hurt it in a fall, it seems unable to take the stress.

However walk I must, took the shuttle bus (which was very very slow to be honest) and lots of waiting time at each stop and alighted at Habour Town outlets, nothing much to buy. Tempted by Uggs but didn’t buy at all.

Left Harbor Town by shuttle bus again and alighted at Crown Casino and spent the rest of the afternoon there. Left there about 630 pm, I planned it that way so that I can find out how to walk back to my apartment after the tram/bus services ended.

Took me about 30 mins slow walk back to the apartment, part of it was uphill and my left knee was complaining like mad. Made my dinner and walked tv…can’t get enough of BBC Lifestyle channel which I can’t get to watch back home.

Finished most of my packing since I had to check out by 1030 am tomorrow. Felt that I have ran out of places to go, maybe go to Spencer Street mall but 1 mall is not much different from another. I know I will spend some time at the casino for sure because I have no idea where to go. Will have to go to the airport tomorrow night from the apartment and they have a lounge which I can pay to use but since I am not planning to stay long in the apartment area after returning, I will probably not pay for that service.

Saturday, 27th Aug

Woke up at 730 am even though my clock was set for 8 am. Guess it was because I had such a good night sleep. Made myself breakfast and took a shower and left to take a tram to Docklands. Walked around at New Quay, didn’t see anything much at Harbour Town that I was interested in (may explore more tomorrow) and then went to South Wharf to DFO (Direct Factory Outlet).

Was tempted to get a few things but resisted that. Walked down to Crown Casino and spent a few hours there. Skipped my lunch but wasn’t very hungry, must be because I have a heavy breakfast. After leaving Crown, took the tram to Melbourne Central/QV but didn’t do any shopping.

After that, took a tram back to my apartment and prepare my dinner. Took a while to prepare since it was a BIG dinner.

Finished dinner and typing my journal while having my coffee. Had been meaning to go to the gym but after such a heavy dinner, just feel like lazing (dang, getting fat to fatter, luckily walked a lot the last 2 days). Will do my laundry and take a shower before heading to bed.

Must do my various masks since my skin are getting very dry due to the weather.

Friday, 26th Aug

Arrived in Melbourne at 615am or so, an hour later due to flight delay from Singapore. Flight was on a Qantas A380, took a SQ A380 to Sydney a few years back and in comparison, there seems to be some differences.

The seat itself on Qantas doesn’t feel much wider or bigger than a normal SQ 747 for example but the aisle is definitely wider and ooh don’t get me started on the refreshment area. I don’t recall SQ having a refreshment area but Qantas does and there were cookies, cakes, soft drinks and mineral water. The flight entertainment system is more or less the same but I like the Qantas remote controller although I was using the touch screen all the time. Dinner was so so and breakfast was quite miserable, just a Danish with the standard coffee and tea.

While on the plane, I watched 2 movies – Kungfu Panda 2 and Arthur after which I tried to sleep but can’t and before I knew it, it was time for breakfast and landing.

Upon arrival in Melbourne, took the Skybus to the city, there were some heavy traffic so it took about 30 mins to get to the city instead of 20 mins as advertised. What is good about Skybus is they offer free hotel transfers from Southern Cross station when the Skybus terminates. By 8 plus I was already at the City Tempo apartment on Queen Street where I am booked for 3 nights.

I was assigned a room which was not ready but I was asked if I wanted an available room which is ready for occupancy but it is on a lower floor. Given that I was very tired I just accepted. Checked in and love the place, especially the kitchen and laundry facilities.

After unpacking, I went straight to bed, wanting to get an hour’s nap but it ended up into 2 over hours cos I kept snoozing. I woke up about 11, took a shower and headed out to Queen Victoria’s Market which is walking distance from my apartment. I thought it was a long walk but it was actually 5 mins or so only. Bought some fresh produce, like fresh button mushrooms, cauliflower, bacon and eggs for preparing my meals the next few days. Came back and bought a loaf of bread from a supermarket opposite my apartment. Came back and cook bacon, eggs and mushroom with bread. After I cooked and cleaned up, it was time to go out and sightsee and run my errands. Ran to the bank and post some letters then walked down to Flinder Street Train Station and towards South Bank and to a supermarket to grab some pasta, chicken and oyster sauce.

Took the tram back to my apartment and cooked my dinner. Then planned to do some reading but was watching tv after dinner and by 930 pm I was snoring away.

ANZ trip

Took a short 9 days trip to Melborne and Auckland, the 9th day is actually just on the plane so perhaps I should say it is a 8 days trip. I wrote down my experience and is posting them day by day right after this post.