This trip down to Melbourne from Sydney takes me back to my trip from Montreal back to Sydney a few years back for Nuit Blanche ( translation "White Night" ) except with a few more hours of sleep (refer my previous blog). Amazing what you cam cram into 24 hours with very little sleep!
I thought I would never get here! The daytime XPT train from Sydney to Melbourne was over 2 hours late this time! I arrived just before 9 pm on Saturday 24th August 2019 - it was suppose to arrive at around 6.30 pm.
Second worst train trip ever!!!! I tried to sleep but it was difficult because the person sitting next to me was a little large and kept coughing and sneezing everywhere the entire trip and he was the type who wanted to talk - yuk at least cover your mouth! I avoided him the entire trip by wearing a mask except to eat and pretend slept facing the aisle. I would not have been seated right at the end of the last carriage G (again) if I had not agreed to swap with a couple who were split up. So instead of my original allocated seat 34 G I ended up sitting in 44 G or something like that - who cares!
I asked the couple to wait until the ticket officer had come around and checked everyones tickets before swapping seats as this would be the polite thing to do and ticket officers always became a little cranky with seat swapping on this particular scheduled route as the train is usually full and people are getting on and off constantly however on this ocassion the ticket officer didn't really care and only checked off passenger names getting off at any station other then Melbourne & yes it was a full train again.
Only advantage with having the very back 4 seats in Economy Car G is there is a space behind your seats for your suitcases instead of placing them down the other end in the very limited luggage racks which I did because I was unaware of this secret luggage area.
I met a very nice family sitting opposite with the cutest little girl who had a very good appetite - she was eating everything - mainly healthy stuff no chips soft drinks or chocolate although she did carry a small roll of candy which she only ate one or two of during the entire trip to Melbourne. Very difficult to believe this mother had 6 children - her eldest being 21 and independent and her second eldest being 18 also not with her - as she was quite young. She and her family had loads of heavy luggage as they have been moving around Australia.
So what was the excuse for the train being late this time? You remember 2 weeks ago the train I was on was also late. I am about to demand a refund as this is just becoming a joke. If you have been reading my blog I think this Sydney/Melbourne train service has NEVER been on time except for 1 ocassion where it was on time within about 5 minutes sometime last year.
So the train was at a standstill just outside of Melbourne but only after its last stop Broadmeadows. In the past when the train was running really late or delayed into Melbourne passengers would alight at Broadmeadow and take a normal train into Southern Cross station as it is a lot faster. We did not have this option this time round as we were only told of the delay after the train passed Broadmeadow station.
So what caused the delay ? - I suspect a mechanical or signal failure however we were advised of a crazed man with a gun on a V line train therefore Southern Cross Station was in shut down until the police found the gunman and arrested him removing him from Southern Cross Station before reopening it to the public. I tried to google this on the news threads but nothing came up about it. At least I was safer on the train then at the station.
As soon as I arrived I checked in and had a partial change of clothes as well as adding extra pieces of clothing as forecast was cold and wet. No time for dinner or a shower. By the time I did this it was 9.35 pm. I had lost at least 2 hours and 35 minutes of White Night Reimagined - it's final night and open between 7 pm Saturday night and 2 am Sunday morning.
Off I went around 9.35 pm on Saturday night to what I intended to see from 7 pm ( that is 2.5 hours lost time!) - the final night of White Night Reimagined. This festival is a 3 day only event this year in August instead of the usual 1 night event in February spread across various precincts - just like VIVID however this is not VIVID. VIVID is 3 weeks long White Night Reimagined is 3 nights long. There was quite a lot to see and do over all the precincts. There were mixed responses about the format of White Night Reimagined In Melbourne this year. Format changes included spreading it over 3 nights instead of having it in a single night as in previous years which apparently gave people more time to visit all or multiple precincts ie pick and choose what to see and do or go to instead of having to just follow the crowds and join the queues either no time or choice ; having it in Winter rather then in Summer for the first time and spreading the installations and performances out to several precincts rather then having them all throughout the city - which some people thought made it look as if there was less to see and do. Whether or not these format changes were an advantage or disadvantage the weather was one of two things that affected the White Night Reimagined 3 night event - on Saturday night it rained but only for a short time and I knew it would but I was still determined to get out and about to explore as much of it as I could along with hundreds of thousands of other Melbournians! The other was the football - there was no football on on Saturday for the first time apparently ( but a Victorian guy I sat next to on the train back to Sydney actually said that there was) so it was difficult to say if this actually affected the event but if Melbournians had a choice between the 2 events - football would come out on top!
