The Yam's Journey in Australia - Chapter 1

After 1-2 months of preparation and itinerary planning (mostly done by Mr Yam, while Mrs Yam went ard "snooping" for survival tips here and there), the 11 days Melbourne + Sydney trip has ultimately finalized, and we shall start the Yam's Journey in Australia on 09.09.07! Wat an "auspicious" date to start our 1st journey into an "ang-moh" country...haha...

~Day 1: Arriving in Melbourne~
We'd finally reached our first stop in Australia - MELBOURNE after 7 hours ride on Qantas flight, reaching about 5 a.m. in the wee hours. I'd tried SQ flight catering food before, but never Qantas, so this was our first experience. I like their food, very "Aussie" style - Cadbury chocolates, Cadbury Hot Choc with marshmallow, pasta, ice-cream (nvr had ice-cream on air flight before! haha.. Nice treat!) Can't really sleep on the flight cuz' excited lah, passengers walkin ard lah, noises from kids lah..anyway its endless disturbance. So by the time we reached Melbourne, we were so zombie. Despite feeling tired, I was excited about every single little thing that I saw, I heard, I experienced in the airport. For e.g., each toilet cubicle has this little box for needle/syringe disposal. I wonder is it for those with diabetes? If so, the Aussie govt are very concerned for this group of people out there. The airport security checks - Very stringent. Opened almost all our bags and see wat kind of food we brought in, asked questions on why we came Australia, for how long..Never had me being questioned so detailed before. Well, maybe the Aussies are kinda "wary" of Asians like us?

After stepping out of the airport, hopped on an Airport Shuttle Bus which transports us to the Bus Central Station where we will get on a free shuttle bus to our hotel. Once we got off from the shuttle bus, what I see is a breathtaking sight.. Nothing extraordinary, just the beautiful sky that just started to brighten up, bluey greyish, sun breaking thru the clouds, cool winds blowing, trees that have shed all their leaves standing all alone in the cold...It's just a very touching sight to me... I was feeling all the sights I was seeing in front of me. Everything in Melbourne seems so beautiful to me, even the skies, even the trees, even the buildings, even the air that I breathe in...

We quickly checked into our hotel - Travelodge @ Southbank. As we had requested to check in earlier than the normal time, they gave us a room with separate beds for the day, then will switch to double bed for following day. Wat the heck! Take it liao, too tired to consider to sleep together or not. Got sleep can liao..haha.. We pigged till mid-noon whereby we'd a day trip planned - Penguin Viewing @ the Philip Island.

Before we started the journey, we quickly went to the foodcourt near our hotel (which is also near the charming Yarra River) to catch a bite. Sandwiches, and more sandwiches are stuffed in the display glass of almost every food counter. We like sandwiches, especially its stuffed with ham, egg, cheese and stuffs. haha.. Got ourselves coffee to wake us up too. Couldn't resist taking some quicky pics at the Yarra River because I simply love the majestic historical buildings along the river, the colors of the Spring...They are just so alluring, all pieces fitted into one scenic picture.

Our AAT Kings Australian Day Tour Coach guide is very multi-tasked one! They can drive, and act as tour guide at the same time! Along the way, they will tell you on the left have wat buildings, with wat stories behind them, how many years of history... Amazing!! *Clap Clap* Maybe our local tour guides can consider learning from them? Hmm?? haha...

Our first stop is at the Warook Cattle Farm, where we first tried their homemade scones with cream and jam, complimented with their infamous Devonshire Tea...Simply warming to our stomach.. A pity the bus journey along the mountainous slopes got me feelin' giddy and sick, so glad to have the tea to make me feel betta. Expecting to see many Aussie animals there, but only saw a few wallabies, ducks and cattle around the farm. A little excited getting close to the wallabies for the first time, and feeding them food personally. They seemed quite used to being fed by visitors like us that they dun seem so "enthu" about eatin the food from us...Give us face then eat a little lah..haha...

Next stop is at the Koala Conservation Centre. I love K-O-A-L-A-S!!! But well, the few of them seem to be sleeping soundly in this cold and windy season...Mostly catch them snoozing.. Only 1 or 2 woke up for a while, then sleep back. But they are so cute when they are sleepin so comfortably that you feel like pinchin' them!!! Lazy Koalas..hee...

Along the journey to Philip Island, we will stop at some scenic points, to view the vast blue sea, to take pictures of the rising waves against the rocks...Lucky us, we caught a glimpse of a short rainbow after the drizzle... Imagine seeing such a wonderful sight among the blue skies and sea? So high...haha...

When we reached the final stop - Philip Island, the skies were starting to darken as it would be the time for the little penguins to onshore after a whole day out at sea. A pity we can't take pictures as the nature conservatists do not wan us to disturb the penguins' routine with our flashes. So I bought postcard of the penguins since I won't have any chance to take picture of them. The fairy penguins are really cute, waddling their small backsides as they march in groups, towards the shore. When we walked up to the Visitor Centre, we were walking along side-by-side with some of the penguins who seemed to be lost? staying abit far from the sea bay? Anyway, they have this "lost" look...haha.. so cute!!!! One of my favourite animals too...

The day ended, and we went for dinner at a small town before heading back to the hotel..Slept most of the time..Pity the coach guide who had been patiently talking for most of the journey while me was snoozin away.. (Sounds like Koala huh? :P )