Once Upon A Time in Australia - Final Day

Now, this is my last post about trip to Australia. On the several last day I managed to go to Blue Mountains and to Paddy's Market to buy some souvenirs to Indonesia. Too bad I didn't take any photos at all because of craziness in shopping! I shop and I forgot, very clever girl! Anyway, Paddy's Market is still in Sydney, it is a must visit place to buy for souvenir. Now here are Blue Mountains:

 

#43 We went there by trains for about 2 hours. Yes, there is a direct train that took us to Blue Mountains. Back there is one of the bus that are used to take tourist to holiday sites in Blue Mountain.

After arriving, My bro take care for our trip fee in one shop near the station (I think it's about tour package to the whole Blue Mountain's holiday site, and yes, there's a fee for each person). Bus in the back shows one of the bus we can take freely after we buy the mini tour package. Each bus have its own driver that works like Tour Guide. He drives and talks. Very multi-talented it's unique. Don't forget to take Blue Mountain's Map in the shop before the trip (sometimes it was given after we pay the trip-fee).

 

 #44 My mom camwhoring herself in front of the bus. Nice Maaaaa! Anyway, notice my mom's outfit? It's Cotton On. Dammit that's not the point! Blue Mountain is twice as cold as Sydney, so my mom have to double-layered her clothes to keep herself warm.

#45 We first went to see the Three Sister's Place (I unfortunately forgot the name of the place) and took a long walk to see the famous Three Sister. Three Sister is the name of a rock formation. You can click this link here for some Three Sister's history.

 #46 Photos along the road to see The Three Sister. Awesome rock is awesome dude.

#47 Three Sister in the background! Actually this place is on the front of the side. We took the road to see The Three Sister more clearly. If you don't want to, It really doesn't matter. This, so far I know is the nearest I can go to see The Three Sister.

 #46 After that we went to sightsee the town itself. The view is sooooo European! Flowers everywhere and classic shops along the road. This is the most beautiful road I've seen in Australia..

 #47 See? Beau-teh-full!!!

#48 Unique shops along the sidewalk. LOVE!

#49 Finally we went to the Scenic World where we can enjoy the view of Three Sister from above the air monorail.

 #50 First we were taken to the other side of the mountain by air monorail. Look how far is it from the ground. You fall, you die such easy way. Meh. Trust me it was pretty scary to look down, howeveeer, panoramic around was so great you'll forgot you're in the air!

 

#51 Don't EVER forget to take photos. Make sure people showed the evidence you are there at that time. *trolling*

 #52 See some structure over there? 3 weird looking rock? Yes! That's the famous Three Sister guys! And yet some people hoping that Three Sister is some kind of a female-singer group though.. hahah just kidding. Actually, on this spot the Three Sister is not as clear as what I saw on the first spot (watch photos number 47).

 #53 After arrive on the other side, we took this mini-train take us down along very steep cliff to enjoy the view down there. It'll go very vertically downward its so damn surprising. What an experience though!

 #54 This monorail will take us again to the first place after we go sightseeing down the cliff (which is only some roads with some beautiful forest history sites it's quite boring).

#55 Finally! SOUVENIRSSS!!

Yeah, I think that's all I can share about my trip to Australia. So far, the places I went there is just around around Sydney: Darling Harbor, Westfield for shopping, some restaurants including Hurricane, Paddy's Market, Chinatown, Opera House, Harbor Bridge ; and a little outside Sydney: The Entrance, Cabramatta, Macquarie, Blue Mountain, Manly Beach, Bondi Beach.

In my own opinion, I think 2 weeks is enough to enjoy Australia. Why? because:

• Most exciting site are centered in Sydney and you can get around Sydney until you bored for 1 week (even you'll start to memorize the road, believe me. Sydney is quite small),
• Minus my trip to Cabramatta (which I think It can be skipped) and Macquarie (for my bro's grad), you can take the next 1 week to Blue Mountains and other places outside Sydney such as Melbourne, Snowy Mountain, and so on which, I unfortunately didn't have the chance to.

