This part I will continue on my journey outside the city. I’ve been to three places while I was in Melbourne, namely: Mount Grampians, the Great Ocean Road and Yerra Valley.

The first trip I’d like to mention is Mount Grampians National Park. Actually, I had no intention to visit there because there was no one mentioned about it. However, one of my closet friends in Brisbane sent me to the airport told me about how great the Mount Grampians is when he spent time in Melbourne. That brought my attention to it. He shared that he drove back at night time and saw a milky galaxies way. It was so terrific and fantastic. I thought that oh, I’d like having this experience too. That’s why I wasn’t hesitate joining this tour. Unfortunately, it wasn’t met my expectation because it was a daytime tour. LOL Basically, I expected that I may see the scene as my friend shared because the tour would be back at night, 9 pm in the city.

It took around 2.5 hours by car to the Mt.Grampians. It was such a horrible day because of the sunny day. Could you imagine that I was walking around the rocks without any shades around 1 pm. Yes, it’s when the sun ray was very strong. However, I really enjoyed walking and adoring the nature of the park. The bus driver brought all of us (I and another eleven tourists) to the top of the mountain and walked down. As you can see from the pictures, some trees have been burnt. Indeed, there was a natural bushfire around a couple of years ago. All of these areas were burnt but some high trees could survive. The tour guide continued explaining that it was a natural cycle for a growth of new trees. Some plant species could grow when smoke is present. It usually occurs about once in 13-14 years. The bushfire was so great, covering around 300 sq km (if I’m not wrong). Yeah, some of them have been recovered. The mountain itself is recorded as high as 800+ meters but it gradually shrinks due to wind. Sand is accumulated as a mountain, so when the strong wind come, sand is flown to the lower areas. All of us finished walking by one hour and had lunch in a peaceful town there. We went to some lookout places and took lots of photos there. McKenzein Falls was the last place for the trip. There were four walking paths we can choose but one of them is the shortest, yet the most challenge one due to its steep. Guess which route I walked!!! :D

Of course, the most difficult one was the most suitable for a young man like me. LOL Indeed, almost all of us walked that way (two of them were a boy and a mum who were afraid of difficulties). It was not challenging at all when I took a first few minutes and didn’t understand why the most difficult. However, as I walked a bit further, it revealed to me that how steep the walking path was. There was nothing to concern climbing down the falls. It actually was worthwhile being there because it was the closet point seeing it. I felt so relaxed and refreshed with the setting scene. The weather was also nice, comfortable, fresh air, clear and cool steaming water. :D Unfortunately, swimming was prohibited as well as catching fish. :D So, no one could dwell in the falls. :D After being there for a while, it was time to go back and it led me to the real world where challenging was waiting. :D Due to its steepness, we took a lot of efforts walking up the stairs. We sometimes had some rests while were coming back. Also, weather was so hot and caused us thirsty and even more exhausted. We finally arrived to the meeting point with tiredness. LOL WE COULD MAKE IT. :D

When we were going back to the city, the driver noticed a wallaby eating some leafs. We were exciting and taking photos. It first looked a bit nervous but was still standing there. Such a good boy, LOL. We took many photos of it and left after that. It was all about the first day tour. I really enjoyed it the most even though I was exhausted. LOL

The second trip was to the Great Ocean Road (GOR), the most famous trip which everyone must see. :D If you don’t know why, just wait for a few min I’ll explain why. LOL Firstly, it is named this because of driving along the road and adoring such a wonderful ocean scene. Moreover, the path is not as smooth as a straight line. Indeed, it is quite bending (if you know what I mean). Some of my friends warned me if I have motion sickness. I should take a medication prior the departure. I was afraid that I’d experience dizziness during the tour but I didn’t take any medication because the drug itself could cause sleeping feelings. I then took a step of a bit risk, not taking meds. :D Thanks G that I didn’t have any sickness. :D Let me continue my experiences. :D It takes about 2 hours drive to the beginning line of the GOR. At first, I thought that it was not too far from the CBD; however, I was totally wrong. LOL The first point we got off was Bell Beach. Unexpectedly, there were so many flies that drove me crazy. Instead of having fun & taking photos, I became frustrated. It was not fun at all, yet I still took some photos. LOL That was two hour-drive from the city. I then saw a welcoming sign “Great Ocean Road”, so I realized that this was just a beginning, not finishing line. LOL How would the trip be then???? I asked myself. :D

