8 Apr 2012 - Easter Sunday (Bright-Porepunkah-Milawa)

BRIGHT-POREPUNKAH-MILAWA

8 April:  "Wake up!  C'mon guys! Get Up!  We'll be late!" ... That was Mum in early, Sunday morning.  We checked out at 8a.m., in time for an 8:30a.m. Easter Sunday mass at Our Lady of Snow, Bright.  There were so many people.

It was followed by a short stroll from Railway Ave to Ireland St, appreciating the beautiful colours of autumn.  At the end of it was the Bright Clock Tower.   We had a quick brekky at Edelweiss Baker -  solved with Chicken Bread roll for me/Mon and a meat pie for Justin.  To satisfy Mon's craving with chocolate that morning, we stopped by an old lolly shop to buy some sweets before going to the car park.

We drove to the direction going to Huggins Lookout.   But for some reason (wrong turn), we ended up in the direction going to Clearspot Lookout ... with amazing views of Bright and the Great Alpine Valleys.  It was good, but what we didn't expect was the 'more or less 9km-drive on unsealed road' on the way up and another on the way down.  Well, we had fun anyway.

It was time for one of Bright's most popular walks.  We had more than 1-or-2-hour walk, along Ovens River via the Canyon Walk, crossing swing bridges and learning about Bright's gold mining history.  Along the way were different bird species, small canyons carved by the Ovens river,  gorge/canyons cut/carved by the hands of the early miners, and a 'butterfly' who had been following us throughout our journey. 

We had a late lunch at 3pm, and as most of the restaurants were no longer serving lunch at 3pm, we just bought something to fill up our hungry stomachs from Fish & Chips takeaway.  
I guessed this day was a day for more lookouts and more bush walking.  We drove to Porepunkah and was aiming to reach the Apex Lookout.  The sign suggested that the road ahead was only suitable for 4WD vehicle.  Indeed, it was.  The road was not just an ordinary unsealed road.  It was rough and steep. 
At one moment, 'got scared when Mon mentioned about an indicator that popped up, something to do with the engine, while we were struggling to drive uphill.  It was not a good idea.  We found a good spot to park and later decided to just do the hard way... walking trail to Apex Lookout.  1.2 km walk (one way) according to the sign.   It was scary.  First, we were the only one.  We never saw a single walker.  Second, it was steep, with narrow path in the middle of eucalypt woodlands.  What if we saw a goanna?  Third,  we didn't see any sign, i.e. how far more?  We hope, we're able to come down before dark.  Inspite of all the worries.... we finally reached the APEX lookout!  We were the only one on top and proud that we made it.  In there was the Bright Point, offering a very good view of the city of Bright. 

We stopped over at Myrtleford,  and had some photos taken...  last glimpse of the beautiful colours of autumn in this part of Victoria.


It's Easter and we thought...  after all the walking and adventures we had, we probably deserve a fine dinner with wine.  Before heading back to Melbourne, we drove towards the Milawa Gourmet region.  And there at Lindenwarrah Hotel,  we had our Easter Family dinner.  

P.S.  We thought the trip ended at Lindenwarrah.  Not quite, on the way home to Melbourne... was Justin talking to one of his mates, and for the first time,  planning for a movie without Mum and Dad... I said to Mon... "Remember this day.  Another chapter in our unico hijo's life.... we can't really stop him from growing... a baby no more". 
That's all for us... The whole 3-day journey was a memorable experience :-)  It all happened during the 2012 Easter Weekend!!!  Happy Easter everyone!

More Photos:
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22-31 Aug 2011 - Tita Irene's Visit - Melbourne Day Trips

Monday 22 August.  Mon rang me around lunch time saying that Tita I will be coming over for a week.  Oops.. we're already booked to watch Rock of Ages on Sunday.   I had to call 'Bunso' immediately to ask if there's still available seat next to us.  Good thing, there's one more available. 


The challenge was, she's already been to Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, been to snow at Mt Buller, and Phillip Island.  With our current workload and school holiday coming, interstate trip was also impossible...  Where else could we take her.


Well, it's not too bad after all... it's mostly food trip and a bit of nature.


On her first night, we had dinner at Grande Vorno Bistro.  One of our fave resto along Warrigal Road, Ashburton...  woodfire pizza, risotto and pasta.. yum!

