Top 10 Places To Go In Melbourne

Top 10 Places To Go In Melbourne! 

Indeed, Brisbane/Gold Coast has tons of activities to do but sometimes its good to have a little getaway. I've been to Melbourne when I was a little girl and had visited over the course of 3 years whilst I was studying but I was in Melbourne a month ago with one of my housemates and had an absolute blast, so here's a few things that I recommend.  

 1: HardWare Societe: 

Hardware société is the perfect place if you are looking for a place to have breakfast/brunch. Located amid the mish-mash of eateries on Hardware Lane sits a tiny cafe called hardware societe. 

The interior is clean and bright, however the space is a tad bit small but there are several tables out the front that overlooks the lane. 

The food is Spanish-French inspired and macarons are set in line next to other baked goods. They have a special menu that is written up on a small blackboard on the wall. 

The atmosphere is pretty good however it can get a little noisy depending on the time of day. 

Price Range: $$$ (depending on what is ordered)

Type of Food: Spanish/French inspired. 

Perfect for: breakfast/brunch 

Location: 120 Hardware St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Easy to find: Yes

2: Victoria State Library: 

A Melbourne landmark and cultural icon you cannot miss. The state library is a magnificent 19th- century building and with its majestic domed ceiling, the La Trobe Reading Room is a library highlight. 

Enjoy the fabulous artworks and exhibitions by visiting one of the free galleries: Keith Murdoch Gallery, Cowen Gallery and Dome Galleries. 

Price: Free Admission to the museum. 

Easy Accessibility: Yes 

Location: 328 Swanson Street, 

Melbourne Vic 3000 

Exhibition Gallery Opening Times: 10am-5pm daily. 

Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing day & New Year's Day. 

3: Shrine of Remembrance: 

The shrine commemorates the lives lost in the Great War of 1914-1918 and it is now to all Australians who have served in war. The shrine offers a multi-layered journey rich in meaning and symbols. The shrine also provides a panoramic view of Melbourne. 

Take a trip to the shrine of remembrance for amazing architecture and for a nice walk. For those who are like me - who likes to workout even though they are on vacation, this is the perfect place for a jog. Many locals tend to jog around the shrine or even take their dogs out for a walk. 

Price: Free Admission 

Perfect for: Everyone 

Location: Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3001 

Best Time To Visit: 6pm onwards (check forecast for sunset times) 

Easy Accessibility - Yes (There is a hill that you have to walk up if you are using the tram). 

4: Messina Gelato 

Messina Gelato is one of the best gelato I've ever had in my life, I rather much prefer this over any gelato in Paris/Rome. Messina offers a diverse range of over 40 flavours and some of its flavours are very unique. 

I did not have the chance to taste its gelato straight from the store but I had the opportunity to get it from a food truck. I've tried both salted caramel and pandan flavour, it's so flavourful yet subtle. It does not overpower or leave an aftertaste which I appreciate very much. 

The creaminess of the gelato was done to perfection and it's the perfect summer treat. 

Price: $ 

Location: 237 Smith St Fitzroy, 

Fitzroy Vic 3065 (there are other locations so be sure to check out their website). 

5: Hosier Lane 

Melbourne is known as one of the world's greatest street art capitals. The lane offers a feast of course, ideas and energy and has become an attraction for both locals and visitors. The public space provide a gallery and stage for artistic expression. With the approval of building owners, these street arts are legal.

Explore Hosier Lane during the day to see the vibrant colours and wild range of art from abstract to portraits and more. 

Price: FREE 

Easy Accessibility: Yes 

Location: Hosier Ln, Melbourne Vic 3000 

Best Time To Visit: During the day

(for more photos, check out my instagram) 

6: Brighton Beach 

Brighton is one of the most exclusive suburbs in Melbourne. It is most famous for its beach and colourful bathing boxes located along the beach. The colourful bathing boxes which line this stretch of coast are one of Melbourne's most iconic and reflect a bygone area. These bathing boxes are for private changing and storage facilities. 

Explore crystal blue waters and calming waves at Brighton. Beware of flies - there are tons of them during summer (you've been warned). 

This beach is located further than the train station, so to those who don't own a car then it'll be quite a walk from the train station to the beach itself. 

Price: FREE

Location: Brighton, VIC 3186 

Easy Accessibility: Only to those with cars. Around 20 minutes walk from the train station. 

