The Great Ocean Road - Episode 1: Treasury Hunt at Night in Geelong

 The Great Road was the most memorable part of this Australia trip. I miss the clear blue sky, powerful ocean, breathless scenery, diversified wildlife, relaxing atmosphere............ along the road. One advantage of self-driving trip is you can hop on / off wherever and whenever. If you can drive, I highly recommend you to arrange your own trip and spend more time to experience the greatness of the Great Ocean Road. My 2D2N trip started in Geelong and ended in Port Campbell, home of the 12 Apostles. Despite it was longer than usual 2D1N or even day tours, I just completed around 57% of the entire route. So, pls be reminded to spare more time for the Great Ocean Road.

Night 1: Geelong 

We took a flight from Sydney to Melbourne - Alvon and stayed one night in Geelong, around one-hour drive from the Alvon airport. The first advantage and the more important one was shorter traveling time. Geelong is near the Great Ocean Road official starting point - Torquay. The second advantage was the air fare was cheaper than that to Melbourne.

Ford set up a car factory in Geelong. However, they refused to sponsor our car rental, so we picked a Hyundai. This little blue car was our best partner in the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne. My friend, the chauffeur felt good with it. Why? Because it was new and it ran smoothly.

My friend booked Geelong Conference Centre, not a real hotel but a conference centre equipped with accommodation.

It was almost midnight when we arrived. We expected it was dark but not to have a mini treasure hunt. It happened anyway. We followed signage to the main entrance, however, it was closed. We thought we probably missed something and started again. No another entrance was found. This time, we got off to check if there was any clue. My friend found a number and called. A staff asked him to get an envelope from a letterbox around. Yeah, here was the key to our comfortable room.  Good night!

Sydney, A City in Another Hemisphere - Scenic World @ The Blue Mountains

Scenic World is another must-go tourism spot in the Blue Mountains. Its selling point is a tourist can appreciate the World Heritage-listed site by 4 different experience in a row.

1. Skyway
Look at the steepness and distance. It was the best reason for me to travel around by skyway rather than on foot.  

Besides of the 360 degree view, the glass floor allows tourists to see what is happening under their feet. See the kids were excited to find a waterfall under the floor.

A group of birds welcome us.

Lyre bird, the symbol of the Blue Mountains.

My friend said this plant would grow better after fired.

2. Railway
To be honest, I was regret when I fist stepped inside this steepest railway in the world. This was similar to a 4D ride carried tourists to go through the forest at a speed and felt water dropped onto their heads. Well, it was fun as I still could update my blog now.

3. Walkway
After taking the thrilling rider, it's the time to have a relaxing walk. There was a coal mine in the forest long time ago.


















A very old tree.

Theses 2 trees are named Romeo and Juliet as they cuddle each other.























This one is named the Feet.


















4. Cableway
A convenient and energy-saving way back to the top.

Three Sisters and Witch Doctor Sculpture telling the tragic story of how the rocks were formed.

Sydney, A City in Another Hemisphere - The Three Sisters @ The Blue Mountains

The Three Sisters was another sightseeing point I insisted to go. In some people's eyes, they are only rocks in irregular shapes. Yet, a tragic love story together with a view stretching into the horizon makes the rocks different.

The Three Sisters over a sea of clouds. Awesome.

















The forest gradually appeared. What a majestic view!

There are many lookouts which allow tourists to appreciate the nature's masterpieces from different angels.

Can you see a collapsed castle and Scenic World?

The site is also a hot spot for hiking lovers. The Giant Stairway was closed due to possible landslide caused  by heavy rain around a week before our visit.

Aboriginal performance by a native.

Sightseeing trolley, a choice for tourists who do not want to drive.

Look at the green hat. It is fly hitting bead hat to keep flies away. Not sure why there are so many flies in Australia.

One thing I enjoyed in Australia. 

Sydney, A City in Another Hemisphere - Accomoation & Transportation

Let's start from the best. My friend chose Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains for our one night stay in the Blue Mountains so we could have more time to enjoy the scenery around.

Comparing to the hotels in CBD area, this resort offers spacious room with comfy bed and sofas. It was really relaxing. My friend is the best promoter as my friend still mentions the sofas often after months. The hotel sent us a bottle of wine as compliment did make it hit extra points.

At night, we played pool, checked out the naughty koala painting, the mini merry-go-around, etc.

