
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The year end school holiday has now been shifted from December year end to March the following year. Our last overseas trip was in 2019 to JAPAN , just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck . This year after 3 years plus of pandemic border shutdown etc. went Down Under for a break before school reopens. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8734" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Hotel-Lounge-700x933.jpg" alt="Intercontinental Melbourne" class="wp-image-8734"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Intercontinental Melbourne</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8735" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Library-700x933.jpg" alt="State Library Victoria" class="wp-image-8735"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">State Library Victoria</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8736" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Melbourne-Esplanade-700x933.jpg" alt="YARRA Promenade" class="wp-image-8736"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">YARRA Promenade</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Melbourne has been consistently ranked as the most livable city in the world. What makes it so livable? Let&#8217;s take a sneak peek. We landed in Melbourne and it was easy to grab a cab to our hotel after a long 7 hour very early morning flight. By the time we reached Melbourne , it was already late evening and we just had dinner at the hotel. There is a 3- hour difference between Singapore and Melbourne. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In Melbourne when you are staying within the Central Business District (CBD) you get free tram rides and free Victoria WIFI. Therefore we spent most of the time in Melbourne &#8211; free, easy and relaxing. We really like Melbourne moderate pace of lifestyle &#8211; al-fresco breakfast and taking a stroll along YARRA Promenade, historical architecture evident from Intercontinental Melbourne and the INSTAGRAM-famous State Library Victoria.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We took the XPT Regional Trains from Melbourne to Sydney &#8211; an 11-hour night ride. We boarded the train at around 8pm from Southern Cross Station near our hotel and reached Sydney early morning at ~7+am with about half an hour delay. We didn&#8217;t have a good sleep in the train although we got a First-Class seat. We had wanted to get the sleeper car, however it was sold out early as we were travelling on a Friday evening. <strong>So a tip for those who are adventurous to try out a night on the train, book your tickets early. </strong> </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Everything is rainbow in Sydney as we were smack in the middle of Sydney WORLPRIDE 2023 from 17th February to 5th March 2023. When in Sydney you cant miss the Opera House and the Darling Bridge. We had wanted to take a behind -the-scene tour at the Opera house, however tickets are all sold out until March, by then we would be back home. <strong>So a tip for those interested to go behind the curtains at Opera House to book your tickets early online. </strong></p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8742" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rainbow-Office-700x933.jpg" alt="123 Pitt Street" class="wp-image-8742"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">123 Pitt Street</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8740" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rainbow-at-Circular-Quay-700x933.jpg" alt="Rainbow at Circular Quay" class="wp-image-8740"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rainbow at Circular Quay</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8741" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Rainbow-at-Pub-700x933.jpg" alt="Speak no Evil, See No Evil and Hear No Evil" class="wp-image-8741"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Speak no Evil, See No Evil and Hear No Evil</figcaption></figure>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One thing we need to visit in Sydney is the WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo as we did not manage to catch a glimpse of KOALA bear and KANGAROO at Melbourne Zoo. Because the weather in Feb is hot , they probably are taking a rest in the sheds. But you will definitely be able to see them at WILDLIFE Sydney Zoo as here is more enclosed. There are many animals that are unique to Australia where you cannot find elsewhere. So a visit here is worth it to catch a glimpse of KOALA Bear, KANGAROO, DINGO, WALLABY, WOMBAT, TASMANIAN DEVIL just to name a few. Not forgetting PLATYPUS &#8211; the only egg-laying mammal.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As Asian, we all love our food and here in Melbourne and Sydney , there is no shortage of Asian food and Asian culture in Chinatowns. So true to the theme of this blog when it first started out &#8211; JALAN JALAN CARI MAKAN &#8230;via rail. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8743" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/XPT-Train-700x525.jpg" alt="New South Wales XPT" class="wp-image-8743"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New South Wales XPT</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8738" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Singapore-Local-Food-in-Melbourne-700x525.jpg" alt="Punggol, Tiong Bahru, Changi Village all in Melbourne" class="wp-image-8738"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Punggol, Tiong Bahru, Changi Village all in Melbourne</figcaption></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-id="8737" src="https://www.mymanggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PAPA-Rich-Outlet-at-Southern-Cross-700x933.jpg" alt="Pappa Rich in Melbourne" class="wp-image-8737"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pappa Rich in Melbourne</figcaption></figure>
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Down Under
The famous Opera House Sydney