Sleep through the night at the Airport

My family going back to KL and their flight is at 1.25am while my flight to Sydney is at 6.00 am. So I have decided to bring along my bag. Help my family to check in and sent them to the departure area then I went to look around and find a place to sleep. I found a place behind the virgin airline counter and lying down there to sleep. It was my first experienced sleeping on the floor at the airport. Gosh. I have no choice since I can't go back home and come back again waste of money and time. The whole night can't sleep at all. Woke up most of the time. Finally quarter to 4 am I got up and get ready and check in at 5 am

Got to Sydney nazie (Dr. Nazirah) and her husband Ibez (bestari) fetch me at the airport Once I reached their house immediately went to bed and had a short nap. Was really really tired by then.

Great Ocean Road Journey Part 2

Once we check out at 10am, we start moving down to the coastal road of great ocean road. Nice view. We try to stop at almost all town but we couldn't coz huge traffic from the opposite road. Think people start coming to the great ocean for holiday.

We stop at two places, Aireys Inlet and Anglesea before we drove back home.

Apollo Bay ; Sunset and Sunrise

We managed to get to our rented self contained apartment after an hour drive from 12 Apostles. It was a relief. Actually I hate long journey driving. The apartment was not to bad at all for last minutes booking. Enough for 9 of us to stay in.

My dad immediately had his rest, he was so exhausted. The rest of us were in the living room chatting and resting enjoying our stay. Later in the evening just before sunset we walk to the beach and try to watch the sunset.

Actually we couldn't get the sunset view instead we able to see the sunrise the next day. Woke up early morning before sunrise, got to the beach with Huzaizi. Beautiful sunrise.

Great Ocean Road Journey Part 1

Monday

28 December 2009

Start early in the morning from home at 7 am we already move to our longest journey almost 300 km. The destination is Port Campbell. So unfortunate I couldn't get a place to stay for a night at Port Campbell instead I had managed to get somewhere in Apollo Bay.

Met Zainah and her family after Geelong at one of the petrol station. From there we drive for another more than one and half hours to reach Port Campbell. The weather was nice but there were lots and lots of flies. It was not comfortable at all.

We didn't spent so much time at Port Campbell we then went to Loch Ard Gorge.

Then we left Loch Ard Gorge to 12 Apostles.

Tony's Christmas Light

Went to Tony's house to pay him a visit, looking at his christmas light and around his area. They still switch on the light some until for another week.

Blue Hills Berries and Cherrie; Pick Your Own berries

Sunday

27 December 2009

Location: Blue Hills Berries and Cherries, Silvan

I have been to this place for 4 times till date. Don't mind to come here again and again and pick your own berries or cherries.

Me with my family, Zainah and her family, Lajiman and his family and also Zul. Nice weather. Think this time round the berries and cherries were much better compared to last year but not as good as in 2007 season'

Anyway each one of us picking I 1 kg each and eat the berries at the same time. :-)

I am picking a container of 1 kg of sour cherries while the rest of my family picking the berries (strawberries, raspberries, black berries and boysenberries)

PICNIC AT BLUE LOTUS WATER GARDEN

Saturday

26 December 2009

Location Blue Lotus Water Garden

No days without picnic. :-)

Today we were at Blue Lotus Water Garden. About one hour drives from Zainah's house. When we reached the place we were the first to come and we get the best spot for picnic.

Absolutely beautiful. Everybody love the place. More than 14 acres area with lots of lotus blooming with varieties of colors.

Actually mid December is the best time, that what the owner told Zul through the phone. We we lucky had a great time here.

By the way the lotus farm is still open till April so still have time if we want to go again later.

(P.S Double click any of the pictures, it will link you to the rest of blue lotus farm pictures)

Free Trip to Geelong

It was free for the whole day during Christmas day. Anywhere any public transport including V-Line.

Me and my family, Zainah and her family and Lajiman with his family. We took V line train to Geelong. The first train available. We had planned to have picnic in Geelong.

It was a good outing. We spend more than 3 hours in Geelong. We went to the waterfront and had our lunch together.

Victoria Market shoping spree

I took my family to Victoria Market today. Try to get some souvenir to bring back home. Later we had lunch at Es Teller 77.

The Boulevard Christmas Light, Ivanhoe

Few of my patients mentioned to me about the Christmas light at the Boulevard. I search the event online and found that they will have from December 12 until Christmas.

