I've always liked the sea/seaside/beach concept of things.

Complemented with awesome music, bass, drinks & crowd, you can never go wrong; which is why I was convinced that Alumbra was my favorite club in Melbourne!

I swear I don't remember painting my nails pink? 

Alumbra's tagline is Music, Life, Culture.

It was pretty apt for a club of its kind, as you will see soon enough.

Located along a harbour, it's no wonder you can see heaps of boats, ships and yachts around

The canopy walkway before we arrived the entrance

Good for rainy days

Okay, so what's with the culture part of the tagline?

I was shocked upon seeing this MASSIVE BUDDHA HEAD inside by the bar

WOW.

Although I doubt this club as anything to do with or affiliated with Buddhism, the concept just blew my mind.

Apart from the bar, there were more statues and heads of Buddha at the main dance floor too.

But it's fairly awkward, no? It's like, the Buddhists would probably think "oh no, Buddha is watching me drink"

Likewise, I'd feel uncomfy if a statue of Jesus was watching me drink and party away.

Get ready for some shots!

There was just an amazing variety of drinks to choose from!

Tim was awesome enough to bring me here!

Thanks heaps 😀

Met some really cool people too. Culture fusion indeed!

Italian guy on my right, Japanese guy on my left. 

Thank you for the fabulous evening, Tim! 

I enjoyed myself.

If you guys happen to be in Melbourne, do remember to make a stop at Alumbra.

You won't miss it! It's by the pier, just follow the sea and it'll lead you here 😀

G'dday! Haven't been updating in a couple of days now as I've been pretty up to my neck with final, major assignments (I'm down to my last one!) and moving from the West rez to the South rez!

So yeah, packing and such… I never realized I had SO MUCH stuff.

Anyway, here's the next sequel to my Sydney trip as blogged here and here

All aboard the MyTrain towards Circular Quay where all the breathtaking landmarks are!

the Shens were nice enough to show me around 😀 😀

While walking along the sidewalk, I caught sight of the Harbour Bridge! OMG I'm that much closer to it.

Just keep walking, and walking…

Habour Bridge in the near distance

When we finally arrived at Circular Quay, the clouds began to loom over the already gloomy sky. A heavy downpour was expected when it started to drizzle 🙁 But never fear! Auntie Julie brought umbrellas for us.

Yay! couzzie Kenneth holding the umbrella while I camwhore 😛

It was rather a long walk, but I was enjoying every minute of it.

I passed so many boats, cargo ships, cruise ships, yachts along the harbour.

Friendship 🙂

Standing up high on the bench!

Passing by more ferries!

The architecture and landmarks weren't the only ones that caught my eye.

There were flocks and flocks of gulls around the harbour too. Take a look at this one!

Minding its own business; posing for my shot

And before I knew it… we have arrived our destination! A surge of exhilaration filled me whole as I spotted one of the finalists of the 7 New Wonders of the World – the Sydney Opera House *bigwidesmile*

It's like hearing/seeing so much about it and finally being able to see it – for real – with your very own eyes.

My excitement knew no boundaries

Lo and behold, what a magnificent sight!

We had to walk past the Harbour Bridge first, before getting into the Sydney Opera House.

I hear people can climb atop/across the bridge… for a hefty fee? I was totally game for it but didn't wanna waste extra money $$$ and time

……. ok fine. I'm somewhat afraid of heights. Just a tad 😛 😛

So I watched from afar

Photos or it never happened!!! 😛

Here I am by the Sydney Harbour Bridge

ze Shen family and I

As we approached the Opera House, I couldn't wait but to camwhore with it before we actually got inside.

So… are you ready for my most mostest-test favourite-test-test-test photo in this blogpost?

yay! Me + Sydney Opera House

You can tell that I was ecstatic.

Like ouumaiigawwwdddd I'm actually here! Ya know what, I aim to see ALL the 7 wonders of the world – new and old.

Okay, that one photo wasn't enough. Couldn't decide which one looked nicer so…. here's another one 😛

You can see the Opera House much clearer in this piccie

And when I finally got closer, here's a full piccie of it.

