#i had a nice day at chadstone

[thefoodanddrinkreviewer]

On the morning of the first full day in Melbourne, we decided to have breakfast at @collinscoffeehouse - which was not too far from our hotel from which we were staying at. We had breakfast before making our way down to Federation Square to catch a shuttle to Chadstone, which is a really big shopping centre in Melbourne.

I had scrambled eggs with toast and butter, which was also served with bacon and came with some vegetables and garnished with dill (which I ate also). I also had a cup of hot chocolate, which is what I typically have in the morning on cold days, and in Melboune it is very cold during the colder months.

The scrambled eggs were so delicious, creamy and smooth, and the bacon was done just right - crispy yet not too salty (just the right amount of salt). I also loved the fact they served a large portion of butter for me to butter the toasted bread with, and also the fact that it did not come in plastic wrapping (plastic packaging contributes to environmental pollution).

The hot chocolate was also delicious, and nice, warm, sweet and creamy. I loved how it came in nice historical style tea cups, it is very pretty, as is the cafe itself with beautiful furniture and settings - interestingly enough, it is located in the Bank of New Zealand building.

I definitely recommend this place for breakfast, as it is not too far from the main street (Flinders Street) and the CBD itself, where you can catch trams to get to places of interest, or spend time in the city itself exploring and go shopping if you are a visitor.

[fazcinatingblog]

maybe i should’ve gone to the cricket today ooooops

[scribbledbyjess]

Melbourne, Sept 2019.

Long awaited full-team family trip had finally arrived. We’ve finally flown to Melbourne for 8 days vacation. It’s September, the weather was perfect (a little too chilly but we enjoyed it). We spent more than half of the trip on road trips, from Mornington Peninsula to Philip Island, to Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay, Twelve Apostles to Port Campbell in Great Ocean Road. 

I enjoyed and treasured everyday, in which I scribbled down how every single day went. 

Day 1: Airport to Chapel St (near Mornington Peninsula)

We drove from airport to our first Airbnb for 2 nights in Chapel St area. On the way there, we dropped by a KFC where we had our first meal in OZ and it was raining when we reached. We almost froze to death. Everything about our Airbnb was perfect. It had every aspect that ticks as my dream house. My Aunt, Uncle, and 6-months-old Cousin visited our place just after we got in. We spent all day bonding and chilling. Baby Grace is the cutest baby, ever.

Day 2: Explore Mornington Peninsula Beach and Seeing Koalas & Penguins for the first time. 

You know those colourful beach houses everybody posted on Instagram when they visit Melbourne? We did the same thing. Beautiful houses, beautiful beach, beautiful pictures. We embraced the icy weather. We had the best hot chocolate. 

We drove around 2 hours to Philip Island to meet Koalas and Penguins for the first time. We were lucky to have witnessed 3 koalas that were awake and in action, given they sleep >20 hours a day. They’re cutiepies. We moved on to a farm, where we saw sheep shearing happened, and I love it the farm as it has a huge green field with great weather and bright skies. 

Before the night time came, we drove on to meet the Penguins. We were seated by the beach by 6pm, while the Penguins are predicted to show up at 6:35pm. We were freezing from the wind. The penguins we saw were around the same size as microphones. Turned out they came home on time and were total babes. 

Day 3: Road trip from Mornington to Great Ocean Road. 

We basically spend this day on the road. It was a total of 3.5 hour ride. We stopped by one of the biggest mall in Melbourne (or biggest), Chadstone, for lunch. We didn’t waste much time there, we resumed driving to Great Ocean Road’s Apollo Bay, in which we will stay for 2 nights.

After endless driving past Geelong, Torquay, dropped by Bell Beach to spot some surfs happening, Lorne, Kennet River, and finally Apollo Bay, our little home sweet home for 3 days around late noon. We decided to settle in the house to chill and get some rest. But not me. I went out for a stroll and walked by places I visited in my previous trip to Melbourne. Although all the shops were already closed, it was extremely peaceful. The sunset was mesmerising.

I then walked home and we went nearby restaurant to have some Chinese foods. Road was empty and dark. Perfect family night. 

Day 4: Fully Explore the Great Ocean Road. 

We started our day early and drove all the way to Port Campbell as our first stop. We had brunch there and it was really nice. The feeling was like finding a small crowded town after days of driving endlessly. We then went to London Bridge as our first stop, it was really nice and cold. We continued on to a very hidden place, it’s like a peak where we can also spot the London Bridge. 

