Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia (3)

When it is good weather in Sydney, it is really pleasant to walk around under the blue sunny skies. This is my second outing with my new Sony A6300 camera and I'm starting to get the hang of it. Seems like the trade off between camera size/weight to an unnoticeable downgrade of picture quality is worth it. I'll just keep my post short here and let the pictures do the talking.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia (1)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia (2)
Related link: Vivid Sydney 2016

Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia (2)

It is a rare opportunity for me to have a full day in Sydney. My last long stay here was more than 3 years ago. I revisited the Opera House and the Botanical Garden while enjoying the blue sunny day. I also braved the cold in the evening to view sunset over the Opera House and Harbor Bridge. It is an amazing sight of silhouettes and golden rays. If only the Opera House turns on its dome lights earlier, then it would have been a perfect evening for me.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia (1)

Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia (3)

Many tourists don't realize there are beaches in Melbourne. Port Phillip Bay is a large bay which is connected to the Southern Ocean through a small opening called "the Rip". Because of this, many people thought it is a lake instead. You'll be surprised to find the water salty and dolphins living here. If you are adventurous, don't spend too much time in the boring Melbourne CBD areas. Take a tram or a train to Brighton Beach or St. Kilda. Along Brighton Beach, you'll be able to see rows of colorful bathing boxes which are printed in postcards found all over the world. North of Brighton is St. Kilda. Spend your weekend here with your family in the classic amusement park, featuring the wooden roller coaster. Take a stroll down the historic pier which stretches about half a mile out to the bay and enjoy the sunset. If you are hungry, there are many restaurants serving international cuisines to satisfy your taste bud.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia (1)

Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia (2)

It is the golden season Down Under. Everything is in golden color and you can feel autumn is here. While the northern hemisphere welcomes spring and the start of summer, Melbourne is turning cold and going into winter. Many other Australian cities don't really have significant autumn months. Melbourne, which is located closer to the southern tip, is enjoying more of the season change. I think this is the best city in Australia to visit during this time of the year, to be able to see the spectacular colors of autumn.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia (1)

Mini Travel Log: Sydney, Australia

Many crews love to call this place "Shitney"; because of the lousy operating hours; which I presume they couldn't find time for their "LV" shoppings and couldn't get enough of their beauty sleep. I beg to differ. This fine city is one of the best city in Australia that I've visited. There are just too many world class landmarks like the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and old English buildings. Also too many fantastic attraction sites like Bondi Beach and scenic lookout points which I really couldn't visit them all during my short stay. I rate this city as a "must visit" for any tourists who love a world class metropolis with a blend of world class architectures and landmarks; surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and attraction sites. Not forgetting the fashions, shoppings and cultural events. I myself couldn't wait to have another chance to visit this city again. Perhaps the only thing which I can relate Sydney to "Shitney" is the weather. Any cold fronts or depression blown from the Antarctica will bring endless rains for days. I was very unfortunate to arrive right smack in the gloomy and wet weather. I've wasted one day in the hotel due to the rains. And because of that I've missed out the largest nude parade at the Opera House which the news claimed the highest form of art and show of humanity. Whether art or just sleazy, I was quite disappointed to have missed it as events like this don't really happen everyday, more so back in the Asian countries.

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Anyway, here's the link to the nude parade for those who are "curious". Warning: PG content.

Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia

Want to experience four seasons in one day? Melbourne is the place. A day can start off with a wonderful hot summer day, but a sweeping cold front from the southern ocean brings down the temperature close to winter while bringing in heavy rains, gale, thunderstorms and even hail. I under-estimated the weather and was caught off guard on the day of arrival. It was a freezing cold night.

Weather was not really good the next day either. It was a morning of fog and cloudy day. Nevertheless I managed to explore the great city. Many buildings have heavy Victorian architecture influence. To my surprise, there is no bus service at the heart of the city itself. It is served by the world's largest tram network instead. The heritage trams are an iconic sight. South of the city across Yarra river houses new urban buildings like the Eureka Tower, hotels, entertainment and casino places. Further south is Albert Park where the annual Melbourne F1 race is held.

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Christmas in Perth

My first christmas being celebrated Down Under. However, it was not a snowy white nor cold christmas. Christmas day was right smack in the middle of a dry and hot spell; a taste of what summer's gonna be. In the heatwave, the temperature shot up to 42 degree celcius. I spent the day in Mosman Beach. Very beautiful beach with fine and silky smooth sands. It was my mistake not to apply sunscreen on my entire body. My back was roasted and had to endure few days of sunburn pains.



Seems like BBQ is the preferred christmas and summer activity for the Australians. In the week alone, I had 4 BBQs to attend. My friend was joking the other day that BBQ is one of the Australians' staple food. In the SFC BBQ and christmas party, everyone was having a great time. One of the best party ever being organized in the college.