Visit + PG Conference

I know, I know. I haven't update my blog in a while. Sorry! Things are going crazy around here. I'm going into my sixth month here, and my boss is starting to expect some results from me. Stress!! So that's basically what I've been doing all these while. Work. And why am I not working now? Because I'm sick. I haven't been feeling well this whole week. I know I should be resting, but what better time to blog than now? So, here I am, blogging while I'm sick. I tend to like to do things when I'm sick (an excuse to not be working), like cleaning, cooking AND blogging. But anyway, two big events since I last updated my blog: my parents visit and PG Conference. How did they went? Well, that's what I'm going to tell you now. Be patient! A word of warning though. This is going to be a long, long post.

Parents Visit

The best way to share is by showing pictures. Well we didn't do much on the first day. Jet lag PLUS lotsa catching up to do. On the second day, we went to QV market. It was a special day. So we went to the market and get some food to be cooked for dinner (I'm cooking dinner!!). And of course, QV is a must in to-visit list. Lotsa things to see. Perhaps it was pre-Melbourne's Cup Day race on that day, a couple of stalls were closed and the market wasn't as crowded as usual (Good for us!!). Bought lotsa souvenir..

Usual me being a "si lai"

The rest of the day was spent shopping and preparing for dinner. We were celebrating daddy's birthday!! Whee~

The next day was spent on Bacchus Marsh. We went to visit Aunty Jenny and family at Payne's Orchard. Very nice orchard I must say, but too bad it wasn't cherry picking season yet. Thank you Aunty Jenny and family for being such perfect host. Thanks Graeme for the lovely barbeque pork :D and thanks Kim and Lee for the bag of lemon (still sitting in my refrigerator).

The well known Avenue of Honour

Payne's Orchard

Ride around the orchard on quad bike

Sitting from left: Playful Zara, Aunty Jenny and Graeme

Standing from left: Sabina, Kim and Lee

The next day was spent with Uncle Moo Chong and family. We went for an outing to Yarra Valley and Philip's Island. Yes!! We manage to go two places in ONE day. All thanks to Aunty Wing's perfect planning. And of course, thanks to Uncle Moo Chong and Hon who drove all day long with us sleeping at the back of the car =P

From left: Daddy, Uncle Moo Chong, Aunty Wing, Mummy, Me and Darling

Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley

Colourful birdie

The bird whisperer

Chefs of the day

Yummy!

Lovely barbeque lunch in the midst of nature. Fabulous! We moved on to Philip's Island right after the lunch. Didn't manage to snap any photo of the cute penguins as cameras aren't allowed. But it's a once in a lifetime experience, this I can say. It's a must visit place if you come to Australia. It's the only place where you can watch wild fairy penguins upclose.

Then of course, there's tour around Melbourne City. We went to several places. Among the higlights: the state library, Royal Botanical Garden, Melbourne's Aquarium, Melbourne's Zoo and Eureka Tower. I was quite disappointed with the zoo. Perhaps we went a little too late, most of the animals were sleeping. Some were hiding. Can't even spot any koala and elephant (yes, I know they're gigantic and supposed to be easy to spot!). But others were quite okay.

The Victoria State Library

National Gallery of Victoria

Melbourne's Cup Day parade

Melbourne's Aquarium

The King penguins

Melbourne Zoo

From Eureka Tower (Day scene)

From Eureka Tower (Night scene)

Yarra River (Day scene)

Yarra River (Night Scene)

Night scene of Melbourne City

Night scene of Melbourne City

We saved Ballarat for the last. Went to the Wildlife Park and Sovereign Hill. Not bad-lah. The Wildlife Park is actually more interesting than the zoo!! We finally get to see koala!

 

 

Wildlife Park entrance

Kangaroooo...

Emu

The lazy wombat

The tai ko

Some funny facts on koalas

Sovereign Hill is particularly interesting. A lot of things to learn. Traditional processes in making wheels, candles, bakery etc. Couldn't post much of it here so just show couple of pictures.

Candles making

Printing shop

Old time express train

Two refugees

Traditional Chinese herbs store

Singing cowboys

The Gold Museum

That pretty much conclude the trip. But not bad-lah, took a few places off my to-visit list =) Did a lot of catching up, and I'm homesick again!! =(

PG Conference

This is going to be relatively short. Nothing much to talk about. Presented my poster and gain some experience. A small conference, but not bad for my first conference lah. Took a group picture at the end of the two-days conference. And I was awarded with one of the Dean Poster Award. Whee~

Okay, time to really get some rest.