Then we headed to Loch Ard Gorge and the one and only, 12 Apotles. We were there just before the sun sets. It was crowded, but really nice. It reminded me how spectacular nature is. We went to get ice cream before heading back to our place in Apollo Bay (not forgetting Chinese dinner before reaching home). 

Day 5: Finally, Melbourne City!

We started off our Melbourne trip in the suburbs area, hence my family is looking forward to the “city”. We finally drove from Great Ocean Road to Docklands area in the city - we’re staying in a high-rise apartment facing Docklands Harbour. We’ve had 180 degree amazing view from the balcony - which was really awesome!

We explored the Chinatown area in the city before settling in for dinner (yes, we had Chinese again, this time round my Dad’s favorite Mala Pot). We strolled and shopped for a bit around Chinatown and Collins Street before heading back to the apartment. We chilled every night in the apartment’s living room because the view was really cool. 

Day 6: Strolling Around Melbourne City. 

We started our day at a café named Higher Ground, apparently it’s very famous and foods were great! Our stomachs were very happy. We continued to the famous art street, Hosier Lane, where we took quite a bunch of hippies photos. Of course we then explored Flinders Street, and walked all the way to Crown casino. 

My Aunt brought baby Grace and traveled all the way to Crown to meet us. We had a very nice afternoon stroll by the river in Southbank before walking back to Flinders to get some coffee at a coffee shop. The day passed by very quickly and we soon parted our ways again and went home. Me and Mom decided to go to grocery store nearby our place, and got some snacks to bring home. It was a nice late night groceries run :)

Day 7: Day Trip to the Suburb

We hitch-hiked the tram to visit my Aunt and her family to their place, in the suburb. We decided to visit a winery in Yarra Valley, Chandon, which is not far from their place. Even though we reached when they were closing, we managed to spend a good time in the outdoor facing the winery :)

We then drove back to have coffee time in a very nice area in the suburb, before it’s time to bid farewell with my Aunt and us to get back to the city again. My Aunt got emotional and cried a little. Our hearts were all heavy because we had such a good time. 

It was our last night in Melbourne, so we decided not to end it so early when we reached the city, we went to get foods near Collins St and stroll for a bit before heading back to Apartment. It’s packing time. 

Day 8: First Stop = Melbourne Airport

Our flight is in the afternoon and we had no time to go anywhere else. That was the end of our first family trip, a very memorable and amazing one. My heart was full from this trip, and I already can’t wait for the next one. I promise myself to make a family trip happens at least once every year, hope I can always fulfil this promise. 

Lots of love,

Jes

[bbcbreakingnews]

You can now buy boxes of Krispy Kreme BITES for $4.95

Krispy Kreme Australia has released new limited-edition Original Glazed Bites across the country.

The brand has taken the Original Glazed Doughnut and transformed it into a bite-sized treat – but they will only be available until August 24. 

The new product is available in a box of six for $4.95 and are sold at Krispy Kreme stores or 7-Eleven locations. 

Krispy Kreme Australia has released new Original Glazed Bites, which replicate the popular Original Glazed Doughnut

‘Sometimes it really is the little things that can make your day,’ Krispy Kreme said on their website.

‘Add a box or two of these to your next order and take a moment to enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that Krispy Kreme has perfected for decades.’

Krispy Kreme stores are located in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, though not all stores offer delivery with Uber Eats or Menulog. 

Krispy Kreme stores are located across Australia in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, though not all stores offer delivery with Uber Eats or Menulog

After the news was shared on Facebook and Instagram, customers were thrilled and are eager to purchase the miniature bites.

‘I had them this morning with my grandsons for morning tea – really nice,’ one person said on Facebook.

‘Yum! We need custard in the middle,’ another said.

Others said they are eager to try the bites but don’t have a Krispy Kreme store location in their state or area.

KRISPY KREME STORE LOCATIONS 

New South Wales 

Auburn (Open)

Central Station (Sydney CBD) (Open)

Chatswood Interchange (Open)

Liverpool – Factory Shop (Open)

Mascot – Factory Shop (Open)

Penrith (Open)

Parramatta, Level 1 (Open)

Parramatta, Level 5 (Open) 

Sydney Domestic T2 (Temporarily Closed)

Sydney Domestic T3 (Temporarily Closed)

Queensland

Albert St. Brisbane (Open)

Pacific Fair (Open)

Redbank Plains (Open)

Shell Nudgee (Open)

Surfers Paradise (Open)

Acacia Ridge (Open)

Brisbane Jetstar (Open)

Brisbane Virgin, Domestic Terminal (Temporarily Closed)

Victoria 

Bulleen (Open)

Collins St (CBD) (Open)

Fountain Gate – Factory Shop (Open)

Fawkner (Open)

Melbourne T1 Qantas (Temporarily Closed)

Melbourne T4 (Temporarily Closed)

Swanston St (CBD) (Temporarily Closed)

Chadstone (Temporarily Closed)

Melbourne T3 Virgin (Temporarily Closed)

Western Australia

Hay St Perth (Open)

Myaree (Open)

Whitford City Centre – Factory Shop (Open)

Source: Krispy Kreme

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[juju-journeys]

Ju Ju

 The people’s names in brackets are my friends you gave me suggestions for my trips.

