5-7 Apr 2012 - Easter Weekend Getaway - Glenrowan & Wangaratta (Vic, Aus)

5-April (Maundy Thursday) : Finished work around 7 p.m.   Then the three of us headed to St John the Baptist Church to hear the Lord Supper's mass at 8p.m.  It was a beautiful service with very good choices of songs.  At some point, we felt being in a retreat house. "This is my commandment - Wash each others feet as I have done to you,  Love one another as I have loved you." 

We cooked and had dinner afterwards... then packed our things for an 'early' morning drive the following day.

6-April (Good Friday) : Not quite early... Left around 9 a.m. and had our first stop over at St Patrick's Parish at Lilydale to attend the Stations of the Cross at 10am. 

It's already nearly lunch time.  We continue our journey to Wangaratta where we were planning to stay for a night.
Somewhere at Yea were two traffic policemen, one of them giving a signal to one of the cars to stop, to give way to other cars, but to our surprise, the car didn't stop and drove fast, passing over the two policemen.  One of the policemen hurriedly jumped to the car and start chasing the reckless driver... both of them soon disappeared in our sight.  We didn't know what happened next.

At Hume Freeway, we saw a sign of Glenrowan, said to be the Ned Kelly's last stand.  Got curious, so, we turned off to see what's in there.   It's a small, quiet town with a big statue of Ned Kelly, the infamous bushranger.  Had a walk then decided to see the animated theatre of Ned Kelly's final moments. We thought it's a bit scary for young kids but a bit boring for adults.  (Writer's  thoughts - What made him so famous?  I don't really understand why the name and memory of a criminal has to live to this date like a hero.)

the view from room 10

Glad we made it at 3p.m.-Good-Friday-service at St Patrick Church at Wangaratta.  It's two-St-Patrick churches for us in a day.   It was a solemn mass, followed by the Veneration of the Cross ("Behold the Wood of the Cross").  It was already nearly 5p.m.  This time, our wish was to be able to find a place to stay for a night.  I guessed, we were lucky.  There was only one room left available when we arrived at Parkview Motor Inn  and the room was overlooking Merriwa Park. 



6-Apr- This photo was taken
at Wangaratta, along Parfitt Rd
towards Apex Park

The three of us had a picnic (early dinner) at Merriwa Park.  It is a sunken natural park with sports, bbq facilities and playground.  Merriwa means rich flat ground at the bend of the river and the place was said to be the old meeting place of the Pangerang Aboriginal tribe.

We drove to Myrtleford just to look around but it was already dark and didn't see much. 


7-April:  We woke up early and did a bit of driving and walking around Wangaratta.  Maybe not a very exciting place to visit but since we're already here, we might as well look around.   

The Holy Trinity Cathedral - it is an old Anglican cathedral, one of the oldest building in Wangaratta, built from granite coming from the nearby Warby ranges.




Railway Station of Wangaratta, opened in 1873.

Memorial Garden ( next to the Holy Trinity Cathedral ). It contains two war basalt memorials. The first commemorating the four local soldiers killed in the Boer War and a declaration of peace at Pretoria. lt bears the names of Borough and Wangaratta shire residents who were killed in the two World Wars as well as the Vietnam War. 

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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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11-Jul-2011 Gateway to Outback New South Wales

Getting around Wentworth, the gateway to the Outback New South Wales and nearby towns... 

Orange World at Buronga NSW. 

We took a 10:30 am train tour around a big orchard with different varieties of citrus fruits and avocados.  We were greeted by a friendly host, Mario who gave us a complimentary orange juice and mandarins.  And just before the start of the tour, we were welcomed by a beautiful country music rendered by Bryan, the train driver.   

Saw 2 types of cumquats, a citrus fruit called Buddha’s hand (they’re like chilly but actually citrus fruit, tastes bitter according to Brian), valencia oranges, pomelos, tangelos, limes and many others.  According to them, there were around 30 varieties... couldn't remember all of them.

At Wentworth, NSW - 

Two Rivers Ski Reserve.  In here was a bridge to the small island where you can stand at the confluence of the Darling and Murray River.  We walked a bit but came back immediately to the car,  the place was very bushy, scared to encounter a snake along the way.

<- Murray River

                      Darling River ->

Junction Park.   Where the rivers meet.... The confluence of the 2 mighty rivers can be best viewed from the observation tower located at the park.  Darling River is Australia's longest river.   It starts in Queensland SE and NSW, flows 2740km and ends/joins the Murray River at Wentworth.  Murray River, the great dividing range, acts as a natural border between Victoria and New South Wales and flows around 2530 km.  

Lock 10 and Weir.   Completed in 1929 to regulate the level of water of Murray River for irrigation

Perry Sandhills.  A natural wonder of Wentworth, good for toboganning up and down the sand dunes. 

Justin enjoyed this place the most.  It reminded us of our Desert Safari tour at Dubai. 

It's winter so no need to worry about the burning sun.  Another thing that caught our attention were the wild plants around the area bearing small water melons. 

