This is the 3rd consecutive year where I've travelled alone. Each time I return, I always tell myself, "yea, it was fun, but I ought to stop travelling alone!" Its fun exploring a new place all by yourself, but there's no one to share the fun with during the trip and that takes away half the fun! But I never keep to my resolution. Still, I hope this really will be the last time.
This trip was a super impromptu one. I couldn't have planned for a change of job ahead of time, let alone be able to foretell that my request to serve a shorter notice be accepted. So, I got my tickets on Fri, and flew off the following Tues. Took me some time to persuade my Mum to allow me to go. Of all places, why Melbourne, I was asked. I was just looking at some place where the life was much slower, where I can relax and slow things down a little. Australia would make a nice destination and I could get free accomodation in Melbourne. I would have loved to travel to Chicago to meet PS, but US is a little too far for a one week trip. Yep, so I ended up in Melbourne.
Day 1
First time I took an early morn flight. I always had the impression that the DFS stores are open 24 hours. I was evidently wrong. Lucky for the terminals that provided me with free internet access and Uncle Tim for the online photos of his roadtrip, or I think I would have died of boredom at the airport.
It was evening by the time I got into Melbourne. Surprisingly, it wasn't as cold as I had expected it to be. Had Chinese food for dinner because my frens were craving for it. The portions here are HUGE!! Not that I'm a small eater, even my guy frens didn't finish their food! Adjourned to this Cafe - KokoBlack for coffee after. The hot cocoa and the ice-cream tasted so good. I so love sitting along one of these street side cafes, sipping away at a hot drink and watch the world pass you by on a cool winter night!
Then, we (or rather they) did stupid things at KS's apartment, while I watched on. Stupid because KS will so scream her head off at them the next day. But in their words, that's how they kill time at night. LoL.
Day 2
Since the motive of my trip was to relax, I didn't bother with alarms. I woke up only when I feel like getting out of bed, which, was close to noon already. Heh. Went off to explore the city on my own since my friends had lessons. The city's really small that you can cover it by foot. Since I was travelling alone, I had to ask people to help me take pictures. I approached this group of Chinese and spoke to them (of course) in Chinese. But that stunned them. As they were walking away, heard them discussing among themselves that they thought I was Korean! I shall just take that as a compliment.
Yea!! Was invited to dinner at my ex-colleagues place. YS met up with me at 630pm to bring me over to their place. 630pm!!! Its peak period there, yet, she can get off this early. Those in SG, the thought of it sux right? Our peak days, perhaps end at 12 - 1am the next morning!!
Thought I could sample Mich's cooking but nope, she couldn't get off work in time to cook since she gets home only at 7-ish. Instead, their housemate cooked for us. There was quite a spread! Steam fish, pasta, pork, veggie. She really can cook! I was told that Mich can really cook too. It was a really short dinner, because I had to rush off to catch a movie.
Movie's supposed to be at 8pm. But we went in only around 830pm. There's some student special where the tix is 1-for-1, which was why I watched a movie there. Or I was told, a movie ticket there cost ard A$15. After the show, I was asked if I wanted to go to the all-famous Casino. I told them I don't mind taking a look, but I don't gamble. To that, I got a reply, "I also don't gamble, I only play. Gambling is about greed, about wanting to win money." LoL. A good one there. Well, the only thing I've ever played in a casino was the slots machine. I know nuts about all the other games. 4 of us stopped at the roulette table. 3 were completely lost at how it's played, so the 4th person had to explain how the game works. Haha.
It was off to more food after. Dessert at Greccos!! Its this dessert place that serve really delicious cakes! The variety was crazy. But we couldn't order that many either since every slice was, as usual, large! Our orders - tiramisu, some custard cake (none of us can pronounce that word), mars cheesecake and banana cake. Except for the mars cheesecake, the rest of the cakes were only half-eaten. Such a waste! But we really really couldn't eat anymore. We hang around the place, chatting till about 2 plus before heading back. Bunked at another fren's place because I didn't have keys to get back and felt bad about waking my fren in the middle of the night. Slept only for about 1.5hrs in e early morn and got woken up by my fren who was trying to cook at 630am! I'm astonished! No matter how hungry I am, I don't think I'll ever cook at 630am. I'll just grab anything that's ready-to-eat. That's how lazy I am. Heh. Neways, him cooking means I get to eat too!! Ooohh... I'm such a leech. Bleah.