DECIDING WHAT TO TAKE

This depends on how many days you are away and what type of trip you are taking -  a bus trip, a cruise, hotels or staying with friends.

Does the Hotel have laundry facilities or if you are staying for a while - is there a Laundry Mat nearby.

Most Hotels have an iron. If there is not an iron in the room, ring the Front Desk

Always check what is included with the amenities on their website.

Take a peg less clothesline with the hooks and not the suction caps ( Aussie Disposal about $7) and some pegs. I bought some at Daiso’s (Japanese store) which was just $2.80 and have hooks. These are good as some coat hangers in your Hotel rooms cannot be removed.

Take a wash bag for delicates as if you are sharing a load then you can separate yours easily. Most laundry mats in USA have vending machines to change your notes into coins and buy soap powder. Most washes cost about $2 and they use quarters and takes about 35 minutes to wash. Then the dryers cost about the same for about 45 minutes. Don’t make the temperature too hot.

 WHAT TO PACK

Golden rule – make a list what you want to take, then lay it out and then cut it by a third.  There is always one or more piece that you will not wear.

For a summer holiday

One pair jeans

2 pair of ¾ pants,

2 shorts,

1 pair of good black pants. If black is not your colour then the colour that will match your evening tops

5 nice tops for day time that mix and match with your shorts and pants

4 nice tops for evening

1 cardigan for night and/or jacket,

1 rolled up rain jacket

1 long sleeved top.

Shoes  - Pair of thongs if you can walk all day in them. I cannot.

Runners or sneakers for walking

Good walking sandals or skechers

Nice pair of sandals or ballet shoes to wear at night

5-7 Bras as they can be easily washed

Underpants – well I take all my old ones and throw them out after wearing. ( Mary told me this one.) My last trip I took 14 pairs and must admit I did wash a few pairs and then started throwing them out in the waste basket.  Good way to have more room in your suit case for all the items you will buy on your trip.

Socks- this is up to you.

 PACKING

To pack, I  roll all my tops together. Shoes I put in plastic bags. Toilet bag at the bottom of the suitcase and at the end, so when the suit case stands up,  it is on the bottom. I bought the packing cells from Kathmandu and placed my bras in one, undies in another and socks in the third.  These are great as on one side of the cell  is mesh and when you put them in your suitcase and squash then down all the air comes out.  You can also buy these at Daiso (everything is $2.80 shop). These are located in Box Hill and 2 in Melbourne CBD.

Toiletries

When I have booked my trip then I start buying items for the Toiletry bag especially when they are on special. If you are going on a small trip then  and are getting low in what you are using now  - shampoo etc and if you think there is enough left for the days you are away then put that away in your toilet bag. Same with toothpaste, deodorant, moisturiser, eye makeup remover, conditioner, cleanser, sun tan cream etc. The packet of cleanser wipes are also good to take. Once your trip is finished you can just throw them all away and you have more space and less weight in your suitcase.

Always keep the small sample bottles after use as they are very handy to take small amounts of your conditioner etc away with you.

Put all liquids in Zip lock bags as for sure something will leak. I take a few extra as some always will break and they are also good for carrying food in on day trips.

Put in small nail scissors, nail file and I use the nail polish remover pads  (and do not take a bottle ) or otherwise buy the remover when you  get there. I buy a 6 pack of the flat Kleenex tissues as they fit very easily in your hand bag which does not take up too much room.

MAKEUP BAG

Same goes for the makeup. If you are getting low with your foundation, eye shadow  or eyeliner etc. put them in your make up bag. I buy an inexpensive mascara or take the small travel size. Less is better. Or in US buy up as Revlon, Estee Lauder etc are very cheap.

SHOPPING IN USA

Clothes and cosmetics are so much cheaper in USA.  When the Department stores have the Free gift sometimes you only need to spend $30 so then only buy one item and get a free gift. So go back the next day and buy the next item and so on.  End of season sales are just brilliant with extra 25% to 50% off. I love Labour Day sales which starts around 2nd Monday of September.  Revlon nail polish is about US$5 plus tax, same with Maybelline, Covergirl, Prestige.