On Wednesday, 24 August, we took her to the largest drive-in theatre in Australia, at the Lunar Drive-in, South Gippsland Highway Dandenong.  We thought that the place was something different.  It was her first time to watch a movie at the comfort of her blanket inside the car...  

though not sure if she was satisfied with the ending of the movie - Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  We're solved with burgers, sausage and chips for dinner.

After the movie, 'had a dessert at the newly opened 'Pancake Parlour Restaurant'  along Warrigal Road, close to Chaddy.

Thursday, 25 August, was Costco time.  Tita Irene and Justin met at Flinders St station.  Justin gave Tita I a tour around cityloop up to Parliament station where they were supposed to meet me... I was in the meeting and so Justin took Tita I at Myers along Bourke St, where I met them later on.  We hopped on a city circle tram going to Docklands.. and there at Costco, we did a bit of shopping of household stuffs plus some lollies and chocs for Tita I.  Later on, we drove to Hogs Breath-Warrigal and had steak for dinner.

Friday, 26 August.   Ramon and I took a day off from work.  After sending Justin to school, we had a quick  breakfast and start the day tour...





Maroondah Reservoir Dam and Park, Healesville.  It is a small reservoir that supplies water to Melbourne Victoria.  The 'English syle' garden, spectacular views of the mountains and reservoir from the dam wall pathway,  the native bush and spillway are just some of the good things about this place.

 

Skyhigh Mount Dandenong.  On top of Mount Dandenong with stunning views of the Greater Melbourne.  Also featuring the most-photographed Giant's Chair.  We walked around, then had lunch at the Skyhigh Bistro and Restaurant.   





Toorongo Falls Reserve at Noojee, Gippsland.  We crossed the bridge over the Toorongo River...  then kept on wandering, bush-walking up hill along the circuit walking track that leads to the  viewing platform of Toorongo Falls.  Had been there three times and we wouldn't mind coming back again.  The falls was such a beauty.   After taking a few photos, we followed the track... going to Ampitheatre Falls.

Noojee is just a few kilometers away from Baw Baw Alpine Village.  We did attempt to go there but later decided to back out after seeing a sign that a chain is required at all times.  We didn't have one at the car at that time.  We headed home and stopped at Neerim for another photo of Tita I, overlooking one of the 'Victoria's Black Saturday's impacted places. 

(Thanks to Tito Lorenz for taking Justin to swimming and looking after him until we arrived).  We picked them up at the Chocolate Factory, then drove to Chaddy to wait for Tita Jac.  Justin impressed Tita I and gave her a tour towards the Northeast wing of Chaddy, where LV, Prada, Gucci, etc can be found.  It was a long Friday.  The tour ended after a sumptuous dinner at the The Grand Tofu at The Glen with D'Robles.

Saturday, 27 August.  Justin's piano lesson in the morning and AMEB Piano exam in the afternoon...  After this, we didn't waste a minute while the sun was still up.

Brighton Beach.  In the upmarket suburb of Brighton are the famous and very colourful beach huts/sheds.  We walked and took a few photos.

Frankston Beach.  Justin was already a bit grumpy, so, we had an early dinner at Sofia's Restaurant at Frankston Beach.  It was a beautiful evening.

Sunday, 28 August.  We (with Tita I) went to Sunday mass, then met with D'Robles.  Sunday! It's party time! Yeah!  At the city, had a quick lunch at Maccas.. then walked down to Comedy Theatre where we watched 'The Rock of Ages'.  I hope the show didn't completely corrupt Justin's mind!        

Not completely satisfied with 'The Rock of Ages', it was 'Dance till you Drop' at Kish-Kish's Birthday Party.  I guessed, there was this other side of Mon, that Tita I discovered.  Likewise, we didn't know that Tita I was really good in line dancing. 

Monday, 29 August. We watched Justin playing piano at the assembly.  Meantime, Tita I decided to stay until Wednesday.  She and Justin went for a bike ride after school and had fun playing WII - Mario and Just Dance.

Tuesday, 30 August.  Tita I went to the city all by herself.  I think it was an adventure for her... She stopped at Flinders Station, walked her way, 'supposed to be' to Mon's office, but found herself back to Flinder's station again after a few minutes of walking.  Mon came to the rescue and just picked her up.   D'Robles and D'Pontillases joined us for dinner at home to meet Tita I. 

Wednesday, 31 August. It was Tita I's last night at Beacon.  We had 'All You Can Eat' dinner at Kitchen's Workshop, Southbank.  Then, enjoy the night walking along the Crown Metropol and the southern bank of the Yarra River. 

Photos:

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