A beautiful trip with my family in AU

My family and I had a wonderful trip abroad in 2019. This time we headed to Melbourne, AU.

It was a memorable 6 days to spend with my love ones.

Hi,welcome to my travel blog post. This June my mom and I arranged a small vacation to visit Claire,my little sister who, at the time, was and exchanged student at Melbourne. Thankfully, all the detail schedules are arranged by Claire. My only responsibility is to take these two ladies to the destination. That's all! So excited!!

“FAMILY: An Anchor during rough water also someone who can really piss you off when traveling.I am kidding,that's what put you closer through the bad and the good. ”

My dearest mom on the right and cutest aunt!

Look how happy they are. Aren't they cute! I don't know my aunt's English name so I am gonna called her "Pearl" translated directly through Mandarin name and my mom, Venus. Yes, that's her name. Don't ask me why, Asians sometimes are incomprehensible, I mean in the good way.

Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street is a notable street in Melbourne. Running roughly parallel to the Yarra River. It's named after the explorer Mattew Flinders, erroneously credited with discovering Port Phillip at the time of its naming. Fun fact that it is actually another explorer named John Murray who had discovered the port only ten weeks earlier. One of the must-see attractions is Flinders Street Station, which serves the entire metropolitan rail network and is the busiest station in Melbourne. It was the first railway station in an Australia city. The main building is a cultural icon of Melbourne with it's prominent dorm, arched entrance, tower and clocks. It's one of the city's recognized landmarks. Funny enough that the Melburnian saying " I'll meet you under the clocks " refers to the row of clocks above the main entrance. (#Flindersstreetstation)

Yarra River

At night it becomes a mirror for all the city lights. At daytime it brings gentle breeze to populace. Boats and light fast craft glide alone the banks. Shopping malls and restaurants are located along the banks. Well worth for a promenade and wander the significance of each and every building, bridge, historic spots and well known venues.

There are numerous bars, grill and buffet restaurants, most of them beautifully decorated. You can have even captain yourself on a boat or dine in an incredible cruise restaurant. We just enjoyed the tranquility of the river, had a leisure stroll from Fedration Square over graceful Princes Bridge to the banks. (#thingstodoinYarraRiver)

Down Town -

State Library Victoria

Federation Square

St.Patrick's Cathedral

City Circle Tram service is one of the most convenient ways to see the city’s highlights and travel from one point to the next which is so much fun for us. With such essential Melbourne-area attractions accessible along the route,we are able to visit palaces without our own transport available. How wonderful it is. We went to the State Library Victory, Federation Square and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Camberwell Sunday Market

Fortunately, we arrived at Saturday and were able to go to the Sunday Market next day. This is an incredible place with various things, anything you can think of, from plants,clothes,accessories or antique to unique collectibles or paintings even tea cups. It is renowned for its specialty shops, offering unique and niche products and experiences, guaranteed to surprise, excite and inspire. Certainly, we got some trophies but I am not gonna show you here.

Road Trip

Claire suggest us rent a car claiming that it would be more convenient to other attractions.Fair enough Venus and Pearl can't bear to take long period train or something. So we just did that. Claire will drive anyway so I have nothing to complain about. Not until we were in the middle of nowhere and got lost when I woke up!Luckily, Claire and Steph, her roommate who came with us, gonna called her Steph here, figured it out and lead us to the next secret spot.

Coolart Wetlands & Homestead, Mornington Peninsula

Coolart Homestead is a magnificent late Victorian mansion. You can explore the historic farming property throughout different walking tracks to have a bird watching or leisurely picnicking in the gardens with trees from all around the world including the exotic Gingko from China which I never seen it before and the majestic Blue Atlas Cedar from Algeria and Morocco. If you are into historic buildings or plants, it's well worth visiting.

Moonlit Sanctuary

When Claire was in central Melbourne, there was not a chance to see wild animals. So that would be great to encounter these amazing animals. Koalas and kangaroos are the best! We spent $24 per person. They also have this premium package for koala petting ,owl holding even dingo walk with keeper. Not sure about this. Seems too commercial for me. Not judging by any means. Might be great experience for some people. Anyway, it was so thrilled to see those animals. Surprisingly, Venus and Pearl had a wonderful time. Not jokingly, it was like taking two kids to Disney land. Come if you love animals too.

We are such foodies

We went to some nice and elegant restaurant. What I love about Australia is that they are super vegan friendly, almost every restaurant have veggie options. Especially,the alternative milk options are various. Soy flat white is my favorite. Not to mention how they set the dishes and how beautiful the colors and all that! Of course, we did order some Asian food for Pearl and Venus. They are not big fan of burgers after all. But they do fond of the coffee!

Peninsula Hot Spring

Peninsula Hot Springs is a natural hot mineral spring and spa center. It's really cool that we can have the spa outdoor. The hot mineral water flows from deep underground into the pools while we completely immerse ourselves in the natural water. The best part is the hilltop pool with 360 degree view of the region which you can even watch the sunset.That is stunning.

Bathing Box, Mornington

To me, the beach with colorful rainbow houses are absolutely beautiful. But little did I know the original story of these iconic bathing boxes.Turned out that in the early 20th due to morality reason, they were designed to separate water area from men and women. But now, public morality no longer being of concern, they are now mostly used to have a good time at the beach. As a fact that no new boxes are allowed. For that reason their value has skyrocketed, in some instances fetching more than A$350,000. That's crazy.