Day 8 - City of Melbourne (Docklands Flea Market, Queen Victoria Market, Bourke Street)
As usual, Ida and I started the day by working out at the gym. Initially we wanted to have a run at the nearest park from our AirBnB, but we afraid that we still kinda unfamiliar with the direction and don't want to waste time searching for uncertain place. Australia has become my favorite place to work out now and it's a big deal for me.
By the way, we stayed at The William which located at William St. It was so nice and all the necessities were provided. There were 2 bedrooms with extra bed at the living room, so it was sufficient for all of us. Mojo conquered the bed in the living room and the girls took their own preferred room.
We completed our morning work out at 9am and get ready for our day. We were planning to go to the morning flea market first at Waterfront City. We took the free tram and went towards Dockland Pier. There were not so many sellers as it was early in the morning. After all, all we need were good photos.
Inside the tram
What a classic train
The flea market was like carboot sale in Malaysia. Then we went to the Queen Victoria Market. I'm giving you heads up, please do not expect any cool pictures at this market. Because I was full of myself and focusing on what to buy.
Queen Victoria Market is the largest and intact market in Australia. It was really huge and crowded with people all the time. The Queen Victoria Market is historically, architecturally and socially significant and has been listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. It has become an increasingly important tourist attraction in the city of Melbourne.
The Market is open every day of the week except Mondays. On Wednesday evenings in the summer months, a night market which offers dining, bars, live entertainment and a variety of other stalls. It offers both local and international visitors a variety of fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, gourmet and delicatessen foods as well as specialty delicacies.
We spent more than 3 hours here and finally felt hungry. We searched for halal kebab stall and found Market Kebab. Mojo ordered the Halal Snack Pack and it was extremely huge and could make you full and bloated.
It was around 4.30pm and we decided to spent our time at Bourke Street. Just having some chill time while enjoying the street performances. Nadiah, Nawal and Nadira were having their own time to get the shopping done. The rest of us wondered around the street and nearest shopping malls.
There was a street performer named Leon. He is talented and got fantastic voice. Mojo has become his fan and followed him on social media. Before it's getting dark, we went home and cooked some pasta for dinner. That was how we end our day, basically shopping.
Day 9 - City of Melbourne (Melbourne City Marina, St Paul Catholic church, Hosier Lane St Art, Flinders St Station, State Library of Victoria, China Town, Queens Bridge, The Meat & Wine Co Restaurant)
That morning, we felt a little bit confident to go outside for working out. So we went to the Melbourne City Marina which was located at the Waterfront city that we went yesterday. So we took the tram towards Docklands Pier. But it was a bit special as we woke up early and prepared our own breakfast. We planned to have outdoor breakfast by the pier. We brought our outer wear so we just need to change into a proper clothes and meet them later.
Once we changed our clothes, we headed to the street art to meet the rest of the squads. It is called Hosier Lane Street Art. Every wall at this street are covered and painted by cool drawings.
Then we headed to Flinders Railway Station at Flinders St. It was really near so we decided to walk. Along the way, we stopped by at the St Paul Catholic Church to take some photos. The architecture of this building was superb. You can actually enter the church without any fees to witness the beauty of other religion and their worship place. It was another experience that you can gain.
The Melburnian saying "I'll meet you under the clocks" refers to the row of clocks above the main entrance, which indicate the time-tabled time of departure for trains on each line. Another saying, "I'll meet you on the steps", refers to the wide staircase underneath these clocks.
Flinders Street railway station is a railway station on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is the located at the center of CBD. It is the busiest station on Melbourne's metropolitan network and the busiest railway station in Australia. I went there twice just for the sake of pictures, at the daylight and that night. You will see how pretty the building was igniting the light.
As I was in hurry, I didn't bring my camera. I used my phone to capture this building at night. It was so beautiful.
Can you see there are no Nadiah and Nadira on above pictures? Nadiah was on her way and will met us at the library while Nadira was already at the library. We headed to the library by free tram.
State Library Victoria is the central library of the state of Victoria and is Australia's oldest public library and one of the first free libraries in the world. There are a lot of reading room and my favorite is The La Trobe. From this reading room, you can actually witness the vast view of whole building from the inside.
The grassy lawn in front of the library's grand entrance on Swanston Street is a popular lunch-spot for the city's workers and students at the adjacent RMIT University. Since it was the last day for Mojo, Nawal and I, we decided to have laid back day. So we spent some time with the other students chilling on the grass.
Then we got separated again. Nadiah and Nadirah were searching for things to buy meanwhile the rest of us, decided to go to the Brouke St again. We went to the China town. I was busy recording the video and forgot to take pictures in China town. We promised to meet up during dinner. We will eating out and having fine dining. So here I'm sharing random photos of us wondering around the city.
We agreed to meet the others at the restaurant. It was The Meat & Wine Co restaurant. Before I go further, this restaurant offers halal menu for Muslims especially. You can get delicious chicken and steak here. A bit pricey but why not for our last day here.
It was located in front of the Queen's Bridge. Before we got into the restaurant, we went through the bridge. Guess what, I found Malaysia's board on this bridge. How proud and excited I was!
After the unforgettable dinner, we had a photoshoot session on the bridge. I was having mix feelings about leaving such a beautiful country. I made so much memories and I will cherish those moments in my heart.
It summed up our last night in Melbourne. We had really blast time since day 1. All the difficulties and barriers were possible with Haloii gang. Ohh do I mention we have our own squad name? haha just for fun tho, by the way I'm the founder of haloii gang. If you are free you can open the hashtag haloiigang on instagram and see our posts through out the adventure in Melbourne.
Nawal, Mojo and I were flying back to Malaysia the next morning meanwhile Nadiah, Nadira and Ida will continue their journey to Sydney. I wish I can join them but my job and responsibility is waiting for me. So I choose priority plus I don't have enough annual leave left.
No, not yet. I'm not done. Do you remember about my vlog? Yes, I'm working on it and progressing. I will surely announce on my social media once the videos are done. Yes, videos, that's mean more than one! Please anticipate for it.
And if you are wondering and wishing to know more about our journey, below are the instagram of #haloiigang
Ida : @zubaidahzack
Mojo : @mohamedfaris_
Kirah : @nhnsykrh
Nawal : @nawalnazihah
Nadira : @nurulnadira
Nadiah: @nadiahruslee
Thanks a lot for reading until the end! No hate, just love...
