Our Great Ocean Road road trip

What an exciting few days we have had! We picked up our Nissan X-Trail, in an attractive shade of iridescent lilac, and hit the road. Jim has christened it Dipi, reg. No. IDIP, but he has dyslexic tendencies.


The Great Ocean Road begins at Torquay, the home of Rip-Curl, Billabong, etc, a surfers paradise, in reality a bit nondescript, with a surfers museum, but, after much thought, we gave that a miss! We headed for Anglesea, a cute little seaside town, stopped for a look, then onto an amazing wild beach called Point Roadknight, with massive waves, clear aqua water and weird limestone formations.









Our journey then took us along the coast, the road hugged the cliffs, clinging on as we wound our way down around the hairpin bends. The scenery is breathtaking, we stopped again and again to just look, with awe. We passed through Airey's Inlet, and a series of creeks: Orchard, Petticoat, Separation, Sugarloaf, Wilson, Skenes and Shrapnel Gully. They're all small hamlets overlooking the beaches. We finally arrived at Lorne, the most picture postcard, perfect place.

There were cockatiels everywhere, white with yellow plumes, scavenging for fish and chip wrappers, just Iike seagulls at Scarborough!


We meandered into the Visitor Centre in Lorne, to be met by a very excited lady, Wendy, who has lived in Australia since the late 60's. She heard our accent and .... She originated from Chesterfield, went to Leeds University, married a Yorkshireman, and has family in Riccall!! This was the first conversation we had with an emigre, and I'm just telling you because over the past few days we have had several - all on a similar theme about parents, uncles, partners, aunties, cousins, etc.

Finally we left Lorne en route to Apollo Bay, we stopped off for a walk to the Sheoak Falls, then to our 'luxury' accommodation, a chintzy motel in Apollo Bay.

On Wednesday, following Wendy's advice, we discovered a gum tree forest alongside Kennett River. We drove up Grey River Road, a dirt and gravel track, then abandoned the car and walked among the gum trees. They smelt just like Hall's Originals and cleared out our sinuses. We were looking for, and found, koalas by the score.







When we finally tore ourselves away we continued through the forest as it became more dense and the trees and undergrowth changed to massive ferns and mountain ash. The road was barely navigable in parts but Dipi did us proud. Suddenly a kangaroo leapt from the trees in front of us, making us jump and hopped along a bit with us following then disappeared. We'd had a competition as to who saw the first kangaroo, sadly Jim won which meant I had to buy him a pint. After he'd given me the money (obviously I don't have any of my own any more), I duly obliged!

Onto Triplet Falls, which involved a walk through a forest of gigantic mountain ash and huge ferns, it seemed like a primeval forest, we wouldn't have been surprised if a dinosaur had appeared and, in fact, we discussed a plan for survival if one did! (I know, but we are removed from the worries of the real world)









On the way back the road took us inland to Laver's Hill, the main hub of the community, consisting of a general store and the ubiquitous motel. We dropped down to the most beautiful bay we had ever seen, Castle Cove, near Glenaire, the colour of the water is amazing.


On Thursday it was on to Port Campbell, on the way we called at Cape Otway to marvel at the lighthouse.





We picnicked at Moonlight Head, overlooking Wreck Beach. Sounds very romantic but was really red scrubland on an exposed cliff.



This part of our journey took us through the Port Campbell National Park, which is in the sea. The most famous limestone formations are called the Twelve Apostles. They are fantastic to see but are on a main tourist route and we ended up viewing them with several Japanese tourist buses.





We stayed in a brilliant motel that night, and the owner, another Brit with a tale to tell, told us about more limestone formations, which are not as well known but just as good, if not better than the Apostles. We left him, on Friday morning, to find out. I'll let you be the judge.



The Arch




London Bridge



The Grotto.

On our friend's recommendation we just had to visit Croft's Bay.






We drove through Peterborough, the last town on the Great Ocean Road before it turns into the Princes Highway. The road travels inland and back to the coast several times. We are heading for a town called Mount Gambier over the state border in South Australia. We are now going to enjoy two nights in Warrnamboll back on the coast. See you, hopefully, in South Australia, wi-fi permitting!



- Posted by Annie & Jim using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Warrnamboll, Victoria

Goodbye Melbourne, the open road beckons.

Following the advice of our friendly coffee shop owners we visited Albert Park on Thursday and joined the locals in their fitness regimes by taking a power walk around the lake and all the way to St Kilda. Who needs trams, we love walking, it's not a small lake either but we're young, healthy and fit (not open for discussion so keep all comments to yourselves.) In fact the park is the home of the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. Though having walked through the park without all the rigmarole that goes with the grand prix it's hard to imagine it.
Our route march was followed by a picnic and an afternoon lazing in the sun alongside the beach before a rather more sedate stroll back to the apartment in the evening sun.

