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.

Homemade Mooncake

{backdated} 

Miss Artsy was in town and brought along homemade mooncake!! A talented family whereby the mother is an awesome cook and of course, the talent has been passed down to the next generation, the daughters! 

For those who have no idea what are mooncakes... Mooncakes (月餅) are traditionally eaten during the Mid- Autumn Festival accompanied by Chinese tea. This festival is one of the four most important Chinese festivals. Apparently, this festival is for lunar worship and moon watching.

A typical mooncake is round in shape (and even rectangular, at times) with thick filling made from red bean or lotus seed paste encased by a thin crust of pastry. The moon cake might have egg yolks within and in this day and age, you get fushion-ised mooncakes such as Mixed Nuts, Coffee, Green Tea, Snow Skin etc.

I fondly remember of yesteryears when I would play plastic lanterns of different designs with my siblings and end the night with a burning lantern ceremony! Lol. I clearly remember one year I had a fish lantern and my sibling had an army tank each. 

However, with not-so-traditionally-steeped-Chinese-parents, we never had friends over nor went over to friends place to celebrate this festival. As Christians, we do not worship the moon nor deities and what not. So, it was always the three of us lighting candles (more like my brother and I), burning insects and playing with our lanterns.

Hmmm... perhaps, we will have a lantern party.

Sue in Melbourne

{backdated}

So, I've been on a hiatus... yet again. Seem to lose my oomph to blog. Can't wrap my head around that, too. There was a time where I was constantly blogging. Almost every single day. Waitaminute. It was every single day and sometimes, more than one posts a day!

Anyways, half a Sue came for a visit. She arrived last Tuesday and have gone back to the Motherland (Malaysia, not China).

I took the day off work, left my house about half past 7 in the morning for Tullamarine airport and encountered the below jam into Monash Freeway. Gosh. That was pretty much the case till half way through the journey.

Got a break for a bit and as I neared city, the jam picked up again. She should be SO grateful to me for my kindness. Lols.

Bleh. Here I thought, I left the insane jam back in Malaysia. The jam wasn't as bad though. At least, cars were still moving.

 

After what seemed like a forever ride to the airport, I finally arrived, picked up Miss Karate ('cos she always karate chop me and me alone which this trip of hers reminded me whenever she smacks me) and headed to the city to meet Josh, a fellow high school mate for brekkie (Aussie slang for breakfast).

Mr. C gave me clear and simple instructions the night before on how to make my way to the parking at Crown Casino 'cos it's free with his member card. However, the not-too-intelligent-me mucked it up, missed a turn and ended up at Docklands turning here and there and somehow, made my way back to Kings Way towards Crown Casino and designated parking. Awesome me!

It was a day of welcoming Sue to Melbourne and what better way than to show her Melbourne CBD.

We parked, walked out to South Bank (a verrry long walk from the car park) facing the Yarra River and walked towards CBD. Sue aka Miss Karate was the ever avid tourist snapping pictures after pictures. What makes it so unusually is that she usually doesn't take photos at all! 

In fact, she usually tells me and the other SueN back home off whenever we whip out our cameras to snap our food, picture after picture and from all angles. So for me to see her taking photos.. it was a rare sight. 

Am extremely rare sighting indeed. It's like seeing a wild kangaroo or a wild koala bear jumping and roaming free around Melbourne CBD.

~ SOUTHBANK (facing the Yarra River) ~

The building in blue and white on the opposite side is the Melbourne Aquarium

She became SUPER excited spotting PWC 
(only those of us in the Big Four get excited seeing one of the Big Fours.. that's how square and senile we are! Lols)

~ HARDWARE SOCIETE ~

First time served mocha this way; a coffee shot in my mug and frothy chococlate served separate

We finally made it to Hardware Societe after our forever walk (with her stopping to snap photos in between). Nice of Josh to patiently wait for us straight after his graveyard shift. 

This is one cafe that has been on my 'to eat' places for the longest time. Since 2011, I reckon. It was trending on Urbanspoon and it still is. I've come by twice on two Saturdays only to be put off by the crowd and headed elsewhere.

Baked eggs with chorizo

Deco was quaint but not your usual warehouse converted cafes. I had the Baked Eggs and mocha only to be disappointed. It wasn't as amazing as the reviews on Urbanspoon had led me to believe. 

