Travelogue: Melbourne Highlights

The best part about visiting Australia in August is getting away from the stifling heat and diving into much cooler temperatures.

Usually, my trips are jam packed with taking in as many tourist spots as I can or checking out shopping spots. However, Melbourne’s pace was perfect for just getting away from our usually hectic city life, kicking back and simply relaxing.

Most days were spent taking the tram around to anywhere, eating and getting our Asian food fix.

The burger looks simple but is absolutely juicy and bursting with flavours.

 

What’s Melbourne without graffiti lined streets?

 

Blooms in winter.

 

No trip to Melbourne is complete without a visit to Queen Victoria Market! Fresh produce, local eats, knick knacks and even clothes can be found in this hugely popular market.

 

This trip, we ventured to the suburbs via the tram, strolling along the quiet St Kilda beach.

Coffee stop at a random cafe around St Kilda.

 

Shopaholic in me cannot miss out visiting local shopping spots.

 

Bourke Street Mall is good for watching the trams pass by and people watching. Pretty much everywhere in Melbourne has this laid back vibe that makes you just want to slow down your pace and go easy.

Besides quaint shops, we found a laneway filled with cafes and popped into one that had a delicious array of cakes on display.

 

Random shot of the Melbourne Library that we go pass everyday.

 

With a huge Asian community, finding our Asian food fix was relatively easy in Melbourne and everything we had was absolutely delish!

Crab boil near our apartment!

 

Our random exploration brought us to a little park.

It’s nice to have a little pocket of green amidst all the concrete.

 

Visited Fitzroy with its eclectic mix of shops and immediately, Sonido! caught out attention. It’s a retro looking Cuban brunch place that serves up comfort food at super affordable prices, perfect for a cold winter morning.

Their much raved about hot chocolate (although I very much prefer European hot chocolate with a thicker consistency).

Our order of Huevos Pericos (Scrambled free range eggs with spring onions and tomato on a thin and crispy arepa) + Ropa Vieja (beef served on arepa). They were equally mouth watering.

 

Even the washroom is retro themed.

 

Some snacks that we picked up along Collins Street to accompany us on our trip. Chasing the sunrise, we made out way to the Great Ocean Road.

 

Spot the faint rainbow.

Gloomy day ahead.

Nonetheless, the ocean’s still pretty.

Visited a lighthouse with a mini museum along the way.

Oh hi there, little one. Koalas sleep most of their time away and I guess this little one got lost, that’s why it was awake when we saw it.

A little sunshine before the sun disappeared behind the clouds again.

Finally made it to the twelve apostles. Breathtaking as always.

Travelogue: Enchanting Istanbul Part 2

Hello to another day in Istanbul.

Ventured to the hotel’s skypool that has AMAZING view of the river and surroundings! It was one of the best moment of my trip, quiet time with a calming view. I managed to have the entire area to myself as I went early, avoiding the guests that trickled in after their breakfast.

    

Another random romp around the streets to catch the city’s morning activities. The dotted fish caught my attention, it kind of reminds me of chicken pox and it’s looking all so rough and raw, wonder if the texture’s the same?

Well, I guess I wasn’t adventurous enough to try the ‘chicken-pox’ fish and opted for the lazy way out! Food in bed = love, even better when it’s junk food, all while watching True Blood in Turkish!

 

After lunch, I had to check out the shopping scene. The shopping street houses mostly international brands that we have locally, so there wasn’t much to pick up. It was a pity I wasn’t able to visit the glitzy, mega malls due to time constraint.

To end off, the highlight of the day: a dinner cruise down the Bosphorus river! The Bosphorus river is a river in Istanbul that separates Asia and Europe. The cruise takes you from the Marmara shore to the Black Sea and back. I love this picture taken by holding up a glass of white wine.

           

The cruise starts boarding in the evening with drinks on the deck while you soak in your surroundings, with the sun slowly setting over the city. This is considered a quick way to tour Istanbul I guess, by catching glimpses of everything of interest: the Palace along the Bosphorus shore, Galata Bridge, Faith Bridge, new districts of office towers, domes of Old Istanbul and lots of fancy houses with private pools in between. We were told that this is where the rich and famous of Istanbul resides.

Once the sun set, we were moved to the dining area and served more alcohol along with traditional Turkish mezze (appetizer). This was followed by a main dish of grilled chicken steak. 

  

Throughout dinner, you are kept entertained by their traditional Turkish folk dance. There were various costumes and get-ups, with storylines of traditional courtship and comedic interpretation of dwarfs.

Once dinner service ends, you are moved back to the deck once again to watch a performance of belly dancing along with more servings of alcohol.

The entire river cruise lasted about 3.5hours and honestly, the novelty started to wear off before dinner. By the time the belly dancing segment came on, we were all too tired and only wanted to be on the hotel bed. I developed motion sickness for the entire week after the cruise. However, it was a great way to see Istanbul and understand a little more of their culture and food, given the little time I had.

Travelogue: Enchanting Istanbul Part 1

My 3 days short trip in an unforgettable city, Turkey, Istanbul.

