3/4 gone..

2008's almost gone.. i still remember how i 'celebrated' the clock striking 12 midnight into 2008..

but i'm just starting and havent had the time to think about the fact i'm finally employed.. learning is on going and i'm learning a lot of things since Thursday..

these 2 days are exceptionally busy and taxing as the bulk of this position are concentrated on Mondays and Tuesdays.. which is a good thing, get it over and done with! and i supposed the week will start to lighten in terms of workload as it progresses.. i will find out about that from tomorrow onwards..

i forgot to bring my work notebook to work today.. left it on my desk when i took it out of my bag last night.. exhaustion is creeping up onto me~

1st Staff Meeting

8.15am
attended my first Staff Meeting! Jo and i caught the early bus into the city, so as to be early, of course.. it was a short meeting just to inform everyone about the happenings in the upcoming week.. who will be going on holidays or business trips and etc..

11am
there was a Morning Tea to welcome myself and another new colleague! so i'm not the newest newbie! hehez.. it was also to celebrate the birthday of C, the PA.. there was a cake, a platter of fruits and another platter of muffins and cookies!

1pm
the day went by pretty quickly and soon it was lunch time! there were heaps to learn but learning was obstructed by quite a number of things.. phone calls, IT guy, plumbing guy, etc.. but that is part of the job, so on-the-job training is very real in my situation!

2pm
learning continues and the Flat White from GJ's is not helping much.. not sure how much information is going into my brain as there are many steps to perform for the tasks i have to do in the system.. but J is very patient and that really helps! *smilez*

5pm
Sales Meeting time! this is the last time that J will be presenting the Sales report! it'll be my turn next week!!!

Hyde Park

the weekend has gone by pretty fast and it's the first weekend in 4 months that i'm preparing for an upcoming work week.. the weather isnt that great today, compared to the 32C we experienced yesterday! it's a bit gloomy and rainy, with some sunshine in between..

Hyde Park was interesting and we went into Darriwill Farm .. while browsing, a lady asked if i would like to have a cup of coffee.. i was surprised! a free coffee while browsing at the items in the shop? a first. they sure know how to get to us! i bought a bottle of Creamed Honey there.. yum~

we both bought stuff from Wheel & Barrow.. i bought a Spice Jar for my Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans that i bought on the trip to Victor Harbour!

it didnt take long to finish walking the street and soon we were back in the city.. Jo went home first while i went to Rundle Mall.. i took my own sweet time to shop for a Mug for the office.. got one from Harris Scarfe for A$2! and also attained a couple of items for my wardrobe.. hehez!

i also did grocery shopping for the upcoming week and cooked enough for 5 dinners, Monday to Friday.. so i can come back after work and have microwave-heated dinners!

Late night shopping finally!!!

now, now.. who says ADL is a sleepy town? People have better wake up from their dreams! it was absolutely crowded in the city tonight!!! i think it's because of the good weather (it's a pretty warm day!) and hence everyone was out in the city..

well, i asked Jo to go shopping with me after work! Firstly, work was great and i learned quite a number of things.. there was a meeting at 5pm to end the week.. it was a casual meeting with wine and soft drinks (if you dont drink alcohol) provided.. at the meeting, everyone addresses their high(s) and low(s) for the week..

for me, the Low was unemployment (before Wednesday 3.45pm!) and the High was being employed from Thursday onwards! that basically cancelled out the Low, i would say.. it's a bit hard to comprehend but i'm excited about work!

anyway, shopping was great and i bought a number of things! 4 items for work, a mini photo album, a book (Tales of the Unexpected by Roald Dahl), boots balloon to keep my boots away (Spring is advancing pretty fast!) and baby stuff for a friend who is pregnant..

it was a good day and for lunch, Jo and i went to KFC.. we each had a Snackbox.. and guess what?! i couldnt have guess it myself but we went to KFC for dinner again!!! Geez.. KFC should make us VIP members or something~!

i just got back to my room after watching 'Save the Last Dance' with Jo and Miyuki in the TV room.. it was really good and i enjoyed it! looking forward to the weekend.. we are going to Hyde Park tomorrow!