The Boulevard is actually not far from Austin just a few station from Heidelberg and about 10 minutes walk from the station. Interesting almost all houses along the boulevard road participated in having the light show.

There were many people came and looking the the light show. Beautiful view

Chirstmas Lunch

Our Cardiology Research Department had the Christmas lunch at Cellini Restaurant in Heidelberg, not far from Austin. Just a walking distance. Eight of us with the boss (Prof David Hare the director of the department) the staffs (not everybody turn up) and me. It was a treat from the boss to us. Nice

St Kilda: Sunny day on the beach

Sunday

20 December 2009

I took the whole family to St. Kilda by train and tram. It was a good experience for Mom and Dad and I also want them to do a bit of walking.

Showed them the St. Kilda Sunday market and walk until we reach Luna Park

Then, we walk our way on the beach.

Think we spent more than 2 hours at St. Kilda. We decided to have a coffee break before going back home. Mom and Dan bit exhausted though but they seem to enjoy it.

Trip to Mornington Peninsula

Saturday morning, 19 December 2009

Since I have the car for another day, have decided to go Mornington Peninsula just enough for half a day travelling. I don't want to be so ambitious, had planned 3 places which I thought interesting.

Left home about 10 am and start the journey to our first destination, Dromana. Was cloudy and drizzling initially but once we arrived at our location the weather turn out to be fine. Stop at Dromana had our lunch.

Next, we went to Cape Schanck lighthourse. It about less than 30 minutes drive. Nice breeze cool air.

Beautiful view, thought of going down to the other end but don't want to spend so much time here since I want to catch the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff.

We we the first to reach the 4 o'clock ferry. Even though been here before, but this was the first time took the ferry. The ferry ride took about 40 minutes from Sorrento to Queenscliff.

Coming back from Brisbane

My family coming back from Brisbane after more than two weeks staying with my sister. Fetched them at Avalon Airport at 5.00 pm. My sister also came along. Hire a car for few days to take them for sight seeing

Donald's Plum

Since Monday Donald has brought his plums from his garden to the gym. Lots and lots of them. Nice juicy plum. Thanks Donald. It enough for everybody in the gym.

ALtona: The Esplanade and Cherry Lake

Decided to go to Altona not far from my place. Zul found some information about Cherry Lake. Try to see what this place could offer.

Catch early train as possible trying to avoid the heat later on. Took the train from Flinders Street Station and stop at Altona Station. We went to the Esplanade first and spent sometime there.

Cherry Lake is about 20 minutes walk from the Esplanade. Huge lake with picnic facilities. An alternative place to come over for picnic in future.

A Gift for mum

Purposely bought this camera for my mum. When she first arrived in Melbourne and took my mum and the rest of the family around, saw her camera and thought I should get a new one for her. Looking for camera which is simple and easier for her to use, good quality and not too expensive. Look around and asked Adam (Camera House Camera Action) which will be the best. I have sighted few models and brands and ask his opinion. He suggested Canon Powershot A480. Survey to all the shops around and Department stores the price for this model. I then found the cheapest price for the same model from Myers Department store. Most of the places will sell between 145 - 149 Australian dollars. Asked Adam what the best prices he could sell which is AUD 130 but I told him I got a better deal. I told him, he will be surprised. I mentioned that I could get from Myers for AUD 99. He was really surprised. I was lucky though, I was fast enough to get the camera on time because I was the last person to get it. No more and many people were asking for the camera. Lucky you, that what the sale's lady said.

Good bargain. !!!!! :-)

The 2 Bruneian Nurses in Melbourne

Lela and Hajjah Rogayah, the 2 nurses from Brunei are in Melbourne for two weeks and going back on Thursday. They came for attending the Cardiac Rehab course and also doing some clinical attachment at some of the Cardiac Rehab Center in Melbourne.

Lela came here more than a year before to Austin Hospital with a male nurse (Nurse manager) where I first knew them.

(Ikan goreng berlado)

Both of them been busy for the last two weeks and yesterday was the only time they had free time for us to meet and I was given a dinner treat. :-)

We had our dinner at Block M Restaurant (Indonesian Restaurant) at Little Bourke street. Nice menu and food too. Frankly I have never been to this place even though I passed by the place many time.

Showed them around after dinner for a short while for few hours.
Wish them a safe journey back to Brunei this Thursday.

TAHU BAKAR; Melbourne Style

I made 'Tahu Bakar' (Grilled Toufu) yesterday. Interested to get the recepie? Ask me especially the sauce it is a family recepie. Nice.