It's just beautiful, with its shape that resemble either the sails of a ship or a cockle shell to me.

Ooooh. Ultimate jizz.

But hey, want me to be frank?

Apart from all the hoo-haa on the Sydney Opera House and its beauty, it only looks amazing from a distance. When you actually arrive directly in front of it, it looks like a boring, old, brown warehouse

Look, I'm not bagging it or anything, all I'm saying that it doesn't look as impressive as it does from afar.

But I still love it all the same; very glad that I got to witness it for myself for the very first time

Wheeeeeeeee

Sat on the steps leading up to the Opera House

There were agazillion steps, which makes me wonder if any elderly person can make it up there.

Then I remembered my granny who climbed the Great Wall of China – twice! Not bad.

Here I am against the glass windows of the Opera House

Here's something odd. I'm Chinese but I've never been to China.

I think it works that way for many other Chinese friends of mine too. Well, Imma make it a point to climb the Great Wall of China before I die!

Walked behind the Opera House and sat on another set of many, many steps again

An architectural beauty built by a Danish architect in 1973

Remember what  told you about the gulls?

They were everywhere!

And flocked right into my face LOL

Well, thankfully, I'm no bird prey

Much love and many thanks to the fabulous Shens who took time off their day

to spend this memorable moment with me!

Oh well, a short but priceless trip to the Sydney Opera House *beams*

Here's another piccie of it as I leave – one more for the road!

Adieu! *waves*

All the excitement suddenly fizzled out when I realized I hadn't had my lunch yet.

It was already almost 3pm and all I had for breakfast was a bowl of cereal and an avocado!

Walking towards The Rocks for Pancakes

I hear they are the best. Let's put it to test soon!

Passed by this beautiful flower garden

Look – it's the Harbour Bridge again in the background!

After lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks (review in the next sequel blogpost), we adjourned towards the carpark.

But but waaaiiit a sec –

It's the awesome-pawsome Sydney Opera House again!

This time, from across the clear, blue waters of Botany Bay

My jaw dropped at the wonder of its beauty; standing tall underneath the rays of the sun.

Thankfully, the cloudy skies had cleared up. I ran all the way to the edge of the barricade to photograph it

All in all, I had a brilliant, rockin time!

Although a tad too much gushing about the Opera House for one day, I'm certain you're only gonna hear it once!

Hope you enjoyed reading this just as much as I had writing it. Feel my adrenalin rush!

I'm back from Bali with theboyfie! It was such a whirlwind 😀

Never knew so many things about the place before, and picked up some Indonesian slangs too! 

Ohwell, always a new experience. Will blog about it soon!
 

Anyway, here's the story for today!

Remember this post? The sequel is finally here

Chilled out with thefockers at Esplanade 😀
 

Wanted to kill time as we were about 2 hours earlier before the estimated time of departure.

And that's SO TYPICAL of my family. They're always tip top round the clock early hmm..
 

Sat around the playground and open field to people watch

before we lugged our baggage up towards Swettenham Pier
 

Whilst walking there, I caught sight of our iconic clock tower just before the Jelutong Expressway.

Sometimes, I need to be reminded of how beautiful my hometown is, being away from it for too long. 😀

I use to take the 12 o' clock turn at this roundabout every morning back in college!
 

So after a 10 minute walk under the sweltering afternoon sun, we finally arrived the harbour.

And yes! Our cruise ship is in sight in the near distance

Picha with it! 😀 Fo shure
 

When I got inside the harbour, a surge of pleasantness arose within me.

Since when did our Swettenham pier turned into such an impressive state?

Newly painted walls, a renovated interior, impeccable cleanliness and new-improved facilities were just staring right back at me. Whoa!
 

After shutting up my hung-open jaw, I joined the rest checking into the cruise ship

We were getting nearer and nearer!

Can't wait to see what's in store for us inside. Here are some piccies as I was walking along the dock
 

So pretty! Let's just hope it boasts something similar inside, if not better! 😀

There wasn't much of a queue on the bridge when we arrived. Oh the perks of an early bird!
 