Day 3
After a sleepless night, I slept most of the day away. Went out in the late afternoon and took the city tram around. Checked out Docklands, their waterfront living area. If only I could afford to live at the waterfront. Sigh. Will this day ever come? Dinner was Greek food. The dips are so delicious! Y do food portions have to be so huge here? If only they were smaller, then I would be able to try more stuff.
Juf's fren was bored after having slept for I think the last 24hrs and is wide awake now! So he came over and we player poker. Loser was to drink tequila shots. Eeekss. After the tequila shots downed during every company's bash, I really don't wish to have to drink tequila. Luckily, I was on a winning streak! I was really dead tired, and wished to sleep. I was going to the Great Ocean Road early tomorrow morning, and I really don't wish to oversleep and miss the trip. It was about 3am by the time he left.
Day 4
I opened my eyes, and realised something's really wrong. The sky's a little too bright for the time that I'm supposed to be up by. Grabbed my phone and to my horror, its 720am!!! AHHHHH!! I was supposed to be at the pickup location at 715am!! I wondered why I didn't hear my alarm?? Luckily, the bus was a little late in setting off too and I had a contact no which they could get me on, and getting them to wait for about 10 mins was alright. Don't ask me how, but I managed to get ready in like 5 mins. If only I could do that every morning, then I'll have more time in bed. Heh.
About 2 hrs into the bus ride out of the city, my phone started vibrating. I wondered who it might be? The earlier mystery's solved! Not that I didn't hear the alarm go off, its just that, it never went off. The dodo me forgot that my phone is SG time, which is 2 hours behind. I would've so knocked my head against the wall had I not made it for this trip to the Great Ocean Road all because I was so silly.
The 12 (rather 8) apostlesI ain't the only one going on this day trip alone. There were 2 other gals who were alone too. So naturally, we cliqued. Lauren's from Boston, doing her post graduate course at the moment. Claudia's from Israel. But she's Chinese, her parents are from Hong Kong. She's a yr younger than me, spent a whole year backpacking in Australia. 1 entire year!! There's a young korean couple who spent half a year backpacking in OZ too. These people just make me so envious of them!! Funny thing is, Claudia thought I was only 20 when in fact, I'm older than her. She looks really tough! The super independent and don't come mess with me look! Kinda intimidating actually, but good for a gal who's backpacking on her own. Apparently in Israel, its really common for people to take a year off to travel before they start university. After high school, the guys will serve military for 3 yrs, while the gals do it for 2 yrs. Then they'll travel for a year before returning for college. At 23, 24, then they'll start college. At that age, I've been working for almost 2 yrs already!! Arrgghhh! Why isn't it in SG's culture where people take a year off to travel before they start work or something? Everyone here is just so eager to get into the work force as soon as they can. Madness. All 3 of us had something in common - that is, we're all single, having just walked out of a relationship in the last year or so. It was fun, sharing our stories along the way =p Looking at the korean couple made me wonder when I'll ever be able to do that - go on a long trip with my bf. That day is still really really faraway, and perhaps will only occur in my dreams. Haha.
It was the first time the driver cum guide took a group out to the Great Ocean Road. She took a couple of wrong turns but luckily, she always realises it fast enough. On our journey back, she even had to engage the help of another passenger to read the map and navigate for her.
I love the Great Ocean Road and the weather was really brilliant for a day out along the coast. The sun was up, took away part of the chill and made the surroundings look so much more pretty. It helped that I really love the sea too! Thinking back, I ought to have stayed along the coast for a night, then I would be able to catch the sunrise the next morning. Its alright! I believe I'll visit again!
