Melburn

Another month has gone and so has another roster been done! It gave me a whole lot of thrill to actually salubong the month of September in Melbourne, OZ! My first destination in Oceania and first Ultra Long Haul flight with a crew rest experience onboard. I was very ecstatic to land in Australia – the home of some of my favourite bloggers namely Kim Jones, Gary Pepper Girl, Tuula Vintage and Margaret Zhang - the few influencing/inspiring ladies whom I've been following around. But with my phone camera broken (and my ONLY camera) at that time, even I felt a bit down to go and explore the city. However, with a wonderful stroke of luck, my fellow Pinay crew now-turned- good friend – was way more a photographer than I consider myself and loves to be in front of the camera for #selfies! Thanks to her GoPro Hero 4 (which I should invest on my own very soon.)

God, really has a way of doing things. What I loved about Melbourne is how they were able to marry the urban life with nature. Just within the vicinity of our hotel, I felt like we had explored and seen much of what this bustling beautiful city has to offer on a crisp cold day. In just one day! We were right at the heart of Melbourne’s city centre where everything was a walk away and picture-worthy for us to stop for a photo op. Allow me to chant - Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

1. Yarra River – right when you step out of the hotel we were staying in and across was the Crowne Casino where we had a selection of food chains for dinner.

2. Polly Woodside – a showcase of Melbourne’s sea port life with everything navy installations.

3. Melbourne Exhibition Center – (where we took most our photos!)

4. Graffiti Walls – these works of art are actually spread across the city, so there’s no chance to miss it.  

5. Eureka Skydeck – get a vast bird’s eye view of Melbourne from the 88^th floor on top of Eureka. I found you!

6. Flinder’s Street – our desire to stop by this striking architecture brought us to the famous Flinder's Street which was actually a train station.

Shanghai

Hi Shanghai! Or should I say, Ni Hao! This city is bound in extremes. In one place, Shanghai is both a modern, bustling, high-end global city and a classic, traditional, and former centuries-old dynasty. 

On the very night we came, we went into the heart of Shanghai's business districts where the buildings illuminated the sky and people filled the city streets, you'll never feel walking alone in China! After getting a little bit lost and tried to be ripped-off by cab drivers, we made it onto the other side of the Huang Pu river and reached The Bund to capture that famous Shanghai skyline. Our adrenaline and excitement was worth it, as the city lights went off minutes after we came. Just the right amount of time for a still photo! Being the most populous state in the world, I am impressed how Shanghai's Metro has 10 (TEN!) interconnected train lines taking you to every corner of the city. Just a segue to Dubai Metro where you pick between Red or Green line.

During the day, we headed out again into the city to visit Yu Garden. Here, we were brought back in time to the marvels of Chinese dynasties and deep-seated culture. As embedded upon the entrance - The Yu Garden is an excellent model of classical Chinese gardening architecture. It was built during the reign of Ming Empire (1559) as a private garden and today is also home to precious relics and the best of China's traditional art. Every bit of detail has been well-preserved by the state through the years. I might have not yet seen the Great Wall but the Dragon Wall within Yu Garden is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it. My eyes were filled with a panorama of Chinese temples, greens, city lights, koi fishes and turtles. There's a whole lot to see and shopping spree. This was just the first of my travel and already have a second trip coming up. I get to be Mulan for a day, again :)   

Cape Town

Two days in Cape Town, and it felt like I'm in a whole new world altogether. None of us had known what's in store. Seeing the bluest of skies, a welcoming winter weather, being surrounded by mountain ranges, the blessings of Mother Nature and on top of that - meeting the warmest, friendliest and fun-loving people. Cape Townians and South Africans in general, are few of the amazing people whom you'd want to befriend in a heartbeat! True enough when I've met Gift and Innocent at Quay Four at the Waterfront :) I'm glad to have tagged along with my Colleagues and just went on driving the city which, ironically, drove us crazy. I fell in love how the frothy clouds are whipped on top Table Mountain, how one day it could be biting cold and then gloriously sunny the next. 

To be honest, I'm at lost for words to describe this beauty. Speechless. Stunned. South Africa took my heart away!   

1. V&A Waterfront - a beautiful harbour city right at the foot of Table Mountain. Enjoy the shopping, food, pubs or just pick a front row seat along the Waterfront for a hot cuppa Ceylon Tea at night.

2. Drakenstein Lion Park - a sanctuary for rescued animals whose stories would make us realize to respect life and nature more. Speak to their local caretakers who are passionate with what they do and get to know more of these beautiful creatures on a personal level. Visit the lions, tigers, chimps, wallabies and more!

3. Fairview Winery - get a taste of New World red and white wines. Know the grapes, process and what goes best with your next meal. Indulge yourself in cheese tasting along with your wine, one cheese at a time :)

4. De Villiers Chocolate Factory (Spice Route) - taste some artisan home grown and made South African chocolates from dark to salted caramel. And bring some home for pasalubong!

5. Barley & Biltong (Paarl, Cape Town) - a lunch with a view is just appetizing. I had my first take on Biltong (cured meat), a very South African tidbit in beef, kudu and gemsbok. I'd love for you to go figure!

6. Language Monument - although closed when we reached, we took a drive on top of the mountains and from there did our own little hike and got a panoramic view of the city. Took our breaths away.

7. Stellenbosch - coffee and night cap at this small old town in Cape Town. Nostalgic and beautiful at the same time.