We caught a tram on Friday and headed for Queen Victoria Market. We could have bought loads, and in fact, did and had to lug it all the way back. The stalls seem to go on forever and they sell everything, we couldn't resist the fish, and the prawns were enormous. We ended up carrying four bags each!

At 9pm that evening, after a sumptuous meal of grilled prawns, accompanied by beers and too much wine, we again boarded a tram for a return to St Kilda. We were going to experience the most memorable event in Oz so far. During the journey we were earwigging to 4 Aussies. During the conversation one girl said, 'I had to go to the chickin disc.' This was met with blank looks from the other three so she said it again. Her friends still looked bemused. After the third time, and still obviously not being understood, she clarified, 'You know, like at the airport.' At this point I was verging on hysteria, although it could have been the wine!

We then got into a conversation with a young couple who were, in his words, from 'Tas.' They mistook us for locals and asked us which stop they needed to get off at for the main beach, and we actually knew!

So, why were on the tram - we were going to see the little penguins. (They are actually called little penguins) After walking along the pier and onto the breakwater we were able to see the penguins returning to their nests in the rocks after spending the day at sea. They are cute little things and look so clumsy when they walk. I don't know how they manage to scale the rocks. They were slipping and sliding all over the place. There was a guide with an infra red torch and she showed us the nests with the fluffy babies. Awwh. You weren't allowed to use flash photography so our pictures aren't brilliant.
Though the penguins are very cute, they are quite aggressive and noisy, fighting over the 'best' rocks. The guide told us that they make the same noise whether they are mating or arguing. Hmmm!
After cooing over the penguins we joined all the other 'young' things and hit the bars. It was interesting watching backpackers drink until they collapsed in the middle of the tram tracks. Our cue to leave! We spent the weekend mooching round the shops, walking, eating and drinking, walking, spotting parakeets, walking and ... Well I'm sure you get the picture.

We set off this morning to walk through town and Christmas has arrived! Santa's helpers must have been out overnight because suddenly Melbourne has been transformed into one big Santa's grotto. Myers department store has 6 windows of animated stuff with barriers in front just Iike Maceys in New York. We explored Lygon Street, the Italian quarter. It was gorgeous, all pizza restaurants, coffee shops and shoes, a little bit of Italy in the middle of trendy Melbourne. Oh, the smell of that coffee...

We're all packed up now, ready to say bye-bye to Melbourne and begin our road trip along the Great Ocean Road. See you.

PS - Sorry for lack of pics but for some reason they wouldn't upload, I'll try again later.

- Posted by Jim and Annie using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Albert Road, Melbourne

Just mosying around

When we set off on our travels we knew that we would have to take time out from just being tourists, find somewhere to relax and live in one of the countries we were to visit. Well that's what we have been doing, though we have still found the need to see the sights. Late Friday afternoon found us sitting in Federation Square partaking in a small beer with the workers starting the weekend in traditional Aussie fashion.


After a mouth watering Italian meal, in the company of locals, on Saturday evening we spent Sunday doing absolutely nothing. After a lie in we sat on our balcony watching the runners in the city to city "fun" run pass by. I was stirred into getting some exercise and took a 200 metre walk to the newsagents to get the Sunday papers. After my excursions we both found the need to sit and read the papers for a few hours and watch the world pass by.





Though it is good to be able to relax in the apartment it feels strange to have to clear your pots away, make the bed and tidy up rather than it all being done by magic whilst you are out of your room. I have to say the way in which Annie has resumed activities such as washing and cooking with a smile on her face shows how much she has missed the domestic side of life. It must be in her genes.

A visit to the Fitzroy area of Melbourne took us through two parks and an area that is called the sports precinct which is home to several sport stadiums all next to each other. Amongst them are the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rod Laver Arena and AAMI park, the Melburnians are truly sports mad.





After a walk in the park, Fitzroy Park, the home of Cooks Cottage which was shipped over from Great Ayton brick by brick and rebuilt in the park complete with an English cottage garden, it was into








Fitzroy. It is known as the bohemian multi cultural area of Melbourne, an inner city area that has been given a fresh life. It is full of cafes, restaurants and individual shops, Range Rovers park alongside old cars, a real mix of people and cultures.



A day on the beach has eventually beckoned and in true Melburnian fashion it was a tram to St Kilda. After a walk along the esplanade and the pier we lay on the beach for a few hours under clear blue skies. The beach was packed with young people, either students who decided that a day on the beach was better than Uni or back packers.





The day was finished with a pint of the local brew and, what else but fish and chips, sat looking over the sea. How English is that or should it be how Australian.



- Posted by James using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Swanston Street, Melbourne.

