Victoria – Page 2 – The Hidden Panorama

Theme : Classic Car – 1923 Chenard et Walcker 3L Roadster

Theme (Post#2) : Classic Car – 1923 Chenard et Walcker 3L Roadster

I am not really a car enthusiast since I never know how to drive, but when it comes to classic cars I have this great curiosity what they really look like since I was born at the time where these classic vehicles are now seldom to see in the road and if I will see it, it is definitely a great luck. As per the information near the vintage car, the name of the car was came from a railway engineer and maker of bicycles with a factory in Asnieres-sur-Seine named Ernest Chenard whom joined with mining engineer Henri Walcker in 1898 to make motor vehicles. They formally founded Chenard, Walcker Compagnie in 1900 with Chenard in charge of design and Walcker sales and finance. Photo captured during Motorclassica event at Royal Exhibition Building held last October 2013.

Blissful Second : Puffing Billy Steam Train Ride Moment

Blissful Second (Post#2) : Puffing Billy Steam Train Ride Moment

The photo above shows the moment of steam train ride adventure which I captured while we were on our way to Gembrook. It was a joy ride as we took Puffing Billy which is classic and a century old steam train railway located in Dandenong Ranges which not far from Melbourne. It is said that Puffing Billy is the finest reserved in the world and it is Australia’s Premier Reserved Steam Railway. Photo captured last June 2013.

Structure : British Columbia (BC) Legislature Building

Structure (Post#2) : British Columbia (BC) Legislature Building

BC Legislature Building is one of the significant structure that are noticeable within Victoria in Vancouver Island. This is the building where Members of Legislative Assembly to create, review and debate whether they pass or reject the law. From the shore, this building seems like a castle because of the architecture structure design that it has that is truly admiring to whoever got a chance to see this building. I never got a chance to enter this building as I only spent one day in Victoria during my 5 days visit in British Columbia province in Canada last June 2008.

Precious Moment In The Mountain : Horse Hill Snow Play Park

Precious Moment In The Mountain (Post#21) : Horse Hill Snow Play Park

When I got a chance to visit Mount Buller together with friends in Melbourne. One of the areas we did enjoy was Horse Hill Snow Play Park where we had fun of tobogganing activities. At first I was hesitant to try it out but when I saw a lot of people trying and enjoying it, I decided to try it as well. The first time I did it I really nervous because I was thinking what if something happen? And then some of my friends pushed me and there it goes, I passed the first time experience and then I climb back to the top to do it again, I did it many times until we decided to go to Mount Buller which just nearby. Moment captured last August 2013.

National Rhododendron Garden and Grant Picnic Ground

It was almost a month after I returned to Melbourne last October 2014, it was my first day to really go out again to explore some places that I haven’t seen yet. The place we were targeting was somewhere near the city which was Dandenong Ranges National Park. On this trip, I discovered and learned that this National Park has a lot to offer to anyone.

As my friends got a map of the national park, when they were discussing places visit near the city, they selected a garden. At first I really don’t understand the name of the garden because I was somewhat unfamiliar with the term. The name of the garden became clear to me when we arrived at the place. The day we went out was still Spring season and since we were technically inside the mountain, it was really cold and it felt like it was winter.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The name of the garden we visited is National Rhododendron Garden. I honestly not familiar with that flower family. I felt that I never heard it before or I forgot it from my secondary school years.

We had lunch first at the parking area as the garden does not have a facility such as picnic area where we can eat. After lunch, we went inside the National Rhododendron Garden through the store beside the closed main gate and stopped for a while to look around inside the store. In the store I found out what Rhododendron flower family look like. After spending sometime at the store I left my friends and took my chances to walk inside the garden. I remembered one funny thing happened to me inside the garden. At the time I was there and following the path walk, I was a fool looking around and taking photos using my DSLR and yet I never immediately noticed that I am taking photos without knowing that my camera does not have memory card. Yes, I was crazy taking photos without checking the screen of my camera after takings shots where some messages that my memory card slot was empty, because of the situation I never able to save all my shots. Since I already spent time walking in the garden, I was quite sensitive with the time and I knew that my friends were waiting at the store. I tried to return to the garden using my iPhone and all I was able to do was to have a couple of shots as my souvenir to the garden. Most of the memories of Rhododendron garden were all in my memory.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Some photos that I quickly captured with my iPhone before leaving the garden

