Bali ~ Indonesia

 Bali

Japan ~ The land of the rising sun

 

When we booked a 3 week holiday to Japan, we felt so overwhelmed by the thought of a 8:30 hrs direct flight being a long one, that we did not anticipate how action packed this trip is going to eventually be. I had planned to see the Cherry blossoms, however, ended up planning during the Christmas holidays and did not regret a bit.

 

High Level Itinerary:

·   Travel – Melbourne – Narita – Melbourne 2 days

·       Tokyo 4 days

·       Osaka 4 days

·       Hiroshima 4 days

·       Kyoto 2 days

·       Mount Fuji 1 day

·       Tokyo 3 days

Disclaimer – Japan is always beautiful and always packed.

3 months ago:

Book flight & Hotels in advance

•  Get JR Pass through Klook. Klook will post the voucher and it will reach within a month
•  Get Suica installed in iphone
• Japan wireless – pocket wifi through Klook. Klook will post the voucher and it will reach within a month
• If flying into Haneda or Narita, every facilities are available everywhere
• If inbound flight is through Osaka, get a ICOCA card, if SUICA is unavailable. ICOCA works everywhere as well.

I would advise doing these in advance due give enough time for postage to reach and get the best deals in hotels. Join a couple of social media forums but don’t get too carried away. Your experience is always your experience.

I will not detail around the touristy things we did there as the internet is flooded with information. One less will not hurt anyone.

Learnings from our Japan trip:

1. The best and the most expensive hotels are also very very small. Pack your luggage wisely.
2.  Every hotel will provide night toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, combs, face lotion, face pack, shampoo, conditioners, body lotion, hair dryer, shaving kit, shaving gel, grooming gel, hair gel, night gowns and slippers. Literally everything along with teas, coffee, milk along with towels and other regular stuffs. Consider carrying less clothes & baggage. Guests roam around the hotels in those clothes.
3. Carry good pair of sneakers – We ended up walking 20kms a day in average. This is not because we saw so much of the beautiful country, it is just the way of finding your way through Japan.  Eg: We stayed 300mts from the Shinjuka station. In the morning, we walked 2kms underground to reach the correct platform. Lost our way in the underground shopping alley, exited out of another end of the station, came back all the way and reached the platform. Another time, we planned to take a train from A station in Osaka to Station B in Osaka, ended up coming out of an exit 650mts from the B station. Decided to walk through the pavement and shops rather go back. 3-4kms done. Maybe we were stupid, but we were enjoying being stupid somewhere in the world.
4. Japan is aesthetically beautiful; however, it has certain Asian country traits. There are no water dispensers and buying bottled water is the only option. Keep the changes handy. There is barely a place to sit, regroup, rest your tired legs. There are no seats, no pavement rails and no place to take a breathe. It’s a keep walking culture. Pack accordingly.
5. Don’t wait till the last minute to get into a restaurant/izakaya if you are hungry. Don’t plan last minute shopping if you have a train/flight to catch or scheduled for something. Queueing up is another level of crazy there. People queue up at 11:15am onwards for a lunch at 12:00PM. People queue up for shopping, for a coffee, at transport stations. Queuing up is great, but just that there are never ending queue for everything. It is not 5-10 people you are queuing up after, its 30-50 people in the queue. That’s frustrating.
6. Stay the closest to the stations. We stayed 300m to every station, however from the station to the platforms which can be 7 floors below or above and several kms of underground shopping streets till the platform, the maze takes time. Save time walking between your hotel and the station
7. Stay close to a JR station. Use the JR Pass to travel local and long distance.
8. Use the Shinkansen. It is an experience; it saves a lot of time and man just do it.
9. Money exchange is a breeze. Just go into 7-11 store that says 7-11 bank and withdraw money. We used our Wise card in some transfers. We used the Suica for almost everything
10. Carry extra duffle bags to bring back shopping. We went with cabin baggage and came back with 45kgs checking baggage and a 1^st class upgrade which was oh so worth it.
11. TeamLabs Borderless is a must do. It is an experience and a true depiction of Japanese Tech.
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Experiences to cherish:

1. TeamLAB Planet - Book through https://teamlabplanets.dmm.com/en in advance and change the date as required upto 24hrs in advance
2. Shinkansen - The JRPAss and the experience of speed is forever the best experience. 
3. Kyoto - A dreamy city with beautiful history. The beautiful Geisha's made us pensive.
4. Hiroshima - Another painful history that carries so much pride from what it has been rebuilt into
5. Mt.Fuji - If there is anything thats larger than life, this is it.

Camping - The Start

If there is a bucket list and camping is one among the list, there are a few things that can be done for an awesome start.

We often think we must be comfortable when we camp and there is what goes wrong. Comfort is our home and we are camping for fun and to get out of the comfort zone. It is about being uncomfortable but safe.

While camping, key is travelling light. Let me give a step by step of what to splurge and what to save on.

