Okay here's a confession: I miss Australia already.

Although I'm enjoying myself back in Malaysia to the fullest just as I always have, my Aussie mates ain't here. They're so far away but thank Facebook for blurring our boundaries!

I was organizing my infinite photo collection and noticed I still had many Ozzie photos I've yet to share.

Heaps more to upload but here goes these ones first!

At Lindt Chocolate Cafe along Collins Street

As an ardent fan of all things chocolate, I was ecstatic to be able to dine in one of Lindt's establishments.

Good suggestion, Alex! 😀 We ordered different kinds of chocolate cakes and their signature hot chocolate

Decided to do something silly with the extra chocolate I had

As expected, it was simply divine. Money well spent! 

Not only were the chocolate delicacies and beverages hot and fresh off the kitchen, they were rich, thick and creamy. 

After a cocoa-filled teatime, we adjourned to Crown Metropol Hotel to check-in for the weekend!

Trivia: The Crown Metropol, which costed $300 million AUD to build was launched on April 2011

While waiting for the check-in procedures, here's some piccies of the hotel lobby/interior!

So grand!

The pretty corridor on the way to the elevators

The best was yet to come. Once we checked into our hotel room, we were in awe.

It certainly boasted a sleek, classy and elegant feel to it.

Two huge king sized beds!

There was a flat screen TV mounted on the wall

Heaps of full length mirrors everywhere!! *squeals*

I like this fancy concept!

The bedroom & the bathroom are divided only by a sliding mirror-door

Well-stocked room! More in the pantry 😀

With the boys

LOL at extremely short buzz haircut 😛

We didn't waste any time in resting whatsoever.

Why rest when we have so much to explore and enjoy in this amazing hotel?

Stripped to our swimwear and it's off to the infinity swimming pool we go!

Beautiful

Deck chairs to read/rest/relax by the pool

I love infinity pools; especially when I'm swimming backwards LOL

Wading in the pool because I can't swim anymore due to my red pigments in my hair 🙁 🙁

Yeah, I hadn't dived/go underwater since 2006

After the swim, I took the chance to check out the fabulous view.

Right from waaaaaayyy up here!

And so I began to take random snapshots of the view

Left the pool area and we decided to go for a steam room & spa session.

So the boys and I went our separate ways to our designated zones 😀

OMG the hot, bubbly spa bath was the shiznit

I began to lay there for quite a while until I *think* I actually dozed off!

When I opened my eyes I saw 2 other ladies in the spa bath with me, without noticing them entering in the first place. So heck yeah, I must've fallen asleep. It was sssooo relaxing and comforting beyond words. 

I swear I could stay in here forever!

Once done with all the water-fun, it was time to get a lil dressy and head up to the exclusive 28 lounge.

There was only ONE elevator heading towards level 28; only accessible by a special cardkey.

Behold.

Greeted by various canvas paintings of pop-art

Suddenly, it felt so warm in here. We sat by the huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows near the fireplace.

It was so comfy! 

Staying warm on a rainy day

We were served a free-flow of all kinds of wines and liqour you can ever imagine.

Red Wine, White Wine, Beer, Gin, Whiskey, Bourbons, Vodka, Cognac and more!

Up sky high enjoying life from the 28th floor! 😀 😀

Pardon me for the poor quality of photos taken in 28 Lounge

Didn't bring my DSLR up from the room with me 🙁

Too busy drinking and savouring the fine, distilled spirits. 

I had some delightful glasses of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernets, together with my all-time favorite Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch Whiskey, a Remy Martin VSOP Cognac and a Tequila Blanco.

The very next morning……

Breakfast at the 28 Lounge awaits us

Delicious and healthy!

The buffet breakfast had a wide array of delicacies

You're talking to someone who's a sucker for breakfast, to be honest.

I never live a day without having breakfast first thing at day break (read: the moment I wake up).

And to enjoy my favorite meal of the day – breakfast overlooking the Yarra Valley 🙂

Bliss 😉

I initially wanted to dine at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant, called 'Maze by Gordon Ramsay' but the queue for breakfast was too long! And since we had a complimentary buffet breakfast at 28 Lounge, I decided against my initial plan.

This is good enough 😀

My favorite way to kickstart the day 

Buttered Toast and hot chocolate/mocha is love

And then comes the platter of my choice of breakfast noms

Sauteed Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Turkey Slice, Avocados, Scrambled Eggs and a glass of milk

Plate #1 of the boyfie's breakfast.

