The Seventh of January

Special day for me. Only me.

The day I flew to Canada with my little monster thirteen years ago.
The day I extremely felt grateful to my husband.
The day I said good-bye to my mom for entire my life. I lost her while in Canada.


Memories is basically fading from our mind as time has passed.
Mine of spending time in Canada becomes more clearly.

Probably my son now remembers just small part of Canadian life.
Probably my family I left in Japan at the moment don't care about it now.

I care Canada for good.

Trip to Melbourne - miscellaneous

Last day in Melbourne.
I had a little more time until checking out my hotel. I got up early to go Queen Victoria Market. Fortunately it was close to my hotel.



Sun rise was around 7: 30 am. Still dark, but many people including local came to the market for shopping groceries. Half of shops or cafe were stll closed.
Looking around in the market was always fun.  I bought macadamia nuts, had breakfast, got cheese for souvenirs for family.




This was my last breakfast in Melbourne.
Seems famous shop, but no waiting people, sometime business man got this tasty hotdogs with tons of sauerkraut.

Bratwurst Shop & Co  http://www.qvm.com.au/shops-and-stalls/bratwurst-shop-co/


I was done my suitcase packing, checked out hotel. I took Skybus to the airport. 
I transited at Kuala Lumpur, finally got to Japan. It was busy and tough trip.

However, my trip is always fun.

Trip to Melbourne - One day trip to Great Ocean Road

On second day in Melbourne, I went to Great Ocean Road by bus tour. This is an aim I came to Melbourne this time.
Not rainy day, but cloudy. Weather is important to enjoy a trip.  Bus driver told us always shower in here, don't need to worry about it.

I know summer is best season to enjoy, but about thirty people were in a bus tour. It takes three hours for one way and take a break on the way, so very tight schedule. The driver is funny guy, and guides us with historical and funny talk.



This is a road map. We are going to drive a coast until Port Cambell and come back on forest road.



  

On the way to road, we had a morning tea time with cake. This made us warm for cold day.
We started to drive again to Great ocean road, took a break on some nice view points, actually it was very long road. I enjoyed window view as much as I can.
I love window view from a car or train. Nothing to think about, no phone, no talking with people or no reading just watching outside. Outside view makes me be calm and relax all the time. I love this time and sometime need it because escaping from the daily life.

     

We had one hour lunch break at Apollo Bay. Small peaceful town, so we felt easy to have lunch. There were many small shops, cafe or restaurants besides main street. I enjoyed walking around street, seaside after lunch.

  

Twelve Apostles is main break point. Many visitors were there to take pictures walking.
Getting windy, so wild here.


















   

Loch and Gorge and Gibsons Steps is break points.
The driver gave us about thirty minutes at each points. Getting off or getting on the bus was a little hard, but I wanted walking outside so I really enjoy this.

Last points was Port Cambell.



The sound of wave was so pleasant. I never realize this before. I am a kind of moutain person. Green trees, grasses or forests makes me relax. Now I can understand to feel the sea and the sky for a long time.

We came back to Melbourne around 7:30.  Great Oceans Road tour is over.
I want to go again sometime to feel that sea breeze.
I want to go again sometime to take someone to feel together.

Trip to Melbourne in Australia

I visited Melbourne last week.
This was a spontaneous trip and super short days but had so much fun there.

First day in Melbourne, after I checked in my hotel, this was comfortable to stay, I went to South Melbourne Market.

South Melbourne Market is easy to access from CBD (center of Melbourne), we can use tram. Take #96 tram, get off at #127 stop. Walk up some steps from the tram station for 1 minute.



I love local market. I can enjoy shopping as I live there. Watching veggies, fruits, meat or fish section, excites me because I can feel to be adapted to local life.

       

The best one in this market is oysters. We can buy even one piece or dozens, and we can eat here!  When I asked a salesperson about kinds of oysters, prices or taste, she told me very kind. After I got 6 pieces of oysters, of course for eating here, there are ketchup, lemon, sauce on the counter, so many people enjoy eating fresh raw oysters.  I chose middle size, salty and creamy for 3 each. This is in heaven!!

      

Absolutely I was satisfied with oysters, but I was so hungry this time because last time I ate was on flight, so his was not enough. I walked around to eat lunch more.




I ordered pork bánh mì. I love Vietnamese food.
This is a kind of sandwich which is vegetable, meat, patty, herbs and fish oil etc. with soft baguette.
I knew it was too large but finally I ate it. I was full and I got energy.

I explored in the market, probably twice, enjoyed a lot. There are many local shops which is for food, goods from Australia. I think this is the best place to buy souvenirs for travelers.

When I left South Melbourne Market, I come back to CBD by tram.
I still have much time to walk around the city during the day.



This is Flinders Street Station, Very historical classical building.



There are many small allies. Walking on these allies, I can find many cafes I want to stop by.


  

I stopped by Crumpler to look around the Australian made casual bag.
Fashionable and comfortable to use, I love it. Cute logo mark!

http://www.crumpler.com/au/



I came back my hotel, a little bit early because I was tired and was probably going out in the evening again.

My hotel is booked with Expedia. I was trying to use airbnb, but I didn't. Too late to get the answer for my requests. I didn't enough time to wait. Airbnb is reasonable but when I am hurry, it is not convenient.

http://www.oakshotelsresorts.com/oaks-on-william/

I stayed very comfortable here. If I come to Melbourne again, I want again.
Actually, I guess it is convenient anywhere in CBD. Melbourne is easy to access to anywhere. We can walk in CBD, go to supermarket, cafe, and use tram which is very useful.

Trip to Chicago in May 2016

Chicago, I visited 2 months ago, is more amazing city than I expected.


Lots of architectural structure and filming location entertain me for just strolling in the city.
A few friends told me why I was going to Chicago. I just had an idea to go, for example, the author which I was reading a book recently was from Chicago, or found a ticket on the internet, something like that.

They thought the image of Chicago is a gang city,and  might be dangerous for solo trip. This is a little bit ridiculous, I am really careful when I travel  for sure, but this is the real that there is some stereotype of Chicago in Japan.
This is exact same thing that an old couple I met at the jazz bar when I went to Chicago.
They are from Chicago, and said This city is beautiful, fun, and very entertaining but still has that kind of dangerous part.


Anyway, I had fun here a lot.

  
http://www.choosechicago.com/things-to-do/tours-and-attractions/millennium-park/
huge park here to play, enjoy the view.




http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartcaldersflamingo.html
This is the sculpture in downtown. close to my hotel so I watch this everyday while I stay Chicago. Very Chicago!

My hotel was good access in downtown and reasonable. The building looked old but clean in the room.
https://clubquartershotels.com/chicago/central-loop




http://www.jazzshowcase.com/
This is so great to enjoy jazz music. Close to downtown, and we can go daytime.
Many people were local, and all of them I talked in the bar were so nice.


I want to recommend to all my friend who like traveling about trip to Chicago.
I want everyone like this city to stay.