I read a journalist advised that 4 hours was all that was needed to see White Night Reimagined - how wrong they were . Many of the interactives on Saturday night at Treasury Gardens had queues of upto an hour long! I was lucky that the 2 queues I were in were only approximately 30 minutes wait time - by the time I reached the front of each queue there was a line of people behind me at least another 1 hour long!
I only managed to see about half of White Night Reimagined. Besides my time rertriction and lack of sleep as well as an early start tomorrow, public transport was also a nuisance with road closures and tram diversions. I only managed to get to 2 precincts Treasury Gardens & Birrarung Marr on the final night of White Night Reimagined and there was no way I was staying out until the event closed at 2am on Sunday morning!Because trams were terminated at certain points around the city and roads closed, I had to walk back to where I was staying after visiting the event.
Precinct Birrarung Marr -
The Physical Realm ( also refer photos on Facebook and videos uploaded onto YouTube)
Globe
The Odd Platoon
The Odd Platoon Drummers
Heliosphere
White Night Sign - another selfie opportunity!
This Girl Can At White Night
Precinct Treasury Gardens -
The Sensory Realm
(also refer photos on Facebook & videos uploaded onto YouTube)
Iris - a little creepy , we had something similar in the Royal Botanic Gardens during VIVID in Sydney a few years ago on a smaller scale where there were several smaller different coloured eye balls watching you and following your movements as you walked around them. I don't know what is creepier one huge colour changing eye ball looking at you or several smaller ones following you around!
Cluster - this light installation is meant to simulate fireworks with its flashing ever changing columns of coloured light and smoke. You can walk amongst these coloured columns - another selfie opportunity!
Pollution Pods - worth the wait in the queue for about 30 minutes. Walk through pods that simulate the air quality of several major cities around the world. Each pod had a computer terminal set up displaying details of each pod's city - information such as pollution levels temperature etc. It was a great interactive experience but I wanted tyo get out of the pollution pods asap. The pollution in each pod became worse as you walked through each of them. Warning not suitable for allergy and asthma sufferers like myself. I am grateful for the air quality we have around Australia.
Cocoon - probably the most interactive light installation of all, hear the music, see the changing lights, control this light installation by touching drum shaped stations or queue up and climb up inside this amazing 'cocoon'.
Sensoria
The Elementals
This Girl Can At White Night
I was so hungry so spent some time walking around Treasury Gardens looking for something to eat - anything actually. Luckily there was a row of food trucks parked along one of the side streets of the Treasury Gardens. So much choice but in the end I went for a kids sized serving of fish and chips - good choice either I was really starving or it was just really the best takeaway fish and chips I have ever had! Recharged onto my next precinct.
By now I may not be hungry anymore but was getting a little tired and unsure which direction to walk - Carlton Gardens or Birrarung Marr and following the crowds did not help. I thought I was walking towards Carlton Gardens but was unsure as it seemed like I waa walking for too long therefore decided to turn back and head for Parliament Station to take the train to Birrarung Marr getting off at Flinders Street Station and walking across the road to Federation Square - at least I knew my way around this area. (see above for photos and what was on at Birrarung Marr). I actually saw more then I photographed on my way to this precinct that night
There were a few other projections onto buildings and screens I also watched however was unsure what they were. The first projection I passed was a Harry Potter one and the other had to do with words - photos below. Some of the roving characters I saw I did not take photos of as well.
It was really late - way after midnight before I arrived back at Melbourne Central YHA. Straight to bed for a few hours sleep before waking around 5 am to prepare for my next adventure below. So tired I can't even remember what type of dorm room I had booked - I think it was a 4 share female dorm this stay.