I returned to the store and in few minutes we left the garden. When we were back on the road, my friends checked again the map of Dandenong Ranges and then they agreed to visit a picnic ground which became our next stop that day. We went at Grant Picnic Ground. I honestly had no idea what to expect in the place until we saw a lot of visitors looking around at the bird feeding area. Since we had limited time in the place as it will close at 5PM, my friends bought seeds so they can enter in the fenced feeding area and to have a moment with the birds such as Rosella, native and wild birds.

I let my friends feed the bird while I take in charge of photo shoot. There still birds in the feeding area but when my friends entered in the fenced area, birds started to flock together and slowly approached my friends as they saw the food/seeds. We started to laugh as we heard screaming. It was fun-filled sight as my mates felt a little bit nervous when birds were so close to them physically, some birds flew to their heads, some stepped on their arms or feet, birds comes wherever the food was. My friends were screaming as they felt the bird’s claws and its pointed toes. All of us were enjoying what we were seeing inside the feeding area.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Crimson Rosella

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–King Parrot (the one that I tried to chase with my camera as its colour is really striking)

Last thing I did was I went inside the souvenir shop just to look around and just check if I can find post cards that will leave memories of Grant Picnic Ground. Then after few more minutes had been passed, we decided to leave the place as it closed the feeding area and the shop since the business day is over for the day. This how we ended our adventure.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Cockatoo

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Cockatoo

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Cockatoo Flying

Life Of Others : Wilson Promontory – Crimson Rosella

Life Of Others (Post#1) : Wilson Promontory – Crimson Rosella

During the tour in Wilson Promontory National Park, one of the things I enjoyed while at the parking area was being up close and personal with the birds specifically Crimson Rosella (parrot native in Australia). This bird is commonly found in forests, parks, and farmlands. The young one has green with red patches and the mature one has red and blue with a patch of blue on their throats. I observed that they don’t afraid with humans and they easily approached you if you have foods with you. Snapshot captured last May 2014.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Saturday’s Critters – February 20, 2016

Fruit Picking Adventure at Bacchus Marsh

Since the season in Australia is switching from spring to summer, it is the same period to enjoy harvesting season. And when that season happened while I was in Melbourne therefore it is common to be invited by my friend to go somewhere and enjoy fruit picking.

This time I was invited to join the strawberry and cherry picking. Back home I already experienced strawberry picking but not the cherry. Since I was curious what was it like I accepted the invitation.

It was beautiful Saturday that day and my friends picked me up in my hotel. From St Kilda Road going to the City we took left to Kingsway. Then we left the city by taking Western Gate Freeway, we turned right to West Ring Road then to Western Freeway, then we took Bacchus Marsh Road where the farm we were targeting is located.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Western Freeway before turning to Bacchus Marsh Road

We arrived in Naturipe Farm, almost lunch time. Instead of going straight to the farm, we decided to have lunch first. Different families came one by one and all of us met at the table area in the farm. And the exciting part was when the foods were being prepared and all were Filipino menus which I really love. When food were ready I jumped into the table and helped myself in grabbing one by one, because it’s too many, I was confused which one to eat first, but in the end I got full. It was a great lunch as I felt again to be part of a huge family in Melbourne.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–At Naturipe Farm

After all were done for lunch, all the food were packed and the whole group went ahead to the farm. I was surprised to discovered that there were too many people dropped by to the farm, it seems the fruit picking activities has been a headline to the city as we need to line-up in a queue just to get inside the farm to pay the entrance in cherry picking, while the strawberry picking was free. Though the sun started to heat-up, we remain in the queue until we got our chance to enter to the farm. We paid the entrance fee and plastic boxes with the bucket.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–The queue