It's nice how sailors and crewmen would salute and wish this lil missy here an enjoyable cruise, flashing their best service-industry smiles. Ooohyay 😀 Sure I'll have fun.
 

1700HRS | Boarding boarding!

As I turned my back I was startled to see this
 

whoaaa. kid. do you really need that huge bolster for just  a one nighter? 😛

It's not a camp you know. LOL
 

Anyway, guess what was the 1st thing I saw upon entering the lobby!?

How smart. Using mascots to pique the interests of soft-toy maniacs like me 😀

And those of children too. ROFL
 

And and.. using framed blown-up photographs of very good looking ship engineers.

FILF anyone? hohoho

Beats Ikea's Swedish meatballs anytime. LOL i kid! 😛 😛
 

Walked up to the 7th deck where the rooms were.

If I ain't wrong, there were 14 decks altogether! Not all are rooms though, they've huge lounges and many entertainment spots
 

Like.. the *cough* casino *cough* *cough*

The rooms were pretty tiny but cosy all the same
 

Bunk beds! So old skool 😀
 

Not for the claustrophobic! Bwahahahaha 😀

After putting our luggage down and freshened up, we were all ushered to dinner.

The corridors and walkway to the dining area were pretty neat and brightly lit 🙂
 

I wanted to sit at one of these tables but thefockers insisted on sitting inside lol
 

1800HRS | Dinner!

Dinner was ala buffet style… but its variety and taste leaves a lot to be desired
 

I only found the decor and food plating (especially the dessert table) presentable enough to be pictured though

Not like I'm expecting anything near 5 Star but this will do for a rather bland and simple meal.

Back from running around taking pictures, I look like a frumpy housewife here I know.
 

Anyway, we had our family time over dinner and realized that our favorite thing served today was..

FRUITS. Ohyes, loved 'em pineapples! LOL
 

For after dinner digestion, thefockers took a short walk around the ship to explore its decks and found me by the huge glass window panes. I was admiring the view from the middle of the sea before the sun set.

That's Penang Bridge, farewell Penang! We've set sail 😀
 

Camwhored in many unimaginable places. The elevator, the bar, the engine, the balcony.. everywhere!
 

We then decided to venture upstairs to the highest deck!

It was so breezy up there I bet whoever had an open umbrella at that moment would probably have it windswept by now

Crikey. My pink bow almost flew off my head!
 

Tiny me!!

The sun was beginning to set

Cousin Shaun joined in my camwhore spree

Windier and windier!!

1930HRS | By the sunset with cousin Shaun and cousin Meng

Back in the rooms, we showered and got ourselves ready for the entertainment zones.

Oh and, most of us had difficulty with flushing the toilet.

Expose! 😛
 

When my uncle and cousins took so long in the bathroom, I asked out loud, "Bet you can't find where to flush ey?? HAHA".

And true enough, I was right! 😛 😛 😛 😛
 

Wasn't telling until they made me! The flush button was so tiny and hidden I couldn't spot it at 1st sight either.

Aight. Enough of bathroom bedtime stories.
 

Chillin fo a bit by the lounge over some dodgy gameshow

We left soon after we were done with our drinks
 

Walking towards Sunset boulevard where the casino was.

That's mom turning her back on me! (pun unintended)

Passed some convenience shops and souvenir outlets on the way but seriously, almost everything was exorbitantly priced.

But karaoke joints, massage parlours, cafes and restaurants were aplenty!

Outside waiting for gramps to buy her shawl

She bought one just like mine but in a shade of violet instead 😀
 

2200HRS | Casino de Cruise!

So we finally arrived the casino and to our surprise, it was rather huge!

They served hot Milo and coffee to all the stakeholders for the night, much like the casino in Genting Highlands. Once we hit international waters, the casino tables opened and tills of chips, cards and steel balls were running all night.
 

No photos allowed though. Oh, I won up to 250 bucks in Baccarat and Russian Roulette but lost them all back again. There there, this is where greed does not pay. If I would have left with my winnings, I'd be 250 bucks richer. Bummer!
 