As we came along the road, it was such a picturesque scene. The left hand side was the great ocean whereas another side was a wonderful pasture land. Sometimes we experienced a bit tough routes. During the ongoing trip, some of us noticed a koala sleeping on a Eucalyptus tree. The driver allowed us shooting photos it. Unfortunately, it was at the top of the tree, so I couldn’t zoom clearly. It takes about two more hours driving to the place where we had lunch. Nothing much interests me as usual because the town is quite small. After having break, we went along to another famous place called Twelve Apostles. Basically, they were rocks outstanding among the ocean. However, some of them had already collapsed, so there were no more twelve rocks as mentioned. :D In the next ten years time, they may not be any left. Who knows, right? :D The weather was quite nice, not having sun anymore. Yet, flies were still bothersome. Despite of strong winds were present, many flies could interrupt my joy. If you could afford, a helicopter is provided for 15 min tour. It may be worthwhile hanging over the air and looking down to the great ocean. :D We went to another lookout place, Lon Ach (I’m not sure spelling), where two hugh rocks facing each other. There was a history behind it but I can’t remember. LOL They were really amazing and awesome. :D You know, I really like them the most. The last place we stopped was called London Bridge (if I’m not wrong). It was another lookout for the Twelve Apostles and we headed back to the city. We arrived around 9 pm and I decided hanging around for shooting photos at night. I wasn’t disappointed because the city itself was quite beautiful. :D

The last trip I went was ‘Yerra Valley’, where is for tasting different versions of wine. Of course, it was my attention visiting the wineries and enjoying myself with original wines. :D Having said that, this was the most memorable (or I should say ‘horrible’) event for me. LOL

In the morning, I should have left the house at 7.15 am as usual. However, on that day, I left about 8 am because one of my friends would go to the city with me. We checked the train timetable and it would come at 7.50 am, taking 10 mins to the CBD and walking 10 mins to the meeting point. It should be on time that what we expected. :D Guess what!!! LOL Yes, we arrived the train station at 7.45 am and accidentally, the train at the given time was cancelled without an advanced notice. The next train would arrive at 8.10 am while the pick-up time was 8.30 am in the CBD. Having a positive thought, the bust should wait for me because the last two days the bus waited for late people. I was quite a bit worried but stayed calm. It should be alright, nothing to worry. LOL Thanks G that the next train came on time but quite packed already. Fortunately, I could be able to penetrate while my friend didn’t come with me. (He was not in hurry like me). Everything should go on as I expected, being late 5 mins should not be a problem. I was running for it and YES, thanks G, the coach bus were there. :D :D :D

It turned to the real world, however, that they were not for me. LOL They were for other trips while my coach had just left a few min prior to my arrival. :D Oh My GOD!!!!!! Yes, I was speechless. LOL Indeed, I was thinking what or where I should go then. One of the receptionists expressed her sympathy for me and explained that the coach must leave on time. The tour itself had two destinations: one was a train tour, called ‘puffy billy’ and another was wineries. If the coach was late, all of tourists would miss the train, it was the explanation why I missed the tour. She also suggested me swapping to other days but I can’t because I was going home the day after this. Fortunately, there was another winery tour at 10 am but it was a bit more expensive than the previous one due to including lunch. OK, I’ll pay for it. At least, I got something which was better than losing everything. :D

Of course, I didn’t miss this tour. LOL As I took a tour, I was quite exciting to taste wine. :D As u know, I don’t drink any alcohol but wine should be excepted due to health benefits. We arrived the restaurant for lunch at one of wineries. I was enthusiastic having lunch in a western style (steak with a glass of wine). It caused me a bit nervous but everything went well. I tried a half glass of white wine because that was left. LOL I then tried another glass of red wine which was quite bitter. I don’t really like it. After I finished my dish, I preferred to the white wine. I then drank another glass of white wine. I felt I was drunk so soon, knowing that my face was blush. I considered that I was ok, everything was in control. With my greed, LOL, I then tried another two kinds of wine (but about 10 ml for each) and went back to the coach.