After we passed the long queue, we went straight to cherry picking area. We showed our receipt to person in charge at the entrance and directed us where was the picking area. As I saw the vines of cherries. I was excited and started looking at the cherries. I looked for dark red cherries as they were the cherries that’s really sweet. Our group even inside the cherry farm, did not stop in taking photos, everyone were posting their selves in different parts of cherry vines. All of us seems happy in picking the cherries and to be honest I myself enjoyed the activities as well.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

We took hours in cherry farm before moving to Strawberry farm. Here my eyes become bigger as I saw huge strawberries and I felt that all of them were calling me to “Hey you!!! What are you waiting for? Pick me now!!!” I grab all the strawberries that huge and red. I even eat strawberries while picking it, the taste are sweet even it’s not red and I wonder how it happened? Well that secret I leave with the nature I just keep picking the fruits. When I felt that my bucket seems heavy enough I stopped and waited with others to go to the counter to pay all what we got.

–Fruits that I picked (I already ate a lot :))

After paying at the counter we met each other again and said our goodbyes for another great and wonderful experience with the people who I call family in Australia.

Panoramic View : Melbourne Central Business District

Panoramic View (Post#20) : Melbourne Central Business District

One of the things that I really like when I live abroad is to walk around in the place with my camera. As there are lot of places to explore in Melbourne and its surrounding area, I did some research until I found something about Bayside. It is a city at the southern Melbourne which scopes the suburbs beside the coastal area such as Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton, Brighton East, Cheltenham, Hampton, Hampton East, Highett and Sandringham. When I was about to leave Melbourne last December 2013, I grabbed a chance to walk along the coastal of these suburbs. I took the photo above of Melbourne CBD almost near in Royal Brighton Yacht Club.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Blue Monday – Jun 13, 2016
Through My Lens – Jun 13, 2016
Our World Tuesday – Jun 14, 2016
Travel Tuesday – Jun 14, 2016
Outdoor Wednesday – Jun 15, 2016
Wednesday Around The World – Jun 15, 2016
Skywatch Friday – Jun 17, 2016
Scenic Weekends – Jun 17, 2016
In Heaven – Jun 18, 2016

Name Of The Place : Flinders Street

Name Of The Place (Post#19) : Flinders Street

Flinders Street is one of the famous train station in Melbourne not only because of its history but because this is station that serves the entire metro train network as anyone can commute from this station to any station. And the location of the station is strategic as it is within the city center. When I captured this photo, it was during Melbourne Cup last November 2013. Recently, there was design competition happened to rejuvenate the historical and landmark station in Melbourne.

Australian Rainbow Trout Farm

Since I was back in Melbourne last October 2014, I got another chance to see more of Victoria in Australia. It was Melbourne Cup that day again, and the people who close to me or let say my friends in Melbourne planned to go somewhere so we can spent the holiday in a worthwhile trip. The plan was fishing. I never joined nor engaged fishing activities before. Though even I was hesitant to confirm that I will be going, I decided to go.

While we were on our way to the trout farm, I checked my phone’s GPS, I was curious which road we took and where we were heading. The trout farm is located in Dandenong Ranges specifically in Macclesfield. I was picked up at my place along St Kilda Road around 8AM. Then we picked up another friend in Malvern. After that we hit the road again and from the city we took Monash Freeway. Then we turned left and took Wellington Rd, we followed the road as is, when we reached Clematis we turned right and took Belgrave-Gembrook Rd. We turned left again when we reached Macclesfield Rd and in few minutes we turned left and took a little rough road of Paton Rd until we reach the destination. Well every time I traveled I like looking at the GPS apps when data is available because at least I was able to recognize the place that I passed and the place where I had been. Seeing the places and knowing its names made a sense to me.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When we reached the trout farm almost 10am, we were the first group visitors arrived in the place and first batch in our group. I helped out in taking stuff from the car of my friend and we went to the kiosk inside the farm to pay our entrance. Then we went to the selected tables we chose as our group were quite big. I helped out to stuff the table and took some time in frying sausages. These kind of activities in the farm were really nice for group of people or families because these were really nice way to have friends bonding or family bonding.

