Houmaigawd holy bejeebus it's freezing and the thick cashmere gloves that I'm wearing is not making it easy for me to type at all.
The heating system has just been turned on but the ice-cold wind wouldn't stop howling, and vapor fogged out from our mouths as we spoke to each other.
Throughout my stay in Melbourne so far, there was only 3 outta 11 days that had somewhat warm/sunny weather. The rest of the days was just blistering with gushes of cold wind and rain… you call this summer? π
Anyway, I miss the city! Badly!
Driving past Melbourne city for the very 1st time
I spotted lotsa pretty sights and sounds all around me! The transport system is cool and buildings here look really colonial -a different architecture from Malaysia's altogether!
Take a look π
People waiting for the tram – which arrives under 10 minutes flat!
Melbourne's General Post Office. It has restaurants and bars in it too! π
Funny/unique names!
Saw a railway track like, right across the middle of the road
Drove past the Flinders Street Station yay! Nice
Couldn't help taking a picture of this old man jaywalking the streets
It was so nice of Mr. and Mrs. Lee to take me for a drive into the city center just to lemme have my 1st sight of it on my 1st day in Melbourne. I lived with them for more than a week, they were so accommodating and made me feel so at home π
So yeah, here I was for those 9 days of my stay. In a beautiful suburb, called Camberwell π
Their humble abode, a very impressive double-storeyed brick house in my opinion!
I was pretty intrigued by their garage, hedges and gateless/fenceless neighbourhood.
In fact, almost every house has all of those.
Their neighbour, 2 Italian men! Hubba hubba!
And their suburbs are different from the one in Malaysia because the houses here are hardly terraced. It's like an entire house with a backyard and lawns which run throughout the sides. Back at my home country, those types would be considered a bungalow already.
But here, almost all landed properties are constructed as such.
My room! π Yes I know, the clothes, the mess and my huge red luggage
The view from my window when I wake up in the mornings
When the Lee's ain't around at home, I pass my time blogging, jogging in Lynden Park (more of that soon!) and playing with Ruffey.
Who's Ruffey? As mentioned here , it is their pet dog, a Japanese Chin.
Ruffey here isn't a puppy anymore.
He's a 12 year old dog in human years, which makes him 84 years old in dog years!
Now, that's pretty old, ain't it?
I see him on the carpet every morning while eating my breakfast
We bond pretty well despite Mr. Lee telling me how grouchy and territorial it can get.
I honestly don't see Ruffey in that light at all. It's actually very friendly to me!
I've even taken Ruffey out for a walk at Lynden Park too.
Dinnertime was at Chadstone Shopping Center (fondly known as Chaddy) a popular mall in Malvern East.
I superloved that mall! Totally reminded me of One Utama Shopping Center back at home.
Sorry, only took pictures of the food zone because I was too busy shopping to take pictures π
As a Malaysian, I couldn't help converting the prices I see here into Ringgit Malaysia (RM).
I multiply everything I see – according to the exchange rate – by 3 times.
The only way I reckon I can stop doing that is to get a part time job here… which I will. When I find one π
Omelette Sandwich | AUD$9.90
THAT'S 30 BUCKS IN RM FOR SOMETHING AS MEAGRE AS THIS! *faints*
Since it was my first meal out in Melbourne, I guess the figures hadn't really gotten to me yet.
So I bought some salad after that
Pumpkin Chick Pea Salad | AUD$5
THAT'S 15 RINGGIT FOR THIS TINY CONTAINER OF COLD BITES.
Good heavens, I can get some elaborate food in a swanky restaurant for RM45 back at home π
Oh well. What am I to do? I only have 3 choices. Get a job, get used to this or get lost.
Mrs. Lee and I at Chaddy.
It was funny how after Sunday service (yes they brought me to church) at Clayton Church of Christ, my new mates and I decided to go to Chaddy. AGAIN, for me. LOL!
But hey, I didn't mind at all cos I actually fancy that place π
Lunchtime/teatime woots! Heading towards Chaddy π
Camwhoring with Tim! π We hopped into his car and he gave me a ride
As we had a BBQ early lunch already in church, Tim and I were still feeling quite full
But not Stuart! π He ordered some huge Beef Steak
At Reactor in Chaddy π
We got a complimentary basket of Garlic Bread wheee!
