Grampians

Grampians, a western Victoria District, is a very beautiful place having diverse walk tracks, parks, lookouts and stunning scenic spots.

In the cool breeze and the temperature touches down 11 degree, we have started on Monday Morning. Having lunch at Halls Gap around 1 PM, we collected few details on tourist spots from information centre and planned our first trip to The Pinnacle. We parked our coach at Wonderland car park and took a walk through Great Canyon, Cool Chamber and Silent Street. Finally, we reached The Pinnacle with empty water bottles. We took totally 3 hours return trip. After tea refreshments, we spent our evening at Lake Bellfield. It is surrounded by mountains in three sides and the Embankment runs a length of 0.7 KM.

Tired out of first day, we relaxed at our Cottage in “Halls Gap Valley Lodge” with beer and music. My suggestion is to take accommodation here if you are visiting Grampians. Kangaroos and Emus might cross your door steps.

A very fresh and sunny morning on second day, we started towards McKenzie Falls. On the way, we hop out at Boroka Lookout and Reed Lookout to glimpse the beauty of Halls Gap and its ranges. It was nearly 300 steps to reach McKenzie Falls base. Believe me, it’s gorgeous. Then, we headed towards Brambuk National Park and Culture Centre and spent an hour there. After lunch, we reached Mt Williams, highest peak in Grampians. It was too hard to walk for 2 KM from the car park in elevated road on hill. Believe me, it’s amazing and wonderful view of Grampians.

Then our clock ticked to start towards Melbourne.

One year in Australia

Wow! I’ve completed one year in Australia (Melbourne). I’m looking back the days when I was in Off-shore. Being a highly workaholic person, I was very eager to go for On-site. Yes, it’s my first foreign trip in my life. New place, new people, salary in $ and Kangaroos were various factors boozing my excitement.

I got an excellent exposure while working with business users. Kolkata and Melbourne are the most important places in my life that made lot of changes in my life. I learnt a lot through my experiences in these cities. I suggest everyone to move out of your native place to work especially in bachelor life.

Australia, world’s fifth largest country, is a very beautiful place to live for new visitors. You could find mixed culture environment. Being an Island and a part of Oceania, Australia strictly follows Law and Order and highly secured place. I’ve visited 4 states – Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales (Sydney) and Queensland (Gold Coast).

Since I’m staying at Melbourne, I knew Victoria better than any other states in Australia. Victoria – “the place to be” is very beautiful place, best known for VIC roads. Being a capital of Victoria, Melbourne is also serves as a capital of Australia for Sports and culture. Public transport is one of the merits for Melbourne. It’s connected by Busses, Trams and Trains. Gippsland, Geelong, Great Ocean Road, Ballarat, Mildura are various tourism places in Victoria.

Memorable events in my life are as follows:
a) My first foreign country
b) Salary in $
c) My Nikon P90
d) My First Business Suite
e) Parents were here with me for 3 months
f) Performed music with 3 Australians
g) Parties
h) AFL
i) Australia Open
j) MCG
k) Guitar
l) Hip-Hop

How can I skip “Attacks on Indians”? I never come across this. Moreover, Australians are very kind and friendly in nature. Indians may complain me about my support towards Australians. However, Australians are good. I love their culture, sports, humanity, etc,.

Do visit Australia once in your life time!!!!

Gippsland

Gippsland, an eastern rural region of Victoria, enrich in natural beauty. My eyes had a wonderful feast during this Christmas holiday.

Day 1: Early morning (5:00 AM) of 26-Dec-2009, we woke up, had breakfast after refreshments and reached Southern Cross Station. At 7:45 AM, we boarded into V-Line and at 11:30AM, reached Sale. There, we hired two cars Holden Commodore and Toyota. I took Red Holden Commodore. After lunch, we drove to Lake Entrance. The beauty of 90 Mile Beach and Lake Entrance had caught our attention. Then, we travelled to Golden beach. Later, we arrived at the hostel at around 9:30 PM and had a Chinese Cuisine dinner in a big table.

Day 2: The day started with Billiards at Tea time. Then, we arrived at Sale to return the car to AVIS car rentals and to get the car from Hertz car rentals. Noon, we started to Wilsons Promontory National Park. We reached at 2:30 PM. Squeaky Beach, Tidal Beach, and Lilly Billy Gully National Park are the main highlights. At around 11:30 PM, we returned home.

Reached Melbourne

Hi guys, I’m back. You may think that am getting off for more than 1 month and then posting a blog with an excuse. Actually, now I’m in Australia. I have been deputed for my project work. Though my supervisors were talking about my travel for more than one month, I got my stamping on 13th August, 2009 only. I invited my parents to Kolkata for the whole week. And till 14th August noon, I didn’t know that I’ve to travel on 15th Night. And then, they said it was possible to travel next day and asked me to start the travel process ASAP. Then, We (I and 2 more project mates) were hurried to get the clearance from all the departments. It was 4:30, when we started processing. Only by 7:00, we got my tickets in hand.

My flight is in Thai Airways from Kolkata to Melbourne via Bangkok around 2 AM that Sunday. It was very hectic till Bangkok. Unclean toilet, very bad hospitality and poor seatings were made unhappy. I can add more on this heap. We changed our flight at Bangkok. Then it was a pleasant experience (but not more than Jet Airways). We saw people from different culture and nationality. I watched only couple of movies and slept for long time. They have provided meals and juices. Being vegetarian, I requested for special Indian veg meal, and they provided the same.

We reached Melbourne on Sunday night around 9.30 PM. Fabulous Melbourne, wonderful buildings, neat roads and cool weather were pleasant to our eyes while travelling in a cab. Indian Taxi driver helped us to find out the apartment (that we booked from Kolkata). Alas! We forgot our dinner. Took Maggie and prepared within 20 Minutes . I should not forget poree (sweet parched rice) made by mom’s hand. This was our dinner.

Boeing 737

I planned my vacation 7 weeks before, such that I would book my flight tickets in fewer amounts. I booked, 40 days prior to my departure, in Kingfisher Airlines (A320 Airbus) for Rs. 2,230/- to travel on 22nd June.

On 17th June, I had been informed that my flight has been cancelled. But being 5 star airlines, Kingfisher provided me an option to fly between Chennai and Kolkata at any date, any time and through any route in either Kingfisher or Jet Airways. Hats off to Kingfisher for their excellent customer service. I opted for Jet airways on the same day. The staffs helped me for the luggage clearance and to get boarding pass. Then, I waited for security check to my Boeing 737. While I was entering, it looked similar to Airbus from outside but highly elevated in its elegant look inside. I noticed reading lamp, spacious two-seater, while crossing Jet Airways – Premiere class.

Then I sat on 23 F with television in my front and watched flapped wings of Boeing through my window. To know more about Boeing 737, visit Wikipedia. I travelled in Boeing 737-800.