Colourful Brighton Beach House

One of Melbourne's popular icon or must visit place would definitely be the Brighton Bath House aka Brighton Beach House aka Brighton Boat House. 

After a quick research, the right description would be BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES!

Many couples (mainly Malaysians that I know of) choose this place for one of their pre-wedding shoot location as it is picturesque and quirky - 82 colourful, vibrant bathing houses all lined up in a row by the beach.

Mr. C and I brought our two friends there two Saturdays ago. One year ago, we met this two adventurous ladies. One of them was my ex-KPMG colleague's sister-in-law. What makes them special or unique? Well, these gutsy ladies resigned from their steady jobs as lawyers in Malaysia to make their way into unexplored territory in Australia via work travel visa!

I mean, coming from Malaysia and coupled with Asian background, taking a gap year and/or resigning a job without securing another is a no no. What more to mention, resigning a stable job to go off to uncharted waters for a year of fun and a sea full of uncertainties. 

But they did it and with their parents blessings! Well, sort of and lots of trepidation. One girl's mother wasn't too keen but she just had to seize this opportunity!

The bathing houses are located just beside St Kilda Beach. Not exactly side by side, however, about 5-10 minutes driving distance along the Boulevard.

Location extracted from HERE just for you.

"Dendy Street Beach, Brighton is the home of the Brighton bathing boxes, a popular Bayside icon and cultural asset. It is approximately 13 km south of the City of Melbourne and is accessible by road, rail, bus and sea.

The nearest road intersection is Dendy Street and the Esplanade, Brighton (Melway Greater Melbourne map reference 67 C12/76 C1). Bayside City Council provide a user pay car park."

Pardon the gloomy looking pictures but it was a cloudy day and the skies threatened to cry! We were fortunate except for the strong gusts of wind...

And just like that, a year flew past. This was the end of their awesome journey in Aussie. As I type this, they have already gone home to Malaysia for good, back to all that is familiar and yet, not so anymore.

I really wish them all the very best readjusting back to 'reality' and my fervent wish for them is that the experience wasn't just all fun and games but that they brought home important, life changing experiences that helps them in their next journey in life. Who knows? Be a change in the Malaysian community. All it takes is a spark to spread the fire.

Friday at Suez Delights in Clayton

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instragram : A Busy Saturday

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Mr. C's latte

Heartshaped frothy mocha

Simple ham and cheese croissant

The Word at Nunawading

Roti Telur at India Delights

Sau Hor Fun at India Delights

Australia's Got Talent Auditions 2013

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Saturday saw Mr. C, Jim, YC and I with a loooooong queue of other Melburnians along Little Bourke Street making our way for Australia's Got Talent Auditions 2013. Oh no! We were not there to audition for the show but rather, we were there to see people audition for the show. 

Yup, you got it, we were just kehpoh-ing (hokkien words meaning sticky noses) as audience.

Initially, I thought we were not going to make it into the theatre as it seemed like there were just SO many bodies in front of us. Tickets are free and you can get it from Applause Store. Last year, silly me applied for tickets to watch 'Can of Worms', an Australian talk show that has fascinating and often than naught, controversial topics.

I received an email notifying that I had received my free entrance tickets only to realised that it was based in Sydney. Regretfully hitting the reply button stating that I can't make it from Melbourne. Lol.

Anyways, back to the auditions...

 

 

Cutting the loooong story short, we waited... and waited... and waited. Auditions were supposed to start at 7pm. We started waiting in line close to 6pm. There was an hour delay with the first recording before ours and we only got comfortably into our seats about 8pm.

Whilst we waited, we stared into the skies, at the other crazy people in line, took selfies and photos of each other, uploaded on Instragram and even had time to play Candy Crush!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, we made it into Her Majesty's Theatre. We've been here once before to watch famed Aussie actor, Geoffrey Rush in 'A funny thing happened on the way to the forum'. Mr. C tickled himself watching that musical and still feels amused thinking back to the play.

The last time, we sat downstairs with a fairly good view. This time, we sat upstairs. Seats at ground level were reserved for family and friends of those auditioning.

 

 

 

 

As we sat ourselves down, a group in cheerleader outfits were flipping about the stage. I reckon to see if the space was conducive for their routine. Lights were tested. The 'X' buttons were tested. The audience were tested. Lol.

What we audience back home that watch the show on television miss out is the funny-behind-the-scenes-guy, Dave Eastgate. He was there to entertain the audience that night in between acts. Before the show, he warmed us up and provided some housekeeping rules. No toilet breaks till after each routine is completed. 

Our cheers, boos and ahhhs were pre-recorded before any routine started. 