Sunny day on the Beach

Nice sunny day today, maximum temperature predicted 26C. Decided to go to the beach in the afternoon.

Nice time relaxing under the sun.

Ubi Goreng dan Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis

Sarapan pagi, d pagi minggu. Ubi goreng dengan sambal tumis ikan bilis(anchovies). Sedap.

( Made fried tapioca on Sunday morning)

BlackTiger Prawn

My patient, sergio, brought me a kilo of Tiger prawn on Friday. We we talking about tiger prawn on Wednesday during his session in the gym. He said he could get the prown a kilo for only 10 dollars which is cheap. Usually it will cost me at least 18 dollars or more. Interesting though the Tiger prawn was a product of Malaysia.

'Hey I saw you in Local Newspaper'

( The team with patient )

Two weeks ago, a reporter from the hospital editorial board and journalist from local newspaper came to our gym. They came and took few pictures of us and interviewed the consultant (my supervisors for this study). So fortunate, one of my patients still around so they interviewed him too and made the session more interesting.

A week later the news about our gym and the study came out in the Hospital newsletter and the two local newspaper. My patients was telling me he had been identified and recognized by many people because of his picture in the paper. Well good on him

Today out of no where, some of the hospital staff which I have never have spoken to them before called me and said "Hey I saw you in the local newspaper. that cool mate." Suddenly I became a bit glamorous. Made me a bit embarrassed. Yeah right. :-)

BATAGOR @ BASO TAHU GORENG

One of my favorite when I was in Bandung last time. BATAGOR. One of Bandung special cuisine. It has two version first having it with peanuts sauce or second with soups. I like both. Even now I will have BATAGOR when I go to Nelayan Restaurant or Es Teller 77 here in Melbourne. But I like the one that they made in Bandung which is much much nicer. First thing when I get back to Bandung in future I want to have BATAGOR. :-) anyhow....

I have decided to make BATAGOR myself. :-). I have done baso tahu last time, so not much different. The only different is you need to fried the 'baso tahu'. That where BATAGOR got it name.

Batagor with peanut sauce

Batagor Kuah

Cinta Ada

Just found out this songs from youtube recently. 3 Malaysian female singers, love the song.

Wet Weekend

(Sunset in Tasmania)

It has been raining in late afternoon till night/or ealy morning for the last few days. It good though for Melbourne, they need the rain to increase the water level at the catchment area. Since the drought for many years the water level has been drop so much. But hopefully when my family come back from Brisbane, I am hoping for a nice sunny day so I could show them around.

Act of Kindness

One of my patients, 63 yrs old Jordanian whom already been in my program for more than 2 months. A week ago, during his session I have told him that my family is coming. Then he asked me what time they will arrive and how you going to fetch them. He is actually own a taxi, his been asking me the same question last time for my trip to Tasmania. I don't like to trouble people or take the opportunity of others especially my patients. But this time round his persistently asked me and offer me his car. I told him I have book a car to hire. "Why you want to waste your money. Don't be shy, you can use my car.' Hmmm, told him I will think first and at the end I told him I agreed to 'use' his car.

After work on Friday, went to his place to get his car. Instead of straight away going back home, I had been ask to stay for a cupper. He has a nice big house and met his wife. Before I left their place the wife invited me and my family to come for lunch before they going back to Kuala Lumpur. They are a lovely couple.

(Williamstown at noon)

I used the car for a day and took my family around on Saturday morning till late afternoon. In the afternoon I have to send them to Avalon airport for Brisbane. My family will stay in Brisbane with my sister for two weeks plus then come back to Melbourne during my long holiday and I can show them around Melbourne and Victoria.

I sent back the car immediately, again he asked me to stay for a cupper. I think their culture is like us too, will entertained guess who come over to their place.

Initially I don't now how to pay him after using his car, then he decided to fill fuel for the car. I want to pay for the fuel suddenly he pulled my hand and said No. I saw his a bit offended when I said I want to pay the bill.

Then I thought he want to send me to the station instead he sending me back home. He doesn't mind sending me back home. I really feel bad after that. But then I think that the way how he appreciated other people who had looked after him.

The Arrival

My family had arrived from Kuala Lumpur at midnight, 12.15 am. Came out from the custom an hour later then we took a cab to my place. I only had 2 hours rest before got up again and left home for Austin at 5 am. I Felt so sleepy at 'work' unfortunately it a long 'working' day for me today, on Friday and only will finish at 6.00 pm. :-(