Woodsies Gem Shop at Mildura.  The place provides a demo for cutting, grinding and polishing of gemstones.  We're late and missed this part when we got there.  It has an outstanding display of gemstones -- jewellery and giftware in different colours.  While Justin was out enjoying the Garden Crazy Maze, we looked around and managed to buy a pair of green-brownish heavy bookends and a small vase made from solid stones, to replace the decors  broken late last year in our bathroom downstairs when Justin's friends had a gathering in the house. 

It was 5pm and time to head home.  We arrived just before 11pm at Melbourne where we had an order of Cantonese rice stick noodle and Spicy Chicken Chop to take home. 

More photos:
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09-10 Jul 2011 Outback New South Wales

Term 2 school break... I worked from home for a week and took 2 days off to have some 'us'  time with Mon & Justin.

Checked the availability of hotels/motels somewhere at Mildura / Wentworth.  It's not so bad going without pre-booked accommodations.

09-Jul.  We packed our bags, took a quick shower, filled up the petrol and off we go - drove along Calder Highway.   Since we passed Charlton, noticed that we had been driving for a few hours without a sight of even Maccas or KFC or any other fast foods.  Haven't had lunch yet, lucky we had biscuits and grapes in the car.  

Redcliffs. 

After long hours of driving, we stopped over at Redcliffs to fill up the patrol again.  Then dropped by to take a photo of Big Lizzie, an old, enormous machinery used to clear vast expanses of land at the Redcliffs Soldier Settlement.  It was purchased by a Big Lizzie Commitee, restored and now becomes a monument at Redcliffs Barclay Square along Calder Highway.

We took our chances that there might be a place open to get some food to eat around the area... it was already nearly 4pm and we didn't have a decent meal yet.   Alas! Found a BBQ chicken  and Fish n Chips take-away.   Not very satisfying but good enough to fill our hungry stomachs.

Just a few minutes drive after Redcliffs,  Justin felt disappointed seeing Maccas at Mildura.  Drove further and checked-in at a motel somewhere at Wentworth.   Our trip was supposed to be just a night getaway but later decided to extend it.  Thinking of staying on the same motel but changed our mind the moment we took a shower.   Mon said.. "Mas malakas pa ang ihi ko sa shower na'to."  LOL.



Abbotford Bridge



10-Jul.  Left Wentworth, drove to Abbortsford Bridge over the Murray River, then to Calder Highway going to Mildura. 

Along the way, we stopped by a "Honesty" fruit shop to see what they got in there.  It was a good price, $5 for a 10kg-pack of oranges.  But thought that it might not be a good idea to buy then as it would be hard having the fruits in and out of Sunraysia Region if we are travelling.  Thought of buying one before we got home.



We stopped over again and parked opposite the Top of the State Merbein Entrance sign.   Merbein is the northermost part of Victoria.

Reached Mildura and had breakfast at Centro foodcourt... then drove to the outback of New South Wales.

Lake Mungo National Park.

Felt a bit scared being alone on the road along the Fletcher's Lake Road on  the way to MungoNP.   Phone - no service.  Alone on the road and we couldn't see anything but 360deg-view of a flat empty land... not even a single tree in sight.   

We were relieved to see a company on the road along Wentworth-Pooncarie Road and seeing trees and vineyards once in a while.  Scared of being lost :-).

We reached the Top Hut Road intersection from Wentworth -Pooncarie Road, where we had to drive more than 60 kilometers on unsealed road to the Mungo NP's Visitors Centre.

  

At the end of Top Hut Rd is the entrance to Mungo National Park. 










On the way to the Walls,
we saw more emus... really cool!  

  

We stopped to take a photo...  and were amazed when we saw two roaming wild emus.  It's not as if we haven't seen emus before... but seeing emus outside the zoo, in the wild was simply awesome.    Mon kept on telling us to get in the car for one of the emus, headin' to our direction, might run after us.  Cool!

We stopped at Zanci Buildings site then went to the Visitors Centre.  The self guided tour was closed but the Walls of China was open.

Mungo - Walls of China.


Overlooking Mungo Walls of China

Ahead was an exellent view of the lunette Walls of China.  We were on the bed of Lake Mungo, dried up thousands of years ago.  From the brochures, they named the different layers in the erroded pinnacles of the Walls:

• Gol Gol Unit - pink soils at the base of the lunette 
• Upper and Lower Mungo Units - brownish cream and white sands formed when the lakes were full.
• Arumpo/Zanci Units - grey clays which cap the residual pinnacles.

  

 

 

We walked a bit and took a few photos then left.  Driving back to Mildura was quite OK... Not too bad as we already knew what to expect.  We even stopped and took a shot of Fletchers Lake along the way.  

Mildura Wharf

At Mildura, we went to buy a take-away meal at KFC then drove to Mildura Wharf.

It was a quick meal before headin' to Sacred Heart Parish along 11th Street to attend a 5pm-Sunday mass. 

It was not peak season and we didn't have a hard time finding a place to stay for a night. The day trip ended with a meal at a Chinese Retaurant close to the motel.

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