Felt bored after so many rounds so I went outside for a break.

Spotted the crewmembers fixing up the Christmas tree!
  

Yes I know it's January now and no, they were not lagging in their festivity awareness, if you were wondering. This cruise trip with thefockers was in late December 😛 Was too caught up with other blogposts to blog this one hehe
 

And there was another Christmas tree already up!

Now, this was really huge and filled up the entire middle pillar of the ship.
 

0000HRS | Did not bring my bikini 'cos I couldn't swim at that moment. Just had another new tattoo done few days before (will blog about this too!)
 

So I was really… really.. REALLY BORED.
 

Played in the casino for so long, had a few rounds at the arcade, explored almost the entire cruise ship, made friends with random people, took pictures, had some drinks by the bar and really, at 1 o' clock in the morning, there is really nothing to do on a ship, is there? 🙁 🙁
 

Whatever you do, don't tell me I should be sleeping.
 

So I walked around all alone to the upper deck again to enjoy the cool night breeze
 

It was pretty scary aboard a ship in the dead of the night all alone. But then again, it takes you out of the

hustle and bustle of city life and bring about a certain sense of tranquility for the moment.
 

Just my iPod and I. Nothing else kept me company except the stale moisture of air around me and the mild, salty smell of the sea surrounding me. It was pindrop silence and I could really fall asleep here on this deckchair.
 

Except I *thankfully* had my camera with me so I had fun taking pictures of random things, myself included.

0200HRS | I was assuming that the rest of thefockers were all asleep by now.

They're all early risers, so I bet they've gone to bed early as well.
 

But luckily, the couzzies found me chilling by myself on the deckchair!

They were feeling bored to death too so we headed to the cafe for some late night bites

0300HRS | And then it was goodnight.

0800HRS | Breakfast began!

Breakfast, in contrast to dinner, was delish

As the ship was beginning to sail back towards the harbour, thefockers and I went to the back of the ship to catch the waves

Deep blue sea!
 

1000HRS | Arrival!

So we have arrived back on land. *kisses the ground
And left to Gurney Hotel to continue our holiday soon after

Your typical poser picture.

Was hiding in the shaded area  while thefockers played pingpong LOL

All in all, my verdict is that  the one-day cruise wasn't exactly an exhilarating experience but should you want some quality time off with your family and friends, this is a good idea .

There isn't really much to do but if you could enjoy the casino, breeze, time and relaxation together… in a place away from home, that would be something new.
 

Heck, there's no data nor cellular transmission for cellphones in the middle of the sea anyway so you can rest assure all of you won't be bugged by work calls or other obligatory bullshit 😀 *grins*

Heyyyyyyy guys!!! 😀 😀

Just a quick update before I get completely disconnected from the virtual world with zero internet connection and data.

Let's just hope I don't shrivel up and rot from Blackberry Withdrawal Symptom nor severe Internet Deprivation Conditions LOL

Headed towards Penang Island early this morning and adjourned to the Swettenham Pier where all the marine activities are held. It's a really huge harbour/port where I was last here to sail towards Langkawi Island!

Shot right beside the ship I'm gonna be cruising in!

Ya know something really unfortunate? Only this morning, Godmom realized she completely forgotten about the cruise tickets. The question is, how the heck are we gonna board the ship without the said tickets??? 🙁 🙁

She even wanted to make a u-turn back to Ipoh to get back the tickets left on her table. Ohnoes!

But thankfully after some calls and special requests, the 9 of us all managed to get on board!

The Pisces cruise ship has already set sail!

As we speak, theFockers and I are cruising past the Straits of Malacca

Been having fun exploring the entire ship's interior and the many decks after the buffet dinner just now. My cabin is relatively tiny but cosy! 😀

Once we hit international waters, it's time to rock the casino!

Prosperityyy commmee my waaayy pretty please! 😀 😀

Looks like our family cruise really did materialize, despite the initial scare which I blogged about a few days ago. I have to admit though, I'm *still* a little paranoid. Ohwell. Dear Father, do keep us safe!

Amen 😀