Love at first sight

After watching a spectacular sunset at Singapore airport we boarded our night fight from Singapore, leaving at 8pm and arriving in Melbourne at 6 am, another 3 hours in front.


We were knackered and freezing, after the heat and humidity of Singapore a rainy Spring Melbourne morning was a bit of a shock. A shuttle bus took us into the Southern Cross station and we spent a pleasant hour in a community cafe having a breakfast of bruchetta with locals who were having breakfast on their way to work. Lovely - no rice or noodles!

A friendly taxi driver took us to our apartment building, first impressions were poor, there was no key. You know that feeling when you are so tired you can't see straight, you want a shower and to remove the clothes you feel as if you have been wearing for ever? Well, we had to wait another 3 hours until the apartment owner and the manager of the block traced the key. We wandered like zombies through a grey, cold morning, not really seeing anything, drinking coffees we didn't really want. Passing time until we could sleep.

Cut to a few hours later, we were in a delightful apartment, rested, unpacked and looking out onto an amazing view on a bright, hot Melbourne afternoon!
The sky was blue, the sun was high and the humidity was - gone! Oh yes!!

Our apartment, owned by a French lady, and very Parisian in style, overlooks the huge park which contains a very impressive shrine of remembrance, the Governors House, the Royal Botanic gardens, the Tan (a 4 km running track), and the Sydney Myer Music Bowl. Since Tuesday we've explored the park, in depth, shopped til we've dropped and practically renewed all our clothes, drunk at brilliant bars, eaten at fab restaurants, cooked (yes cooked) and fallen in love with Melbourne. We've seen parakeets, possums and kookaburras.










It's all wide streets, gorgeous buildings, both old and new, street entertainers, crap telly, Aussie rules football, proper football! cricket, KD Lang and Stevie Nicks gigs, theatre, etc. In fact it's almost like home, with sun!

During this frenetic settling in period, I've had my hair cut, at last. You know I'm a bit fussy with my hair but a lovely German girl cut it in a swanky salon in David Jones department store. Today we've been to the Immigration museum, very poignant, some truly heartbreaking stories of children sent to Australia from Britain, sometimes without their parents knowledge. There were tales of abuse, physical and sexual, siblings being split-up and some stories too distressing to read or hear. However, it's a fantastic insight into the development of Australia, and the wrongs done to the Aboriginal people.







The Melburnians are great, laid back and very friendly. The girls are stunning, no artifice, no acrylic nails, bright nail varnish and straightened hair. They favour tousled hair and curls, short, bare nails and a natural look and are so refreshing. Everyone seems to be into sport, every other person is in sports gear and they run and cycle everywhere.

We're enjoying just 'living' here, we've made great friends out of the Chinese born owners of the local coffee bar. Every day they tell us somewhere else to explore then we have to report back the next! Wi-fi is a bit hit and miss so please forgive the intermittent blogs and slow replies to e-mail.

I've just read this back and it's a bit mixed up and garbled, sorry! Suffice to say Melbourne is lovely, we could live here! Plans for the next few days - to St Kilda to the beach, visit the Italian quarter, the grand prix circuit, explore the suburbs, book a hire car and plan a road trip to Adelaide along the Ocean road. Hope everyone is ok at home, Christmas seems a world away, no decs out in Melbourne - yet. Take care.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Super, shiny Singapore

First of all thank you for all your supportive messages re our little incident on the monorail. Its nice to know we have such kind and caring family and friends - NOT.

Anyway onto Singapore. V-Hotel Lavender is an expensive travelodge, tiny room, tiny single beds, tiny, tiny bathroom, oh but they do throw in a tiny breakfast! Needless to say we didn't spend too much time there.

Singapore is a gleaming, spotless shrine to man-made perfection and there is so much to see. It does take your breath away. Everything they do is done to the highest standard.

We visited Raffles on Thursday, it's just like a film set, stuck in a time warp but with every modern amenity you could imagine.





Anyway, as you are aware, we ended up in the Long Bar, drinking Singapore slings - delicious, and it felt so decadent!


We made our way down to the Marina Bay development, oh wow!!! It looks like an artists impression, so perfect, it's gorgeous with the weird and wonderful art and science museum, a floating sports field, a bridge which replicates DNA, a three tower hotel with a massive boat on the top holding the world's largest elevated swimming pool, an amazing shopping centre which has a canal on the ground floor where boats float serenely. I could go on and on but I'm sure you'd rather look at photos.









Little India is an education, only a small area but it bustles with activity. All the Chinese shophouses have been renovated and painted in striking colours. We spent Saturday night at the Blue Jazz Cafe in the Arab Street area, it was brilliant, a real buzz. There are a collection of streets round there where restaurants pop up on an evening, its a real mix of ethnicity, fantastic.

Saturday, 5th November, hot, hot, hot! We didn't need the scarves, gloves, hats etc, seemed a bit weird.


