One of the self adventure that I did while staying in Melbourne was to visit the Bayside area. Bayside is composed of different suburbs which majority of it lies in south-eastern side of Metro Melbourne. Before, I was confused because there are suburbs and then there is Bayside. I checked the website of Bayside and they sent me a lot of brochure that I really appreciated because it keep me informed while walking at the coastline of the Bayside City. I learned that the following city such as Brighton, Sandringham, Moorabbin, Mordialloc and Bayside were united to become Bayside City.
The photo above is just one of the photos of Mentone Beach that I captured which partially part of Frankston and Mentone. During my walking adventure, I started my first part walk in this beach. Photo captured last December 2013.
During my first assignment, one of the first adventures that I tried which just near Melbourne was sailing through Enterprize Ship. The ship is a replica of Enterprize Tall Ship which built during 19th century, a historical ship which has been part of Melbourne history. The photo captured last March 2013 at Victoria Harbour in Docklands near Melbourne CBD.
When I returned to Melbourne for my 3rd assignment, I had only few times to getaway from work because of busy schedules in the project that I’d been working with. One of the places that I quickly visited is the bathing house in Brighton Beach. The said bathing houses along the beach are quite famous as it become part of history from 18th to 19th century. Photo captured last March 2014
Chromatic Outlook (Post#7) : Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
When I stayed for a while in Melbourne City, one of the event that I experienced was Melbourne Open House which happened once a year. During the event, many government, private, historical, church, commercial and even office buildings and structures are open for public viewing. I loved Open House because the event gave me a chance to enter to different buildings openly and for free. One of the building that I visited was Queen Victoria Women’s Centre which was a former Queen Victoria Hospital. The centre is a non-profit organization that provides information, support and resources for Victorian women and women’s organization. I captured this photo last July 2013 during Melbourne Open House.
After enjoying Arthurs Seat for entertaining picnic, without any plan we dropped by at Brighton Beach before ending our day. Brighton is one of the suburbs of Melbourne in Victoria Australia. Every time I heard Brighton, one thing that comes to my mind, none other than colorful Bathing Boxes. Brighton Beach is one of the area belongs to Bayside in Melbourne that I am trying to finish the coastline walk.
Without further ado, we drove down to Brighton Beach from Arthurs Seat, it took a while before we reach the place and when we arrived there, it’s almost sunset. What we were trying to explore in the beach was to find the colorful bathing boxes that still existing in the area. As per history, there are more than thousand bathing boxes before, but nowadays, there are few left because most of the bathing houses were relocated, removed and destroyed from time to time, until the remaining bathing boxes in Brighton beach considered it as historical place as of today.
Colorful Bathing Boxes at Brighton Beach
We found the lineup of bathing boxes and we enjoyed the scenery because of the colorful bathing houses with different arts painted on it. We took our time to enjoy the view while taking the photos. We saw similar people like us who just dropped by in the area just to see and take pictures of historical bathing boxes. Aside from enjoying colorful bathing boxes, we also enjoyed the sunset views in the area.
Sunset views
This was the last stop we had for that day and decided to part our ways hoping that next adventure will happen soon.
It’s holiday in Melbourne and most people from the city enjoyed the day by coming to Flemington racecourse to watch horse racing which has become a tradition in Melbourne. People who are in the city, will definitely not miss to realize what day it was because of the people passing in their formal and fashionable attire, complementing with beautiful hats specially for women. It was the first time that I witness the Melbourne Cup holiday in Melbourne, I saw people wearing clothes that you will feel like you were back to the past, people are wearing classic fashion style dresses. While waiting at Flinders Street station, I enjoyed the scenery.
At Flinders Street (train station)
Since I am not going to Flemington racecourse, my friends planned to go Melton Waves and I agreed to go there with them, the season is summer, going to swimming pool is not unusual. So from the hotel where I am staying, I took tram along St Kilda Road until I reached Flinders Street train station. From Flinders Street station, I took Craigieburn line and got off at Pascoe Vale station. From Pascoe Vale station, my friends picked me up and we went straight to Melton.
At Melton Waves
We arrived at Melton Waves after more than half an hour of driving. The surrounding area is nice, they have outdoor pool, indoor pool other sports facilities such as gyms and fitness center. The interesting features that Melton Waves has and they proud of having are: Wave Pool, Heated Pool, Toddler Pool, Hydrotherapy Pool and Spa, all these facilities, when I was there, I tried them and enjoyed them (of course not the Toddler Pool). We enjoyed the pool from early lunch until mid in the afternoon. This how I spent my Melbourne Cup Holiday.
Trying to search what I can see and do in Melbourne because I know that I will be in the city temporarily. For what I know I will stay in Melbourne until May this year. With that sole reason I even checked for adventures that can be done after office hour. I found a unique but short adventure that does not need me to pack my stuff, no need for accommodation and not so far away from the city.
