Tuesday, November 9, 2010

MELB burns





I know it's been way too long. Let me just have a look at my flight ticket... 23rd to the 25th of October. It's just that since I got back from Melbs I've been so crazy busy at work, and looking at the 7874690582304 photos I took (jokes) and thinking about deciding which to edit AND editing got me all unmotivated. But you know what it's like - once you start you can't really stop anymore.

So the whole point of going to Melbourne was to meet my auntie, who flew down from Ho Chi Minh with a group of her colleagues to attend a short course at the RMIT. I couldn't contact her at all before booking my flight and hotel room, and then when I finally reached her, she told me that she was going to fly up to Gold Coast that weekend, which of course were super exciting news. We met for like half an hour the day I left - it was great to see her after such a long time; I still wish we would've been able to spend more time together though.

Still I had an amazing trip thanks to my friends Anh and Bia, who took me around the city to see "essential Melbs". :)



Vodka lemon lime bitters at Cookie




At the NGV






Very embarrassing, but I have no memory of the name of this place. Although it was adorable.


Melbourne Central


I loved how the "Glen Iris" was glowing on my photo while everything else was a bit blurry. Don't see too much of that here anymore. :(


Who said school's uncool?


Crown Casino. So much cooler than Star City man.








Somewhere in the lanes. ;)



Southbank. Reminded me of Amsterdam.


The candy girl and boy. Look at that amount of sugar!






At the Hopetoun Tea Room


Anh and I also had this really really fabulous lunch at Ca de Vin, just next door to the GPO in that small lane way. Their style, the vibe, the food and their staff were just amazing - it was the best two hours of that day.




This was the best bread + dips. Ever.






Steve who served us rather looked like a rock star than a waiter. I was talking to Anh and she just couldn't take her eyes off his gorgeous rings, which he later told us he made them himself. And we could've bought them straight off him! He gave us his website, but it's with Anh right now - I'll keep you guys updated.


Monday I was on my own so I decided to go to St Kilda and Fitzroy in the morning before meeting my auntie for lunch (that's what she suggested the night before). As much as I love good company, I do enjoy getting around alone every now and then - it's nice to take your time to take things in and let your mind wander; there's this certain feel of happiness that overcomes me when I'm exploring things on my own.



Acland Street, St Kilda


Zetta Florence in Fitzroy

"Polly's bike!" :P



So because my aunt told me that she was staying and "going to school" somewhere on Exhibition Street, I made my way back to Collins and Exhibition, trying to call her (that's what she asked me to do as well) and to find a place to have lunch. I figured she might still be in class as she didn't pick up at all, so I decided to go to Cumulus Inc, which was just around the corner from Collins Place, and wait for her there - if she wouldn't show up I'd just have lunch by myself because I wanted to eat there anyway. And yes, I did have a lonely lunch (auntie left her phone at the hotel and had to go to a compulsory last-minute lunch meeting as well. Oh well.) but it was well worth it. Again - cool place, cool people and mad yummy food: it's always the whole package isn't it.










I was extremely bored (eating alone is way different to strolling around alone, unfortunately) and took a massive amount of pictures there (people must have thought I'm this creepy lonesome tourist, which I unfortunately was - abandoned by her own aunt :P), but I was overly satisfied with my meal: wagyu tongue, cracked wheat salad, and absolutely delicious petit fours - to die for. Even the bread and butter made me happy.


I guess I'll be back some day - I really fell in love with the Melbourne laneways with their hundreds of funky cafes, restaurants and shops; there's such a relaxed and comfy atmosphere going on. I definitely wish I could have stayed longer to eat out more! :) But it was good to come back "home", to Sydney and to our dear Manly. Yes, it did very much feel like coming home.

3 comments:

  1. OMG how good is Acland Street - that is one of my favourite places to go whenever I head to Melbourne for a day or two!

    Oh and I have to agree, Crown is an amazing place and although I have never been to any other casino, I know that it would be a lot better than most in Aus!

    What a shame you only got half an hour with your aunt, but it would have been lovely to meet her.

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  2. Your photos are amazing. Đẹp theo kiểu rất thật thà, ko phô trương hay shiny hay gì cả. I love these pictures, how you work the colour and the exposures... :)

    Yeah, I love the feeling of exploring things on my own as well, as much as I love having a good company with me. Nhưng là nhiều lúc đúng thật cảm thấy thoải mái, nhẹ nhàng khi đi dạo một mình, just me and my camera and no dialogue. :) What might be better than eating alone is eating with a book - or a notepad and a pen. Có lần kia tui vừa ngồi ăn 1 mình vừa viết thư tay cho người ta trong khung cảnh người người ăn trưa tấp nập. I was lost in my own world, the food and the happiness of "talking" to my beloved.

    I wish I have more time (and energy) for such romantic things. :))

    Anyway, the photos are so beautiful. :X Try to keep up đi. And bb did you edit them with pts? xx

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  3. told u, u would love melb. I remember Crown casino but the rest is a blur. Gosh, your photos remind me how much I miss Melb, definitely have to revisit someday.

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