My expectations were high and unfortunately, not met. Could be a personal preference 'cos I didn't fancy the nuts on my baked eggs.

Besides that, menu was limited on weekdays. Apparently their specials are only offered during the weekends. But HELLO! It's so frigging hard to get a spot then and because of this lackluster experience, I am not so keen to come back again. Especially when there are SO many other cafes teeming around Melbourne city, itself.

 

After breakkie and a nice catch up session with Josh, Sue and I walked towards Queen Vic Market (aka Queen Vic or Vic Market). Along the way, we found an amazing shop, Borek Bakehouse that sells deliciously fresh and beautiful tasting gozleme and borek! 

Slurp Slurp.

Silly Sue was cute. She initially exclaimed that the portion was small. I told her, just you wait, it looks small but because it's made of dough and cheese filling, it'll fill you up in no time. True enough, halfway through and she was already feeling that she's had enough.

Sue with her borek that she super duper loves

~ QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET ~

Famous doughnut van in Queen Victoria Market

See... she's taking photos again.. WHOA.. *faint* 

The part where they sell boreks, bratwurst, coffee etc

I reckon Queen Victoria Market isn't as amazing a place to visit as it used to be. It's riddled with man Asian (especially China Chinese) sellers and no offense meant but the things they sell are usually imitations, tacky looking clothes or tacky looking cheapo stuff.

And I find this downright saddening. Where are the Aussie sellers? Where is the Aussie culture? People, especially tourists come to this landmark to see just that, uniqueness. Uniqueness that's extinct. It just feels like another cheapo Pasar Malam (night market) back home in Malaysia.

Even Paddy's market (similarly filled with China Chinese vendors) in Sydney has better feel.

I would recommend people to visit Queen Vic Market side where they sell food. But for a more authentic Aussie feel, to head to South Melbourne Market. You can even do oyster shots there. Lols.

Next up, we walked along Swanston Street and brought her to another landmark, Melbourne Central. And headed across the road to the State Library. Ended our Melbourne CBD trip with hot chocolate with waffle balls and a chocolate soufflé at Max Brenner's in QV.

Snapping pictures of the dome

 

 

State Library

Chocolate souffle

 

 

 

And finally, we left the city and made a detour. I brought the crazy lady to Coffee Company in a suburb called Balaclava to purchase her beautiful aroma Irish coffee. This coffee place is reputed to sell beautiful coffee beans.

I wished we had more time so I could've brought her to St. Kilda for a walk or a cafe around Balaclava but alas, time did not permit.

Straight after purchasing her coffee, we dropped by Coles at Rowville on the way home. Sue is really funny. She loved grocery shopping! I don't blame her. Grocery shopping in Australia is fun especially if you are earning the money here.

We bought dips and crackers among other food and had a feast at home. So much for my plan to introduce her to the taste of crocodile and kangaroo meat. Dang!

This concludes the arrival of Sue.

Good Friday and Cumulus Inc

{backdated}

Today is Good Friday, the beginning of the Easter holiday weekend. In Australia, we get Good Friday and Easter Monday off work. I think it's ironic to have a holiday that is supposed to be a time of reflection of Jesus dying on the cross for us mortal humans but the Easter bunny and chocolates are the highlights.

In fact, many Australians aren't religious or into religion except for when they swear and use Jesus' name in vain. I think it's really sad.

I won't claim to be super religious. I try to know God more, to learn more about Him and to be the child He wants me to be. I have to be shamefully honest and admit that I do slack, missing Sunday services, at times. I don't declare it with glee but with chagrin and a heavy heart.

It was good that the hubs and I made it to City Life Church at Knox on Good Friday. 

Many cars with many people crowding the car park and surrounding housing area forced us to park a walking fair distance away resulting in us being late, missing the first and second song. 

 

Pastor Mark Conner spoke. It was simple and easy to follow. The main gist was the reasons Jesus died. He did so fulfilling the scriptures, offering His life as a sacrifice to ransom us from all that we've done and will do wrong. 

We don't simply enter the pearlie gates by doing good works. It is so much more than that. So much more simpler. All we have to do is just believe in Him and for all that He has done, to accept him into our hearts and give it to him. Just like that.

It was good to just take time to ponder and reflect all that has happened and all that He has done. Reminds me to be more faithful in my walk with Him. I am painfully aware I lack discipline and it is a constant struggle to instill good habits.

