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Or was it 9? Can’t say for sure but definitely missing a few to make 12. Nature must have claimed the 4 Apostles. Does it matter? Naaaaaahhhhh. Them rocks are awesome. Geeesssshhhh, there’s that word again. On this roadtrip, the rocks make a grand show towards the end of the coastal, cliff-hugging drive where each bend promises breathtaking views one after the other. Just as well. It can be butt-numbing, as one may even suspect “boring” having to start as early as 7:30am and back to Melbourne CBD by 9:30pm. But it was a glorious day trip with a well-planned itinerary which combined mid-morning tea and biscuits at the beach, lunch in Apollo Bay, a walk through the Rainforest and meet-greet with the resident koalas (no luck with the kangaroos) and colorful birds, till that final leg of the scenic drive. (The Rainforest Walk was a great addition to the itinerary. Great to stretch those leg muscles and breathe in the cool air under the shade of giant trees. The Koalas and birds are a bonus.)
Even if there were only 8 apostles, you won’t find me complaining. Or whinging, as they call it here in OZ land. The view is only a tad “spoiled” because we had to take shots against the sunlight, but nevertheless awe-inspiring. Wind and water as architects of these natural rock formations dotting the southern coast of the Australian continent. So lovely. We didn’t do the helicopter ride but we certainly didn’t miss out nor feel cheated “settling” for this majestic vista from a promontory which can be reached through a short hike from the bus parking grounds. I’m telling you, by this time of day you’d certainly want to go for that walk. But I must say the heli-ride is great for beating the tourist crowd and getting those superb shots without those heads, shadows and glare. It will cost you though 😉 but hey, if you can afford it, GO!
Now, don’t even think the panoramic views will leave you beach-fatigued throughout the 150-mile Great Ocean Road. While I’m one who doesn’t grow tired of ocean vistas, I swear there are marked variations. Initially, the rough-hewn rocky coastline reminded me of our scenic drive along the Great Pacific Highway (from LA to San Francisco, California). Then the winding cliff-hugging drive and surf transported me back to my memorable Garden Route drive in Capetown, South Africa. Combine these 2 and throw in those apostles (12 or 8, who cares?) and voila! Truly, GREAT precedes this OCEAN ROAD. This is the highlight of our trip to Melbourne and for those visiting, I would venture to suggest staying overnight to break this 14-hour roadtrip southwest of Melbourne. That, plus the likelihood of shooting the Apostles at dusk or break of dawn. Now, tell me about that!
This Monument With An Eternal Flame Guards The Shrine
I have a friend in Melbourne who has not been to the Shrine of Remembrance. That is sad. Been there. But for the truly Great Ocean Roadtrip, a visit to this Shrine was the highlight of our Melbourne adventure. More so because we visited just before Anzac Day which was celebrated every April 25.
The Trenches of Gallipoli (Turkey 2009)
I have been to Gallipoli in Turkey back in 2009. I did not have much expectation of the site outside of it being sandwiched between my visits to Istanbul and Troy. Hardly read up on it (tales of Istanbul got me hooked!) and was thus completely clueless by the time we reached Gallipoli. . Our Turkish guide then was all passion and pride as he narrated to us the significance of that site. I pulled myself in and out of some trenches — preserved to this day — used by soldiers during the war to have a “feel” of the struggles, sacrifices and burdens of duty in a war that counted many casualties. That was my “introduction” to Anzac Day and Gallipoli. A very fitting one, indeed.
The Shrine of Remembrance (Melbourne)
Anzac Day honors the gallant men among the Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. This national day of remembrance starts with a dawn service which was way “too early” for us. We went a day early and instead witnessed the preparations. We felt privileged to join a tour of the Shrine with a volunteer guide named Judy, who shared the same passion and pride as my 2009 Gallipoli guide from Turkey. Judy repeated the lines “In war, there is decency” as if we had to be reminded every so often. She mouthed those lines with so much fire & passion that anyone would feel guilty for enjoying the peace now resulting from the wars fought by men and women for love of country.
The Day Before Anzac Day (Melbourne)
The soldiers of both sides then were decent as they were gallant. The ANZAC force landed in Gallipoli on April 25 as part of the Allied Forces. They intended to knock the Ottomans out of war who were then allied with the Germans. Met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal (later known as Atatürk, the Father of Modern Turkey), the confrontation resulted in a stalemate which dragged for 8 months. There were over 20,000 Allied casualties which included 8,709 from Australia and 2,721 from New Zealand. No real victors from this war. But as Judy repeated many times over, DECENCY AND RESPECT WON. Those soldiers from both sides observed the tenets of morality and good character. “In war, there is decency. There is respect.”
