I Need an Invention, Intention, to stop Temptation to Scream...: Melbourne

23rd Dec 2007 - Arrival in Melbourne, St Kilda's Beach

We took the plane from Perth to Melbourne at 0030 (Perth time), and reached Melbourne around 0600 in the morning.

The lovely sunrise high in the air.

And so after settling down our luggages at our respective houses, we went to St Kilda's Beach with Sil, who was already there for a week. Hence, she was our guide to the city.

The trams which made the city's view of the sky kinda obstructed, coz there were lines running all over.

After a long 45mins bus ride which took us to the city, and another 10mins tram ride, we finally reached St Kilda's Beach. The beach was rather dirty, after seeing the pristine clean beaches at Rottnest and Cottesloe (but definitely much cleaner than SG's). Hence, not much pictures of the beaches.

St Kilda's Beach Markets, which sells all sorts of arty farty thingy, ranging from colourful art pieces to porcelain candle holders, to pouches.

Luna Park, which wasn't anything fantastic. I'd prefer Leofu Village in Taipei, or our Perth Royal Show anytime!

We were really tired as we took the overnight flight, and so we adjourned to the Monarch Cafe shortly after lunch. Little cafes dotted the shops along St Kilda's Beach and we had a hard time choosing which one to go to. And we finally chose one which had a really old school feel to it.

Check out the weighing machine and the cash register!

The cakes on display!

24th Dec 2007 - Northland and Carolling

The whole day was spent nua-ing and then going to the neighbourhood shopping centre, Northland, which was just HUGE! Shopped for stuffs for the Christmas gift exchange.

At night, Rui and I joined MX, Suet and TLP for some carolling with their church people. It's so fun, going door to door and spreading some Christmas Cheer! Those that opened the door were really appreciative, wanting to give us money (which we rejected of course), and lollies. The first one to open the door to us even prayed for us. Some others who rejected us were, well, just rude.

I am proud to say that I've been carollinf for 5 years straight, and that had not been stopped even when I'm overseas! =))

25th Dec 2007 - Brighton Beach

Christmas Day saw the whole gin gang of us (8 of us) making use of the free transport and making our way down to Brighton beach. We took lotsa pictures along the colourful beach!

It was a very chilly and windy Christmas. We were lucky as before we arrived in Melbourne, Sil was caught in a storm and that resulted in very very bad traffic. The Perthians brought sunshine to Perth. And then the weather went up to 42 a few days after. Hmmm..

Us with the sandwich mainly prepared by Sil. Yummy egg and chicken mayo sandwiches.

Only brave Rui went down into the freezing water. And after that, we spent some of our time burying her in the warm sand.

The part of the beach where colourful 'houses" stand.

Some of them hold boats and some of them are actually "houses". This kind family allowed us to take a picture of them with the house.

Lotsa seagulls!

After Brighton Beach, we made our way to Chinatown (Little Bourke Street in City) for our dinner.

Horse drawn carriages!!

The whole gin gang again!

With some of our spread!

26th Dec 2007 - Post Christmas Sale, Belated Christmas Dinner

This day was a day of shopping and more shopping!! Myers was having their annual stock-take sale, and so was many other shopping outlets!! It was the day we literally went wild with our shopping! And that was just the 3rd day we reached there!