Melbourne, Australia Day 1: Maiden Visit to Australia & Wandered around Melbourne's City Center

Date of Visit: 30 September 2012

I always wanna go Australia since I was 8 years old and after have been waiting for more than 10 years, finally I booked a ticket to Australia via AirAsia during their promo price was as low as RM640. For me, it was a great steal seeing that I bought 6 months in advanced, at least and this time around, I choose to travel alone. There are many places and cities in Australia to choose from for visiting and holiday purposes but I choose Melbourne mainly because one of my college hostelmates was staying there for her Master programme and she offered me to stay at her place for free. Thanks to her cause if not, for sure I will hurt my wallet badly as Melbourne is claimed to be one of the most expensive cities in the world. [Source]

#1: Melbourne, Australia's second largest city and it is the capital of Victoria state.

Since there is no direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Melbourne, got no choice but I had to fly twice for the connecting flight. I choose the night flight departed from Kuala Lumpur and reach Melbourne on the next day morning. After two different flights and more than 10 hours of flight, finally I seeing myself landed in "Land of Kangaroo", "Land of Koala Bear" or "Down Under" and without I realised, my tears were eventually falling out. Seriously, I was crying silently at that moment but then, it was cry of happiness. Imagine after more than 10 years, finally one of my childhood dreams came true. Despite the love and hate relationship, sometimes I really wanna thanks to AirAsia for making most of my dreams turned into reality.

For those who haven't been to Australia before just like me for the very first time at that moment, I thought the immigration and custom clearance were easy and hassle-free like the rest of the airports which I been to but technically I was wrong! Australian airports are pretty strict and you must honestly declare if you are carrying certain foods such as dried foods, packaged meals, herbs and spices and etc. If you fail to declare those items or make a false declaration, you could be fined AUD340 on the spot or even be prosecuted, fined more than AUD66,000 and risk 10 years jail and a criminal record. So don't play play when comes to fill in the declaration form. I almost brought along mooncake for my friend but luckily, I didn't. But because I didn't want to visit my friend with empty-handed, at the end I bought Sabah coffee in Kota Kinabalu airport as a token of appreciation. Silly me for didn't declare it all! I almost heartattack when the officer requested me to queue with few randomly selected passengers and within few minutes later, they were accompanied with detector dog. No, I wasn't afraid of dogs at all cause I am dog lover and I have few dogs back at home but the most scary part was in case being caught for didn't declare the Sabah coffee, I can't bear any of those consequnces. Thank goodness, I passed and from there onwards, I learn my lesson that I should declare next time (only apply for Australian and New Zealand airports, in case).

Right after done with the custom clearance, I immediately rushed out from the airport and looked for the Skybus which booked earlier by my friend. Skybus is an express bus service that serve between Melbourne Airport right to Melbourne's city center. My friend booked through online and it cost AUD24 for return. It stopped directly right in front of my friend's place and once I arrived the desired destination, I saw my friend was standing and waiting me patiently. And from there, my travel adventures around Melbourne began!

SkyBus offers an express bus service from the airport to the city centre - See more at: http://melbourneairport.com.au/to-from-the-airport/skybus/overview.html#sthash.pH5V9nHg.dpuf

SkyBus offers an express bus service from the airport to the city centre - See more at: http://melbourneairport.com.au/to-from-the-airport/skybus/overview.html#sthash.pH5V9nHg.dpuf

#2: Queen Victoria Market for foods hunting.

My friend brought me to Queen Victoria Market which was just few distance away from where she was staying. I was freaking hungry as I didn't buy any in-flight meals and the last proper meal I had was like almost 12 hours ago. So when I visited Queen Victoria Market, I feel like I wanna eat everything I saw - like seriously! Coincidentally when we arrived the market, there was this so-called Asian Foods Bazaar was held. [Will blog more about Queen Victoria Market in the upcoming post]

#3: After round and round, finally we bought chicken satay, fried kuey-teow and fried carrot cake.

Conclusion: Malaysian foods back in Malaysia are still the best.

After done with fulfilling my hungry tummy, it's time to wander and snap around Melbourne on foot! Melbourne has a very large metropolitan area, but most interesting sights are within the city center. 

#4: Somehow the architecture of Melbourne reminds me the one I saw in Europe. 

#5: Interesting and unique architecture that I unable to help myself but took a snap of it.

#6: Melbourne's State Library in Swanston Street - Another amazing city architecture

#7: The Block Arcade in Collins Street - Truly a European style arcade.

This historic Victorian building is undoubtedly the most beautiful shopping arcade in Australia, with its magnificent architecture, majestic decorative arches and grand display window.

#8: We had chocolate break in Haigh's chocolate before continue to walk more. I'm not a chocolate lover eventually but their chocolates were pretty delicious. Talking about price, it was indeed expensive, especially after the convertion but then, it's really worth to try at least for once.

#9: Side view of St Pauls Cathedral. Seeing somehow enjoy laying on the lush green grass somehow reminds me of my life back in United Kingdom where my friends and I always do so.

#10: The front view of St Pauls Cathedral

#11: Flinders Street Railway Station - the defining landmark of Melbourne.

#12: Melbourne's Free City Circle Tram - It provides a free and convenient way for visitors to explore Melbourne. One can simply hop on and off as often as they like to visit as many as Melbourne's famous spots.

From Flinders Street, my friend and I hopped onto the free city circle tram heading to east side of Melbourne just to visit the Cook's Cottage but unfortunately, by the time we arrived, it was closed. Fret not, cause there is this beautiful and enchanted garden for us to do short sightseeing which is known as Fitzroy Gardens. It's really hard to imagine that such a magnificent garden that give a very peaceful and serene feelings do actually exist right in the middle of the bustling city.

#13: Surrounded by so many colourful flowers and plants in Conservatory of Fitzroy Gardens.

#14: Ended my first night by having Hanachi Japnese Fine Food for dinner at QV Square, Lonsdale St


 #15: And look what I spotted in QV Square? Malaysia local restaurant in Melbourne - Papparich! Hard to believe it was fully occupied and long queue outside the restaurant compare the outlets back in Malaysia. 

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