I guess as long as I keep trying, I will succeed one day as opposed to throwing in the towel.

After church, we made our way to city to meet the visiting Sydneysiders. It was past lunch time but we decided to have a go at Cumulus Inc, striking it off Miss J's 'places-to-eat' list. It has been voted well with 87% likes by over 3000 people on Urbanspoon.

Cumulus Inc Eating House and Bar situated at 45 Flinders Lane opened in 2008. Performing remarkably well, it has won The Age Good Food Guide since 2010 till 2013. This seems more of a high class pub (close to fine dining, I reckon) as reflected in the prices of their food shown in the below pictures.

 

 

 

We ordered the must-have-highly-recommended-on-Urbanspoon-whole-roasted-lamb-shoulder. Pretty pricey at AUD75 but we shared it amongst the four of us. Besides that, we had a platter of 'Kitchen Charcuterie selection' for AUD28.60 and the 'Baby iceberg salad, parmesan, capers & chopped egg' priced at AUD13.20.

The waitress that served us was wonderful. She was ever patiently answering our noob first timer questions. And there was another waitress that was just fantastic as she kept filling up our glasses with water round after round. No dirty looks, too as we didn't order any drinks.

For those who aren't aware, in Australia, water is served at eateries free of charge (different from Malaysia where you have to buy bottled water) and usually Chinese tea at Chinese eateries.

After placing our orders, my friends happily snapped photos after photos. Made me feel so at home with them. Usually, it's just me taking pictures much to Mr. C's dismay as he just wants to dig straight in the food when it's served but he has to layan (indulge) me.

Lols. It's really an Asian culture. We love to eat and we definitely LOVE to document the food we taste. My friend, YC dubs it as an #AsianRitual and I heartily agree with him. :)

Complimentary tasty garlic bread

Fascinating charcuterie

I actually enjoyed the array of prosciutto, pate, wagyu beef with pickled cucumber and creamed parmesan

The acclaimed roasted lamb shoulder that falls off the bone that goes well with the lemon and onion

Haha. More snappity snap time! Smartphones are whipped out and clickety click click click away. 

The salad (forgot to snap a photo) was beautiful and fresh tasting that we ordered a second salad which was just as delicious. 

Apparently, Cumulus Inc, for dessert is famous for its Madeleines filled with lemon curd. And boy was the reviews right. We were not disappointed, that's for sure! 

When served, the smell that pleasantly greeted my nose was heavenly waffle like. The lemon curd was tangy and melts in your mouth. A beautiful pairing of tastes between sweet and sour.

All in all, it was a good experience dining here. We received excellent customer service. The food was faultless but the price is precious. I guess it's best to go for breakfast for a 'cheaper' meal.

If you ever decide to try out this eatery, make sure you have the Madeleines!

Madeleine that we Malaysians refer to as Kuih Bahulu

Miss Lawyer's chocolate tart. She joined us late into our food being served.

Aaah... boots and coats signalling Autumn cooling weather

After our meal, we traipsed about Melbourne city. Down Flinders Lane towards Federation Square and along Swanston Street as we made our way back to Miss J's brother's place near Queen Victoria Market.

Later on, Mr. C and I attended Dave Hughe's Freezer Bread performance at Comedy Theatre. Can't remember if I've blogged about him. Fondly known as 'Hughesy', he is an Australian stand up comedian and a radio and television presenter we bumped into during our honeymoon in Phuket end 2011. 

Mr. C and I tune in to him with Kathy on Nova most mornings on the way to work.

You could tell from his giggles and snickers that Mr. C enjoyed Hughesy's humour and jibes. Where else for me, I felt a little lost at times and not exactly partial to his crass and sarcastic humour. Not to be a prude but he did say the word 'c**t' several times.

Russell Peters had me in stitches but Hughesy sadly did not.

Paparazzi dog at Federation Square

Miss A and Miss J tasting sinfully rich fries from Lord of the Fries

 

Cute lolli looking doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

The whole Easter weekend was about hanging out with my Sydney friends and food, food and food!Loved having friends visit. I get to chill with them. Chat non-stop and try out new makan places!

There'll be more... 

18.08.2012 The Twin's visit

Few weekends ago, we planned for a day trip to Mornington Peninsula. Due to the rainy weather forecast, sadly for my twin, we changed plans and headed to St. Kilda and the city instead.