We visited the Botanic gardens, again, so perfect but really beautiful. In the evening we returned down to the Marina and spent our Bonfire night watching the laser and water show over the bay. Stunning!!








We spent Sunday around the Orchard Road area which is like Oxford Street in London but lined with malls, rather than individual shops. Didn't buy anything, we've started chucking clothes, over washed in hot laundries, ready to pack for Oz. There has been a Rugby 7's tournament on the Pedang whilst we've been here and a Veterans hockey tournament, the New Zealand teams have been staying at our hotel. They have been so peeved, and very ripe with their language as England won all categories, beating Australia in the different age group finals. We've had such a laugh with them.

After 8 weeks in South-east Asia it is time to say goodbye. Our flight leaves at 19.55 and arrives in Melbourne at 06.30. We are so looking forward to staying in an apartment, hotelled up!

We've loved Asia, the Thais were by far our favourite people though, the friendliest, funniest and most generous. Hope you've enjoyed the trip so far, hope to talk again in Oz.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jellicoe Rd,,Singapore

We're famous - in Melaka

'MONORAIL TRAPS BRITISH DUO'

Couple descend using ladder

The Star, Wednesday, 2nd November, 2011




It was meant to be a gentle little trip on the brand new monorail in Melaka, the one that runs alongside the river, the river that we had just walked next to to see a traditional Malay village built on stilts, another UNESCO site.





As we waited in the station for the monorail to leave at 12 pm a teacher, accompanying a school trip of about 25 9 and 10 year olds, came to check the price. She decided that, at 10RM (£2) it was too expensive and left us to be the only passengers on this quiet Tuesday.

We got into the first carriage of the brand spanking new, shiny 3 carriage vehicle and the driver, a young lad of about 17, settled himself into the driver's seat. The door hissed shut and we were off - very slowly. We hadn't moved more than 100m when we stuttered to a standstill. Ha, ha we thought, very funny and continued discussing the lovely little wooden houses.

Gradually we became aware that some minutes had passed and we still hadn't moved another inch. Then the door opened again, and shut, opened and shut. Still we didn't move. The driver, looking a little worried, got out of his seat and tried to close the door with a bigger slam, to no effect.


It was beginning to get quite hot.

We peered out of the door, looking about 30 feet down to the ground - a bit too far to jump then, we decided. Unfortunately, unlike Bear Gryhlls, we didn't have any rope, wire or even bag ties in our backpack. Members of staff, all quite young, gathered around on the ground looking up at us. It was quite clear that no-one quite knew what to do.

All I could think was, God bless that teacher!

The our intrepid driver reached up onto the roof through the open door and released a rope ladder.






I thought we were going to go down the ladder but then realisation dawned, we were too high, it was twisting and the kids at the bottom didn't know to keep it rigid. Two of them tried to climb it, and failed. They then tied 3 bottles of water to it and we hauled them up. 45 minutes had gone past, but we were ok, we had a bottle of water!

We kept our sense of humour.....

Eventually, in my best teacher voice, I suggested they ring the fire brigade (bomba) Jim was becoming hysterical at this point, laughing so much, he was in danger of flooding our little prison cell with his tears. At just after 1pm the fire brigade arrived, they were real action heroes, they put an extending ladder up then, before we could go down, two of them came up complete with a harness and belay ropes.





Jim went first, and practically landed on top of the guiding fireman, he was going so fast! Then I went down, really conscious of the poor fireman who was going down the ladder before me, looking up at my bum!!


When we reached the ground we were greeted by several photographers and two reporters from the local press. The manager of the monorail was so apologetic, she kept trying to hug me. I left my husband happily chatting to the reporters and I went to get our refund, plus complimentary tickets to the revolving tourist viewing tower. (I don't think so!)

We managed to get away, leaving the fire brigade and monorail company to agree who was paying for what. We set off back to walk along the river path on the other side, we were given a standing ovation, applause and cheers, by the staff on all the river cruise boats.



All the way back we kept giggling.

This morning, at 7.20, we were woken up by reception in our hotel. A package and letter had been delivered from the Chief Executive Officer of the monorail and viewing tower company. We were given 2 postcards, 2 baseball caps and a jigsaw, all with images of the revolving viewing tower.

As we were checking out the concierge brought us a copy of The Star newspaper and a Chinese daily paper, both were carrying the story with dramatic pictures! We kindly donated our gifts to an anonymous child who may or may not be coming to stay at the hotel!

Fame comes in many forms....

Finally, we loved Melaka, it is so laid back, bohemian and pretty.

We've spent today on a coach from Melaka to Singapore and have settled into the smallest hotel room you have ever seen in your life. Can't wait to see what the next few days have to bring!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Lavender/Kellang, Singapore