First day!

first day at work was pretty cool! Like what B said, i'm probably the only person to start work at 2pm on my first day!!! Geez!

anyway, it's Orientation Day today.. with J, the girl whom i'm going to replace, showing me where everything is and bringing me around to meet the rest of the colleagues.. there's quite a number of people on 3 different levels and a few of them arent around at the moment.. so i'll probably have a few more names to remember next week..

other than going to the stationery shop to get some stuff for me to use and going to the bank with her, J also showed me the normal work flow for the different days of the week..

at 5pm, there's a meeting (normally on Mondays) which i have to attend with L.. L ran through with me the report she has drawn up for the meeting a few minutes before the meeting starts.. so i wouldnt be too lost.. and guess what? in the near future, i'll be the one presenting the findings of the report!!! cool~ wahaha..

all in all, today's been a great day.. the best thing? tomorrow's Friday!!! wahaha!

All set!

about a year ago, i started work at SG and it just so happened to be the 'opening ceremony' of the new office at ORQ.. everything on that first day is still very clear in my mind..

now, a year later.. i'll be embarking on a new job! i'm starting work at 2pm later.. even though it's about 2 weeks later than the planned 3 months of unemployment, i'm glad i didnt deplete all of my savings! i still have a tiny weeny bit left! hehez.. for shopping? *ahem*

anyway, i'm all ready to take up the new challenges coming my way!

At Last!

FINALLY!!! yours truly has been offered a job in the city that she is keen to take up! honestly, this is one entry that i have been wanting to post but havent been given the chance till today.. so yup, as of ADL time 1545 today, i no longer contribute to the unemployment rate!!!!!! WOOHOO~!

Now, i shall proceed to enjoy the rest of my day because i am starting work tomorrow!!!!! *smilez*

why is it raining again?

it's well into September and yet it's raining again.. the weather has been good since i got back from Melbourne and i went to the city yesterday wearing a T-shirt and jeans! no more long sleeves! but it's quite a different story today..

anyway, the weather forecast did mention a high of 29C some time later this week.. i sure hope it doesnt rain tomorrow as i've got an interview to attend tomorrow! Geez..

it's been quiet and nice the past few days.. quite a contrast to the hustle and bustle of Melbourne.. and once again, there were yummy stuff to be consumed in this household!

that is Miyuki's Strawberry and Cream Cake.. made the day that Mum and i flew back from Melbourne.. she even text me and asked if i was coming back! she told me this is a normal cake to make in Japan.. Geez, it sure doesnt taste normal, it's absolutely yummy!

Miyuki also baked some Spinach and Feta Cheese Pastry the day Mum went home.. very yummy too.. Mum missed out on this but shared a slice of Strawberry and Cream Cake with me.. she liked it too and said, "How come you dont know how to bake?" oh well..

Jo baked a Carrot Cake last Thursday that blew me away.. it was so so good.. she proceeded to make Carrot Cupcakes! so cute!

this house is becoming more and more like a bakery.. but i'll be the consumer and not the baker, of course! wahaha..

dinner last night was Sunday Roast cooked by Jo! i have 2 servings of stuffing.. yummy..

while having dinner last night, i received a text from Sis saying that our dog was attacked by a cobra! apparently, the cobra got into the garden and both dogs found it and started barking away madly! Xiao Bao was standing too close and was barking and staring right at it! he was 'sprayed' in his eyes and face the deadly venom of the cobra!!!

but.. according to Mum, the good news is that the poor dog is a bit mad (i mean he has a mad will to constantly drive up our blood pressure~) and is up & running and alive & kicking now.. though his eyes are still a little red and swollen after Dad washed his face and eyes and is constantly using eye drops on him..

Left: his first day into the life of the How family..
Right: wobbly steps in his new environment..

caught by the camera for being naughty.. and still is today.. geez~

yup, it's a very sleepy life being a puppy.. playing all day long..

we are so glad he is alright!

Mum in Melbourne! - 16th Sep 2008 (Tues)

today's our last day in Melbourne.. we woke up early and checked-out of the hotel at 9.30am! we kept our bags at the hotel's storage room before we went to Victoria Harbour.. but not before i grabbed a Flat White from the GJ's opposite the hotel! haha..

i saw a pair of Fiorelli shades at the DFO yesterday but i wasnt sure if i should get it.. but i have a theory.. if time permits, i should have a night's sleep and if i wake up still thinking about it, i will buy it.. and this is what happened with the pair of shades! we went back to get it on the way to Victoria Harbour! Mum got herself a pair too!!! so we wore our cool new shades the whole morning!

captured some interesting clouds..

dont even ask me why.. i have no idea.. but it's cute!

the view's pretty good!

another interesting tram..

after seeing Victoria Harbour, we went back on the tram and moved on to Queen Victoria Market.. there are over a thousand stores selling heaps of stuff.. mostly for tourists, i guess? there are real markets selling fruits, vegetables and meat too..

we were not very impressed by it.. maybe because it's just like a huge 'Pasar Malam' for us.. but one little shop took up all of our attention and that is Sohum Cosmetics! there's a Limequat Body Cream that i really really like! but i have too much body moisturiser on hand now.. i'll have to get it another time! Mum got me a Lime Rind Lip Balm instead.. haha.. and she bought more Essential Oil from there!