Sizing I usually go down one size only for USA and go up one size for UK and Europe. Some say go down 2 sizes for US.

List of Department stores in USA.

Bloomingdales   and Neiman & Marcus very expensive and have High end brands

Nordstrom – up market and similar to David Jones

Macy’s – they have sales all the time and sometimes as good as or better than the Outlet malls. Visit the information desk show your passport and you 10% off voucher for 30 days. Read the fine print as discount not on perfume or makeup.

Dillard’s  and Belk’s -  similar as Myers.

Wal-Mart  - huge variety cheap cosmetics, plus they have food and alcohol.

Sears – cheap like K Mart

Target - huge variety of cheap cosmetics, plus they have food and alcohol

 VARIETY STORES

Wahlgrens – sells souvenirs and a variety of food etc Phone cards, cheap cosmetics

ABC Stores -  sells souvenirs and a variety of food etc, Phone cards, cheap cosmetics

Duane Reade – pharmacy sells food, cosmetics etc.

Discount Stores – Look online if any of these are near where you are staying

Nordstrom Rack  ( discontinued lines)  - lot of racks

Burlington Coats ( not just coats but discontinued lines) - lot of racks

Ross dress for less. My favourite store, just ask Lisa.  You must go through a lot of racks but it’s worth it. The racks are in sizes and in categories, tops, dresses, knits etc. My suit l bought last year in Denver was $70. So I bought 2. I believe Irene found one great store in Oregon and Hawaii.

Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Kohls - all very similar to Ross’s

Century 21 in New York and it was  Leanne who showed me the way to shopping bliss. My first Calvin Klein suit I bought for $100, plus it has bags, cosmetics,  so many different brands but you need to get there first thing in the morning as it gets so busy and close very late.

FACTORY OUTLETS IN USA

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/centers/

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/

 LAS VEGAS

Best place to shop especially Labour Day sales is Vegas. 2 Factory Outlets – North and South. Join up online and you can get coupons. The South is near the airport and North is past Fremont Street. North has more high end shops. Just take the Express bus to both Outlets. Look up the website and plan your day. Shops open at 10 am and close quite late either 9 or 10pm. I usually plan my day and have a list of shops I want to visit.

The South Outlet is all under one roof and has great bargains. I shop here first as both have different discounts. The South had Tommy Hilfiger Polo shirts for $25 then the North had the same items for $35. Ralph Lauren in the North I got a cotton cable knit for $20. So I always go to both especially if you love shopping. The South has Elizabeth Arden and the North has Estee Lauder and Lancome.  Ann Taylor is a great store for ladies. I got my sister a t-shirt for under $5 in the summer sales and good quality. Skechers sales are great, buy one get second for half price. Levi jeans you can get around $40.

There is also the Fashion Show Mall very similar to Chadstone with lots of eating places it is just past Treasure Island and also the Miracle Mile Shops which part of Planet Hollywood complex.  It has H & M, ABC shop, Wahlgrens and lots of places to eat as well. There are 2 Ross Dress for Less in Vegas. One is near the M & M shop and the other down past Wynne’s Casino.

HALF PRICE TIX IN VEGAS- Check the website for locations and shows.

There are many places along the strip you can get tickets for shows that night for half the price. They open around 10am and you can get reasonable priced tickets for Shows that night or the next plus food vouchers and tours.  It might cost you $2 and get a voucher that gets you a Buffet for less than $20, just an example. If you come back the next day you get the VIP treatment and line up in the express line.

HOTELS in Vegas

Most Hotels are Casinos and you do not have Tea/Coffee facilities in your room. Some have Mini bars or occasionally you get a Refridgerator but  you can request one. Sharon bought me an Infuser, it is a big element that you put in a cup of water and it boils.  Some Hotels include breakfast in your deal so that is great. If not, then take your own bag of tea bags or coffee from home or from the previous Hotel you stayed at, buy the infuser, take a cup bought from a $2 shop together with your plastic bowl and then buy some cereal and milk from Wahlgrens/ABC/Whalers  or whatever store is closest and you are set for breakfast.  Always take every packet of Tea/coffee in every Hotel and save it for the rest of your trip. If you run out just ring the Front Desk and ask for more when the cleaner comes around.

Sharon always told me to leave a dollar on the pillow case for the cleaner each day and they leave extra tea/coffee for you.

