I had 2 free passes to the Koru Club Lounge so I didn't have my usual pre-flight Mackers breakkie. Instead, I had apple juice and freshly (machine) made pancakes with lashings of cream and jam. Yum yum.
I had my usual queasiness/stomach ache just before the plane landed in Melbourne. I asked the air-hostess for some ginger ale to settle my stomach and she asked if I am pregnant. Whaaaat! I know I've put on a few pounds and was wearing a loose maxi dress but come on! I denied the accusation vehemently. Haha.
Finally got out of customs after TWO hours. Delays on top of delays coupled with the place being packed with asian tourists bringing dodgy asian foods into the country meant I was ready to slit someone's throat by the time I got out of the airport. Got back to Monica's just as Haz pulled up with the kids who had just had their swimming lessons. I was smothered in kisses and hugs from Lauren while Logan acted staunch as per usual. We didn't do too much that day - went to Chadstone where I pawed a Chanel handbag for the millionth time. It was still not the colour I wanted so I passed. AUD$4290 for future reference.
We went to the zoo on Sunday as it was Children's day. Monica made sushi for the outing. I stuffed my face while the children busied themselves making artsy and crafty stuff.
Stolen off Monica. This was taken at the zoo while we were having homemade sushi for lunch.
Monday - Went with Monica and Haz into town and I had my usual DJ yoghurt with fresh fruit for breakfast. I then just shopped around town for 2 hours.
Met them for lunch at their usual Szechuan restaurant in Chinatown.
Everything came with an obligatory top layer of chilli oil. Steamed fish hotpot.
Pork with veges...
Beef with veges.....
Did more exploring after lunch. I hopped on a train to Bridge Road but it wasn't that exciting. Came back to the city and bought myself a snack from a roadside stall - Belgium waffles with nutella. Yum yum. I ate this while browsing the windows of a shoe shop. I totally had a Breakfast at Tiffany's moment.
After work, we went and picked up the kids from school and they had their usual play at the playground. They are both such monkeys and Lauren has amazing upper body strength for a 4 year old. I have amazing upper body strength for a 4 month old.
The kids didn't go to school on Tuesday as Logan had a specialist appointment and then they had dental appointments in the afternoon. We fitted in swimming as well as a trip to Mackers between these appointments.
Monica took Wednesday off work and we went to Richmond (a suburb which is known for its Vietnamese immigrants) to get some Vietnamese rolls.
Monica has been coming to this shop since the 1920s. Heheh.
Vietnamese rolls are kinda like subway rolls except they have coriander and Vietnamese hams in them.
My breakfast.....
The money shot! How awesome is this shot! So proud of it... haha.
We then went to Clear-It, the Alannah Hill outlet shop where we spent 2 happy hours rummaging through all the racks and bins. Then Monica's annoying client rang up wanting urgent work done so we went home. She worked while I stuffed my face with more food and then had a long nap. Such is life!
Picked up the kids and then we went to the nearby mall for a looksie. Monica did some grocery shopping and Lauren started whining about wanting a macaron. So we went to Jones the Grocer and bought 3 flavours. The macarons were huuuuge compared to the NZ ones.
Lemon flavoured macaron ....
Chocolate one...
The kids impatiently allowed me to take my time with the photos. By the time I gave them the go-ahead, they have whipped themselves up into a frenzy. Check out the look of ecstasy on Lauren's face as she bit into her macaron. haha.
Happy campers...
Innards shot of the Pistachio macaron.
Got home and did some baking that night. Lauren is now at an age where she can help and is eager is to help. We made rice bubbles crackles and cupcakes.
Last day in Melbourne and I decided to forgo the customary yoghurt in favour of a light hot chocolate at Koko Black. The hot chocolate was sublime... I didn't let myself finish it. Eeek.
Check out the richness of the hot chocolate. The nougat was delicious too. I did offer Monica the praline but she turned her nose up at it. Pfffft. Fine then.
Met Monica and Haz for lunch at Chilli Padi. Monica bought one of those daily deals where you pay $20 for a $45 banquet. Basically, you get to choose 1 entree and 5 mains from the menu to share between however many people.
Interior of Chilli Padi with Monica fondling her Iphone 4.
Got bored of waiting for Haz to turn up so I took advantage of our upstairs seating by taking a sneaky pic of the diners downstairs. I was bored, ok?
The menu:
The couple:
Me and Monica taken with her Iphone4. We kinda look like vampires here heheh.
The entree was the usual deep-fried stuff. Monica and Haz pooh poohed this and said they probably came from a box straight out of the freezer.
Dish #1 was the star - Chilli soft shell crab with mantau. The mantau was goooood - mildly sweet and crunchy. The crab was good too but slightly salty. We all preferred it without the sauce actually. But still good.
Dish #2: Singaporean sambal prawns with shrimp belachan. This dish was crawling with prawns and is the dream of all kia-su people out there. We couldn't finish it and asked for a takeaway box. But our request was rejected. Huh??? Apparently it is quite common in oz. Anyhoo we gotta do what we gotta do so we each stuffed the remaining prawns into our gobs.
Dish #3: Seafood Fried Kuay Teow with wok breath. There was no wok breath. Nada. The wok needs more experience methinks heheh.
Dish #4: Pan fried scallops with miso butter. The scallops looked fat and juicy. I didn't have any as I'm not a fan of scallops. I just don't like them, ok?
Dish #5 or the dud as Monica called it: Roast Duck Red Curry. I thought it was ok.
We were stuffed after lunch but an hour later I was ready to rock and roll again. I walked around Chinatown and came across a shop that was selling fresh bak kua!!!!!!!!!!! I HAD to buy some obviously. Man do I love my beef/pork jerky.
This was the low fat version. I think low fat somehow robbed it of some of the finger-licking goodness.
That was it. Monica and Haz dropped me off at the airport for my evening flight back to Auckland. It was a good trip.
My customary food purchases for Viv:
Bought this Sass and Bide long dress with Monica declaring it "Very you". Hmmm ...
Alannah Hill top - this earned another "very you" comment from Monica.
Alannah Hill dress that I had been eyeing for a long time. They had my size and it was the only one left. Wohooo.... not sure if it was my usual style though as it's very feminine..
That's all.