Question: how many bottles of Essential Oil does a woman need?
Answer: about 10.. and counting..

after Queen Victoria Market, we went to Melbourne Central for lunch.. another 'Chinese' Combo Meal to share, this time from another shop! Geez.. well, when you end up in Melbourne Central for lunch, it cant be just an innocent lunch.. shopping will be INCLUSIVE, right? Yes. so more shopping, more bargains and it's time to get back on the tram..

we got back to the hotel at about 3.40pm to be on time for the mini Skybus to pick us up at 4pm.. took our bags from the storage room and did some packing and went out onto the corner of King St and Burke St (as the Skybus telephone operator lady has told me to) to wait.. at 5mins past 4pm, i gave them some leeway.. at 10mins past 4pm, i saw a mini Skybus drove past us!!! i called up Skybus and guess what??? the operator told me there's no booking registered for Kingsgate Hotel!!! this is so not funny! SKYBUS SUPER SHUTTLE = UNRELIABLE SERVICE!!!

well, would i want to miss my flight? it's ridiculous! people not doing their jobs properly still get paid, isnt it??? people in the service line better pull up their socks because someday, somehow, someone will get to you, get it?!

so Mum and i walked down to Southern Cross Station to catch the Skybus to the Airport.. it was a lucky thing that i booked Kingsgate Hotel as our second accommodation as it was much nearer to the station as compared to the City Centre Budget Hotel..

as we were about to board the bus, i took out our tickets to realise that there was only 1 ticket.. the driver let us on after i told him that i'll search for the second one.. so i dug into all corners of my bag, wallet, pouches and whatever i have got in my bag.. Mum said my bag was messy and i said some harsh words back, which i would like to apologise for now.. Sorry, Mummy..

but after all that search, i realised that it may not be with me afterall!!! Mum actually didnt pass her ticket to me but both of us forgot about it!!! oh gosh!!! i was pretty pissed when she found it in her bag~

anyway, we were on talking terms again by the time we reached T4 because once again, T4's Departure Hall rendered us speechless that it's kind of funny.. and we were in better mood after that..

yup, that's pretty much the whole place.. with a tiny Krispy Kreme store.. Mum was sorry that it was all sold out when we got in because she really wanted to buy some back for Dad and Sis to try! it would be my job next time, i guess..

the flight was alright and we were back in ADL at about 8pm and by 9pm we were back at Maylands Manor! i would like to thank my Mum for an all expenses paid holiday! including shopping! no joke~!

Mum in Melbourne! - 15th Sep 2008 (Mon)

we slept in today as this was the only day that we could.. haha! breakfast was more Krispy Kreme doughnuts (half a dozen is really too much!), milo and coffee.. i had to go down to the cafe to get hot water from the cafe.. life without an electric kettle can be quite sad~ hehez..

today's plan was to head to Victoria Harbour, Telstra Dome and followed by lunch.. however, we didnt know that there would be a very huge barrier in between!!! literally!

the photo on the left shows a tram stopping in front of the station..

we head down towards Victoria Harbour and the first thing that greeted us was the Southern Cross Station.. it reminded me of the days in Europe, where i get to see train stations like that.. only this is cleaner!

and this is my favourite tram for this trip!

there are offices in the station itself.. interesting office, i must say!

we went up the escalator in the station because it will lead us to Victoria Harbour and Telstra Dome.. well, it led us to one other thing called the 'Direct Factory Outlet'!!! THE BARRIER!!! and it kept us there the whole afternoon!!! Geez! shopping, lunch and more shopping! wahaha..

Mum was right, taking it easy is indeed the way to go, huh? lucky me! lunch was at Kebab World in the DFO.. we ordered a Mixed Plate (A$10.50) of Lamb and Chicken with a Salad of Lettuce, Onions, Feta Cheese, Olives and Tomatoes, topped with Garlic Sauce.. it's very difficult to not have something delicious coming out of all these ingredients!

after we finished 'touring' the DFO, we finally moved on to what we set out to do today.. it was getting pretty late and it was really windy when we got out of the DFO..