This is the view from the trenches of Gallipoli (Turkey)
In Gallipoli, I found this message inscribed in stone for all visitors to see, read and appreciate.
“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives……….you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours………..You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives in this land , they have become our sons as well. ”
This Moving Monument in Gallipoli Speaks Volumes
Truly, a legacy so powerful it conditioned the minds of those who understand the pains and sacrifices of wars.
Seventy Odd Years
We recall the early years
And thank God for these blessings
Such a delight this life
With triumphs and a few fights.
Ten years of separation and a whole ocean apart
Love spans many miles and travels over ebbs and tides,Sisters at birth; joined at the hearts
Survivors, from the same bodily hurts.
What’s there to celebrate at 70?
God’s precious gifts of love & lifeFamily & Friends
Come, help us celebrate!
The bridge from a hotel window. Sunrise. On a clear sunny day. Late night. How good is that?
Harbour Bridge at 6am
Harbour Bridge at 11am
Harbour Bridge at 12mn
We booked a room at Harbourview Hotel in North Sydney and the hotel truly lives up to its name. I stared in awe at that lovely vista different hours of the day. At night, I noticed the lights were on way past midnight. The view is worth every cent of the hotel room rate.
Room With A View
The Hotel
What makes it even great is that the hotel is just a couple of hundred meters away from the metro and a skip and a hop from Sushiro Gourmet Fusion Restaurant where I had a delicious lunch with my elves. The dining place opens at 11:30am but we were there as early as 11am. We waited while we decided on lunch.
Sushiro Japanese Fusion Resto
Nice Touch.
We picked sashimi and sushi from the belt which weaved around the bar. We ordered from the menu too and also indulged in our fav green tea ice cream. Then off on a train ride back to the city. Voila!
SUSHIRO
Green Tea Ice Cream
I’d say it’s about a 10 minute walk from the Waverton Station which we passed on our drive towards the Balls Head Reserve. This hidden treasure offers an intimate view of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the city skyline. All these WITHOUT THE CROWDS!
Thanks for this photo, Lin & Greg!
Think about it. You’d be lucky to have a photo of the Opera House without tourists with cameras on outstretched arms. And if you’re thinking of snapping a photo while on a ferry ride, do remember you need to compete with many ferry riders with the same idea. Balls Head Reserve is a good spot to take photos of those iconic landmarks.
Less than one kilometre from Waverton Station, Balls Head Reserve offers a sanctuary for those meaning to spend a quiet morning or afternoon. The Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the city skyline across turquoise waters are a bonus. Such an unexplored gem. A hidden treasure, if you like. And if you still have the energy for a good stroll, move over to the Mosman Bay area where you’d find lovely villas lining a wharf area. The boats parked here will tell you it’s a busy jetty.
Now, to get even “more intimate”, reserve a night and head to The Rocks area right under the bridge from where you view the Opera and Luna Park across the waters. Away from the restaurant and pub rows. There’s a tiny park right under the bridge with an illuminated view of Luna Park across the waters. Just lovely. And quiet. Not sure if we just chanced it, but there was hardly a crowd here when we visited. Nighttime is best to appreciate these Sydney icons all illuminated….. Speaking of which, check out Vivid Sydney from May 23 to June 9. The Opera and the Harbour Bridge, along with the city skyline should look more impressive here. Maybe lovelier, but can’t bet on the “quiet” as the event will draw in more tourists for sure.
A Weekend In Lake Conjola
Holiday Home In Lake Conjola
It’s a small town with less than 400 people in the region of Ulladulla along the South Coast of New South Wales. We could have reached it in slightly over 2 hours from Sydney but we didn’t fail to drop in on some must-see destinations along the way. We prepared for a chilly weekend of kayaking, beach bumming, picnics, birdwatching or kangaroo-watching. No fishing. Not much time nor patience, I guess.
JERVIS BAY
The first stop was the charming town of Berry. But that deserves a separate blog. So allow me to skip that and instead dwell on beach and lake destinations. The marina in Jervis Bay tells a story. Boats for hire for dolphin-watching adventures. Fishing as a gentleman’s sport. Oysters clustered around rocks. No picnic tables, but grassy grounds inviting a neatly laid-out mat and a basket of goodies. Just wish for sunny spells and clear days, and do mind the birds. If you’re not into fishing nor dolphin watching, beach walking is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. The youngest member of the family (Latte, the dog) had a blast running around. For lunch, we had a picnic of oysters, roast chicken, shrimps, fries and chips bought from the neighborhood cafe. Still warm from the oven, we munched through lunch and slurped the oysters with glee.