"Where's The Lake Mountain Day" Trip To The Snow
Before I write about my time on Lake Mountain, I would like to explain why the alpine resort is named Lake Mountain. Remember my blog on "Dam(n) Mountain"? - never mind. If you travel to Lake Mountain don't go looking for one because there isn't actually a Lake at Lake Mountain. Lake Mountain was actually named after an "explorer" Mr Lake who decided to name this mountain after himself. I am unsure if he actually was an explorer maybe he just loved the mountain as it is really pretty on a nice day.
After several attempts to book a day trip to the snow today, I was successful. It was the perfect day to go as well.
I had a choice of meeting the mini bus up the street at The Immigration Museum or around the corner outside The Holiday Inn. You can guess which one I chose having had a late night and 7.15 am pick up time.
After the the stop off at Beechworth Bakery it was onto Lake Mountain Alpine Resort about 1.5 hours outside of Melbourne and considered one of the closest ski resorts to Melbourne.
Yes it is a commercial ski resort although it does not offer any downhill skiing even with the abundance of natural snow fall. It is a year round resort. There is a snow sports rental shop, a cafe/ canteen, ticket office and souvenir shop on the mountain. There are 2 toboggan runs, snow shoeing trails, hiking trails, cross country trails and beginner snowboarding areas. When there is no wind there is a flying fox operating. Cross country ski lessons are also available.
On route to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort along the Black Spur forests there is a lookout named Nicholl Lookout where we stopped briefly to take some photos. This is a must stop for photographers. The ever changing scenery is amazing.
Photos below
Spotting the first signs of snow along the road through the Black Spur forests up to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort.
Main carpark and village. When this carpark is full , cars and buses have to park in the overflow carparks further down the mountain which is where out bus driver/tour guide had to park for the time we were at Lake Mountain
I really wanted to make it further then I did last time I visited Lake Mountain hopefully to catch some views. The Summit hiking trail was recommended so off I went to find it. The bus driver/guide had recommended it and had walked up there the day before with just his hiking boots. Today when I reached the trail's entrance I started hiking with just my hiking boots up the hill which was covered in snow and it took me forever and I was huffing and puffing so much that I stopped and put on my yak tracks and walked a little more up the hill - no difference it was still very heavy going. There was a group of 3 girls that had the same idea hiking up to The Sumit and they passed me whilst I was putting on my yak tracks. About 15 - 20 minutes ahead of me, I decided to get the big guns out ie my snow shoes. As soon as I put them on it was double time up the trail covered in now heavy slushy snow. I managed to get up the steep trail catch up to the 3 girls and even pass them. They asked if the snow shoes helped and I had to tell them definitely! They could see how quickly I caught up to them as soon as I put my snow shoes on.
First stop for a few photographs at the first lookout point Marysville Lookout and I took a few photos of the 3 girls overlooking the view of the township of Marysville below.
Lake Mountain Summit via Melbourne Lookout - I am sure I was up here at Melbourne Lookout on my last visit to Lake Mountain and it was overcast or snowing therefore I could not see anything.
Third stop was either continue straight and slightly to the left after I reached The Summit or turn off with a sharp left and walk down that trail to The Alps Lookout.
Because I managed to meet up with our bus driver/tour guide up on the mountain who is a keen photographer (above photo) I was able to walk around the mountain past The Summit with him.
After reading the trail signage and judging how much time each trail would take to walk and the distance I decided to take the trail that was a sharp left to me. It indicated it was only 300 meters to The Alps Lookout but it took much longer then that to get to this lookout point in addition to turning around to go back down the way I had hiked up to the village in time to meet the bus.
On these day trips to Lake Mountain you only have 3 hours on the mountain therefore you need to be organised to get the most out of them. A guide or someone that knows their way around Lake Mountain is therefore a great idea.
There was a lot of scenery photography on the mountain at all look outs - it is amazing how the backdrop is constantly changing up there reminding me very much like Echo Point in the Blue Mountains. I also took quite a few photos of snowmen along the way - one of which was just a tad rude or it could be completely innocent depending on how you looked at it.
What the???? Did the carrot fall to an unfortunate position? Did someone move and replace it's original nose? Maybe the snowman was meant to be holding the carrot in it's hand but it end up in the wrong position? Poor snowman. This is the saddest looking snowman I've ever seen & I don't blame him!
This snowman is a pretty good effort although it lacks expression and has a something sticking out of its head
This snowman is actually a snow woman
This snowman screams "Help me I'm stuck & melting fast!"