Best time to visit: Early morning or after 5pm. 

7: Laurent Bakery 

I stumbled upon this bakery on my way back from Brighton beach. Laurent focuses on French/European pastries and cakes. The cakes here are absolutely delicious and not overly sweet. I've only tasted one of out the many amazing cakes but be sure to give this place a go if you are craving for something sweet. 

This cake is called Mieta. 

Description: Chocolate sponge, cremeux baileys, coffee and chocolate mousse with vanilla glaze and macarons. 

Price: $$$
Location: Different location (Please check their website).

8: Carlton Gardens 

This garden is a world heritage site located on the northeastern edge of the central business district in Melbourne. There are two parts to the garden and the Victoria museum is located along the other side of the garden. 

A beautiful fountain is located smack middle of the garden when you walk along the trail of beautiful trees. 

I visited this garden and was in awe of the beautiful scenery, the cold air brushed through my face and I was just exploring every single leaf as I was taking my afternoon walk. 

9: White Mojo 

White mojo is located opposite of Hardware societe. There are a wide range of items on the menu and the best time to come is for breakfast/brunch. 

The atmosphere is relatively quiet, with soft music playing in the background perfect for those who wants to have a chat with their loved ones. 

Also the decor is pretty and the tables are instagram-worthy for a flatlay. 

See what I told you? Instagram-Worthy! 

Location: Hardware Ln, Melbourne
Price: $$

10: Town Hall & Flinders 

How can you miss out the beautiful town hall and Flinders station. Don't forget to visit the iconic Yarra River located near Flinders Station. 

Both location is an adventure itself, take the day to visit both these locations and have coffee near the Yarra river. 

There are more places to visit in Melbourne but these are some of the places that I took my housemate when we visited a month ago. I hope this was somewhat useful to you. 

Other places that are good to visit includes: Ballarat, Yarra Valley, Winery, Mt Buller etc... 

Hope you had a good christmas and happy holidays to you & your family! 

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Contact: Nicholle.hon@gmail.com
Instagram: Ohzoee

How I Get My Abs?

How I Get My Abs? 

How I get my abs is one of the questions that I get quite often from my friends or on Instagram. I thought it'd be best to address the question in a full detailed blog post.

A Little History

Many would have thought that I was blessed and did not have to work out a single day in my life, but this was definitely not the truth. When I was little, I was often made fun of because of my weight. I admit that I do have a high metabolic rate which has helped immensely but I worked hard for who I am today. 

I have to admit that I have never taken good care of my body until I was 17. Prior to that, I was consuming junk food on a daily basis and had never worked out a day in my life. In high school, I would often skip P.E classes or even avoid any outdoor activities. It has taken a toll on me, I often felt sluggish, tired, moody and I gained a huge amount of weight. 

At the age of 17, I had completed my higher education (IB). I had an eight month break before entering uni and this was when everything turned around. I began to work out on a daily basis, particularly running and had continued to do so until I went to Australia to do further studies. 

Unfortunately in my first year of uni, I started to put unnecessary stress on myself to have the "perfect" body. I began working out twice a day (2.5 hours each session) and I started my extreme dieting ways. 

Soon, I began to realise that my health was deteriorating - I began to put on tons of weight, my skin started breaking out and I had developed BID (Body Image Disorder). I made a drastic change in my second year of uni in which I started educating myself in nutrition, fitness and the way the body works. 

Picture: Left 2010, Right 2013. 

So How Did I Really Do It? 

A lot of time and patience, your body is meant to work at its own speed. Here I will show you the top 5 things to do to start off with:

1. Exercise: 

I work out 5 times a week - it varies based on my schedule but my workouts are a minimum of 30 minutes. Here is a list of the type of exercises that I do: 

• Running - 5 times a week, sometimes 6 depending on my stress level. The length of my run can vary from 5km to 10km (30 minutes min to an hour and half maximum).  
• Boxing - 2 times a week, an hour for each session. 
• Cross fit & Weights - 3-4 times a week. 
• Yoga - Every single day. 

On most days, I would run a least 5km outdoors, after doing so I would normally stretch to cool down and incorporate my outdoor exercises (lunges, push ups, tricep dips, abs workouts) - More to come in the next post). 