The nightmare (during the daytime) happened. LOL I felt asleep and I did. I recall that one of tourists told me to sleep on the coach, not going to see the wineries. I also agreed what he said. When I woke up, I was almost vomiting. Everything seemed moving around even I just sat down on the bus. Thanks G that the bus had already arrived its destination, so I went to the toilet and vomited four times. Could you imagine that I was still conscious, knowing what I was talking, walking by myself to the bus and toilet without any help? Oh my God, I felt really sick. I asked a driver for a tablet of paracetamol but could u guess what he said? He replied me that he didn’t have but the souvenir shop should sell it. Why don’t you go and ask? (I thought that he was such a non-considerate guy, not even asking me how I feel or need any extra help. He did not show me any care.) I then went there and bought it. Really thank G that I slept on board until the tour finished. Fortunately, I had made an appointment with my friends that I would see them after my tour. They gave me two lollies, a bottle of water and a house key and let me go home. I was really hungry, so bought one big Mc (could u believe while I was drunk?) LOL. It’s all a true story. At that time, I considered as I was allergic to alcohol. I took a rest over twelve hours on that night. On the next morning, I was totally healed. :D Praise God. I then realize that I’ve got drunk rather allergy. LOL What I did on this day was to be in the city for Christmas Parade. Nothing much interest me (or I too much expected). LOL I then went home and prepared myself for flying back to lovely Brisbane. :D

My flight was 10 pm at the airport, so I should be departing the city about 8 pm. It takes about one hour drive to the airport. Everything was on my plan as usual. I and my friends had dinner at La prochette, Italian restaurant. Food was quite nice but I forgot their name. LOL The restaurant is not far from the bus station which was going to the airport. I’ve planned to leave around 7.15 pm to arrive the station by 7.55 pm. It should be on time as I expected. Again, it didn’t really turn out because I also had my big luggage. I forgot about it. I walked to the station because no trams pass the station. More importantly, if I took a tram, I didn’t really know where to get off, so did my friend. I then walked and prayed if I could make it on time. Could you imagine that it was 7.30 pm already and I was quite far from the station? Oh My God!!!!!!! I prayed to God for his help. I needed a taxi but there were none. Soon after I prayed, one taxi parked around there. I was a bit relaxed and asked him to send me. He seemed hesitated and didn’t accept my request. In contrast, there was another man looking for a taxi. The driver was willing to pick him, not me to his destination. OH MY GOD!!!!! I’d definitely miss this bus BUT by God’s grace, the taxi driver and the client were willing to drop me off at the station. I had only 10 mins left, with a worried feeling. By God’s provision, we were caught in traffic jams but we finally went through it all and made it on time. YES!!! Thanks God for that. I arrived the station on time and had a nice flight to Brisbane. :D

That’s all my experiences in Melbourne. It’s very detailed as usual. LOL I hope that you won’t get headache for what I shared. LOL If you do, I apologize. LOL

Last but not least, I’d like to acknowledge my blessing friends in Melbourne here. Ferry, an Indonesian guy, took care of me very well. (You can see him from the last two or three photos.) In fact, it was him that I’ve mentioned the most throughout this trip. I deeply appreciate for his help and hospitality. Secondly, I wanna thanks P’Pik, a friend from Bangkok studying in Melbourne and asked me for accommodation. Anthony, a Philippino guy, also brought me around Melbourne. Thank you so much. Jefferson & Pauli, I deeply appreciate for your hospitality as well as friendliness at your house. Hope Darewin Chirstian Church members, Logan, Atom, Eric and others (sorry I can’ remember your name) and Jabez groups please also receive my grateful heart here. :D

Finally, all of you who are so patiently reading all my stuff please take note that I’m so grateful to you all. :D

See u next time when I have something to share. LOL

If u could leave ur comment, it would be deeply appreciated.

Cheers,

chim