On my descent back to the village it started to snow - so beautiful. Wombat hunting with our bus driver/ tour guide (apparently his name is Darren) unsucessful. We did spot some bird life though.
If you travel down to Cradle Mountain in Tasmania during the Winter and when it is snowing you will see heaps of wombats ( and poo pats) amongst the snow - they love it!
If you have never seen a wombat in Winter they are the size of a dog, are fat, cute and furry but very slow moving lazy animals who constantly munch on whatever greenery they can find and love to burrow with their huge backsides acting as a door to their burrows strong enough to keep any predators out! You can get quite close to them as they go about their life as they are quite tame however they can still attack you if you try to provoke them.
No wombats today so back down to the village for a toliet stop, wash asnd dry my snow shoes and then a bit of lunch. I go outside sit on the steps and wait for the mini bus to arrive to take us to our next destination Steavenson Falls. On the bus it is again nice and warm however don't get too comfortable as it will get cold and a little wet possibly at Steavenson Falls.
It is now getting rather cold and whilst I was hiking back down to the village it started to snow - so beautiful - this is why I love Lake Mountain in at the end of Winter - it was 4 seasons in one day. By the time I was descending from The Summit it had clouded over before it snowed and there were still people hiking up to the Summit in the afternoon however the picturesque scenery was no longer visible up there at the look outs.
Beechworth Bakery In Healesville
After meeting the Wildlife Tours mini bus at approximately 7.20 am outside the Holiday Inn ( the bus was actually parked around the corner and the tour guide came to find me), the bus headed off to pick up some other 'tourists' waiting in front of The Immigration Museum. I used the term 'tourist' as none of us on this Lake Mountain day trip were actually tourists, we were all relatively local and the tour guide was quite surprised as he rarely gets a bus load of "relatively local tourists" - he usually gets visitors from South East Asia or from other parts of the world, Queensland or Western Australia.
First stop is a morning tea and toliet stop at Beechworth Bakery in Healesville. If you haven't stopped off and made a visit to a Beechworth Bakery, it is a must do. The original Beechworth Bakery chain as the name implies grew from a single bakery in Beechworth and has become such a regional bakery success it now a small chain of bakeries around regional or country towns in Victoria. Apart from a bakery in Healesville and Beechworth there are also Beechworth Bakeries located in regional or country towns such as Bendigo, Ballarat, Echuca and Albury with a few more in other regional or country Victoria. Our tour guide/ bus driver recommended that we purchase not just some morning tea there but also some lunch unless we wanted to purchase and eat the typical ski resort rather expensive limited poor quality mainly fried food available at Lake Mountain.
Beechworth Bakery is a typical country bakery with its country style home baked pies and sweet pastries as well as a range of rolls sandwiches and toasties. Tea, coffee and other beverages are also available. There is also a range of branded merchandise such as mugs, trucks, stuffed toys in between the Anzac biscuits, jam drop cookies, short bread and chocolate chip biscuits. My favourite and I always purchase a packet or two whenever I am at a Beechworth Bakery - this time it was the white chocolate and macadamia biscuit great with a cup of tea or coffee when I return to work.
I recommend everyone try a freshly baked hot pie or two especially on a cold day like today - I recommend the Ned Kelly pie. Today, however I decided no pies but a roast beef salad sandwich to take up to the snow with me as it will keep - a pie would be stone cold by the time I had lunch at Lake Mountain.
We usually spend 20 - 30 minutes at Beechworth Bakery - enough time for a toliet stop, sit down inside tea or coffee and a food purchase as well as a look at the gushing river next to the bakery and (I was tempted but did not this time round) a sneaky visit to the award winning Innocent Bystander Cellar Door next door for a purchase or a visit to Giant Steps ( these will seem giant after a few drinks here). If you haven't tried Innocent Bystander mascato you should. Too early for a drink though but if you ever visit Healesville around lunch time stop there for some food as well if it is open.
"That's not a Typo Yes That's How It's Spelt Steavenson Falls" Outside Of Marysville
Back on the bus a quick head count - no not necessary everyone on this day trip is very mindful of when, to be where and at what time - no wondering bird watchers on this day trip!