On days where I've indulged in unhealthy food; my workout consist of running 6.5km outdoors, an hour boxing and one hour of cross fit. 

2. Maintaining a healthy diet: 

Having a healthy diet is by far the most important aspect in your daily life. The rule of 80% healthy, 20% unhealthy applies to me and most importantly, abs are made in the kitchen. 

A normal homemade meal would consist of 1/2 cup of lean meat (chicken breast, turkey or fish), 2 cups of vegetables (kale, cauliflower, broccoli etc), 1/2 cup of starch (potatoes etc) and carbs (brown rice). 

Heres a list of things to switch to: 

•  Normal Pasta - spelt or wholegrain pasta 
• White rice - Brown rice 
• White bread - wholemeal bread or wholegrain bread. 
• Candy - fruits

This is how a regular day goes by (food may vary): 

6:30am - Wake up, down a cup of lemon water & exercise. 

9:30am - Breakfast (yogurt, fruits and toast) - (Eggs on avocado toast with a side of mushrooms). 

12pm - Lunch time 

2:30pm - Fruits (any type of fruits I have in my fridge - normally it'd be mangoes or watermelon). 

4:00pm - Snack (Nuts or toast) 

7:30pm - Dinner (always with a serving of coconut water). 

11pm - Sleep (may vary depending on uni workload)

I do indulge in unhealthy food once in awhile such as ice cream, fries or even as naughty as having mcd's! I am only human after all. 

3. Sleep Earlier 

I have to admit that majority of the time I advise my friends whom I train, to do so but on the other hand, I would always sleep late. 

Those who don't sleep earlier tend to gain weight easier than those who do. Sleeping late can lead to unnecessary snacking such as chocolate or any sweet items. I've been there and done that. 

Sleeping earlier helps you burn calories even when you are not working out and also you tend to shop for healthier items if you sleep earlier. Sleep deprived individuals often search for unhealthy or food that are pre-packed. 

4. Drinking lemon water and coconut water. 

 Dehydration can lead to weight gain, believe it or not. When your body is hydrated, you'll be storing less fat. 

Similarly to lemon water, it helps detox your body and keeps you refreshed. Having hot lemon water in the morning can jump start your metabolism, getting you ready for your workout. 

5. Enjoying yourself 

I can't stress enough how important this aspect is. I have a few people ask me, "what's so fun about working out?" or even said "It's so boring". Working out can be boring if you don't set your mind to think otherwise. Find joy in working out, such as putting on some of your favourite music (upbeat) or even thinking happy thoughts while doing so. 

Do what you enjoy, if you enjoy doing boxing then sign up for classes or what about badminton? Go ahead and do a sport that you enjoy. 

I started off with running, I really enjoyed running as I was able to destress and I felt lighter after a run. Soon I began, incorporating boxing as my other workout in which I thoroughly enjoy. 

So please remember to enjoy what you are doing. It will take time, it wouldn't come by after a week of exercising. It took me far longer than I had thought to get to where I am today.

November 19, 2016 - Right after my abs workout. 

So have you tried out these tips? If you need help, let me know! 

Happy Holidays!

Trainings are available in Brisbane/Brunei. 

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Contact: Nicholle.hon@gmail.com

Instagram: @Ohzoee 

The Wonders Of Burleigh Heads

The Wonders Of Burleigh Heads.

Gold Coast should be on your list if you are planning to travel down under during summer time. Summer time is the best when it comes to catching some killer waves down at Surfer's Paradise but there is more to Gold Coast that meets the eye. 

Burleigh Heads sits in between Surfers Paradise to the north and Coolangatta to the south. I visited Burleigh in the midst of summer and the weather was absolutely perfect. Here is a list of "must-do" at Burleigh: 

1: The Beach 

In my opinion, Burleigh Heads is one of the nicest beach that I had visited in the past month of traveling. The north-east facing beach offers one of the best swimming, body boarding and surfing beaches on the Gold Coast. You can expect clear waters, clean sand and seashells on the beach itself with boulders along the coast line. 

As the beach is located on the further end of Gold Coast, you are able to see the skyline of the city from afar which is a bonus if you are into landscape shots. 

Take a moment and enjoy the scenic view. On the right corner of the beach is the national park and on the left is the skyline of the city. 