Then, one by one each batch in our group were coming and since it’s holiday in Victoria, a lot of people took the opportunity to go to the same farm we were to have some break. I thought at first that I was not going to enjoy the activity but I made mistake. I was really happy when we were there because the whole group were there, chatting, laughing and eating.

Since most in the group brought foods, there were many menus, deserts and finger foods. My eyes were popping out and my mind confused as I really don’t know what to choose, all menus in the tables were all Filipino foods which I really love.

After lunch, we went to the fishing area where we spent most of our time in the afternoon. Most of us took the fishing rods and tried to catch a fish. The activity was so enjoyable because most of us were surprised once someone from us were able to catch a fish. I did not tried to catch a fish, I just posed so that I will look like I was catching a fish. Everybody were laughing when someone scream because of surprised reaction as their fishing rod caught a fish.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Fish Pond

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Fishes

One of the great feature of the farm was it has fish pond where you can do a guaranteed fishing and it is guaranteed that you will be able to catch one. And most of us tried to control catching a fish because every fish that will be caught must be paid and the payment is based on the weight. We were smiling and joking that this was the kind of fishing activity that you did not worry if there will be fish to catch, you will worried for how much you were going to pay after you finished catching fish.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Fishing Time

After fishing time, we spent talking and eating again, until I left the group for sometime and walk around the farm so I can find some scenic spot for photo shots as my souvenir in the place.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

–Photo shots inside the farm

I returned to my group and helped out for packing all the stuff we used. After half-an hour we left the trout farm and we hit the road to the city, same route we took when we were on our way to the farm. I was dropped off first at my place.

I had a great time again with friends in Melbourne. I’m thankful again for a wonderful place, lots of memories and I will surely treasure all of them. Until next adventure.

Name Of The Place : Royal British Columbia Museum

Name Of The Place (Post#16): Royal British Columbia Museum

This was the second royal museum that I visited in Canada. Without checking the net it seems that Canada has one royal museum on its provinces. The first royal museum I saw was in Alberta province. Photo captured last June 2008. I like museum since I like knowing and discovering something, the only challenge is time because for me, standard time to spend to a museum is from half a day to one full day, but even myself saddened if the museum is part of a tour because it means I had limited time to see and learn more, because tour is always time bounded.

Chromatic Outlook : Shrine of Remembrance

Chromatic Outlook (Post#16) : Shrine of Remembrance

I used to see this building on my back and forth travel from work and to the place where I live while I was in Melbourne. Coming from the city, this structure looks in the middle of St Kilda Road as it turned out that the road turns curve which is a good visual effect and become a charm in the area. Even this building is near and walkable from my place, I haven’t got a chance to see it immediately until I put some time to walk around Melbourne. Shrine of Remembrance was built to remember Victorian people who fought World War I and now it is shrine to all Australians who fought wars. After I visited Canberra, I just thought that it was like a branch of Australian Memorial as it showcase the bravery of people who for the peace we enjoy right now. Photo capture last July 2013.

Panoramic View : Killara Estate, Yarra Valley

Panoramic View (Post#16) : Killara Estate, Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley, region in Victoria state of Australia and famous because of its wineries. During our tour in the said place, one of the itinerary was Killara Estate where we tasted some wines and had lunch as well. In the location I found a scenery that’s soothing to my eyes which was the Killara Estate farm or wineries. Photo captured last February 2013.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Skywatch Friday – May 13, 2016
Scenic Weekends – May 13, 2016
In Heaven – May 14, 2016
Through My Lens – May 16, 2016
Our World Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Travel Tuesday – May 17, 2016
Outdoor Wednesday – May 18, 2016
Wednesday Around The World – May 18, 2016