Onto our next destination Steavenson Falls. Will someone please correct the spelling of this destination - it's not Steveston or Stevenson Falls because I can never pronounce it I call it Stevia Falls!
We make our way along the beautiful countryside and into what can only be called magnificent Black Spur Forest. You need to drive through this region to know exactly why. The scenery has changed since the devastating bush fires that destroyed almost the entire country town of Marysville including a large population of their local residents back in 2009. The town of Marysville has since been rebuilt and the forests around Black Spur have regrown.
There are a few landmarks around Marysville that survived the horrendous fires of 2009 ( read about King Lake ) and one of these is Steavenson Falls.
Due to the recent weather the falls were gushing down with water. So pwerful were the falls today, the amount of hydroelectricity generated from the falls is probably enough to supply the whole of NSW with electricity - maybe a little exaggerated and it should be supplying Victoria first with electricity however I am not 100 % incorrect there is a turbine and the hydro electricity generated does power the flood lights on Steavenson Falls and posdibly supply surrounding towns like Marysville with electricity.
There is enough time for a toliet stop and a short walk down the path to the falls. There were a few vantage points to see the falks up close however our tour guide/bus driver warned us not to stray up or down to the hiking trails otherwise it will be a very expensive trip back to Melbourne.
I said to the tour guide/bus driver that Victoria needs to send some off this water back to Sydney ( we haven't had much rain all year and Waragamba Dam is below its 50% capacity) - he's says " how big's your back pack? Open it up then!"
If you didn't want to walk upto the falls there is the mini falls that is just near the car park and toliet block. Spot the difference.
Back on the bus where it was a little drier and warmer and onto our next destination.
An excited little boy with his mum was on the tour - his ears pricked up when he heard the word "CHOCOLATE".
Yarra Valley Chocolaterie in Yarra Glen
Final stop of the day tour before heading back to Melbourne city was a detour to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie in Yarra Glen. An extremely popular tourist stop.
It was quite a good time to visit as it was their hot chocolate festival. Besides various flavours of hot chocolate on offer for purchase, the chocolaterie also has an ice cream parlour, cafe inside, a working chocolate factory where you are able to watch the chocolate production process from behind the glass and of course the actual chocolate store which is more of a small warehouse full of all things chocolate. It is not uncommon for bus loads of Asian tourist to load up multiple baskets of chocolate totalling hundreds of dollars each as well as a car park full of cars, mini buses and coaches.
Then there is also the open spaces to run around or sit and nibble on your sweet purchases or just admire the beautiful view of the surrounding country side with rolling hills, green grass and vineyards. There are also the animals in the background - birds and ducks in the ponds, sheep , cows or horses in the paddocks.
Once you step inside the chocolate shop after passing the ice creamery and hot chocolate stall, you are greeted with 3 huge bowls of free chocolate to sample dark milk and white chocolate pastels with a sign advising " Please take 1 scoop only".
I love dark chocolate so sampled this first however ended up purchasing a packet of Ruby chocolate pastels and a box of 6 hand picked individual chocolates from the bain marie of a selection of chocolates on display. I did not go over the top with my chocolate purchases this time round.
After my chocolate purchases I had time for a toliet stop and lots of photos before heading back on the bus back to the city. To occupy the few hours back into Melbourne city I chatted to the older gentleman seated opposite me. All I know about him is that he was working in finance and lived in NZ for quite a few years. He offered me a bite of his chocolate but I declined and I offered him some of my Ruby chocolate pastels and asked him what he thought - it does have a berry flavour. Pity I didn't get his contact details - he was certainly more interesting then the other guy I was sitting next to on the XPT train in first class back to Sydney.
Back in Melbourne outside The Holiday Inn around 6 pm - end of another full day of adventures in and around Melbourne.
( refer videos uploaded onto Youtube & photos on Facebook)
Monday 26th August 2019
Next on my itinery of things to see and do snd places of intetest to visit was Chadstone "Tourist Desination" Shopping Centre.
I tried to book a seat online on the " free tourist shuttle" from Melbourne CBD directly out to Chadstone Shopping Centre for several days but was having trouble doing so. I wrote an inquiry to Chadstone Shopping Centre online regarding the shuttle but never received a response ( I have been back in Sydney for 3 days now and still no response from them) - that's just very poor customer service.