1. Buy a good, sturdy tent that can withstand wind, keep you safe from wild weather, specious and has strong support. Choose a tent which is lighter to carry, easy to pack and is easy to store.

2.Buy additional tarps, pegs, guy ropes and supports. Depending on the place you tent, sometime double pegs act stronger. 

3. Buy guy ropes from Bunnings. They are stronger, often fluorescent in color ( You will not trip on them when you come out in the dark).

4. Have additional Tarpoline and ropes. Tarps can be used as floor mats or shades if it gets too sunny or windy. If there is a provision to save the car from the Sun, tarps are great. In that case, you can use the car AC if the temp reaches scortching high and the car is under a shade.

5. Buy a good Esky that will remain cool for long, has a water drainage and can be used as a table/seat/glass holder.

6. Sleeping bags are good for tents with thicker underlay. If the tent is for summer camping, a tent bed or a mat with a PVC base and soft flocked top. Self inflating sleeping mats save you from carrying a pump to inflate and deflate.

7. Tent Fan - must if you are summer camping. Do take precautions to keep yourselves hydrated and cool during the summer camping. Buy an tent fan, tent lights, mosquito and fly repelent.

8. Cooking - If camping location is offgrid, carry cooking stuffs. If  you are booking in a Big4/NRMA/ParkVic or anywhere with facilities, essentials will do. A kettle is a must.

9. Buy very good quality chairs, possibly one that extends like a deck chair. I got mine from Kings Outdoors.

10. Decor - If you are a long time camper, buy some fairy lights, tealight candles, keep some cushions and mossi repellant lights. It feels good.

GOR - Victoria: Coastal Drive

 

Melbourne - Geelong - Portarlington - Queenscliff - Torquay - Aireys Inlet - Lorne - Wye River - Apollo Bay - Great Otway - Laver Hills - Princetown - Port Campbell - Warnambool - Tower Hills - Port Fairy - Narrawong - Portland - Cape Bridgewater - Discovery Bay - Mount Richmond - Nelson - Melbourne.

Gippsland's - Grand Ridge Road

The Grand Ridge 

Route: - Warragul -> Morwell -> Traralgon -> Yarram -> Foster -> Leongatha -> Korumburra -> Warragul

Total Ridge Drive – 277 km

As a part of the drive, we finished another famous drive of Victoria – The Grand Ridge Road by the Strzelecki Ranges by the beautiful farmlands, emerald green valleys and dairies of South Gippsland and Latrobe Valley. Close to 150 km of the road along the ridges of the ranges. The roads are very well maintained and marked for safety. At places, the road narrows into gravel roads, however, all lookouts are breathtaking with parking spots and toilets. 

The Grand Ridge Road is beautiful, yet windy. Slow, cautious travel is recommended to decrease the likelihood of an accident. The gradual acceleration and careful braking are advised and drivers must always be careful to avoid wildlife. Wombats, wallabies, koalas and lyrebirds are common along the length of the road especially mid-afternoon and towards dusk.

Places to see on the way:

     1.      Traralgon: Boutique town with all brand     

     2.      Yarram:

a.      Aga Café is a must-have breakfast place and amazing coffee

b.      Yarram Bakery – Meat and potato Pizza Pie are a must-try.

c.      The Yarram Pantry:  Jams, jelly, relish and spreads from the local farmers

    3.      Foster: Gurneys Cidery for the fresh ciders and ploughman’s platter 

    4.      Leongatha: 72kms Great Southern Rail Trail. 

             From Leongatha, the trail goes through Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Stony Creek, Buffalo, Fish Creek, Foster, Toora, Welshpool and Port Welshpool, offering rural and bush views along the way

   5.      Korumburra: Bakery, dairy, farmlands, Prom country Cheese

   6.      Warragul: Petersville Milk Product Factory – Home of Peter’s Ice-cream

Note - the world's largest earthworms called Karmai lives in the area of Korumburra.

South Gippsland - Dairy Country Trip

The Trip Map: -

We headed to the Dairy Country of South Gippsland on a Friday afternoon after calling it an early sign-off to the weekend. We chalked our onward route and left for this tiny historic town of Yarram about 223 km from Melbourne. To beat the ongoing traffic, we made a quick exit from the city and into the M1.

Must-Visit:

1. Bulga National Park - https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/tarra-bulga-national-park. Located in South Gippsland is well known for its giant Mountain Ash trees, beautiful fern gullies and ancient myrtle beeches. Hidden within the Strzelecki Ranges.

It is a rainforest haven for plants, ferns and animals. There are a wide variety of birds residing in the park including the pilotbird, yellow-tailed black cockatoo, eastern whipbird, and currawongs. In the evenings, possums, owls and bats emerge to feed. Lyrebirds, wombats, swamp wallabies, gliders and platypuses can also be found within the park. 

  

The primary attractions are Fern Gully Nature Walk, Cyathea Falls and Tarra falls. 