Mum was pretty adamant about going to Victoria Harbour still.. so we braced ourselves against the wind and moved towards that direction..

Mum bought me a sweater from Cotton On Body that i have been eying!!!

it was initially A$40 and then it was down to A$20 in Rundle Mall.. but i didnt buy it.. and at the DFO, it was going for A$10!!! wahaha.. lucky me!!! the sweater came into good use because the weather took a drastic change and started raining!

from Telstra Dome, we could see Victoria Harbour but we didnt managed to get down to it because the rain and wind was against us! we traced our way back but had to hide under the shelter of the Telstra Dome.. many people who have just got off work were taking shelter there too.. the wind was simply too strong and it started to pour not long after!

Left: this was where we were hiding from the rain and wind.. in the little corner behind the pillar at Gate 1! Right: the bridge leading from Southern Cross Station to Telstra Dome..

we came out of hiding after the rain has stopped.. but it was still windy and very cold.. i really didnt know my finger was that close to my camera lens because i cant feel them anymore!!! if you try hard enough, you can see a rainbow in this photo..

we crossed the bridge back to the DFO and went in to the first warm place that we saw, Theobroma Chocolate Lounge! it was a good choice.. hot chocolate and tea couldnt go wrong in any way! i got Mum a Honeydew Green Tea and myself a Belgian Milk Chocolate, in a mug.. not that i'm craving for that much Hot Chocolate.. but because of the way it is served!

the large one, served in a Mug, has a candle holder at the bottom of the mug! there's a candle burning to keep the hot chocolate warm! i later found out (as usual, goggle it) that they have branches in Malaysia too!!!

Geez.. i'll put this place as my 'must-go' place when i get myself to KL the next time! i promised myself to go back to Melbourne to get that Mug set (they are selling it for A$29!) and the teabags (A$26 for 50 teabags)! looks like i can get them in KL too!

we went to Coles after warming ourselves at the Chocolate Lounge to get more drinking water and fruits.. for dinner, Mum wanted to eat the Nong Shim Shin Ramyun that i had for breakfast yesterday.. but i had enough of instant noodles and bought a Whopper Junior Meal from Hungry Jack's before heading back to the hotel.. we had dinner in the room after getting more hot water from the cafe.. Mum ended up eating half of my Whopper, i know she likes it! haha..

packing was in process after dinner as we'll be checking out tomorrow! what's more, we have got more (much more) things to pack today after the DFO! haha!

Mum in Melbourne! - 14th Sep 2008 (Sun)

we woke up pretty late today, considering that we actually have to check-out of City Centre Budget Hotel at 10am!

i forgot about the time difference and set the alarm clock on my mobile.. and when it rang, i thought it was still early and went on to slack in bed for a long time! in the end, Mum woke up first and went to the shower while i prepared breakfast.. our breakfast for today can be seen on the left.. haha..

while i was in the shower after Mum got back, a guy came to knock on our door to remind us that the check-out time is well over! Geez.. i have never been late in checking out till now! oh well, there's always a first time in everything!

we were finally ready some time before 11am and went down to catch the tram to our hotel for tonight.. Kingsgate Hotel..

however, the check-in time was at 1pm and Mum suggested that we go round the city on the tram till it's closer to 1pm..

in the end, we made about 1 and half rounds before 'trying' to get off on King Street.. the bus driver didnt hear me shouting at him to open the door!

honestly, not many people (who were sitting near the driver) were helpful in telling him to open the door~ so we got off at Spencer Street and walked back towards King Street.. the hotel was much easier to find, considering that it's on the main street.. we got there at about 12.30pm and the room was ready for us!

it looks good externally and has got a lobby.. haha.. but honestly, i dont like the room that we were staying in.. i thought the light was too dim.. there was no TV, mini fridge and electric kettle like the previous one.. and we suddenly felt quite handicapped without these gadgets!

anyway, after dropping our bags in the hotel, we went out to explore the other side of the city.. we were staying just in front of the Southern Cross Station which linked us to the Telstra Dome and also to Victoria Harbour.. i purposely arranged for 2 accommodations and on different sides of the the city.. which was a lucky thing.. i'll come to that later on Day 4..

anyway, we didnt visit the Telstra Dome and Victoria Harbour today.. in fact, while on the City Circle Tram earlier in the day, Mum kept hearing 'Melbourne Central' and i guess shopping is calling her! hehez..