I also sent an email to Legoland to inquire whether I could organise a visit to it but again no response. I think I will give up on this place of interest to visit - no further write up on Legoland as I can only write about what I see do and visit.
To get to Chadstone from Melbourne's CBD is a bit of a hike without the free tourist shuttle bus directly from Melbourne CBD out to Chadstone. There is no direct public transport - ie no buses. It requires a train trip from Southern Cross Station on the very dodgey Pakenham Line out to Oakleigh Station then a bus to Chadstone about 10 minutes away I think it is a 900 series bus.
What did I think of Chadstone besides it being a huge shopping centre and major tourist destination? Not much seen one shopping centre seen them all. I can see where the original part of the shopping centre was and where the newer section has been added on by the skyline. The old skyline is a typical glass skyline which is seen in shopping centres or malls around the world - a central sky dome with arms off it to the north south east and west. In the newer section of the shopping centre the skyline is more shaped and bends naturally - looking at it, it reminds me of several overhead structures around Melbourne over bridges and walkways for example and is a contrast to the straight arms of the older section of the shopping centre's skyline.
I have a few favourite shops at Chadstone. One is a chocolate and candy store named Sweet As (photo below) where I spent some time looking for a particular brand of chocolate produced in Victoria which I love and used to by there and back home named Ernest Hillier - no longer. I ended up purchasing some locally produced salted caramel rocky road for my work collegue as I am unsure if she would appreciate tutti fruiti rocky road.
Next onto some grocery shopping but before I do I was feeling a bit hungry so found a sushi store which sold seaweed tacos - I had to try the duck one! The salmon one looked value for money however I have a 12 hour trip ahead of me and did not want to risk eating a pile of raw salmon!
A quick look at the outside of Legoland only and it was off back to Melbourne Central YHA to retrieve my luggage which was stored behind the counter for the day as the pay lockers were not working this morning.
According to Journey planner which is equivalent to NSW's trip planner for public transport there should be a bus to the railway station in a few minutes however there was a bus that just artived going to the railway station - we just had to ask the driver if he was going to the railway station - which railway station who cares any railway station. The bus was not showing up on the journey planner at all so I just hopped on and it took me back to Oakleigh Station to get the train back to Southern Cross Station on the dodgey Pakenham line.
The XPT from Melbourne to Sydney was actually on time departing Southern Cross Station at 7.50 pm as scheduled. It was waiting and being cleaned after passengers from Sydney alighted before moving forward and finally allowing us to board. Surprised the buffet Car C was open whilst the train was still waiting stationary alongside the platform before its departure.
Tuesday 27th August 2019
A quick trip to the 2 Sushi Tower concessions to find 2 teriyaki chicken skewers - first one had sold out so purchased the final 2 at the second Sushi Tower to be placed in in between my pieces of rye bread with the rocket leaves and maple infused cheese I had purchased at Chadstone Shopping Centre earlier for my dinner - there will be no visit to the buffet in Car C again although it is much closer to C to where I was sitting on the train. Thought I would maybe have a spare seat next to me for once - no unfortunately not. Upon stopping at Wagga Wagga the guy sitting next to me & I were eyeing the 2 now empty seats across from me as the 2 guys sitting in them had alighted the train however someone else (a guy seated in front of us) was also eying it for himself and just sat in it and fell asleep without asking the train officer if it was booked by other passengers later - bad karma later in the night a single passenger boarded and had the two seats all to themselves meaning the guy seated in front of us had to return to his original allocated seat with no spare seat next to him all the way back to Sydney!
XPT Melbourne back to Sydney first class Car B seat 54 - right at the rear again - much more comfortable trip and heaps of luggage storage space in the luggage racks ahead and behind the 4 seats at the back again so I could have stored my luggage directly behind my seat however the train was 20 minutes late arriving into Sydney therefore catch up day only no attendance of Ramon's Jazz Express class today!
Note : No new blogs for the following weekend as I am having another rare do absolutely nothing weekend. First day of Spring & Fathers' Day on Sunday and Saturday will be wet and cold - one final blast of Winter before Spring! Stay tuned though as the following week(s) will be chocker block one in between work!
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