After you manage to maximize those 2 weeks, I think you'll miss Australia in maybe 5-6 years ahead knowing you already explore almost all of the famous holiday sites there. Time to get to other side of the world baby!

However I can't deny I miss those place already now. Maybe because I miss my bro too. 2 weeks in Australia means more than holiday to me. It bonds me again with my brother there, and It's a shame for me actually that I only dare to say this on my writings, not directly (I hope my bro will read this soon and knowing that 2 weeks there together almost made us hard to say goodbye again when me and Ma have to go back to Jakarta). OK bro, just read this, ok?

 Honestly It's kinda hard for me to fight the holiday blues too after the trip to Australia but in the end I feel satisfied! I really am waiting to have another chance to go to Australia again!

How about you? :)

n.b.: feel free to ask anything you wanna know about my trip there, but don't expect I know all the answers though. I only went there once, still.

Once Upon A Time in Australia - Day 10 to 12

So, Here I am, on the third post of my Australia Trip last September 2011 (Have I mentioned it before that it was 2011? Yes, I'ts been so long but each details of this trip won't disappear from my mind). To be exact, on day 10 to 12! The next places I want you to see are...

 

 #29 Another lunch menu at Cabramatta Town, about 45 minutes from Sydney. Cabramatta is a small peaceful town which lots, lots of vietnamese live here. Or Thailand, whatever. This meal, can be categorized to vietnamese, or thailand food. Idk. It's good!

 #30 So this! is Cabramatta. It was sooo peaceful on daylight but my bro told me that this area will be quitedangerous at night because of some of the vietnamese mafias tend to lurk here every night. Better stay home at night. Don't judge a book by it's cover, I think?

 #31 Another photo at Cabramatta. It feels like in an old town, very different from Sydney where everything moves too fast, too crowded, and everything unpeaceful.

#32 Continued on night walking at Hyde Park Sydney. It was unbeliavable. It feels like you're in the other world. The beauty of everything I see, the peaceful moment everytime I feel was undescribable.

#33 A well known big old cathedral in the center of Sydney. I bet heaven is nearly like this at night. *screw me, even i don't know whether there's nighttime in heaven. Bimbo*

 #34 #35 I'm quite surprised to know that there are so much Asians in Sydney, and it leads to so much Asians restaurant in Sydney including this one, the best Korean restaurant I've ever tasted so far on Syd. This dinner menu is so great! Above is some kind of spicy fried chicken, and below is the ultimate spicy cheese noodle soup with melted cheese (the cheese is melt olready, u can't see it on the picture lah unfortunately). This is so yum! And responsible for my untolerable weight gain after this trip..

#36 Just two pigs after lots and lots and lots of eating. Crap!

#37 On the next day, my mom's friend in Australia took us out to 2 places: Japanese Garden and The Entrance. It was quite far from Sydney I can say, 'cause we went there by our own (my mom's friend) car. This, is the peaceful and beautiful Japanese Garden, although not so much to be seen here. We're just taking photos in the end.

 #38 And finally we arrive at The Entrance. Still not much tourist sknow about this place. The reason why this place have to be visited because of the special daily pelican feeding. Uniquely, these awkwardly-hungry-maybe-lazy pelicans always comes here on about 3 p.m. everyday to enjoy free food. Hsiao.

 #39 See!! This is amusing actually, seeing nature's behaviour are determined by stomach. ahahaha. Same like me a lil bit lah.

#40 They're leaving just like that! You all so funny eh even didn't pay for all of the fishes you eat, scumbags. Just kidding I mean.. they're just animals..impolite animals. hahaha.

 #41 Finally went to the well-known Bondi Beach! The beach is not much different from Manly, but Bondi (idk, that day when I went there) is more quiet and less crowded than Manly. Cold weather maybe? See me. Wearing jackets and long T-shirt at the beach like stupid. But hey! Don't blame me! It's cold, just believe me.

 #42 Rolling in the deep.. no,. On the sand because the sand is soo goddamn soft I think I could sleep there.