FOOD

The size of the meals are so big and quite cheap but remember to calculate  your tip which is roughly 15-20%  of  the bill before the tax. The wages are very low for a waitress. They get only around $6 to $8 an hour plus the tips. We asked one girl and her tips also cover the person who clears away the dirty dishes, the cook and the barman. Some places have a suggested tip percentage on the bill so they will list 10 %, 15% and 20% so you can choose. If you pay by card you can add the tip on. I usually leave my tip in cash. If you are at a bar then it is $1 per drink.  Sharon told me to keep my dollar bills so I can leave the tips separately. Sharon is my guru for tipping and much more.

If you eat in the restaurants that are part of your Hotel in Vegas, and nearby Hotels you can use your room key and will put your food bill onto your Hotel bill so when you check out you can pay by either credit card or cash.

Good places to eat.

PF Changs – Asian food but modern

Roys  in Hawaii in Lewers Street – has the best Lava cake for dessert. There are a few around the US

Californian Pizza   Kitchen – not just Pizza,  I love the Cobb salad. Yum.

New York Cheesecake Factory – not just cheesecake

Wolf Gang Puck

Hard Rock cafe

Buffets are in every Hotel in Vegas.

[i-am-always-lost]

Day 14 | Ikebukuro...again?!

It won't be my last either! Ikebukuro is the closest "big suburb" that I have to my station at Nerimatakanodai. It is like the Glen Waverley for Monash Clayton students. Or Chadstone for Monash Caufield, is this an accurate representation? Idk.

Anyway, it is only eight stops away from my place! It sounds like a lot but really it's not, around 16 minutes? Every stop is almost a two stop interval. It really depends on what line you take since there are literally dozens. You have the rapids, the fast rapids, the immediate rapids etc. A disadvantage living at a small town would be getting less trains to stop by your station as there are no rapids from your station to the other, so you have to take the slower one where they stop at every station. Don't get me wrong, trains are still fairly frequent at my stop!

Pastries at the train stations!

Mister donut

Daifukus

I wanted to check out a public library near Ikebukuro, or anywhere else. Let me tell you how a normal neighborhood library is like:

THAT AINT NO STATE LIBRARY BRAH

The one I went to was called the Toshima City Library. It is located in this small ass village near the buzzing Ikebukuro station. But hell, that 10 minute walk felt like an eternity especially when you keep getting lost.

It is so cute¿ These days, we have different (new and more updated) ideas of a library especially when we are so used to the ones in uni. This library is literally a book haven, just filled with books and a few tables lying around.

Your average community library in an average Japanese prefecture.

It felt quite stupid walking all the way in the cold (yes it was so cold to the point where it literally started snowing- that or dandruff fell from the sky but it was barely there). There were nice views of the neighborhood tho!

After that, I decided to find a real place with computers (lol). My lecturer mentioned Internet cafes so I looked it up. I was pleasantly surprised to see how much Internet cafes have evolved throughout the years. People just see it as a gaming hub and some dodgy shop with dim lighting and rows of computer at tourist towns. Okay, that's how I see it. But the Internet cafes here are also known as manga cafes. People even stay overnight at cafes like this because it can be cheaper than a typical backpackers hotel or even a capsule hotel? All you have to do is pay an overnight fee. Apparently, it's a culture for nerds here. I would probably spend all day at the cafe if I could read Japanese T_T

Fun fact, many poor young adults who cannot afford paying rent in a normal appartment/house practically live here while working part time. There are bathing facilities at some cafes. They even register their addresses to the cafe so the cafe receives fuckton of job offers etc.

Ikebukuro is a like a smaller Akihabara where anime fans loiter around since there are so many merch as well! After spending three hours in that internet cafe, I went to animate.

I WAS MIND BLOWN from a considerable amount of distance. Everything always looks perfect from afar, you know? Like the new season of Sherlock, except its not.

I’m kidding, animate is pretty much an otaku’s heaven. The pictures below will tell you why. 

Upon arriving, I felt like I descended to a New World where only bright lights and fictional characters exist. You could see people selling badges and keychains of anime characters near a park next to animate - probably because queues are crazy long on all 9 levels of Animate. It’s their head office after all. Once you approach the door, you will see a caravan selling Yuri on Ice! themed drinks. You get a coaster or some sort of useless merch with Yuri’s face on it. 

The shop is a dream. LOOK AT THE STAIRS AND WALLS.

As amazing as this place, I left empty handed as I did not know what to buy. Most of the things were keychains and badges and the occasional overpriced plush toy that you can get a cheaper place via Taobao. I really wanted to get something but I didnt end up with anything...sorry guys. Unless if you are really into keychains and stuff I dont know what to get you guys. :/

Went home after that! And I had curry rice for dinner. I have great dinners every night; will post a compilation when I run out of things to post.

-Otaku pancake