Melbourne winter Getaway

Recently I read a book which talked about how by taking a break can help us to reach our goals.  It is so true that each of us need to take time to rest our body and mind regularly.  I learned this important lesson the hard way.  Over the past 3 years, the stress of working full time and looking after a household brought my stress level to peak by Nov.  The end result is one traffic infringement costing me ranging from$150 to $300++ each year during the month of November :(. Well it took me 3 years to recognize the pattern plus a warning letter.  So this year I decided to take regular sanity break plus a long holiday in the month of November.  Let's see whether this trick will work =^.^=

So this winter I am so excited to be able to have a long weekend away to the beautiful Melbourne.  Straight after work, I was catching a flight.  Thank God that the traffic was not horrendous.

Me having my preflight snack at the waiting lounge.  Trying the new Iced coffee flavoured milk which is not too sweet.  There is also the double strength version but I didn't dare to try in case I have insomnia that night.

Complimentary In-flight snack

Shiraz I had was a pretty smooth medium bodied wine with flavours of plum and spicy berry.
Interestingly the pretzels are made in Egypt and shipped all the way to Australia.

Due to the bad windy winter night, my flight arrived 50 mins later than the scheduled time.  Something to bear in mind when u fly into Melbourne during winter.

30 mins cab ride and $90 later finally arrive at my friend's beautiful apartment.  Lucky me cos I am the first guest to stay over at her new apartment.


First stop next monday was HAPPY LAB @ Chadstone shopping centre

I discovered this shop during my January trip to Melbourne.  My sister loves their SALTED CARAMEL POPCORN.   Unfortunately there isn't any branch in Melbourne CBD.  So my friend had to make a special trip to Chadstone shopping centre so that I can bring some home for her.

Lucky for me they are having big sale on selected items so I ended up with...

Before I could take a photo of The test tube of salted peanut, it was downed by a 3 years old in 30 mins with a little bit of help w from couple of adults.

It was so windy and cold that we just randomly pick a cafe along St Kilda Road to have a quick lunch while catching up with old friends.  We ended up in Allegra Cafe.  The food was cheap but wasn't anything fancy.  Just a place for us to escape the cold wind plus rain.

Second exciting stop was Koko Black on Collins st.  I stumbled across Koko Balck 2 years ago when I holidayed here with mum.  Beautiful packaging - love the vintage desing using lavender purple color against black.  Unfortunately, I was only able to stop by to pick up some gifts for mum.  She loves the dark chocolate block from Koko Black.  She reckons they are the best dark chocolate she tried so far.  3 blocks for $23.

During my break from my work engagement, I walked around the shops in the Collins place.  I stopped at Laurent for a coffee break but unfortunately their latte was a bit burned today :(  The pretty small macaroon was $2.45 and was not that fantastic either.  Kind of regret not going to Koko Black across the road.

Well, at least my dinner at Sofitel made up for the disappointing coffee break.  This is a pretty view from Level 35.

And my night just got even better when I get to OM NOM the dessert bar @ Flinders Lane.  Be sure to make a booking otherwise you will be disappointed for not getting a table.  Lovely atmosphere.

The famous RASPBERRY FIELD *

Raspberry and Lychee Sorbet, Raspberry and Rosewater Panna Cotta, 

Lychee and Rosewater Spheres, Meringue 

Although the presentation was not perfect due ton one of the mushroom tumbling down, the taste was AMAZING.

I can't wait to visit this place again.  Next time I will have to make sure I didn't have a 3 course dinner prior to coming here.

To be Continued...