HYAMS BAY
Much hype over the finest, whitest sands in the whole world. And all that hype is supported by such a record in the Guinness Book held by this small town situated on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia. I used to say “sugar-fine sand”. The sand here is NOT just that. It is as fine and as white as FLOUR. Yes, flour. Latte seemed invisible in the white sands of Hyams. We were simply too happy to find this beach sans the typical tourist crowds. What a gem! Amazing how this beach has remained under the tourist radar for so long. When we got here, there were only a few couples with rolled-up pants and even fewer swimsuit-clad girls enjoying the sand and surf. I wonder how crowded this place could be in friendlier temps. With the wind blowing and this late in autumn, the sun and sand may not be inviting enough. A romantic stroll just before sunset easily comes to mind. But be sure to wrap up!
FINALLY, LAKE CONJOLA
As soon as we arrived, I strolled right down to the lip of the lake. So quiet. So tranquil. A lonely dinghy sits by the edge. The setting sun mirrored on the face of the lake. I waited. Twilight is my favorite time of day. I could hear the chirping of the birds nearby. Looking around, I envied the house by the lake edge with a sprawling yard. The owners can literally roll from the staircase towards the lake. Seriously.
The holiday home is just perfect for my family. All of 4 bedrooms and 2 baths plus a cozy living room welcoming guests to prop up their feet to watch movies on the teevee. We claimed our spots, wine glass in hand. And relaxed, while the meat was boiling to render it tender. The aroma perks up our appetite. The wind breezes through the slight opening from the kitchen window. The tender meat is ready. The noodles al dente. The chopped veggies ready to be thrown in. Purrfect……
Before long, we were feasting on hot noodle soups and roasted pork for dinner. We planned on kayaking and just beach bumming the next day. If we are lucky, maybe we’d chance upon a couple of kangaroos. We could have talked on and on, as the children never seemed to tire going up and down the double decker bed. We could have unscrewed another bottle of shiraz but it was a long day. The beds and the warm duvets are waiting to enfold us for some needed Zzzzzzzzzzzzz’s. Holiday people we were 😉
The following day, we drove to the beach area. Too cold for swimming but the more placid and nearby lake made kayaking the younger members’ main event for the day. The novelty and the joy justified having to lug around all those inflatables on the car’s racks. For sure, it was one afternoon those young ones won’t forget. Who cares if they got their butts wet on this chilly afternoon? Who gives a hoot if their arms ached from all that rowing? We watched them as they rowed to the sandbar where pelicans bigger than our family dogs and other birds rested in peace. I watched as I ate chips with sand. The cold wind pulled down the temps just as it threw sand into our bags of nachos and chips. But really, who cares? Truly, LIFE IS A BEACH! (Thank you, Rookie and Vanie for this most wonderful weekend)
Oh, btw, we got lucky. See if you can spot the 2 kangaroos in these photos.
Call it a conspiracy. Everyone knew but her. Believe it or not, even the family dog seemed to be in on it, except her. Turning 70 is a milestone and we’re not leaving any stone unturned just to pull this big surprise.
I flew into Sydney with the 2 “elves” (grandkids). Took PAL thinking our flight’s ETD was 10:45pm. Surprise, Surprise! It was actually 9:10pm. Flight skeds changed without notice? Did we miss it? Naaahhh. We were at the airport thinking we were way too early. Took a pee break at 8pm, grabbed a drink, and trooped back to our gate only to find we were the last 3 to board! Ran for it and finally put on our seatbelts almost out of breath.
So we made it…. and landed 3 hours early in Sydney. My niece jumped out of bed at 7am when I messaged her that the “package has arrived”. By the time we reached the doorstep, all surprise plans went haywire. Lack of sleep and stressful departures do that to you. Just the same, we pulled off the surprise sans a video 😦
Two days after, a niece arrived. That’s surprise #4 (the first 3 being moí+the 2 elves). The following week my dear couple friends arrived. I’ve rested well enough by then and didn’t fail to document the whole surprise scene.
All set for the party now. April 27. Six surprise packages. Great Gatsby theme. Black, White, Silver and Gold. Only the 70 year old dons RED. Surprised? Yes. Happy? Yes. We did it! Friends and family all here to celebrate a milestone in my sister’s life. Life is a celebration!