I didn't get to snap photos of his #2 and #3! 😛 😛 

Comfy lounge chairs to chillax on

Again, the warm, crackling fireplace

I can never get enough of fireplaces 

Simply because we don't have any in Malaysia – we don't need one, to begin with.

My weekend at Crown Metropol Hotel with awesome company proved to be a fantastic and memorable one.

Should totally check yourself in for a weekend of fun too, albeit the volume of $$$ involved, but should you like enjoying the finer things in life, this is certainly something to write home about! 🙂

On one of my voyages to Melbourne city during my first week in Australia, I hit up the ever-popular Southbank aka Crown Entertainment Complex.

Heard so much about it prior to my arrival, and now, I'm right in the heart of its vicinity.

The sights are even prettier at night all lit up! 😀

I could still remember being like a little kid lost in the big city on my first day in Melbs.

But thankfully, a few awesome people showed me around…

Aunt Ket included! She brought me ALL around Melb city 

At Melbourne Central.

It had a Metro Train beneath the mall! Wait a sec — I shouldn't be surprised. There's an LRT Train underneath our famed KLCC Twin Towers too.

.

Shopping at FCUK. Gawd I love this brand. Nice play of the acronym too 😛

Always works for me! (Besides the gym, of course)

We kept walking and Aunt Ket wanted to bring me to a picturesque spot on top of Burke Street Mall (or was it still Melbourne Central? I don't recall) to take pretty photos of the city from an aerial view.

And so we went to this rooftop garden!

So pretty! 😀 😀

I also reckon it's a place where heat is conserved at an optimum temperature for the plants.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt so warm! Almost like in Malaysia hehe.

Part of the city on a Saturday afternoon

We just kept exploring the city until evening. 

Oh and, funny how the sun begins to set around 5.30pm in Australia!

And by the time it hits 6.30pm, it'll be dark already

Nawwww horses along the streets of Melbourne!

There were horse carriages around. Just like the olden days.

I didn't ride it for some reason; reckon it probably costs a bomb 

Liquor shop!

Oh sorry, I forgot to warn you about this PG-13 photo,

Too bad you've already seen it! 😛

Shotbuckets on sale! Perfect for parties.

Tried on a coat with busy motifs. Liked it. Didn't like it

Liked it again. Changed my mind. Liked it again. But didn't buy it

Stopped to grab a lunch break!

Continued walking till we reached Southbank.

So pretty, right? T'was a great idea to go just before sunset.

Breathtaking

By the time we crossed the bridge to the other side, we were greeted by lots of buskers!

Some were singing, dancing, painting, juggling and all sorts of different things

Impressive street art!

Sat down inside Crown Entertainment Complex to have dinner

Yes, if you're wondering, that's all I'm having for dinner

Can't help that the Australian currency is triple times that of mine. 

How sad! It sucks always feeling like a pauper overseas. I finally how it feels like to be poor. 

Artsy shot 😀

And before we realized it, it was nightfall

We were just in time for the fire flamethrower show!

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Southbank boasts a display of flames every weekend at a specific time. I think I was there at 8pm? It lasts for about 10 minutes, tops.

Yeah, if you're ever in town, try to catch it with your very own eyes!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WWRLqEgil4

Here's a short snippet of it.

The heat was so intense at some points that you can feel a very mild burning sensation!

Everybody (especially tourists) stopped and watched it in awe

Just a nice silhouette 🙂

Southbank was buzzing with people even late at night!

Now that's what I'm talking about 😉

Lovely sights!

Stopped by the bridge to take picture but was constantly photobombed by drunk boys 

OMG leave me alone! They insisted a picture anyhow. Reminds me of what one of my readers once commented, "You always seem to attract weird men huh" LOL. That made me laugh!!! 

ZOMG! Trying not to ruin my smile.

Ok photo over. You can go now kthxbai

Gave up trying to take a solo picture as they wouldn't leave me alone unless I joined their nightly drunken crusades or left the spot.

Obviously, I politely declined their offer with an awkward smile and chose the latter. We adjourned home soon after. Phew.

Back at Flinders Street Station

So that was my 12 hour day out at the city.

Didn't feel so lost anymore when I went downtown again the following weekend!

Can't wait to go back. Countdown: 55 days!