Day 5
Juf's fren kindly agreed to bring us out to one of the vineyards in Yarra Valley, and also to drop by and take a look at the puffing billy, an authentic steam train. The drive to Yarra wasn't that far, about an hour odd. Its winter, the planting season, no grapes to see. But the scenery is spectacular and the air, exceptionally fresh. Its as though ur heart beats slower, everything ard u is so serene and peaceful. Really relaxing and refreshing. After tasting the wine, we drove down to a small town, Belgrave, to catch the puffing billy train. The train is fully run by volunteers who're residents of that small town. We were discussing about how nice life will be in that little town. Everything's so simple and laid-back there. But of course, one cannot know about the temptations that exist in the outside world. To us, we reckoned that we won't be able to live that kind of simple life after all these years of living admist the temptations. Even if possible, it would only be for a short while, as we take a breather from our crazy lives.
Lunch was fish and chips, and we ate in this playground in the town. The warmth of the food as you hold it in your hands and slowly savour it in the cold was so nice!! LOL. I kinda like the weather there quite a bit.
Had Viet food for dinner with Mich and adjourned to this greek dessert place. I seriously don't think I eat as much in SG. Seems like I was bingeing in Melbourne!!
Day 6
On the way to Church, we met with an accident. Its literally starting the day with a BANG! No one was hurt, except for the car. Hmm, not sure how much the repairs are going to cost. Met up with ur bro and cuzs for lunch PS. Ur bro suggested this pancake house. Great choice cos I like pancakes!! But the mirror at the entrance was kinda wrong. Its those mirrors that make u look fat! Place that at the entrance, who in the world is going to eat ur pancakes after seeing themselves so fat?? LoL. But of course we didn't bother about it and had our fill!
We all went our separate ways after lunch and I wasted the rest of the afternoon away.
Day 7
Procrastination the day before, left me unable to go on a day trip to Philip Island to watch the penguins. Weather forecast had said it was going to rain, which was why I hesitated. Then, I happen to see my cousin online who told me to choose shopping over Philip Island. Now, I still can't understand, how my cousin, a guy, could spend an entire day shopping at Smith Street. In an hour or so, I was bored. Nothing caught my eye in the shops. So, I decided to try something crazy. I read that there are trains that go to Philip Island, so I rushed down to the visitor's centre to check things out and see if I can make my own way there. Now, its really not possible to RUSH in Melbourne. The trams are so slow, that they just drive you nuts should you be in a hurry. But it didn't really matter. I was told that transportation to the island is really limited. Its either you drive yourself there or take the day tour. Its not possible to catch a train there. Oh well, having drove a short distance the other day at Yarra Valley, I know I can't possibly be navigating AND driving at the same time. Moreover, it was a rainy day and by the time the penguin parade ends, its goin to be late in the night. The highways have no streetlamps, and I ain't confident of driving in that kind of pitch darkness.
In the end, I explored South Melbourne in the afternoon. It was a superbly cold day since it had been raining on and off throughout. Didn't help that there aren't big shopping centres in the south. It was mainly littered with cafes along the streets with a whole stretch of the St Kilda's beach. So, I was kinda freezing out there.
Jap dinner tonight. Words can't describe how glad I was when I finally stepped into the warmth of the restaurant! I ain't the only one cause my friend was freezing cold too! As usual, it was off to drinks after dinner. My friend brought me to this place called Lounge. I was pleasantly suprised that coffee is served in a pub. We sat at the alfresco area cause the air was less polluted by cigarette smoke. But I didn't last long there. I was freezing depsite sitting directly in front of the heater. Went along with my friend to collect some stuff and had to walk in the strong cold winds. It was so cold, I wished I could just dig a hole and hide underground!! Haha.
Last day
Only went to Queen Victoria Market to buy all the goodies back for my dear family and friends in SG. Mich was free and in the city, so she came by and have lunch with me =)
After a week, I've adjusted to the weather and the pace of life there. But its also time for me to return to SG. *Sighz* its always like that.
Sat next to this Singaporean, Aussie PR on the flight back. Typically, she's a commerce student. Just that she's doing her PhD right now. In her 1st yr, she was homesick, but right now, she doesn't want to come back. Heh. I guess I can understand. I would love to live on my own too. But it doesn't work in SG. No one rents. Everyone lives with their parents, unlike in other countries. Don't get me wrong here. I love my family and they do give me the freedom that I want and is always supportive of all that I do. But the constant naggings still exist. I want the space without all the naggings. The more I travel, the more I yearn to move out and live on my own. Will this day ever come?? Hmm... PS, waiting for you to come back and rent a place with me!!
