Travel Ramblings of a Mentos Addict, Part 4

Day Four

Whoops... took me a long while to get this up... heh. But hey, it’s up now.

So, first day in Melbourne, where the weather was thankfully tons cooler, but that does not deter the flies... obviously...

Our first stop was Victoria Market, where they sold everything from fruits to T-shirts. Just when you thought there were plenty of nice souvenirs to take home, you flip that key chain over and lo and behold, Made in China. But still, there were plenty of fascinating things to see.

After an hour there, which sadly wasn’t enough for many, (that’s the Malaysian shopping spirit!) we headed for the Melbourne Aquarium, which wasn’t really all that cool. Kind of over rated. The Penang one had tons more fish. But, yes, Jess... plenty of sharks in captivity. J

Then, onwards in the City Tour to the likes of the Parliament House, St Patrick Cathedral, Art Museums and a really nice park (Melbourne is called the Garden City as there are really a lot of gardens and parks...) where Captain Cook’s parent’s cottage was located.

Toilet break for all as we’ll be journeying on yet another long road trip towards Phillip Island. By now, highways are fairly predictable... cows... fields... horses... fields... more cows... more fields... and bundles upon bundles of rolled up hay.

After plenty of snoozing and developing stiff necks, we stopped at a winery for a wine tasting session. I can’t say ‘yum’ cos’ it wasn’t to me. I think Phaik Chern would have enjoyed it though... heheh.

Everyone climbed back onto the bus a short while later, some more tipsy than others, and after an hour or so, we stopped for dinner at a restaurant just outside the bridge towards Phillip Island. Lobster baybeh! Ok, fine... half-a-lobster-each baybeh!

Finally, we arrived at our destination. Just in time to watch the Penguin Parade. In fact, more than in time. We were a good hour ahead of them. A good freezing cold hour.

The penguins here are the tiny types. No more than a foot high. What happens is mummy and daddy take turns going out at day break, hunting for fish. They return at sundown (hence, Penguin Parade) to the sight of hundreds of excited tourists staring and pointing at them, and return to their burrows.

One wonders, as one stands with jacket fully zipped up and hands stuck in pockets in the make-shift stadium-like area where everyone sits to watch the penguins come home, just how much money these people were making off these innocent penguins.

One wonders, why so many people would come all the way from Melbourne (3 and a half hours away) and wait out in the cold for hours just to watch 5 minutes of tiny creatures waddling up the beach.

One wonders whether ones hands have frozen in ones pockets yet.

And then, when the penguins come up, and one gets so close to them that one could touch them, ones heart simply melts into pure mush. And it’s all worth it. It’s really all one can do to restrain from catching one and stuffing it under ones jacket and take it all the way home to Malaysia. Heh.

Promo pic I found online... but nothing beats seeing them in person... uh... penguin... whatever...

Sadly, I couldn’t take any pictures. Cameras and hand phones weren’t allowed as the people in charge are afraid the fame and glory of getting their pictures taken so often will make the penguins conceited and demand a share of profits.

Ok, just kidding, it’s because of the flash from the camera that could frighten or blind the penguins.

Good ol' Tony... "Heheh... better check, Nick, or else... Vroom... Creaaakkkeeee!!!"

Ok.. hands up, who winced?? I did.

Another long journey back home in the dark of the night, where we placed all our faith in our bus driver, (Nick) to get us back to our warm hotel beds safe and sound.

Next: Last day, mounds of rocks.