Melbourne Central

we went straight back on the tram again and went to Melbourne Central to look for lunch.. there was a food court in the basement and we shared a plate of 'Chinese' Combo Meal.. Rice/Noodles with 2 dishes for A$6.50.. i guess it's just 'Economical Rice' if i have to put it in Singaporean terms.. after lunch, we went to buy half a dozen of Krispy Kreme doughnuts! Mum tried a mouthful of each while i got myself a Irish Nut Creme from GJ's.. the usual~

we were walking around Melbourne Central and Myer for the whole day and bought some stuff.. we rushed to Coles to get some drinking water before rushing to the tram stop because the trams stop running at 6pm for Sundays.. but to no avail! 5mins before 6pm, most of the trams have already listed themselves as 'Not in Service'!

in the end, the decision was made for us that we have to walk back to the hotel! which i felt was a good thing because we get to see more of Melbourne City on foot instead of just seeing it from the tram..

just across Melbourne Central is the State Library of Victoria.. how interesting and how tempting! i would do some shopping for myself after a day of studying in the library? wahaha.. we began to walk down Swanston Street before turning right onto Bourke Street..

on the way, Mum saw another Vietnamese restaurant, Vietnamese Grill Bar, and went in.. this time round, we had the Double Cook Duck Noodle Soup (A$10.80) to share.. haha.. we had a good chat in there too.. and it was 'duck' by the time we got out of the restaurant.. hehez..

we continued on the way back to the hotel.. after dropping our stuff in the room, we went to the common area/TV/internet room just opposite the cafe to go through some of our bargains and to plan Day 3! Mum has also decided to leave Day Tours till the next trip.. she said she'll be going back to Melbourne! Geez!

Mum in Melbourne! - 13th Sep 2008 (Sat)

our flight to Melbourne was scheduled at 1125.. check-in was 2 hours before, so we got up early to get ready and caught the bus(es) to the airport.. travelling light is a luxury to me because i tend to bring too much!!! i would have many what-if scenarios in my head, causing me to bring extras of this and that for just-in-case situations! Mum was really travelling light, so i decided to follow her.. you cant be wrong when you listen to your Mum, yup? of course, please do not apply this rule to all situations, especially not map-reading!!!

anyway, the flight took slightly over an hour.. and time was fast forward by half an hour.. that's the time difference between Victoria and South Australia.. so we were in Melbourne at about 1310 local time.. there was no bridge leading to the terminal from the plane.. simply because there wasnt much of a terminal to talk about.. Mum was shocked by the Tullamarine Terminal (T4).. i dont blame her because she has been too pampered by Changi Airport! i guess i wasnt shocked like Mum, but it was interesting to know that such a terminal actually exists!

this is the area where we walked in from the tarmac where the plane landed.. see the make-shift toilet/container on the left? Mum was in it when i took this photo! wahaha..

this is the area where passengers pick up their check-in luggages from the conveyor belt.. see the bright sunlight coming through? that's because the area is fenced-up~ yup, FENCE and not walls, okie?

and this is the way out of the terminal! again, just fenced-up.. i was standing at the same spot when i took the above 3 photos.. that was how 'big' T4's Arrival Hall is.. hehez..

we walked out of T4 and headed to T3.. found a bench and sat down to eat what we have packed in the morning.. i asked a couple of guys who worked at the airport and they confirmed that the only public transport from the airport to the city is either the shuttle bus or the cab.. and the main shuttle bus operating from the airport is Skybus Super Shuttle.. i must say i wasnt very impressed with their service due to a couple of incidents..

we bought return tickets (A$26 each) and boarded the bus to the city.. never mind that i didnt have a seat for 20mins as the bus was pretty packed.. but the driver of the minibus that we were about to board next was TOTALLY RUDE! when we reached Southern Cross Station Bus Interchange, we have to continue our journey on a minibus so that we can be dropped off at the doorstep of our hotel..

the lady behind the counter asked us to sit down to wait after she has registered me and Mum for City Centre Budget Hotel.. when the first driver called out the names of passengers/hotels, i didnt catch what he said and went to ask him for clarification..

