The Cube

Little P said I stopped blogging after I finished the Japan trip series, and that to promote more posts, I should go travel more often. LOL.. *ponder

Anyways... I found myself back to Canberra, ACT. Hmm.. not that there are a lot going on there for me to go back again and again. Despite my 3rd visit to the capital of Australia, I have not step my foot at the Australia War Memorial. This trip was more so of running an errand, an important one.

I took a Murrays Coach this time round, and googled up on public transports in Canberra, as I did plan on going to the Australia War Memorial (as there wasn't much choice left) and Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, just because it was a more feasible distance destination. But no, I ended up walking the whole time I was in Canberra, no buses, no Australia War Memorial and no Fyshwick Market. Blame the weather, it looked so threatening to rain but it didn't *roll eyes*I stayed in Rydges Lakeside Canberra, after being conned by google map. I promised when I first googled it, it told me this said hotel is on the same side as Malaysian High Commission. Just like this...


Walking direction and it's 3 minutes away! I was a happy girl. Note the 'was'. Imagine my horror when I reached there.. and it told me walking time about 45 minutes (from memory). I googled many, many times and it told me it was 3 minutes away.

Despite coaches stop at the other side of the city, I decided that I would stay in this 3 minutes away from Malaysian High Commision hotel, in spite of not so good review in tripadvisor. By the way, those reviews are pretty much hit on the spot, nice lobby but the room were old. Overall it was clean but the carpet makes me tip toe when I walked and hotels in Australia doesn't provide slippers.

So, in the end, I spent 15 minutes walking to the city where they have the big Westfield, and 45 minutes to Malaysian High Commission. Also, as I did not bring my mobile charger with me at that time (thinking it was only a night), and didn't want to risk getting lost or late the next morning, I tried walking 45 mins there...and back (another 45 mins).

The whole trip pretty much revolved around me walking back and forth :P

Behind Rydges Lakeside Canberra, there was this little bridge, the beginning of the walk towards Lake Burley Griffin.


See.. there's the hotel, even the building looks yellower than the rest of them.


From small bridge to bigger bridge. View from the bridge.


The lake itself!


Parliament House from afar

Back to the main road after a stretch of walk by the lake.

Crossing the big bridge which connects the 2 side of Canberra.

That was the bridge that I just walked crossed.

The other side of the lake.. Canberra Nara Peace Park

Don't play play, this led to where the embassies/consulates/high comms... I was unsure, looking at the little path...that was what google map said (when it was showing the correct distance.)

Destination.



Side note: I must be more productive tomorrow! Ganbaro!

Wanted to go see Floriade, the spring flower festival in Canberra since last year when I first came to Australia. As I said that, it meant that I didnt go last year. Tour guide brought me to the Canberra again this year, for Floriade this year.


This year's theme was Mind, Body and Soul


Most of the flowers were tulips,

Read: That's when tour guide got some bad hay fever attack

... but there were some stalls selling food, candles, soaps. That's when we thought that the organisers may consider stall selling medications for hayfever relief :P


In the middle of it, a ferris wheel..



Unfortunately, the weather was not good that day, it was raining most of the day :(


Side note: Happy Halloween's Day :)

Second day in Canberra were spent walking on the other side of Lake Burley Griffin before visiting Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre.

2nd row, left - that's the War Memorial from afar

Questacon is not only just walk and view, there are things to play and experiment.



One of them is this Free Fall thingy where you fall from vertical 6 metres. You are required to slip on an overall and up on a staircase. Then you will be assisted to hang on to a bar and when you are ready, you let go... and fall....

Camera not fast enough to capture free fall action

Thereafter thought would go have a look at this market call Old Bus Depot Market. Hmm.. not too impressive, not much differ from other markets I've been in Sydney. Only took picture of the entrance :P

The last stop was to Cockington Green Gardens. It was little away from city and the garden closes at 5 pm with last entry time at 4.15 pm (cannot reach too late mah, tak sempat). From the website, tickets for adult cost at $16.50 per person. I went with the tour guide and we bought the adult value pack for 2 at $36.90 which includes admission, miniature train tickets (separately sold at $2), souvenir guide book and cake & gift shop discount voucher. When we reached, we were a little late and the cafe was already closed.

We got went on the miniature train ride which brings us around the garden first as the train leaves at certain time. The garden is divided into garden exhibits and indoor displays.

Indoor display room - The Rose Room

Outdoor exhibits are divided into buildings from UK and international displays.

The one in the middle is the miniature version of the main building of Cockington Green

the International exhibits

Umm... unfortunately the batteries for the camera went died after a couple of shots and my phone too. Had to borrow the tour guide's phone to take those pictures..

Due to all the rushing, we only had lunch some baklavas as lunch :P and needless to say, I dozed off on the way home as well.. hehe...


Side note: Learning about Don Bradman is part of my education plan... chotto...

Despite Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney may be more well known but Australia's capital is actually Canberra. I remembered my father was the one who told me that many donkey years ago.

Mr Tour Guide said there isn't much in Canberra but as I requested for it, we went on a weekend away to Canberra.

on the way to ACT.. but this was taken on the way

crossing to Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Canberra housed the Parliament, many embassies, War Memorial. We went to both the old and new Parliament but skipped the War Memorial (maybe next time :P)

After feeding ourselves, we wanted to try the paddle boats in Lake Burley Griffin, despite it was still well in May which technically is still spring, the paddle boats operator has closed for winter. We were considering of cycling but it was another 30 minutes till the shop closed. No choice, we walked.

Lake Burley Griffin

the new Parliament. It wasn't even 6pm but already pitch dark

Old Parliament which now house Museum of Australian Democracy

Both the old and new Parliament together with the War Memorial were built in the way that they are in one straight line.

After that, it was to the Black Mountain. Was very windy and cold at that time, also with my point and shoot camera, this is all I managed.



Side note: Am pressured to write the story of Don Bradman...