I searched online and discovered that there is available classic sailing with Enterprize Tall Ship, Enterprize a classic timber vessel that looks like 100 years old, what I mean is it was like a vessel came from 19th century. I never experienced sailing before and definitely not yet experienced to be on boarded in an 19th century ship. My curiosity lies not only in the places that I will be able to see during the cruise but also lies in the ship itself. I checked the website of Enterprize and then booked my tour two weeks before the schedule. Sailing schedule has been set already in their website and all I did was choose the date of the sail and the type of the sail.
I cruised last Friday, March 08, 2013. The meeting place was in Waterfront City Promenade at Victoria Harbour in Docklands Melbourne. After my work that day, I went straight to the meeting place. I arrived at Victoria Harbour and looked around the area if I can see the classic ship nearby. Looking at the time that it’s almost up for the cruise, I worried that I maybe waiting in wrong docking area. I called the person that I was talking previously to confirm my sail and responded with assurance that the sail was not yet started. While talking on the phone, that was the time that I saw the Enterprize. It was a relief that I was waiting in the right place.
I waited in the promenade until the ship stop at the wharf. It is true that Enterprize is a tall ship, at first I thought it was really a small vessel but when it halt in the docking area, I can say it was a tall one. Before I come to sail, I went to Melbourne Visitor’s Centre (I used to visit this one to check where else I can go around Victoria) and I found a brochure about Enterprize Melbourne Tall Ship. One thing that surprised me after reading something in the brochure that the Tall Ship is managed by a non-profit organisation because I thought they were like a tour company that gives unique experience to the people who joined the sail and the crew are volunteers. I learned that this non-profit organisation are assigned to preserve and to promote a significant part of Melbourne’s history. Enterprize has a huge part of Melbourne’s past because it was the ship that used by the people who started settlement in Melbourne in its early days. I found out as well that the original ship was made during 18th century in Hobart (city in Tasmania) and the ship that we will on boarded is a replica of the Enterprize.
The ship was ready and people who scheduled to sail that night on boarded the ship. I felt excited because two things that I experience that night, one is cruising or sailing and the other one is hopping on the historical and classic ship. The crew of the vessel talked about the Enterprize and took care of us in the whole journey. The sail begun and from the ship, I saw Victoria Harbour in a different angle. I enjoyed the scene all the way from the harbour. I knew that the sail will not really going far because it was just 1.5 hours voyage. At the trip, I met two Indian ladies who are twins and born in Australia, they are look asian but their accents are not anymore. They were the people who I grouped with along the journey.
Enterprize
Inside the cabin of the ship
Leaving Victoria Harbour in Docklands
On our way to Bolte Bridge
With the sunset view on the way
The sail was from Victoria Harbour in Docklands up to before we reach the West Gate Bridge. I remembered I asked one of the crew in the ship why a lots of ferries are passing the ship (what I meant that time was the ship was not fast) and he answered me that we’re not traveling, we’re sailing, that very moment I realised the difference of traveling and sailing.
Rigging Climb of Enterprize
West Gate Bridge
Snapshots of surrounding area
Limelights of Victoria Harbour
Bolte Bridge on our way back to the harbour
Victoria Harbour at night
At Waterfront City Marina
During the sail, people on board like me given an option to help the crew during the cruise or do the rigging climb. At first I did not took any of the options, but in the end I chose to climb the rigging of the ship. I was nervous but I was looking up for it that was why I wore rubber shoes that time. Before I did the climb, the crew helped me prepared to wear the harness for my safety. And then, another crew helped me during the climb. I took my time while going up and took some time to at the top of the rigging to feel the wind and to see the surroundings from above. All in all it was a great experience.
I went down the rigging and we were on our way back to the harbour. During those period, since it’s night, I took photos of Victoria Harbour on its lime lights.
I enjoyed my first ever sailing adventure.
Public Art Display at New Quay Promenade beside Waterfront City Promenade
entitled “Silence” after returning from Enterprize sail
On my 6th day in Melbourne Australia, I tried my best to plan to see some of Victorian atmosphere. Victoria is just one of the state of Australia where Melbourne can be found. It was Saturday and I am still on doubt what to do in my weekends. I haven’t search on anything yet. But when I’m checking some brochures from the hotel where I am staying, it gives me some idea about a day tour. Since I am in Australia for work and not really for leisure stuff, I have to maximize my weekend. But I was quite busy the whole day of Thursday and Friday. Went home late at Friday and slept late after talking to my family back home.
Enough of my sentiments and justifications. Using the brochures in my hand, I search related and similar offerings. Since I am a budget traveler, I looked for most affordable and yet seemed funny and comedy tour for the day. I found one, I joined the “The Wines Guys Winery Tour”, at first I thought it read as wise guys and then its wines guys. Based on their website, the tourist guides are mixed of wise guys, wine experts and comedian. Because of that description I got curious on the tour aside from the adventure it includes.I booked the tour and joined the next day schedule, meaning I booked Saturday and joined Sunday Tour (yeah that how I planned it).
