The Cube

It was a 3D3N trip - Friday to Sunday night, departed from Melbourne on Monday evening. Despite it was a fairly short trip, I wanted to go to the Great Ocean Road and my travel companion had very kindly agreed to driving, despite the long drive. The plan was to break the journey, making a pit stop in Torquay. So, our overnight stay was a night in Alto on Bourke, followed by Crowne Plaza Torquay, then back to Alto on Bourke.

Breakfast on Saturday morning was with one of my old friend, near South Melbourne Market. Ah, good old Melbourne with the funny hook turn. Grin, the first time I saw it, I thought someone was hogging in the middle of a crossroad! :P



These were actually our second breakfast. We were too hungry earlier, and had a bite near the hotel prior to having these. And no, despite glutton, I didnt have both.

We left for Torquay probably slightly after noon. Despite the pit stop at Torquay, the second half of the drive was actually longer as Torquay is actually nearer to Melbourne although the Great Ocean Road starts in Torquay.

on the way to Torquay

Courtesy of my travel companion, we had a good night stay in Crowne Plaze Torquay. It was a really nice big room, complete with a bar kitchen and spacious balcony.


Unfortunately, the weather forecast that week showed that it would rain, it started pouring that Saturday night. Oh well, it's Melbourne anyway - it's said that you can experience 4 seasons in a day in Melbourne. :P

Dinner in Torquay was in a chinese restaurant. We seem to hit chinese restaurant on our weekend getaway. I started to take picture of the food when it arrived but somehow it fall off, probably I was too hungry then :P




Side note: Thank you for everything...

After much contemplation, I decided to go ahead with writing a blog post on my first Melbourne trip half a year ago. Many things had happen from then to now and at one point, I had canned the idea of writing about it. Then again, I did have a great time and it was a memorable trip despite current circumstances... so here goes.

First flight with Tiger Airways, flew to Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne. When I booked the flight tickets, I didnt know of the reputation Tiger Airways had, also that the cheaper flight tickets via Jetstar is to Avalon Airport, also lesser flight.

We stayed in Alto Hotel on Bourke Street.


The room is not big but its pretty good, while shampoo, conditioner and body shampoo are placed in dispenser rather than by bottle.



By the time we checked in, it was already rather late. It was a long weekend trip - flew to Melbourne on a Friday night, back to Sydney on Monday evening.


Side note: I might feel unhappy sometimes but I am always grateful for all that you have done. :)

After reading Little P's latest blog post, I thought it may be healthier for me to vent out instead of thought of what I want to blog in the brain. I must be unconsciously complained that I was bored too, or someone up there think my life needs to spice up more, decided to give me more things to exercise my lazy grey cells.

New boss's boss (or should I say boss's new boss) at work decides that current database in use it way too complicated and wants to give it a facelift. My dear old boss who build the database has left the section, hence no longer able to utilise his expertise.. and the job falls on me. How ironic it is when the last time I asked if I could go for a basic Access training, I was requested to justify for the request.

More to rant on the training - asked since March this year. It coincide with another training and boss said can't let too many people go off to training, but will let me go in April. Booked in for April, and they re-scheduled it to May, I was away in May... so there goes. June, July, all are scheduled during month end (what's this thing with Access training and month ends anyways). In the end, I emailed them to request if they could schedule one in the middle of the month. Viola, it worked and I was booked in for August training. Luck not on my side, it got cancelled due to not enough participation.

As now the work fall on my lap, boss had to send me to training even though it was on the last day of the month. Right after the basic Access training, I started on the database. I would say the training did help though not to the extend of creating a full fledge database but at least it gives the background and a good introduction. The other half comes from Google-the-Access-wiz.

As I wrote this, I have just finished the database. It is now for the boss approval. But the bad one is the phone. As I was busy doing the database, the phone out of the blue, decides to fall off wi-fi. Ummm.. iPhone without wifi is like birds which cannot fly? And yes, I'm addicted to the net, as you can see above how I mention about googling away while working on the first Access database. Of course you can argue the 3G still works.. but the 3G network which I'm using stupidly low in the bed room. *roll eyes*

Anyways, I started the blog yesterday when I was trying to restore the phone, reboot, switch on bluetooth, check wifi, switch off bluetooth, check wifi, reboot, reset network, reboot, check wifi again, reboot, restart, reset network. Alright.. you get the drill.

I know this rant is all over the place but then again my brain is a bit fried. So there... its time to get those hopefully yummy chocolate cheesecake brownie out of the oven :)


Side note: Christmas lunch tomorrow...

No.. I'm not such a talented baker. On off I have cravings for food from home... some I'll make effort to cook or bake (if not too elaborate), some which are beyond me but if I'm lucky, I could buy it here... but there are some that are much beyond me and can't find it anywhere - like ham chin peng and seremban siew pao. Those I'll have to coax myself to forget about it, or like Little P said I shouldn't see those nice pictures in food blog.

Anyway, this layer cake is one of them. Actually when I first found it... it was stupidly expensive, imagine 3 pieces of it (thickness like those usual post-it note) and cost about $6 Australian dollar. *Gulp* Despite of the cravings, the price totally kill any remaining intention of tasting. As time passed, the craving is gone but I found a cheaper version of it... thats the big block (as above). Thought I'll buy and reward myself :P


Side note: Nah... layer cake way beyond me..

Was contemplating of writing about some food... but decided against it. So, this shall be the last of our Europe travel posts. Its about time to end it anyways :P I'm having some backlog already.. hahah..




Side note: Alright... time to stop playing.. Hmm..maybe a cup of tea?

This is the only place we signed up for a day tour due to the limited bus connection. There were a few options with Stonehenge included, some with Windsor Castle while some with Windsor Castle and Bath. We didn't want it to be to hectic considering the distance of the 3 places, and we have been to Windsor Castle the day before... so we opted for the half day trip to Stonehenge.

The tour basically just provide transportation back and fro with entrance ticket inclusion. Audio guide is included with the entrance fee. From memory, they serve as burial ground for the people many moons ago.



The weather was good then, I heard the Stonehenge has a mystical feel to it especially when view in the early morning when it is misty :)


Side note: Time to study.. hm...

Alright..the trip is coming to 6 months old and I still haven't finish blogging. LOL but not long now, not long :)

Windsor

According to the Royal Collection website, Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. The Castle's dramatic site encapsulates 900 years of British history. It covers an area of 26 acres and contains, as well as a royal palace, a magnificent chapel and the homes and workplaces of a large number of people.

And no, we did not see any of the Royal family members. The castle itself is pretty good though, it also reminded me of those story books I used to read during primary school.

Entrance

Photography is not permitted in the exhibit rooms... so only pictures of the outdoor.

Unfortunately, we missed the note on the admission ticket informing that St George Chapel would be closed early due to scheduled event... it was already closed when we wanted to enter :(


On the slightly positive side, the ticket is valid for re-entry within a year as we had it stamped before we left. However, we don't quite anticipate another travel to London in 12 months time. :(
The only consolation is - its a chapel (we have been to quite a fair bit of those) and one of the big attraction is the stained-glass (Sainte-Chapelle has one of the best stained-glass in the world)

Oh ya...and not forgetting a picture of the castle guard ;)


Edit:
Another famous thing in Windsor - afternoon tea, nothing like scones spread with jam and cream to go with coffee/tea :)



Side note: Had dinner..but still hungry.. hmm.. what else is there to munch...