Turkey is a historically rich city that has a geographically varied location. With a smaller part in Southeastern Europe and a larger part in Western Asia, Turkey forms the crossroads between Europe and Asia.

For this trip, I visited Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the 5th largest city in the world.

Pretty hues of dawn marks my arrival into the transcontinental city.

Hopping on a cab, I caught my first glimpse of the Bosphorus Strait. I was headed to the Asia side of the city where the hotel is located.

Quick bag dump at Double Tree Hilton Moda. The hotel is strategically located at the Marmara seashore , near ferry docks which is great for access to Istanbul’s European side that houses a couple of their famous historical sites.

Exploring the streets of Istanbul’s Asia side first.

The honey tasted exquisite, but costs like $200 per bottle if I remember correctly.

  

It was fun checking out their vibrant fresh produce, bakeries, tea houses and wishing I had a little more time to sit down for tea.

But we were off to take the ferry across to the European side for a walking tour of several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

It was a short 10 minutes ferry ride and as we approached, we saw our first destination, the Blue Mosque peeking out from above.

This means a hike uphill in the sweltering summer heat after disembarking from the ferry.

  

The Blue Mosque is located at the Sultanahmet Square and is one of the most famous religious buildings of the world. The mosque got its name from the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. Entrance into the Blue Mosque is via the arcaded forecourt and inside, there are more than 200 stained glass windows with intricate designs that admit natural light and this is assisted by chandeliers.

Right opposite the Blue Mosque is the Hagia Sophia church.

The short walk was peppered with lots of local street stalls selling local bread, corn and even candy.

  

Hagia Sophia was once a church and, in a turn of events, became a Muslim Mosque. On the walls and ceiling, you are able to find both Islamic and Christian influences and features. Christian influences can be seen in the form of mosaics that depict Virgin Mary, Jesus, Saints, Emperors and Empresses. However, a huge portion of these mosaics were lost due to earth quakes.

  

From Hagia Sophia, we strolled to the Topkapi Palace. Topkapi is the largest and oldest palace in the world. Due to time constraints, we were only able to visit the treasury, the richest jewelry collection in the world and they are all authentic originals. In it, you can even find the world’s famous 86 carat diamond. Security is tight and pictures were not allowed. I only have a blurred image of one of the many mind-blowingly huge diamonds. Besides diamonds, there are also other precious stones such as emerald and gold as well as gifts from visiting foreign monarch.

For me, the most impressive part of the Topkapi Palace was actually the stunning view that looks out to the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus. But of course, there were alot more palace grounds that were left uncovered and this will have to wait till my next trip.

More walking to get to our next destination, the Grand Bazaar. The plus side of summer travels are the long daylight hours that allows you to fit a host of activities or destinations in a day. On the downside, it is super crowded and scorchingly hot.

  

Nonetheless, we found our way to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest and largest covered street marketing, spanning 61 streets and over 3,000 shops!

There were lots of intricate glass stained lamps, pretty china wares, leather products amongst others. You can also rest our feet in one of the cozy tea shops along the way.

After exploring the Grand Bazaar, we took a quick tram ride to visit the Spice Bazaar, the centre of spice trade in Istanbul.

  

Although it is not as huge as the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar is equally as colorful and was buzzing with activities. Here, you can get your hands on a wide variety of Turkish Delights, Turkish teas, dried fruits, nuts, tea and even jewelry.

A short turn away from the Spice Bazaar is the Rustem Pasha Mosque, I believe. I did not manage to explore the inside of the mosque, but went to a restaurant that offered a pretty decent view of a busy evening in Istanbul with the sun casting a golden hue on the mosque as it set.

The many accompanying side dishes of a Turkish meal and my main dish of kebab, rice and grilled peppers on the side.

Ferry ride back to the hotel.

View from my room with a glimpse of the last rays of sun.

Camo Print

Finally, the weather has let up a little, allowing me to don the camo-print jacket I got from my recent Taipei trip! A tad too hot for our weather still!

Jacket: Taipei

Top: Bangkok JJ Market

Bottom: Taipei

Shoes: Pedder Red

Mood: Meltingly hot even in the rain

Neon & Floral

A day spent in a pop of neon, hiding away from the humidity.

Top: Miss Selfridge

Bottom: Zara

Slippers: Pedder Red

The Long and Short of It

Found this black floral panel top in some random Taipei shop and I am glad it’s so versatile! It is actually a onesie made to look like I have layered it on.

Style it either with skinny jeans or shorts and it works perfectly fine either ways. Considering it’s been sweltering hot, this is actually perfect for the weather!

All About Boyfriend Jeans

  

 

It really sucks having to dress up for our perpetually hot and humid weather, having to constantly beat the heat. Not fun when the sun is blazing down on you and drops of perspiration form the minute you step out from the shower. In days like that which is like 360 out of 365, comfort is usually key.

Boyfriend jeans and flats are my easiest, no-brainer outfit of the moment.

Top: Bardot Melbourne

Boyfriend Jeans: Random shop in Taiwan

Shoes: Pedder Red

Travelogue: Rome, Italy 2

Starting our day in Rome, we were tickled by how tiny the lift was. I can barely fit myself in comfortably.