It was Sunday, I am a bit earlier when I arrived at the meeting place at Federation Square (Flinder St and Russel St) specifically at the front of Ian Potter entrance. Since I arrived early I thought no one aside from me will go to the tour until I was surprised that other people around will go as well. And take note, all the tourist who signed up the tour at that time was all females, no guys except for our guide named Nick.
Let’s talk about Nick, he looks good. He’s nice and funny. He took cares of us during our trip from the city to Yarra Valley while inside the mini van. He made the atmosphere amiable and happy. All of us while traveling seems having a great time.
While on board I tried my best to find out where we are while on our way to our destination. I used my iPhone 3GS to see the current location we are passing by. One thing I remembered that we took Maroondah Highway to go to Yarra Valley.
First stop, Coombe Farm.
Coombe Farm is the first winery I ever visited in my entire life, since I never been really to Winery tour before. Here I experienced to taste Australian made wines fresh from their wineries. Here we tasted 8 kinds of Wines in a row. And even its my first time to drink wine (since I don’t drink), all the wines poured in my cup, I sipped them all. And this one considered another experience on my part. Here are listed that I tasted in Coombe Farm. Sparkling Wines, White Wines (2011 Pinot Gris, 2010 Arneis, 2011 Chardonnay) Rose Wines (2010 Rose), Red Wines (2011 Pinot Noir, 2010 Merlot, 2010 POLO Cabernet Merlot). My personal favorite is White Wine 2011 Pinot Gris which is a good combination for hot and spicy foods). After tasting, we bought our souvenirs then we took pictures.
Wines from Coombe Farm
My Tourist Group
Grapes
Around Coombe Farm
The Tour Guide
Second Stop, St. Hubert
Coombe Farm and St. Huberts distance is insignificant, they are actually neighborhood. Like what we have experience in Coombe Farm there is facilitator from St. Huberts (I forgot her name) who also tackles some basic information of their wines. We tasted like 7 wines in St. Huberts. Here are the list of wines that I got, 2006 Pinot Nor Chardonnay (Sparkling), 2012 Rousanne, 2012 Chardonnay, 2011 The Stag Pinot Noir, 2011 Pinot Noir, 2010 Cabernet Merlot and 2012 Late Harvest Viognier. And my favorite is the last one, 2012 Late Harvest Viognier.
Outside St. Huberts winery
My Tourist Group at St. Huberts
Some wines at St. Huberts
Thirst Stop, Kilara Estates
This winery is far from the two wineries that I mentioned above. We had our group lunch in this winery as well. It was a great one, it has great views of the whole farm and the nearby ranges. Before lunch, we tasted 3 wines but I can’t recall the two. My most favorite of all three wines is the Kilara Sparkling, it’s a sweet wine.
Designated person explains their wines (forgot his name)
Kilara Winery
Some cars found outside Kilara Estates (not sure what brand these cars is)
Lunch at Kilara Estates
Wine Glass (I fell in love with the glass, I think most of them are all nice and beautiful)
Around Kilara Estates
Fourth and last Stop, Seville Hill.
Here at the winery, I also found their wine barrels. Like what I had seen in the movies. We tasted a lot of wines in Seville Hill. Here are the list: 2008 Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir, 2012 Rose, 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Pinot Noir, 2008 Reserve Shiraz, 2005 Vintage Port and 2010 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. And the winner for my taste, is the last one as well. The location of Seville Hill is really great. And here we passed a lot of wineries. There is a picnic place beside the wineries, and during our visit, there was a wedding happened a day before.
Wine Barrels
Some wines from Seville Hill
Seville Hill
While on our way to the City, our guide named Nick (I found out that his profession aside from tour guiding, he was doing acting as well). He prepared a test for all of us (is it not nice taking quizzes after a the tour?) Well that was fact, we took short test about the wines, and I answered them all as guesses. Well we had a great time in this tour, I found some beauty in Yarra Valley, I like farms and they call it wineries. I learned stuff from the tour like, every wine has a complementary food along with it. You will not just buy for the sake of buying it, but choose well according to the food you are preparing or you are eating.
Well this was just the beginning of my Down Under Adventure. Until then.
Colorful Bathing Boxes at Brighton Beach
Sunset views
At Flinders Street (train station)
At Melton Waves
Enterprize
Inside the cabin of the ship
Leaving Victoria Harbour in Docklands
On our way to Bolte Bridge
With the sunset view on the way
Rigging Climb of Enterprize
Snapshots of surrounding area 
Limelights of Victoria Harbour
Bolte Bridge on our way back to the harbour
Victoria Harbour at night
At Waterfront City Marina
Public Art Display at New Quay Promenade beside Waterfront City Promenade
Wines from Coombe Farm
My Tourist Group
Grapes
The Tour Guide
Outside St. Huberts winery
Some wines at St. Huberts
Designated person explains their wines (forgot his name)
Kilara Winery
Some cars found outside Kilara Estates (not sure what brand these cars is)
Lunch at Kilara Estates
Wine Glass (I fell in love with the glass, I think most of them are all nice and beautiful)
Around Kilara Estates
Wine Barrels
Some wines from Seville Hill
Seville Hill
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