spot the monkey

We only got to see the monkeys because there was a group of people who were feeding them despite signs instructing people not to. They went into hiding after the food was gone.

Photos taken on 17 January 2012 at Taman Kebun Bunga (Penang Botanic Gardens).

prom country

A Happy New Year Folks!

Over the post-Christmas pre-New Year holiday, our family went on two road trips around the state. Glenrowan, home to the infamous Ned Kelly siege site and Wilsons Promontory. Too many road kill spotted on the way to Glenrowan and we nearly crashed into a jumping wallaby on our way back from WP. Phew. 

The weather forecast wasn't so great on the day we went to WP compared to the 30 degree weather we had going to Glenrowan. It was an overcast day with wind and it started to drizzle at around 7AM going on/off throughout the day.

A park ranger said it wasn't a good day to hike up Mt. Oberon (3.4 km), but we did anyway, walking back downhill after 20 minutes when it started to drizzle again. Maybe next time.

My favourite part of the WP trip was definitely passing through the dairy paddocks. I would've took more photos of them, but there was this one cow who was pretty aggressive and looked like it wanted to knock the fence down...

And I finally made a video (which was one of the things I wanted to do last year)!

Stops made along WP: 
Tidal River, Norman Beach, Mt. Oberon, Squeaky Beach (the sand really squeaks!), Picnic Bay, Sandy Point, various observation points along Promontory Road

cheers!

The clock hasn't quite struck midnight but I can already hear the fireworks cracking down my street. 2012 has been a year of self reflection, improvement, chances and decisions. I'm glad I've been able to complete one of my goals before the year end and I'll be showing you soon (hopefully).

Here's to 2013, another year of adventure and stories to tell. 

Thank you for visiting throughout the year and I wish you have a good one too!

---

This white-brown cow, amongst hundreds of other cows was spotted during a recent road trip to Wilsons Promontory. His friend looked like he was going to attack me...  

road trip

Great Ocean Road, bombarded with tourists, photobombers and endless coastline views. With the summer weather coming our way, it's one of those must-see places if you ever visit Victoria.

Returning back to Melbourne a shade darker, we were fortunate to have had good weather the whole day. Albeit too hot, the views were definitely worth it. Of the stops we made, I reckon Gibson Steps was the best. Going down was easy, going back up looked daunting, but it was not too bad (to my surprise).

Stops along Great Ocean Road: Anglesea, Apollo Bay, Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge (Shipwreck's Coast), Gibson Steps

the museum

Me: Hey remember how we went to the museum and I got scared from that spider sound that I jumped and laughed like crazy afterwards?

Mrs Roddick: Priceless moment LOL! Glad I got to witness it!

Me: Whistling spider. Damn thing.

An account of of field trip to the museum way back in April. We'll be returning to the neighbouring building in a couple of weeks for our final examinations.

Exhibition: Wild: Amazing animals in a changing world || Bugs Alive!

sweet things

The beginning of winter. Tippy-toeing into the kitchen to whisk some eggy batter for french toast (recipe), pouring a glassful of cold milk. Opening a jar of Bonne Maman and slicing a banana left on the bench top. 

Meanwhile, starting up the old record player. This week's playlist has been The Carpenters and ABBA.

No wonder waking up early seems to be much easier than getting up on a school day. 

Tomorrow's breakfast will consist of leftover brunch; pancakes and Kamran's amazing homemade chocolate sauce liquid gold. 

Finishing the end of a novel.

If only breakfasts could be like this every day.

***

Some amateur photography work over here.

saturday's child

Of my friends, I would say M resembles me the most. I guess that is why we still remain good friends, despite refusing to join her in the Korean pop culture and facebook revolution. We aren't able to talk regularly online and see each other often but we always have  much to talk and laugh about when we get to see each other. My personality isn't as energetic and cheerful as hers but, I love how she has a big, cheerful smile every time I see her, without fail.   

Saturday reminds me of the crazy stuff when we used to do when we studied together a few years back. I wish her the best in the VCE studies and hope she attends the same university as me next year.  

Last photo taken by my friend M (thank you!) Post-editing inspired by the boys behind Backseat Ballads (check out their blog - inspirational adventures, nostalgic music and beautiful scenic photography).

P.S. I've been talking to Ting-Ting via flickr mail for some time now and I thank her for drawing me a picture for my birthday! She is a kind and creative artist whom I want to meet in the future. Do check out her blog,  nap-pan for more snippets of doodles, illustrations and photographs.

she's looking at you

A couple of cats came into the garden to say hello. Meow meow!

when life gives you lemons

...you squirt the juice into your enemy's eye and make them cry in agony! into your cake batter!

Mid-semester break starts next week, but I have assignments due at the start and end (what excellent timing!). Just letting you guys know, I won't be able to post in a while.

The cake above, is a vegan recipe from Thom, one of my favourite film photographers on flickr. Only I forgot to add the vegetable oil and used strawberry flavoured dairy yogurt instead. I still liked it though. It came out dense, sticky and very lemon-y! I'll make it properly (with dairy yogurt) next time :D

tourist

① View on top of the steps - Southern Cross Train Station

② Polly Woodside & Maritime Museum - South Wharf

③ Walk, ride a bike, or catch our (unreliable) public transport

My grand uncle and aunt came to visit Melbourne exactly a week ago. It was fun being both a tour guide and tourist for a day. Lots of walking from Victoria Market to South Wharf :)

day 3: autumn camp

Porepunkah Resort; Porepunkah

The last day of camp! Everyone wished they could stay longer! We had a fairly slow morning as people slowly filed in for an awesome breakfast. Before checking out, I took some shots of the accommodation; Porepunkah Resort. It was actually a caravan park, but there were 4-star cabins and houses inside. I recommend this place if anyone decides to visit Bright.

Canyon Walk; Bright

We departed for the Canyon Walk soon after. With the minimal gear I was carrying, it was an easy 3 km walk. It started off with a paved path, but it got rocky and kind of slippery with the mud trail. Luckily we were blessed with good weather and no rain, so the ground was rather firm.

Canyon Walk; Bright

Canyon Walk; Bright

Amazing Foliage, Canyon Walk; Bright

Amazing Foliage, Canyon Walk; Bright

Apparently, only the European trees planted by the early settlers change colour during Autumn. The Australian trees (and pine trees) stay green all year around.

Livestock Paddock, Canyon Walk; Bright

Livestock Paddock, Canyon Walk; Bright

I was so happy when we were able to pass a livestock paddock with cows! During the road trips, we passed so many livestock paddocks but we couldn't stop to take photographs :( The cows here were particularly friendly and we were able to get super close! I even got to see a cow with snot coming out of it's nose :P It was one big snot!

Canyon Walk; Bright

Canyon Walk; Bright

The Canyon Walk used to be a gold mining area. I was able to spot some locals trying their luck to pan some from the river.

Canyon Walk; Bright

Canyon Walk; Bright

Canyon Walk; Bright

Bright

Before heading back to Melbourne, we returned to Bright for lunch and more photographs! This is the last post for camp and I hope you guys have enjoyed "visiting" rural Victoria through my lens.

● Day 1

● Day 2