The Yam's Journey in Australia - Chapter 4

~Day 4: Free & Easy @ Queen Victoria's Market~

Finally...finally we no need to wake up at 6a.m. for day tours liao.. finally we can sleep longer and go for our F&E trip today! Our itinerary for the day is - Queen Victoria Market.

Breakfast is Pancakes+Egg+Bacon->for me, Hawaiian Crep->for Dear, from the foodcourt. Simply delicious...And we had Juice Boosters to boost our immune system..hee.. Had an offer 1-for-1 that day oh! We took the free City Shuttle Bus to QVM. QVM is just like a bigger pasar malam, that sells Australia's souvenirs, winter clothings, household appliances, creative art pieces, aboriginal musical instruments, and also for the "wet" section are the fruits, veggies, meat, sausages, cheese, wine, sweets etc. Although its the "wet" section, basically they are very neat, dry and clean. So Dear and I was remarking that, if our markets are that clean and dry (+cool weather), we would frequent markets more often!!!

A very hilarious incident happened at the QVM - When we were buying some nuts and prunes from a Chinese vendor, Dear was trying his luck on "Singaporean-style price bargaining":

Dear: "Total how much?"

Aunty: "$32."

Dear (in soft and unconvincing tone): " $30 can?"

Aunty (in very stern voice, replied almost instantaneously): "NO!"

Dear (in even softer voice..): "i m only trying...."

!!!! Muhahahah..... Simply hilarious and ridiculous!!! Where got ppl who try to bargain becomes such a meek lamb?? Well, can't blame him also la, both of us not that thick-skinned in negotiating prices one, and that Chinese Aunty so fierce! (I think most Chinese vendors are more giam? So no room for negotiation? Hee...) Feel so sorry for my poor Dear....

Next stop, we took a train to the DFO (Direct Factory Outlets) walk walk..Something infuriating happened at the MRT station control. Dear was buying the tickets from a machine and inserted a $10 note for a $6.30 ticket. Instead of getting $3.70 change, he only got back $2.70. So we went to the Control Station personnel to explain and hope there will be a refund. The staff said that we have to fill up a form, so thinking that could be the natural procedures, we did accordingly. After filling up and returning to the staff, then we know that we have to mail it to the address as shown, and wait for our $1 to be returned to us!! Unbelievably ridiculous right? They thought that we are try to cheat them of $1 meh! We are so unlucky!!! Its our last day in Melbourne, and who would want to do all these just for $1! Forget it, just my luck - that's wat Dear threw to the Indian female staff there before going off. They are simply so inflexible. Argh!

At the DFO, there's nothing much to buy..all out of my budget, dun suit my taste, so din buy anything at all. Walked all the way back to our hotel while sight-seeing a bit here and there. At the time, most of the shops are closing or already closed..So nothing much to shop around.

We went to Crown Casino to settle our dinner, as we saw there's this buffet dinner only at $17.90/pax. Being a cheapo, we thought that would be a good deal. Regretful to say, its very very disappointing. Firstly, the variety of food sucks. Secondly, the quality and appetizing portion of the food sucks double times! Probably the soup and keropok are still ok? Simply unappetizing at all! Totally wasted our money... 真是便宜没好货!