I Heart Melbourne (Pictures explosion alert - aka will load very slowly)

Sniff, I miss Melbourne already. Want more. Want to go back. *pout* Just wish it wasn't so terribly expensive. The freaking food court costs like AUD12 for a hotdog, fries and drink. That's S$14.40, by the way. For foodcourt food.

But on to the pleasantries.

You know what is better than taking SIA?

Taking a half-filled SIA midnight flight. The stewardesses were super attentive and happy (which I suspect stems from there being less customers to service), and it's marvellous being able to stretched out and sprawl all over 3 seats.

We stayed at the Crown Promenade Hotel located on the Southbank of Melbourne, which is about 15 minutes walk from the city centre. I love the hotel. Sure, by 3rd-world countries' standard this 4.5-star hotel is nothing to whoop about... But I love its elegant and simple decor, big and comfy beds and good food. Oh yeah, and it also has a casino. Yes, we went every night. And yes, it ate quite a bit of my money, but I won some too. So take that, casino boss!

Think I'm the only camwhore in the family? Think again. Point a camera in the right direction and see all the hams. Haha.. and this is why NO ONE in my family knows about this blog. I think my mum would murder me if she knows the language I use here. :P

Yes, yes, we are shameless. But that's a civil servant, advertising producer and idle student you're laughing at. We (ok they) deserve to loosen up on a break from work.

I fell in love with Melbourne the moment I saw... the bare trees. I know, I know, wtf right? But when I went to Vietnam and Taipei, it sometimes felt like I was still in Singapore. But when I saw those damn trees, I wanted to weep from joy. Cos it meant that I was in a country that had more than 1 season every year. Yay, trees! Oh yeah, and I love how Melbourne preserved it's old buildings for posterity, mixing the old and new seamlessly.

You know how in Singapore, people would laugh at you if you said that you were walking from point A to point B, and it took more than 10 minutes? But got train, what! Take a cab lah, goon du! But the weather was perfect for taking long walks. We didn't take any cabs at all, which is quite an accomplishment for my family, really. We walked and walked and walked. And no one complained. Although I doubt we would have felt the same way in the summer. FYI, our hotel is the smaller, blue one in the first photo at the top-left. The bigger building is the Crown Tower Hotel, which is more opulent.. but I think in a cheena kind of way. And it has more mainland Chinese guests because of the casino.

The Southbank river to the left, Federation Square the right.

The Melbourne authorities thought it would be a good idea to construct some monument welcoming visitors to the city. And they constructed this... monstrosity. As our driver described it... A slanted MacDonald's sign and multiple carrot sticks.

Look ma! Bare trees and old buildings! Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas (Singapore) anymore!

Our hotel room. Had to share a bed with Cheryl. Thank goodness it was big enough. And the stupid toilet has no tub, but hey, 1st world country. Cannot expect that much.

Port-o-loo. Teeheehee. I wonder if anyone actually uses it.

The casino thoughtfully planned out entertainment for its guests. And they thought that a series of explosions would be fun. That's us cowering in fear as fire exploded above us in succession, building up to a giant burst of fire that lights up the skyline. And you can actually feel the heat. Yes, that big.

There was this confectionary shop in my hotel's shopping arcade. I would pass it every night and drool. But i never ate anything cos I was always full. Damn.

My fave shot of the whole holiday. I didn't look fat and actually posed quite glamourously. Hahha!

We went on a chocolate tour. Ate so much that I was a bit sick that night. But the chocs were amazing, guide was nuts and the extra pounds were worth it... mostly.

Mmmm... Chocolate.

Took a lovely horse carriage ride after the chocolate tour. My poor dad was so exhuasted (and I suspect, sick from the choc) that he went home early. So the Chan women took a delightful tour around Melbourne, via smelly horses.

The next day was reserved for a wine tasting tour. It was a whole jumble of things, really. We:

Fed some birds... (one bit my hand while gobbling the bird food, stupid sod)

Trekked through a forest...

Sat on the Puffing Billy Steam Train and winded through a forest (yes, I sat on the sill the whole 30 minutes. Can anyone say, sore ass?)...

And of course, tasted wine. My first time, so I must say, it was quite an experience. I didn't know it went to fast. And 10 different types of wine at each location (there were 3)? I was sick to my stomach at the last stop. Not from being drunk, but just sick.

You have to visit the Moet and Chandon winery. IT IS FREAKING GORGEOUS. Look at that! Isn't it unreal? I swear no Photoshopping or whatever (I don't even have the program, can).

What else did we do? Shopped, ate loads, and went for a stupid river cruise. Only old people and devil school kids take such rides. But Geraldine wanted a cruise, so bloody hell, got dragged along.

Not very happy.

And erm... we just stopped taking photos after that. Not much to cronicle, anyway. Except on the final night, which also happened to be my parents' wedding anniversary, was celebrated at the wonderful number 8 restaurant at the hotel. It was utterly fab. Fantastic food, service so discrete and attentive I wanted to stand and clap, and best of all, we (ie. the sisters and I) wanted to arrange for a cake to be brought to the table at the end of the meal. The restaurant not only gave us a free cake, but a damn good one at that.

So Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary, parents! Love you and thanks for sharing this magical event with us!