12 posts tagged “australia”

Tickles!

My cousin & his wife.

My second visit down under was more of a vacation compared to the first: I was with my mom and my brother back in 2003 to attend my other cousin's wedding. We didn't go out much on weekdays because my cousins have to work. I was a fresh graduate then, timid and didn't like to mingle with people. To add to my misery, I didn't have enough cash at hand and had to depend on my mom for shopping and stuff. I didn't like the feeling of my "negative" purchasing power.

It was way different this time. I mean, last month.

I had a last-minute plan. I have savings to back me up, my baby (camera) to document stuff, and cousins who went out of their way, took their respective leaves so I can travel interstate and enjoy things I haven't enjoyed on my first-time visit.

I digress. Now we go back to my cousins.

At melbourne

These are the same cousins (there are still more of them. I just want to focus on these guys first) who served as my host last 2003. Only this time, we went out A LOT. Never a day goes by that we stayed home to hang out. We frequently dined at bistros & tried international dishes I never usually go for in Manila. We went to shopping centres and had great finds from clothes to shoes to books to make-ups and even perfume! We visited museums, art galleries and other places that targets at widening the knowledge of Australia.

My cousins, sans the fact that they pretty much grew up there (living down under for 20 years now), are very much Filipino at heart: hospitable, values respect, cheerful and keeping up w/the good ol' traditions. They also visit Manila as often as they can, which all the more, makes our family ties grow stronger.

Now, now. If only I can budget a yearly trip there...

**I soooo enjoyed my 3-wk vacation. I know I still have a LOT to cover from my trip, but I want to include pictures... of which I still have to organize. But yeah, let's do this one at a time.

StrikingRed

Located at: The National Museum of Australia, Canberra

There is comfort in these words. It all seem emotional, spontaneous, even confusing without the "periods". Nonetheless, after I read the whole thing, it gave me a sense of relief --- for some reason --- knowing there is someone out there who expresses herself the way humans should.

Denim lounge

Waiting to check-in at BreakFree® Sydney.

--

(Outside view from our room)

September 11, 2008

When Trish and I landed at Sydney Airport to be picked up by my cousins, we didn't realize that we'd stay a couple of days in the city, just enough to rid our heads of Manila and concentrate on a long vacay.

We checked-in at BreakFree® on George. It was lovely. I had a grand time staying at one of those two bedroom "apartments", enjoying long hot showers and dipping in the tub without anyone knocking the crap out of the door to disturb you.

The facilities were great, too. The room my cousin got for us has kitchen, tea & coffee facilities. Oh dear. I have to say this is better than one of Manila's five star hotel I've been couple years ago. Not just because of that... although that constitutes part of it... but because... it SIMPLY is!

The modern-apartment style accommodation was such a treat, especially for leisure travellers like me. It's a bit pricey, though; but with such facilities, convenience (within the city, people!), etc... I wouldn't mind to have the same experience again!

On its website:

Conveniently located in Sydney’s entertainment precinct, BreakFree on George offers ideal accommodation for both business and leisure travellers. This stylish accommodation is just 35 minutes from Sydney airport and closely located to Capital Square Train Station, Chinatown, Star City Casino, The Sydney Entertainment Centre and Circular Quay. If shopping is on your wish list, the designer boutiques of Pitt Street and the bustling market style of Sydney’s famous Paddy’s Markets are both within close proximity.

BreakFree-Sydney

Thanks for making our stay in the city marvelous!

Sydney opera house

The Sydney Opera House.

I believe (almost) every tourist who've landed down under won't feel that their visit is complete without stopping by NSW --- and have their photo op at the Sydney Opera House.

Take for instance... me.

Although this is my second visit to Australia, I felt, subconsciously at least, obliged to drop by the Opera House. Weird, huh? It's not like I've booked a ticket to watch a performance there or something... it's just that, there's an absolute grandeur about this man-made wonder. I couldn't spell it out exactly... but for certain, there is.

The structure, at its finest, seem like it's been patterned from shells. On my point of view, to say the least. Or is it? Can some Australian point out the fact/s to me? Or maybe... I should shut up, stop wondering and check the net for the story behind it.

Getting it done

Meanwhile, there goes my short story. Cheers!

I got a first-hand feedback from a friend who watched it in London. 

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Harper Fiction)

Gregory Maguire

I'm now here in Melbourne to watch it later, around 8pm, at the Regent Theatre. My cousins booked us some tickets weeks before I arrived in Australia. Wow. I will finally see it, and discuss whether it is good or bad with my friend when I get back to Manila.

We're staying at Stamford hotel. Fabulous hotel if you ask me! It's in the heart of the city, just a couple of steps away from the theatre.

Melbourne is a lovely city. Sure, I got lotsa feedback how you get to experience all seasons in a day.. but heck, we just arrived last night and I'm liking it!

Laters!

Coffee in the afternoon is one of my favorite pastimes here lately.

And that being said, how could I not take a sip of coffee at Koko Black's?

My wife's cousin has been raving about it since I landed here. Knowing how I liked coffee, she has been giving me the "giddies" about the Australian brand. The way she described how chocolate is infused in the coffee makes me wonder how it is different from my usual Starbucks.

How is it different?

First, I had Coffee Affogato.

Second, I liked the coffee shop interior, with little angels serving as chandeliers and wall lamps. Victorian-inspired, dashed with designs of classic romanticism just makes the whole place cozier.

Third, chocolates. EVERYWHERE. Lots of them.

--

So Starbucks is better off when it comes to marketing and international brand recognition.

So what?

Okay, okay. Don't think I suddenly turned my back from Starbucks. Truth remains that I'll always be a loyal customer. It's just that... I'm also open to other options. After all, we're talking COFFEE here. *ehem*

I like the idea of Koko Black's. Thing is, and excuse what I'm about to say, it's not the first time I encountered such concept of chocolate/ coffee fused together.

There's also Max Brenner's. This, more likely, is the Australian brand's foreign competition.

Max Brenner also offers a variety of chocolates. They have coffee, too. Yet I guess, the difference (or so, to me) is that Max Brenner specializes more on chocolates, presenting a wider variety of chocolate and little on coffee. Sure, sure.. they have coffee too; But I must admit that Koko Black's better with infusing chocolate on coffee.

There I said it.

Obviously, the verdict on this new Australian find is more than positive. :-)

(NOTE: Been trying to POST pictures but this computer won't let me be. Pfft. Images to follow SOON.)

Conrad Jupiters, QLD - Went with my usual, yet absolutely FABULOUS! company for a dinner (seafood) buffet. After which, went towards the Casino area.

Thing is, they won't let me in.

They won't believe I'm TWENTY SIX already. They told me I'm too young to be 18. My cousins backed me up to tell me I'm Asian, I'm from Philippines and all other reasons to prove I'm 26. They needed an ID for proof.

Good thing I have my driver's license.

Shoots. I can't believe I can't even pass up for 26.

:-\

(Anyway, still glad I got in.)

[x] Ocean Aquarium, Sydney

[x] Opera House, Sydney

[x] Darling Harbour, Sydney

[x] Parliament, Canberra

[x] Lookout (overview), Canberra

[x] War Memorial, Canberra

[x] Floriade, Canberra

[x] National Museum, Canberra

[x] Movieworld/ Warner Bros., Queensland

...

WOW.

Small note: I STILL like Queensland better than Canberra, in terms of weather. But hey, I realized that Canberra isn't that so bad after all. But still.

Weather's great here!!! I'm not freezing and my hands aren't close to getting frostbite (so I'm exaggerating!) :-)