 Hey, it's over ya know! Day 10 to 12.. I mean, like I said before that the day I decide here is just to divide posts I'll make on this blog everyday so you all won't be bored by too-goddamn-long post I didn't intended to.

But, the more I publish this post, the faster it will be over, kinda sad but glad too because while writing this, I'm kinda rewinding all of the memories back then.

You see, after this trip, I have a dream to travel all around the world to see all of the beauty that I never thought of. That's why I LOVE TO SHARE THIS TRIP TO YOU GUYS. So you can see the world from others eyes and have that feeling to see this all by yourself.

Anyway, see ya at next post! Have a blessed day :)

Once Upon A Time in Australia - Day 5 to 9

Hell yeah a day in Australia feels like only 1 hour! 2 weeks passed so fast and makes me wanna go there again! Day by day I went like, ‘oh my God it’ll be only 10 days more we’re here!’, ‘8 days left I'm gonna miss this place so bad,' 'God tomorrow we're leaving! I can’t believe it!’ to both my mom and big bro. Maybe they were getting sick of me that time. Everything are missed. Anyway, enough chit chat. Makes me missed that place much more. Let’s move on to day 5 – 8, shall we?

 #16 A Day at Hyde Park. My bro were doing some stuffs about moving to new apartment, and here I am with my mom and with my maps walking around at Hyde Park. Everything so clean, fresh air, nice environment.. Although a lil bit cold, though. That's my mom!

 #17 People plays this big chess set on the park ON THEIR RECESS TIME. We went here weekdays and arrive here maybe at 12 / 1 p.m. and see the man on the left with office attire? Yes, employee who works near the park manage to come here for a while to get some fresh air outside. Definitely not like in Indonesia, where almost all of its people are getting too used indoor.

#18 See?? My big bro graduation day! Congratulation! As a newcomer on accounting graduates, I wish you'd be salt and light :)

 #19 A goddamn beautiful field and lake behind my bro university! Envious! Very! Why Jakarta has less, or even no place like this? Why??? Everything have to be build to become buildings and there comes flood every year. WTF.

 #20 Super big pork ribs at Hurricane as a celebration party for my bro for his graduation. A must try pork ribs house in Australia. It is so big that even when me and my mom shared 1 portion of this, we still went like "OMG, I'm so full I want to puke. No more ribs for 2 years ahead". Ok maybe that's a little bit hyperbole but still, worth to try!

#21 Another near-Darling-Harbour photos. Another rely-only-on-map random walk with my mom. Saw so much couple hanging out here when the weather is good.

 #22 Westfield, a branded-shopping site in Sydney. I found that there are so many brands that aren't available in Indonesia, and worth the price too. I mean, I'm a little bit disappointed though, knowing that almost all of the goods here still made in china (which I can find it in Indonesia too) but I still I enjoy the window shopping here.

 #23 Went to Manly Beach today. From Sydney to Manly, we went on ferry which cost about $12/person for going and went back (1 package). I'm very happy that day because actually I really don't know how to get to Manly, my bro can't take us out, and we only rely on his explanation and maps and we did it!!

 #24 Manly beach. Note: the weather still cold, even there are only several locals dare to dip into the water. They just sit here and rest and play.

 #25 Randomly Australian birds photos (Hell yeah I don't know what type of bird is this but they always in sight wherever I go) I took that day.

#26 Camwhoring me and my mom on the beach! Beautiful, beautiful view back there.

 #27 Just a photo to make sure people can see the "Manly" word there and knowing I've been to Manly. Bragging level: 50 out of 100.

 #28 A small road full of shops that leads us definitely to Manly Beach from Manly Whare. Just go straight and voila! You found the beach! Why everything is so simple here.. It doesn't like Indonesia where maybe you have to go through deadly damaged roads, ojek, tough walking, winding roads and so on to visit holiday sites.

#29 Idk why but I found this menu list along this small road very tempting, yet very EXPENSIVE. Seafood platter for $60?? That's crazy! (Yea, I mean, don't blame us! Indonesia's exchange rate very weak at that time, it can reach AU$ 1 = Rp 9000 rounding to Rp 10000). Geez.