 

     

First up, Vatican City, the smallest state in the world, enclaved within Rome. It is pretty easy getting to Vatican city, take the metro and follow the crowds of tourists. Otherwise, if you see touters trying to sell you museum and chapel entrance tickets, you are on the right track. For us, we went there mainly to take in the sights and to have the experience of being in a state smaller than ours. Unfortunately, we did not manage to visit the museum as the queue was extremely long, seeing it was the summer peak travel season. Buy your tickets in advance if you are planning to explore Vatican City further!

 

 

Back in the heart of Rome, we explored the Spanish Steps with 135 steps that fan out, earning the title as the widest steps in Europe. The steps lead up to the Trinita dei Monti church at the top and is surrounded by 18th century buildings as well as the famous Bacaccia Fountain at the foot of it.

 

We cannot leave Rome without visiting the most famous fountain in the world, Trevi Fountain aka Fontana di Trevi, the largest Baroque fountain in the city. Check out the hoards of people surrounding the fountain, it is impossible to capture a shot without anyone in it!

 

Strolling along the streets of Rome.

 

Took a break from all the walking to enjoy an Aperitif, the Italian concept of having a small amount of alcohol before your meal to stimulate appetite.

 

To end off, we walked around randomly and was glad to come by this cafe that is near our hotel, 2 perodico if I remember correctly. The place was decorated so cosily with a mix and match of furniture, food, design and fashion. It seems like it is operated by 2 sisters and their friends and there are little knick knacks like handmade wallets and I believe some of the furnitures and artworks seen around are for sale. I’m glad we were able to experience this place before heading home!

Ciao Italia, till the next time!

 

Travelogue: Rome, Italy

Leaving Milan, we travelled to Rome via Trenitalia and were treated to gorgeous fields all spread out and fluffy clouds.

 

Exploring the streets of Rome.

 

Our first stop, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome. Step in and you’ll see incredibly beautiful works of art from the flooring all the way to the ceiling. Everywhere you look, it’s a feast for the eyes. In short, this basilica has been awe inspiring in terms of architectural, beautiful tombs and this statue of Pope Pius IX.

Fueling up for the rest of the walk.

 

I was super pumped to see the Colosseum right in front of my eyes! This amphitheater has presented stories of battles between gladiators, slaves, prisoners and wild animals and has been depicted so many times in movies the small screen. It’s interesting how even in AD72, the spectators of the upper caste will get the better, spacious and more “comfortable” seats whereas others will have to squeeze in the hot sun to catch the mass slaughter. Even so, seats are said to fill up within 10 minutes.

 

 

After all the excitement at the Colosseum, there are plenty of Roman ruins around the Colosseum for us to explore.

 

The Altare della Patria a stone’s throw away from the ruins, built in honor of the first king of a unified Italy. Right opposite this is where you will find shopping streets, restaurants and bars which we spent the rest of our day at.

Travelogue: Milan, Italy

There are no shortage of cafes in Italy and generally, Italians zip into a cafe, have their coffee and go off. It is a relatively quick affair. Singapore is fast paced enough and since we were on a holiday, there’s no rush to down a cuppa coffee and run off I guess. Not much of a coffee drinker, I love the hot chocolate found in Europe thou; rich, creamy and unforgettable! Very much unlike the pathetic, diluted substance that we usually get back home. It was so good I went back for another round towards the end of the day.

 

Cute homewares shop connected to the cafe.

 

 

Walk on to find Piazza della Scala that is marked  by the monument of Leonardo da Vinci. Follow through the square and you will find:

 

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II! This is one of the world’s oldest shopping malls and is also known as Milan’s living room. Prada’s flagship store has been in business here since 1913. For most parts, you will find luxury foods, bars, restaurants and cafes and is connected to the famous Milan landmark:

 

Duomo di Milan, an exceptionally large and superbly elaborate cathedral that sits on the main square in Milan. Looking up, you cannot help but be in awe of the intricate details all around the facade of this cathedral.

 

It is also equally impressive on the inside. To get inside, ensure you are appropriately dressed especially if you are visiting in summer i.e.: no exposed shoulders and arms as well as covered knees. Best if you have a shawl to cover up, otherwise I think the guards make you buy some sort of cover-up. Unfortunately, I was unable to capture a good picture of the beautiful stained glass windows.

 

What’s Milan without a spot of shopping? Around the duomo, you will find departmental stores as well as boutiques and high street brands, this is when you will have to put your self restrain into practice! Not too many pictures of the lovely shopping streets around as my hands were full, this will suffice.

 

We spotted this Japanese eatery on the way out earlier and were determined to have it for dinner. The Asian in us craves for rice and any form of Asian food, even better when it’s sushi! Yuzu salmon was yums enough but the rice in the sushi was a tad harder than what we are used to. But hey, beggars cannot be choosers, afterall it satisfied our cravings for the night.

As with all the previous Italian cities, I wished that I had more time to explore Milan, but this will do for now. Thanks for the shopping and memories, till the next, Milan!