BERSIH 2.0 Melbourne

At federation square; 2pm

It wasnt a huge crowd, but it was a good effort. I’m proud of the people who put aside the time to organize and attend, shows how much you care. Melbourne kicked off the worldwide Bersih rally campaigning for cleaner and fairer elections in Malaysia, and was the largest one outside our homeland.

Truthfully, I’m not someone who passionately fights for social reform, but at least i attended right? I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be here, away from the shit that’s happening back home. When i hear about the lives of my friends, i cant help but feel sorry for all the marginalization and injustice they have to go through their daily lives.

We attended, because we care for our future.

It was a peaceful, civilized rally. I cringe watching the videos of what happened back home, the police actually running to kick protesters, shooting tear gas into the public and especially the one where they just stood watching the man experience a seizure after they handcuffed him. What’s worse is how the police, protectors of the citizens (pfft) did not take any action in calling for an ambulance or took out the plastic strings they used to handcuff him despite pleads from the public, responding they did not have anything to cut them. Help only came about half an hour later from a passerby with a car, by then he was dead. The authorities responded later about the incident, pointing out that he brought it into himself; if one knows you have health conditions, don’t come out rallying. Argh that just makes me so angry i hope these people choke on the fat of the nasi lemak ayam goreng they just had brought using the public’s money they squandered off.

Even some friends from Brunei came to support.

Yellow scarf and shoes. This will be as yellow as i can get.

Would i participate have in the one in KL if i was back? Most probably. Then again i think my parents would kill me if i tried to leave the house that day.

Anyways this has gotten too political. Let me with a light-hearted photo of the lovely harry potter meetup group that went on the same day. While we were singing the national anthem, they sang the hogwarts song. Cant wait to watch the last of the harry potter movies!

Sydney D2

We woke up pretty early considering the late night partying the day before, and headed straight for FOOD! such gluttony. But apparently Din Tai Fung in World Square had the best dumplings in Sydney and yes they were good. Cant say how it would compare to the ones in Shanghai but they are good enough for seconds!



We then waited nearly an hour for the free cbd shuttle bus towards circular quay. Considering that the free bus were supposed to come at every 10 minutes; you could say it made us very very grumpy.



We got acquainted with the weekend market at the Rocks before proceeding for Pancake on the Rocks. I think its such a tradition for every tourist to just try them at least once.






It was getting late for the cruise to Manly so we hung around the Opera House instead, where Sydney presented us with a beautiful sunset. Stayed abit for the screening of Happy Feet in front of the steps of the Opera House. I didn’t think the movie was a very good one but it was adorable when kids started dancing on the platform provided with the penguins on screen.





We ended the night with dinner at the Belgian Beer Cafe. At that point our camera batteries were already exhausted from all the photo snapping; but we had mussels and kangaroo meat. I would really recommend them, I’m not a big fan of mussels but they didn’t taste fishy at all and the kangaroo meat was sooo tender. Its funny to know how Australia is the only country that would have their own national animal as a delicacy.

We were unhappy that they didn’t have mango beer as we read in some reviews, so we proceeded to Löwenbräu Keller for them. I have to say that the place is HUGE and has a very authentic german feel to it. Even the waiters and waitresses were dressed up in the traditional lederhosen and dirndl. Thumbs up for extra effort!

Sydney D1

We went on a food rampage in Sydney last weekend. There’s nothing better than good food with great company with perfect sunny weather!! It was a well needed break from rainy Melbourne and all the deadlines that came with it. It really was the perfect time to just not think about work for once.

(ps: alot of the photos come from ym’s camera. just cause she has the more advanced one!)



We touched down on Friday morning and arranged with the hostel for transportation. While waiting, the dog-sniffers were doing their round of training in the airport. They were so adorable, was so tempting to just give them a big big hug! Except that i might be reprimanded for obstructing security or something. Anyways after a minor hiccup of the bus not showing up to pick us up (!!) we found ourselves in maze backpackers which i would totally recommend because its just so bloody close to nearly every single darn thing.






Brunch at Chat Thai! We tried to make a booking for dinner and found out its booked out till the next month! Nevertheless we did make it for brunch =) and it really is worth the hype because it is just soooo delicious!! there would be long lines for dinner so if at anytime you want to try, do go around lunch time or for supper. oh and do remember to try their coconut desserts! (photo above) Made in a takoyaki pan, its crispy on the outside and gooey in the inside with sweet coconut cream and chives. on nom nom nom.





We then made our way to Bondi beach for some sun and sand and pigged out on pork ribs at Hurricane’s. Its great to go on a food-pigging trip with your 2 other girlfriends because then you don’t need to act oh-so-polite and just eat with your hands and sauce all other your mouth. teehee



After dinner, the lovely waitress suggested some desserts to us only then did i realise; we needed to try DEEP FRIED MARS BAR!! ohmigod they were sooo good. of course totally fab for my thighs too. We got them from a fresh fish store on the corner of the block facing the beach. Don’t be fooled by the photo. it really tastes better than it looks!

And Friday ended with a little partying at flow at world square. =) asian club; what more can i say. but what’s great about it was that it was practically 2 minutes walk from our backpackers hostel! can’t complain of sore feet when it’s just around the block!