'Cos Stuart knew one of the staff who worked there
Tim and I munching on free Garlic Bread woohoo
After eating, Tim had to leave early. Stuart and I then walked around Chaddy and he showed me around!
This part of the mall reminded me of Pavillion/KLCC back at home.
Somehow lah! π Gave me a feeling of home for a sec
Bought a couple of stuff and soon after, Stuart gave me a ride home
It was already 5pm! Didn't know we all spent so much time in the mall
Oh and did I mention that Stuart had this really awesome car? It's wicked! I like
Obsessive compulsive disorder and devil's code 666!
Nais
So that was my short adventure in the suburbs. The next day, Stuart took me to another suburb too, called Glen Waverly. More of that soon okie? Next post, I'll be heading downtown to Melbourne City alone! Exploring so many sights and sounds. π
Join me, aight? See ya!
CUTE DOGGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
I got my SD Card yesterday. Thank you! π
hehe I’ll tell Ruffey u said that! π That old man will be happy u called him cute lol!
and okay great, i was beginning to worry that it didn’t reach u yet π
I know, i do that whole conversion thingies too! >_<" Cook more. So ur staying with the nice Lee's for the whole time? The doggie looks so cutie^^ despite being an old dog lols…
ya its so freaking lame when ppl do that! but really, no choice! cos after conversion, u really feel the dent on ur pocket LOL π
and nope, I’m only gonna stay w them for a while then after that it’s staying at the residences my campus! Pretty far away, but i’ll still come back to the city often π
LOL old dog ruffey will be pleased!
I’m interested in the sights of the old Melbourne, can’t wait to read your post. I guess prices are high for you, because Australia has a very high living standard, I heard their wages are very high.
haha old melbourne? have u been to aus before previously?
yeahhh prices are totally high for me, it’s insane π sigh!
their wages are very high indeed, so if i earn here then it wl be okay fo me
Never been to Oz.. hence my curiosity π
yay okay! π
o hi i heard about chadstone too!
you’ve got really nice pictues jessica
yeah chaddy’s famous! it’s like all in one shopping center π
and thanks lots!
tis is wat i called getting to know a place.!!! Cool shots.
I like Ruffey. Cool looking, almost as cute as my dog.
Looking forward to more news of yr life in Melbourne. Go girl
i like ruffey too. that old man isnt grumpy at all. he’s sooooooo cute! π
thanks! there are more news n pictures to come!
weathr looks cool, hse n room cool, cool ol doggie, cool frens, food looks cool..price sucks haha
price REALLY SUCKS. multiply it by 3. π
Great shots jess! loved the black & white shot of you and ruffey on the floor.
Know wat u both have in common? *big round adorable eyes @@*
thankew! π LOLOL that pic was rlly random π
i was also sitting on the floor and looking at him so i thought, hey why not take a pic together hahaha.
LOL his eyes are much huger and without eyeliner π
NOW YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH FUN I HAVE IN MALAYSIA.
And why I do so much shopping – because everything is divided by three.
And yeah Jess – get a job. My job is pretty low paying, but it equates to 36 RM an hour π
But you shouldn’t be earning so little ’cause you’re older and whatever.
But ah, just wait til you get to Sydney. I thought Melbourne was weird too.
Everything was so cheap.
bahaha.
yes omg ur right, i hate u! π i hv to multiply, u divide.
haha was thinking of getting my timetable 1st b4 getting a job, that way i know which days i hv class or busy days n all that shit. cant wait to start earning AUD$!
yeah im comng to syd on the final week of april. gonna book jetstar soon! hehe
cant wait to seeeeeeeeee u!
Melbourne, i am coming…
hahah come lah! its very nice here, but cold
Hey thanks for sharing all the cool pictures!!
my pleasure! π and so much more to come! took lotsa pics around melbourne city too. will put ’em up soon!
aww! such a cuteee dog! =D
yes omg! i super love him! and he’s rlly quiet too, hardly barks. just sit there looking adorable!