he replied, "You have to wait for your name to be called!" i was taken aback because all i wanted to know was what he has just said.. seeing the shock on my face, he asked, "So where are you going to?" i said the name of the hotel and at this point in time, the other driver of another minibus called out the hotel that i have booked online.. and this RUDE driver goes, "Look! He's calling out for you now!" and shot me a look! I WAS TOTALLY UNIMPRESSED with your employees, SKYBUS SUPER SHUTTLE!!!

anyway, i got up the minibus grumpily.. there were 2 other stops before ours, which was the last stop.. the driver dropped us on a back alley and said, "it's on your right hand side", before driving away.. he did, as a matter of fact, dropped us off at the doorstep (entrance to the hotel was just a door which we missed).. but the back alley looked intimidating and Mum and i immediately went down the lane to the main street.. we actually asked around and went about in a circle before coming back to the same alley where we were dropped off! not believing that we were staying at such a deserted place, we kept doubting our sense of direction.. when we finally got there, i breathed a huge sigh of relief.. it was getting very late, about 4pm in the afternoon and shops closed between 5pm and 6pm since it's a Saturday!

we climbed the stairs to the reception and checked-in to our room.. it looked pretty good, i must say..

there was no bathroom in the room though.. we have to use the one down the corridor.. the hotel is really pretty clean and has a cozy feel to it.. which i liked.. we have a brief look at the rooftop, where the kitchen was.. we both came to the conclusion that it's better not to use the kitchen.. wahaha! also, i asked the lady at the reception and she confirmed that the entrance at the back alley is the front and only entrance! geez..

we left our hand carry bags at the hotel and went out to discover Melbourne! we asked around and finally got our directions right with regards to which tram to take and in which direction.. when we were on the minibus, we past by this street (which i later found out to be Swanston Street) which seemed really happening.. there were heaps of shops and people.. Mum wanted to head there immediately!

we took the City Circle Tram (it's free!) towards Flinders Street Station and Federation Square..

the City Circle Tram..

Flinders Street Station..

we walked down Swanston Street, checking out the shops as we go along.. while looking for Coles, 'Lord of the Fries' caught my attention! Melbourne has quite some interesting shops to offer.. especially those in the little lanes.. which have their own special characters!

we walked past a Krispy Kreme outlet while wondering around and i told Mum the craze about it.. she didnt seemed to understand until i bought her a 'Original Glazed'.. we shared it sitting on a bench by the road while watching the trams, horse carriages and traffic moving along in their hectic manner.. it didnt take past the 2nd bite before Mum was sold! wahaha! she asked me to get another one to share!!! i bought the 'Karamel Drizzle' this time round.. it was still very good but a tad too sweet..

we moved along after Krispy Kreme and came to Swanston Walk Cafe Bar.. their pizza slices were going at A$1.50 each and we bought one to share.. haha.. before long, 6pm came and most retail shops were closing..

we walked back towards the direction of Flinders Street Station and Mum was interested in this Vietnamese Restaurant called Mekong Vietnam.. we went in for dinner because Mum wanted to try!

we ordered a Beef Special to share.. which consist of beef, brisket, beef ball, tendon, tripe, sausage, bone marrow, rice noodles and soup.. it was pretty good.. most of our meals in Melbourne were shared because Mum wanted to try lots of stuff but the servings were too huge for her.. so i ended up being the rubbish bin, sharing whatever she wants to try~ *wink*

by the time we finished with dinner, night has fallen and we continued with our way back to the tram stop that we got off earlier in the evening.. and i saw another interesting 'shop'..

look! Curtin House!

when i took this photo, i didnt know that this is one of Melbourne's coolest building.. now i do.. because i googled it! wahaha! there's a cinema on its rooftop!!! how cool is that~ i will go back for this!

St Paul's Cathedral at night..

my camera didnt do a very good job in capturing it a night..

Flinders Street Station at night..

Federation Square at the background with one of Melbourne's trams..

we got a bit lost after getting off the tram that we took back from Flinders Street because i got off a stop earlier.. we were supposed to get off at the Parliament House, which is nearer to our hotel.. instead, we dropped off at City Museum (i thought it was the Parliament House) and i was trying to trace my way back to the hotel in the opposite direction.. Mum pointed out the right way to go after i couldnt find the hotel!!!

what a day! all we did after we got back to the hotel was to shower, lie on bed and watch TV! we also looked through all the brochures that we have collected at the airport for Day Tours.. Mum finally decided on one that she really liked.. i called up the company but all seats were booked and the earliest was Tuesday! but that was the day that we have to fly back to SA! hence, Day Tours were put on hold..