Judges were (seated) from left Kyle Sandilands, Aussie radio & TV personality infamous for his derogatory and offensive comments, Geri Halliwell aka Ginger of Spice Girls, Timomatic, 3rd placed contestant in the 5th season of Australia's Got Talent and finally, Dawn French, a British actress, write and comedian.

 

Dave with the mike and headband and right, seated Dawn French being 'touched' up

Nigerian born Australian, Timotic in grey jacket

The funny but a tad too funny in a rude way, Dave Eastgate

Geri who seemed more toned down from her Ginger Spice days and a tad too skinny

We stayed till the end, after midnight. All in all, the auditions were only average. None that screamed 'winner', unfortunately. However, it wasn't all bad. It definitely was an experience and to be able to see what goes on behind the scenes. 

Maybe next year, I'll go watch 'X Factor'. Lol. Or some other reality shows. Wanted to try out 'Deal or No Deal' but that is held during weekdays. Too bad. 

It was an experience but I doubt I would go again, unless my future kids want to.

Shark Fin House Dim Sum in Melbourne

:: shark fin house ::
\
Yum Char Siew Pao

A friend from Uni and her hubby relocated over to Melbourne recently. We were invited to the city by another Uni friend, YC who was having brunch with them for dim sum. 

Over here in Australia, dimsum is known as Yum Cha. 

Initially, Mr. C and I declined but changed our mind. Who can say 'No' to Yum Cha, right??

Apparently, some people can. *hehe* But definitely not us!

We woke up late, hurried ourselves to the city on Sunday for a mighty fulfilling lunch at Shark Fin House. Since moving to Melbourne, I've been told this is the place to go for a good meal of dimsum. 

But I've only been to TaiPan at Doncaster and Gold Leaf at Burwood.

So, it was good to have a chance to sample the highly acclaimed tasty morsels offered here.

Liked the pork ribs best, tastier than others and less fatty 

Exotic chicken feet (only Mr. C had this)

My glorious Liu Sha Pao!!

Perfection

Piping hot salted egg and custard steamed bun

Be careful of the hot golden liquid

Oooooh my... best Siew Mai and Ha Gao

Comparing with the other two dimsum restaurants, I think Shark Fin House is my current favourite! I like the pork ribs at Tai Pan but the one here is even better and tastes less fatty. The char siew pao (roasted pork bun) was the best tasting one I've had so far in Melbourne, too! A yummy one is hard to find, it's usually too sweet and not so tasty.

The Liu Sha Pao was another thumbs up. The ratio of salt and sweet is just right. And I love it when the liquid oozes out instead of being coagulated. 

Hmmm... what else was delicious? 

The siew mai (steamed pork with prawn) was top notched. Not fatty in tasting. And I loved the taste of the generous prawn nestled closer to the bottom. In Malaysia, not all siew mais have prawns.

This place was packed. Unfortunately, the person who waited at our table was  abit of a blur case. We had to ask several times for chilli, for my liu sha pao and our tea. Gosh. We stopped asking him after awhile and flagged down other waiters. 

You definitely have to make reservations beforehand or risk not having a table or waiting in a loooong queue or rather a forever queue.

Suffice to say, I had a truly fulfilling meal. Satiate my dimsum cravings till the next time. :)

Tokyo Deli and Aviv

Ever since Sally introduced this two places and I, in turn intro-ed to the hubby, we've been back here rather regularly. Despite our incompatibilities and differences, I like how Mr. C and I are sometimes in sync and have the same makan (Malays for eat) food place in mind.

That's what happened on Saturday, we both had the same thought to go to Elsternwick for Jap food at Tokyo Deli and my yummilicious vanilla slice from Aviv! It was a 30 minute journey from home and boy, were we hungry by the time we arrived.

Headed off to Aviv first to purchase the famous Vanilla Slice. Kiasu that the shop will run out before we finish our lunch few shops away at Tokyo Deli. Lols.

:: aviv ::

Look at the gorgeous sweeties on display 

Was a bit disappointed the last time and this time I had my vanilla slice. The flaky top and bottom tasted like it was baked a tad too long. :( Oh well... hopefully it'll be back to awesome the next time I go back for some.

:: tokyo deli ::

 

The food as usual was delicious. The hubs had the Terriyaki Chicken Bento set $9.80 and his Edamame. I had the Yakiniku Beef Don $8.50. We shared or rather fought to finish the Agedashi Tofu! Yum! 

Lol

Bottom line, I always leave here filling full and satisfied! *thumbs up*

If you earn the money here and not convert currencies, pricing is pretty alright for a Jap meal. :)

Whilst you are here for lunmch, you can also do some grocery shopping. Check out their site HERE for their menu and grocery shop. Simple but attractive and easy to navigate website!