Day 4 - I *heart* Melbourne!

on my last day in melb, i was determined to make the most of it.. however, since i only slept at 5am that morning.. i struggled to wake up at 10am.. then i spent 1hr prancing and lazying around my room to work up the energy to peel myself off the couch to get out and DO SOMETHING! coz by god, i was not going to let the sleep deprivation get in the way of my shopping spree.

so here's my top 10 things i love abt melb...

1. 7-eleven's (YEP, there’s one on every corner.. tho it’s not as good as the ones in Taiwan, it makes me feel safe just knowing its there..)

2. Direct Factory Outlet - i went to the one on spencer street. i emerged 2 hours later, 1 pair of country road pants, 1 pair of work pants, and 1 wolly vest heavier.. $100 lighter.. and infinitely happier.. could've done more damage but had to meet up with the new couple for coffee..

3. Old Buildings - ohhh.. i love history, i love old stuff, and when every second building you see is this beautiful.. i don't know how NOT to be in lurve with this city.. i practically floated/skipped across the road in true SJP style..

4. Brunetti - ok i know it's nothing new, but nestled in the middle of the Italian district on Lygon street.. is this.. oh sweet mother of all cafes..

after much deliberation.. mulling over literally THOUSANDS of sweets.. i've managed to get away with only these..
D: are you going to eat all those by yourself?!?!? (with disbelief in her eyes) J: *nod nod* i'll start with these first then see how i go..
*D tries to politely hide her jaw drop*

5. oh.. did someone say GIANT chocolate fountain.. yep..

6. Bun Shop - pork floss buns.. mmmm.. ok i know it sounds weird a fluffy sweet white bun topped with some mayo and some pork floss, but it holds special nostalgic childhood memories for me.. so i had to have it.. why Perth hasn't quite caught on with this special treat is beyond me.. (@#$&#)

7. sparrows - this is a bird that i miss.. cute and fearless..
i took this while enjoying my first so-so coffee since i've been in melb on hardware lane.. note the name of the bun shop - BREAD TOP (as oppose to muffin top? a preview of consequence?)
8. Krispy Kreme - of course, no trip would be complete without taking home two dozen donuts.. I had to stand in a 15 min QUEUE for these!! these are no ordinary donuts, don't let it's innocent appearance fool you.. these are melt in your mouth deep fried goodness unparalleled by any gastronomical experiences in this part of the galaxy.. you may laff, but the joy and contentment these babies bring is beyond any mere mortal imaginations... ahhhh..
9. Rhododendron Gardens - the place that D had her wedding ceremony was in a national park.. this place was beautiful, you have the most incredible view of a valley.. everything is lush and green with old pines and conifers reaching for the sky.. most importantly it's not FLAT (unlike perth)! it's on an actual mountain!!

10. FABULOUS coffees - unlike you have to search high and low, work through a barrage of burnt/acidic/overheated milk/fake espressos in perth.. good coffee is on every corner in melb.. and out of all the coffees i had (and believe u me.. i had a fair few) i've only had ONE so-so coffee..
just look at this crema and u know it's good S#$%.. :)

ahh.. i believe i have found my Manhattan.. *gently packing away sweet melb memories into happy places bank*