Melbourne – Viktoria Jean

[MELBOURNE] oo4. WINTER SNAPSHOTS

What’s great in Melbourne, besides taking photos with koala bears and trying not to get ass-kicked by kangaroos in their local zoos? . Just walk around the central business district and you’ll be surprised by all kinds of quirky finds. Hipster cafes, graffitied streets, an alley dedicated to pub-crawlers, giant chess pieces for challenging an opponent you’ve never met…the list goes on. Winter does not stop Melbourne from being still one of the best places to be.

I have a confession to make: I’m into grocery shopping. Australia is my favourite place for stocking up big-time on coffee and cereals. Their supermarts boasts the craziest selection of bottled juices and smoothies (that effectively kills snacking urges, because it’s just too damn hard to say no to one of the world’s yummiest gummies (Starburst!) and chocolates (Haigh’s), both of which are classic buys when you’re in this part of the world. Unless of course, you’re a Special K Addict and your luggage is jam-packed with boxes of these stuff.

xoxo,
Viktoria Jean

September 14, 2014April 12, 2015 by VIKTORIA JEAN

[MELBOURNE] oo3. Grand Hyatt Melbourne

제가 멜버른에 갔을 때 호텔 방의 인테리어돌며 (✖╭╮✖) 열이 때문에 12 시간 잤다. 그 후 일하러 준비 일어났다. 멜버른에있는 그랜드 하얏트 호텔에 머무는 즐길 수 있습니다. 호텔 방은 넓고 크고 개인 미팅 룸이있다. 침대에서 일어나 싶지는 않을! 아플 때, 작품은 끔찍한 일이다. 좋은 동료에를 향한 감사.

Running a fever whilst spending a day in Melbourne meant sleeping for 12 hours straight, then waking up in time for work. Thankfully we were staying in Grand Hyatt which has the best beds ever. Ever so reluctant to wake up to reality. My throat infection wasn’t any better either, and as always, working while feeling unwell is a nightmare. Thank goodness for nice and entertaining colleagues.

아주 피로했기 때문에, 내 방은 엉망이었다. 일반적으로 제 방은 약간 깔끔한이다 (⊙﹏⊙✿)
Pardon the mess.

xoxo,
Viktoria Jean

March 15, 2014April 12, 2015 by VIKTORIA JEAN

[MELBOURNE] oo2. Caffe e Torta

Upon touchdown I had managed to catch a good nights’ sleep (albeit, due to time difference, it was 3am Melbourne time when I finally crashed), and even woke up for hotel breakfast early next morning. Late afternoon, I ventured into the CBD area with hopes of locating Hardware Societe which was further out past Collins Street, but to no avail! Darn Google Maps pointed me in the wrong direction; for some crazy reason, even my GPS is screwed up. But I’m glad that happened, because I stumbled upon Caffe e Torta on Little Collins, and had the most juicy and scrumptious hot apple strudel with ice cream I’ve ever had! The only other worthy contender being the Cafè Braun in Mondsee, Salzburg.

The whole ambience at Caffe e Torta was reminiscent of Italian sidewalk cafes, hence the Italian-inspired name. The baristas and waitresses were all amazingly chirpy, just as how all Australians appear to be. Didn’t get my order of flat white because I was intending to sleep some more when I got back to my hotel, regrettably, but I would regret more if I stayed up all evening from the overdose of caffeine.

As I got ready to fly home yesterday, I felt tremendously blessed and so spoilt for choices. Whilst others cafè-hop in their own countries, I get to explore quaint cafes in every city I travel to. And I get to experience cultures or practices deviant to and unlike my own. It’s scary because this nomadic lifestyle is the kind I love and could stick to forever, because seeing the world puts things back home in simultaneously greater and finer perspectives. I want to shake hands with all parts of the world everyday, forever.

314 Little Collins St,
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
+61 434 595 885

xoxo,
Viktoria Jean

December 20, 2013April 12, 2015 by VIKTORIA JEAN

[MELBOURNE] oo1. Flinders Street Coffee

Since this roomy hangout was right next to our hotel, I checked myself in for my daily caffeine fix! But I didn’t get my order of latte or else I won’t be able to catch some sleep before going for work. Settled for their signature spinach and cheese roll which managed to look pretty good while tasting home-made and wholesome. I had my book with me to while away the time, and being WiFi-enabled was a major plus-point. FSC’s interior was incredibly spacious, and surprisingly empty for a Wednesday afternoon. Also loved the welcoming vibes from the baristas and the entire cafe’s ambience.

290 Flinders Street,
Melbourne

For some reason I was sooo tired this trip. Just felt like concussing in bed the entire day, thus only managing to stock up groceries and drystores which I would need when I reach Moscow tomorrow. Am so behind on Christmas and festive gift shopping. Then again I wouldn’t be home till 2014…

xoxo,
Viktoria Jean

December 19, 2013April 12, 2015 by VIKTORIA JEAN

Travel-diary: Melbourne

Perhaps I’m not too much of a winter person. Hiding from the incessant drizzle in the heated warmth of the hotel just shows what a coward I am!

Checked in at Rendezvous Melbourne in the evening. Dinner was at Nando’s, before bumming with Rena and watching Running Man till we almost dropped dead from laughing and fatigue.

Breakfast-ed at Straits Cafe the next morning, then took a tram up to Victoria Market with Zen and Sean.
The market is where organic fruits, sausages, raw meat and local dairy products are rumoured to be the freshest and most sought-after.

Bought a bag of my favourite macadamia nuts and as usual, tasted the local coffee! (Still wildly in love with Italian Caffe Shakerato)

Also nibbled on some local chocolates, ribs and sausages… Has it been scientifically proven that taste buds do get frozen in the cold? Because sadly, mine were practically in winter hibernation.