2. The Burleigh Heads National Park. 

The national park is home to towering fragrant pine trees. The National Park wraps around the headline, offering views of the ocean on the left and a number of walking trails and wildlife to experience. Its clear trail path makes it easy for joggers and tourist to navigate. 

A perfect view from above at Mt Tumgun Lookout. In winter and spring, humpback whales are often seen at the lookout. 

At Burleigh, ancient volcanic columns meets the sea. The park features rainforest, eucalyptus forest, pandanus groves, tussock grassland, coastal heath and mangroves - perfect for those ready to be more involved with nature. 

How To Get There? 

Easiest Mode of Transport: 

• From Brisbane To Gold Coast: Train from Roma Street Station to Nerang Station (Approximate Travel Time: 1 Hour).   Cost: $16 (Concession) & $24 (Adult). 
• From Gold Coast To Burleigh Heads: Bus. 

What To Bring?

• Sunscreen 
• Hat 
• Swimwear
• Cameras 
• Picnic Basket (Picnic area are available near the beach itself). 
• Shoes that are easy to walk in.

Have you visited Burleigh Heads? Be sure to do so if you are visiting Australia! 

Happy Holidays! New blog post: Top 10 Things To Do In Melbourne (25th December 2016). 

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Contact - Nicholle.hon@gmail.com

Instagram- @Ohzoee 

Moreton Island Adventure

A Guide To Moreton Island 

It is no secret that Australia is well known for its beaches, sunsets and beers. Moreton Island has just about everything that you could ever imagine from shipwrecks to gorgeous sunsets, crystal clear waters and an array of activities on the island itself. This journey can be easily done in a day or spread out for those who prefers a more relaxed trip.

 

The History of Moreton Island 

Moreton Island is an island on the eastern side of Moreton Bay on the coast of South East Queensland, Australia. Situated approximately 75 minute ferry ride from Brisbane, it is the third largest sand island in the world. 

The island was named by Matthew Flinders and at least five lighthouse have been built on the island. One of the most famous wrecks on Moreton Island is the Tangalooma Wrecks. The Tangalooma wrecks came about in 1963 as a result of lobbying by recreational boat owners for a safe anchorage. The wrecks are home to many wonderful marine life such as Wobbegongs, Trevally, Kingfish yellowtail and an array of tropical fish. The wrecks creates an ideal spot for scuba divers and snorkelers. 

How To Get There? 

• Private Tours (Easiest way but expensive). 

Private tours are available for those who are unfamiliar with Queensland however it is more costly. 

• Package Tours (Convenient, cheapest option).

A package tour basically covers all the necessities such as jetty rides, all day hire of equipment at the island. Unfortunately, it does not include a tour guide on the island itself so you would have to do a bit of navigating which is relatively easy (just follow the signboards). I purchased this via viator.com for AUD$89, it was definitely worth it as I had more time to myself and I could explore the island at my own timing. 

The total time of traveling is an hour and half at least, depending on the ferry schedule. So I suggest you book prior to traveling! 

Best Time To Travel

Moreton Island is best visited during early summer when the sun is still scorching. The island is at its finest during summer as all marine life are easily visible - Do a weather check prior and plan accordingly as strong winds may be present which may affect some activities. 

Things to do at the island. 

Apart from sightseeing on the island, Moreton island offers a variety of land and water activities! here are some: 

• Snorkeling & Scuba Diving: Snorkeling and scuba diving at the shipwrecks are a definite must! If you can't swim, don't worry there are guides and lifejackets. 

• Go kayaking on your own or with a friend (obviously waiting for my friend). 

• Discover Marine Life: Starfish and an array of tropical fish can be found near the shore. 

•  Stand up paddle boating 
• Dolphin Watching and Feeding

• Bird Watching: There are different species of birds on the island, some of which are pelicans and seagulls. 

These are some of the activities that I have done, there are more so be sure to check out the activities available at the island! There are hotels located on the island itself so if you are feeling up to it, check yourself in to one of the hotels and stay for the night to see the gorgeous sunrise in the morning.

Things To Bring: 

• Camera 
• Go Pro 
• Sunscreen (Tons of it) 
• Swimwear 
• Hat 
• Water 

Have you visited Moreton Island or planning to visit soon? Let me know! 

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Contact: Nicholle.hon@gmail.com 

Instagram: @Ohzoee