An Autumn Glow
A YABU LUNCH
Just a day short. Waiting to pick up my elves today and then, just one more day. Tired from a week of exams, but giddy with excitement over the summer break. The chapel in school is where I wait for them. A good spot under the trees which by now seem to have an “autumn glow” after a couple of hours of rain. Kids even had fun standing under one tree as it sheds off its tiny orange-y flowers as the wind blows.
Summer beckons. What’s the plan, the elves ask? Well……
Been here. Done that. Posted photos here and there.
When friends called to ask who arranged our trip, or that they didn’t know you can swim (in the pool) and go bamboo-rafting in Villa Escudero, I began to realize that many go there just for the lunch by the falls and the cultural performance. Some didn’t even bother to do the museum tour where one finds centuries-old carrozas (floats), religious icons, family memorabilias (Escudero family), the Filipino alphabet, currency and doll collections from all over the world, and so many other antique collections of the Escuderos.
Kundiman Singing+ Carabao Ride in Villa Escudero
Narrow Bamboo Rafts. Great for rowing! Villa Escudero.
In my earlier blog on Villa Escudero, I highly recommended this trip to balikbayans, foreign guests, or simply to families longing to show their young children how life was in earlier times. It’s both a nostalgic and educational trip for the young and adults. The statues to be found there may not look so appealing but they showcase many Filipino traditions and lifestyles. Here’s where you can recount those stories of your younger days to the little ones or those born and grown in foreign lands who only read about them. The statues leave better memories. They complement the stories!
Physical (Rowing) and Soothing at the same time. Villa Escudero.
Lunch is served! By the falls. Villa Escudero.
The highways make these trips a breeze. You can leave as late as 8:30am, driving through SLEX and ACTEX till you reach the boundary of Laguna and Quezon. Soon after you pass the boundary marked by a Welcome Arch, turn left towards Villa Escudero. You register and pay P1,400 for a day tour which includes a Museum Tour, lunch by the falls, carabao rides, use of facilities like swimming pool and bamboo rafts. Senior citizens get a hefty discount and pay only P1,000!
Cultural show at 2pm. Villa Escudero
Performers are ALL employees and their kin. Villa Escudero
Arriving way before lunch, we did the Museum tour then took the carabao ride to bring us to the lunch area by the falls. Lunch was platefuls of grilled fish, chicken and pork belly, caldereta (beef), salad and banana cues! After lunch and while waiting for the 2pm cultural performance, you can take a dip by the pool and/or take one of the narrow bamboo rafts and exercise those arm muscles amidst a grand view of the cottages and trees by the water. Soothing yet physical, the activity renders you longing for a glass of halo halo or young coconut juice to savor while watching the dancers perform on stage.
Villa Escudero dancers.
Cultural show’s choreography by national artist Obusan, no less!
The cultural show ends at 3pm. Early enough to drive a few more minutes from Villa Escudero to visit Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Workshop. Getting here was a challenge. The only landmark from the Maharlika Highway driving further past Villa Escudero was the Petron Gas Station and Iglesia ni Kristo on your right. Soon after passing them, take a left and look for Alvarez Village. Ugu’s workshop, gardens cum dining place is on your left. No signs, but easy to spot the red brick one-story house with a sprawling garden as soon as you enter the village.
Ugu Bigyan Pottery workshop. Tiaong. Quezon.
Patis Tito. Formerly Kusina Ni salud of Viajes del sol fame. San Pablo City
From Ugu’s place, we drove back towards San Pablo City to check out Sulyap Cafe. On our way there, we found a sign towards Patis Tito, formerly Kusina ni Salud. Really, finding these Viaje del Sol spots is quite a challenge. We had snacks here of suman (glutinous rice) and another forgettable “kakanin” and sat there watching how unkept the place was. Guess they spruce up the place only for big groups. I hope.
Patis tito. Ex-Kusina Ni Salud
By the time we reached Sulyap Cafe after missing several turns and U-turns, we were tired but still full from the merienda. We visited the art gallery inside before an intended supper there, but found the place too gloomy to spend dinner time there. Dark, gloomy, nearly haunted. Maybe the place is suitable for romantic dates. Not for us. So we chose to simply drive back to Manila instead.
Patis Tito
Patis Tito. Kusina Ni Salud. Viajes del sol.
The entire trip to Villa Escudero with sidetrips to Ugu Bigyan, Kusina ni Salud and Sulyap Cafe & Gallery lasted from 8am to 8:30pm. Not bad. It’s a good roadtrip….. Just arm yourself with a good dose of patience looking for these spots with hardly any markers. Happy driving!
Patis Tito. Resto and garden.
Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery Workshop.
Sulyap Gallery Cafe. San Pablo City. Viajes del Sol.
lifeisacelebration 