Anyway, that was day 5 - 9! I mean, I didn't divide the picture exactly on the days, but it summarizes my trip for about 4 days per blog post.

So, what do we learn today! A MAP CAN TAKE YOU WHENEVER YOU GO. But skills of reading map too.. but money too.. but.. but... but still!

I SPENT MOST OF MY TRIP INCREDIBLE THANKS TO MAP I PICKED AT AIRPORT. 

hahahaha. Thanks to me.

So, maybe if I have to share tips of today's trip (on blog):

• Don't be afraid to go by yourself in foreign country. Now almost everybody know at least basic English, so, don't bother to ask for directions to locals.
• Always picked several maps on airports. Sometimes they even have recommendations where to go and what to see! It is so goddamn useful, world of tourism these days..
• Photos, photos, and photos. People forget, but (physical) evidence will remind us how great our trip were. Like me! *widesmile*

See ya on next post! :)

Once Upon A Time In Australia - Day 1 to 4

Hi! Welcome to my new blog. Actually, I start to think about blogging since I've seen several blogs that are so awesome that make the creator a superblogger. Yeah. A SUPERBLOGGER. *need to emphasize more?* I'll reference them someday in my post, aaaand, maybe describe what privileges a SUPERBLOGGER might receive after they gaining so much publicity thanks to their blogs? Later guys :)

But now, let me make 1 trial post here. I'd like to share my holiday trip last September to Australia, Sydney. Actually, it isn't fully a holiday trip *aw yoou, just say it was a holiday* HELL NO. Me and my mom went there because my big bro were having a graduation ceremony and he asked us to come. Busy daddy, housewife mommy, holiday-bored sister, ready-to-have-exams lil bro. Guess who's going? BRAVO!

We went for like 2 weeks there, so there are so much to share! Starting with Day 1 - 4!

 #1 First arrival in Sydney. Asians always takes photo first. When I went there my bro said the weather is going to be warm coz its begin to change into summer (from winter). Howeveeer, its still cold when I arrive there wtf. I'm starting to think whether I could survive there for 2 weeks *alright, you survived* because its so modafaka cold! Thanks to Jakarta to be so goddamn hot I am too used to it and can't stand any cold weather.

 #2 First meal in Australia. Ramen House back there. and yes, He is my big bro ready for graduation.

 #3 Chinatown. So much Asians. Asians everywhere.

 #4 Taking photos everywhere. In some spots, Sydney are very calm and peaceful.

#5 Yes, my so-cool big bro taking us to eat ice cream pancakes on Pancakes on The Rock. Goddamn I feel so much colder after eating, but love the taste. The chocolate was so rich but not too sweet. Love it.

 #6 Hard Rock Cafe Sydney. Typical.

#7 Darling Harbour. Its so cold and start to rain there but the view was awesome and I like, "dammnit so cold but we have to take photos but gosh we have to go inside the building but heey this is a perfect spot to camwhore" and so on wtf. Going insane.

 #8 Inside Queen Victoria Building. Classic! Love love love!

 #9 My bro taking me and mom so some sort of shabu-shabu restaurant which I forgot the name, and they have the best FISHEGG MEATBALLS ever. I'd like to brought about 10 kgs to Indonesia just for myself. Nom nom nom.  Anyway, my bro ordered so much stuff here and we got about $100 bill in the end. We shocked, and yes he shocked too. hahaha. but stomach full of happiness...

 #10 Another one day in Australia awesome road. everything so neat and clean!

 #11 Behind: biggest store of Apple I've ever seen.

 #12 I touch the tip of Harbour Bridge!

 #13 Opera House. Long waaay to go here, angry wind and the weather is so damn cold. But the view is sooo worth watching.

#14 #15 Closing the day at Mr Brenner House. My bro ordered hot milk with chocolate coin *ok, I made the name myself* and it so yuuum!! Hot milk and not so sweet chocolate just perfect. And below? My order. Marshmallow chocolate pizza. Nom and Nom and Nom.

Okay, I'll continue later on my next post. More to watch!