In the morning, we had a walk around the pound lake of the resort. Felt refresh and peaceful observing how the duckies enjoyed the nature. Some people explored the area by modern segways.

Highly recommended this resort which contains both inner and outer beauty.

Another accommodation was the Big Hostel, an option for longer stay, say 4 nights. The best selling point is its location, only around 10-min walk to the Central Station, walking distance to Chinatown, Darling Harbour, etc. Moreover, the hostel provides complimentary breakfast and free internet in common room. The ensuite room is tiny yet neat with soft bed, air-conditioner, TV and towels. Dormitory are available for budget conscious visitors. If you would save money for other activities, it is recommended. Photos? You may check that out from the official site.

For transportation in Sydney, train and ferry can take you to most major sightseeing pots. Highly recommend to purchase MyMulti ticket to enjoy unlimited rides on train, ferry and bus during certain period of time. With MyMulti Zone 1 for 7 days, I could go Taronga Zoo, Bondi Beach, Manly Beach and so. If you plan to visit the Olympic Park or places farer from the CBD, you may consider Zone 2 or Zone 3 ticket.

Sydney, A City in Another Hemisphere - Jenolan Caves @ The Blue Mountains

Australia is embraced by nature. The first nature of this trip was Jenolan Caves, one of the most famous and developed limestone caves in the country.

My friend picked Lucas Cave because we could have simple lunch before the tour.

Various limestone formations show how amazing the nature is. The tour guide requested us not to touch the formations or use flash to protect the formations.Otherwise, the formations will become dark.














 





 

Here comes the star in the Lucas Cave, the Broken Column.

Look at the long and straight stairs. I felt released when the guide said we would not climb up. I wonder how explorers could discover so many caves simply with candles and basic tools.

Underground river in the cave. How nice if I could appreciate it more closely on a boat.

The lighting effect made the formations even more spectacular. A clever add-on.















































It was worth to take the 910 stair steps to enjoy this huge and beautiful cave. Well, my legs showed light discontent though.

If you would spend more time in the Caves, you may consider to stay at the Jenolan Caves House.

Sydney, A City in Another Hemisphere - A Lucky Day @ The Blue Mountains

My friend said I was lucky on the first day in the Blue Mountains. Why? Here are the reasons:

1. My first visit to Blue Mountain was sunny while my friend's first 2 visits were rainy. It showered for a moment but then a rainbow sent us greetings.

2. We probably saw blue fog. It's said the area is named after this natural phenomenon. (It sounds weird however)

3. We saw a wild male lyre bird, the symbol of the Blue Mountains. Sorry no picture as he's quicker than my camera shutter.

Some snapshots (from top left).
a) Following the ever-stop expansion of Sydney, the government invests numerously in infrastructure.
b) Obviously.
c) This vehicle guided my friend to drive.
d) Transformer also contributes to city development.
e) Great Wall with mobility. 

Play Hard on Weekend - Chen Clan Academy in Guangzhou

Chen Clan Academy was in provision of education to children of Chen families in Guangzhou. Thanks for the generous donation of different Chen families, the traditional Chinese academic complex covering 13,200 square meters began to run in 1894. It is really huge.

Every part of the complex is a treasure for it was crafted in great details. A traditional Chinese guardian lion in front of the academy's gate. The lion usually come into a pair but its partner was not in the photo. The lions symbolised protection for the site and more importantly for the people inside.

 

Pottery of the ridge of the front gate featuring the 8 immortals.

Passed the front gate, here is the main entrance of the academy.

Similar to the guardian lions, this stone drum is also come into a pair. Moreover, it carries a symbolic meaning of protection. The drums will produce noise if any bad people go into the site.

A pair of Door Gods is responsible to keep evil spirits from entering.

In traditional Chinese ceiling structure, the horizontal pillars (樑) are used to support the roof. 

More beautiful and lively potteries on the ridges. The craftsmanship is just amazing.

 

Apart from pottery, wood carving was a master art in China as well. A lively dragon looks it is running down from the ceiling.

These grapes looks so real.

Brick carving also plays an important role as decoration.

Transformation from raw materials into art pieces.

Typical setting of a sleeping room.

Huge beautiful rock decoration usually owned by the rich only. 

An outdoors garden for resting.

The academy now houses Guangdong Folk Art Museum. Among all, I prefer paper cutting most because it shows the greatness of an artist simply by simple tools, ie. paper and scissors.