View At My Window : MotorClassica At Royal Exhibition Building

View At My Window (Post#15) : MotorClassica At Royal Exhibition Building

Car Motor Show was one of the unique event that I attended while in Melbourne. When I heard about MotorClassica I was curious as I am not really a car enthusiast since I don’t know how to drive and I don’t have my own car. But a showcase of classical cars was the main reason of my curiosity to attend. I went to Royal Exhibition Building to see different historical and branded cars which considered a treasure to people who own it. I honestly enjoyed the said exhibit. Photo captured last October 2013.

Name Of The Place : Puffing Billy Railway

Name Of The Place (Post#15) : Puffing Billy Railway

This photo is part of my Puffing Billy collection when I visited together with the family of my friends in Melbourne. The historical and century old steam railway which still running in our time is now called as Australia’s Premier Preserved Steam Railway. Photo captured last June 2013.

Precious Moment In The Mountain : Dandenong Ranges

Precious Moment In The Mountain (Post#15) : Dandenong Ranges

I had some visits in Australia where it involves families of my friends that I met while staying in Melbourne for more than one and a half-year. And when it involves families sometimes you will feel like you are young or a kid wherein one of the important thing in their life as of the moment is playtime. Well at that time we visited Puffing Billy Steam Train located in Dandenong Ranges. And we actually experience to ride the steam train. And one of the great benefit of that was having a chance to glimpse some views while inside Dandenong Ranges. The photo above was overlooking at Belgrave South while at the steam train captured last June 2013 after leaving Belgrave Station of Puffing Billy Railway.

Chromatic Outlook : White Rabbit Brewery

Chromatic Outlook (Post#13) : White Rabbit Brewery

I accepted the invitation of my colleague at work when he invited us to go to Yarra Valley. The said valley are famous because of wineries which stretch to its whole space. And one of the place we visited was the White Rabbit Brewery in Healesville. They knew I don’t really drink but to see what’s inside the brewery were considered adventure and discovery. Photo captured last October 2013.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Black and White View – Jun 20, 2016
Black and White Wednesday – Jun 22, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White – Jun 24, 2016

View At My Window : Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ

View At My Window (Post#12) : Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ

The reason why I like Open House event in any city is because of the freedom to enter in a building whether its public or private for free. Melbourne Town Hall was one of the building that I got a chance to visit during the event. And here one of the best feature of the Town Hall is its majestic Main Hall where one of the most beautiful pipe organ in the world can be found, it is the original wood-carved Grand Organ which built-in 1929. The said organ has been refurbished and relaunched last 2001. The photo captured during Open House Melbourne event held last July 2013.

Name Of The Place : Victoria City

Name Of The Place (Post#10) : Victoria City

I had a chance to visit Victoria City, a capital city of British Columbia province in Canada last June 2008. When I arrived at the inner harbour of this lovely city, it was the first place that I saw with fantastic surroundings on its harbour. For me, it kind of romantic place for travelers.

I had a previous post telling some adventures in lovely city.
Victoria – Lovely Capital City of British Columbia
Royal British Columbia Museum
British Columbia It Is Your Turn

Chromatic Outlook : Melbourne City Town Hall

Chromatic Outlook (Post#10) : Melbourne City Town Hall

When I stayed in Australia, specifically in Melbourne, most of my travel plans were outside Melbourne or outside Victoria state as the city itself and nearby suburbs or towns will be easier to plan than traveling outside. And when Melbourne Open House event had been scheduled, I grabbed the opportunity to see the city because I have freedom to enter different buildings for free. One of the historic building I visited was the Melbourne City Town Hall which captured last July 2013. Melbourne City Town Hall as per Wikipedia is a municipal building of Melbourne City where the office of local government area is located.

This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in the following:
Black and White View – May 30, 2016
Black and White Wednesday – Jun 1, 2016
The Weekend in Black and White – Jun 3, 2016