2. Traralgon South Flora and Fauna Reserve - The beautiful Tarra Valley road from Yarram took us through the narrow and winding roads that offer magnificent scenery with panoramic views from several points.

3. Corrigan’s Suspension Bridge stretches through the rainforest canopy, affording spectacular views of the lush fern gully on the forest floor below

The rainforest is a haven for plants and wildlife and is particularly well known for its giant mountain ash trees and lush fern gullies. 

4. We spotted the dominating wet sclerophyll tall open forest of mountain ash, Blackwood trees whose top is generally vanished in the cloud and also spot a Lyrebird or two. 

5. Port Welshpool is a scenic coastal town located between the dairying community of Toora and historic Port Albert.  The Long Jetty at the port is unmissable, and it is extensive 800 metres stretch out to the waters of Corner Inlet provides a delightful view. Fish n Chips is another place you cannot miss when you are here.

 

 

While heading back we took a dirt road from the cafe at Balook to Yarram which was quite good and the road back to Melbourne we went through Alberton, Welshpool, Foster and Leongatha.

Mount Macedon

To capture the colour of Autumn, we headed to the cool breeze and beautiful Mt. Macedon 64 kms from Melbourne. 

Route :
Melbourne
Gisborne
Mount Macedon
Hanging Rocks
Kyneton
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park
Woodend


We just went everywhere as everything were colourful and beautiful. The breakfast at the Aus Post Cafe was outstanding.

Things to do in Mt. Macedon:

1. Gardens of Tieve Tara. Entry $13 per person.

2. 1854 Post Office of Kyneton

3. 1935 Mt Macedon Memorial Cross

4. The valley view cafe at the Memorial cross Park

5. 18th Century Houses and villas

6. grab the award winning meat pie of Australia at country Cob Bakery. Kyneton.

Castlemaine

Great Ocean Drive - 528kms

Route:

Melbourne -> Lara -> Torquay -> Anglesea -> Airey's Inlet -> Lorne -> Wye River -> Apollo Bay 
-> Princeton -> Port Campbell - 298 kms. 4h 49mins

Port Campbell -> Colac -> Melbourne -  230kms 2h 51mins

Things to See on the way:
1. The Twelve Apostles 
2. Gibson Steps
3. Loch Ard Gorge
4. London Arch (London Bridge)
5. The Grotto
6. The Arch
7. Walks in Port Campbell National Park
8. Bay of Islands
9. Triplet Falls – Otways National Park
10. Kennett River – Wild Koalas
11. Lorne
12. Teddys Lookout
13. The Lorne –> Apollo Bay Drive
14. Apollo Bay Eco Hostel
15. Mariners Lookout – Apollo Bay
16. Bells Beach

If you have time, do the walk: -
1. Torquay Surf walk - 44kms - Bells Beach, the Iron Bark Basin, Point Addis, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and finishing at Fairhaven
2. Anglesea Art Walk - 2.5kms through Anglesea
3. Point Addis Koorie Cultural Walk - 2kms - starts at Point Addis

Things to Do:

Trip-1: The best way is to book a place in port Campbell. Do all the below activities on the travel day and reach Port Campbell just before sunset. call it a quick night and end a few hours seeing the colour of the sunrise on the Apostles in the morning. Stay till lunch and head back to Melbourne by sunset through Colac.

Trip-2: Else, skip the walks and reach Princetown before 2hours of sunset, enjoy the sunset on the 12 Apostles and head back to Melbourne through Colac by dinner.

Torquay:- Surf coast walk, surf coast museum, Bells Beech Brewing
Anglesea:- Vibrant riverbank Sunday morning market,  Anglesea Art house, The Framer's Place - working Farm Cafe.
Airey's Inlet:- Split point lighthouse, Salt Brewing
Lorne:- A number of great waterfalls. Do the Cora Lynn Cascades Walk to cover the best waterfalls. There is a 2kms downhill walk. Eat at Chopstick Noodle Bar or The Salty Dog Fish & Chippery
Wye River:- STop at the Kafe Koala for some great Bacon, watch the colourful parrots sit on you at the park in front. walk up the road through the caravan park to spot Koalas.
Apollo Bay:- Great Ocean Road Brewhouse. Carisbrook Creek to see the stone stacks, walk the beach, Mait's rest - a quick 20mins easy walk of the fern gullies, fungi and rainforest gives a perfect feel of the Otway National Park if you are timebound
Princetown:- 12 Apostles. walk the 15-20 mins from the car park through the green and peep out of the lookouts. 
Port Campbell:- Port Campbell national park, lookouts to the expanded ocean and sky, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, The Gretto, Gibson's steps, The Razorback, have a quick bite at Sow & Piglets - it is a hostel cafe & bar.

Do the Great ocean drive while the Apostles are still there !!
There are currently 7 stacks left from the 50m( 160ft) stacks of rocks.