Life, Travel, GRACE

 Never thought I would have developed an interest in gardening, pot gardening to be exact, and only periwinkle plants. It all started when we snapped two pots of periwinkle from flower expo in Putrajaya last year September. We had the pink and violet flower version. Didn’t take good care of both pots last year, the pink perinwikle died few months later. Not sure what was the cause of dead. But I guess could be due to overwatering or roots rotting. With one pot left, I began to observe and take good care of it since April this year; partly because I had some time at home during lockdown. Did some pruning here and there, and added new soil on it last month. The plant began to thrive. Sadly, the violet periwinle has showed some signs of infection recently. I guess it must be roots rotting as watering doesn’t help to elevate the curling leaves. Guess I need to try to propagate the plant via stem cutting.

After watched the movie, probably everyone is trying to understand the logic and sequence of the story like me. For a start, I have to satisfy with my own explanation, especially for the ending scene although I’ve read some articles about the interpretation of this movie. In a same timeline, two events happen concurrently. Surely, this must have been the product of the alternate universe, after the occurrence of the first event (the forward timeline). In order for the second event (the inverted timeline) to occur, a new alternate universe has to be created (like Avengers Endgame). Whatever happens, happens. But wait, the movie’s explanation is about reverse entropy. Entropy itself is already not easy to grasp. To invert entropy, one needs additional external work, for an open system. Maybe the best solution is to follow the movie’s advice: don’t try to understand it, feel it.

After done The Great Ocean Road trip, the remaining days can be used to explore the city area and its surrounding. One of the must-visit places is Queen Victoria Market. The market offers a variety of fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, gourmet and deli foods. We tried the seafood platter in one of the stalls. The market also has diverse range of clothing and souvenir. The following day we took a trip to Yarra Valley, where one can take wine tasting course. For the children, they can have chocolate tasting course and ice cream tasting. The signage of the market Queen Victoria Market offers clean shopping environment. Seafood platter Wine tasting Chateau Yering The main building of Chateau Yering Ice cream.... Chocolate tasting

The following day we headed to the Philip Island for penguin parade. Along the way, we stopped at Maru Koala and Animal Park. Plenty of kangaroos and wallabies hopping around in the park. After that, we proceeded to Cape Woolamai, one of the beach strips. Before we headed to the penguin parade venue, we stopped by at the Summerlands. Unfortunately the visitor center was closed due to Covid-19 pandemic. We were lucky though as the penguin parade center would be closed to the public on the following day, again due to the pandemic. The march of the penguin was indeed a view not to be missed. But don’t expect to see thousand of penguins marching in one shot. Feeding the wallaby Practicing  his photography skill The beach of Cape Woolamai Summerlands Panoramic view in Summerlands Spotted a penguin in his burrow Another panoramic view in Summerlands The number of penguin arrival on the previous day Penguin parade (photo taken from the Philip Isla

A day tour that every visitor must take in Victoria. We departed from downtown Melbourne all the way to Torquay for a short rest. Then continued along The Great Ocean Road. We stopped for lunch at Apollo Bay. Then stopped over at Great Otwa National Park. And finally Port Campbell National Park for the 12 Apostles. We reached Melbourne around 10 pm. A great trip indeed. Beach at Torquay Beach at Torquay Little boy posing in front of The Great Ocean Road arch Scenery along the road Another scenery along the road Spotted a koala Lunch was fish and chips The 12 Apostles Are there really 12? Scene round the 12 Apostles Port Campbell Park More scene A hidden beach

We took the free walking tour in the city (organized by I’m Free). That’s the easiest way to navigate and understand the city up close. Here are some snapshots during the tour. From the state library, our first stop was the old jail, Next was the Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building. Mind you, this building received UNESCO World Heritage status. Chinatown Performing theater just nearby the Parliament House. Street art (forgot what’s the street name) The Royal Arcade and Block Arcade The Royal Arcade and Block Arcade Passed by St Paul’s Cathedral and Federation Square, we arrived at the art center area. Our last stop, overseeing the Yarra River.

We had made the full payment for the flight tickets and accommodation few months ago. The plan was to have a week holiday in Melbourne during the short-term school break. So we packed and went ahead. A week before our flight, Covid-19 cases in our country was getting more and more but still manageable at the low number of cases. The same applied to the Australia’s. We touched down Melbourne on 15 Mar. We were lucky as Australian government imposed travel ban on the following day. Few days later, Malaysian government imposed movement control order (MCO), and ban on traveling (we were lucky again,?). Then Australian government closed all borders. That’s where panic set in as our returning flight has been cancelled. With some help, we managed to secure our return flight on Sunday, 22 Mar (the last flight before total suspension of international flight by AAX). During our stay in Melbourne, we were blessed with good weather, safe journey and exciting trip, aside on one evening where the pa

In view of recent political turmoil in Malaysia, some might have lost hope. Of course, most of us were shocked, angry, confused. Regardless the outcome of the situation, as a believer, we should entrust all these to the hand of the Lord. And we pray that God will deliver us from this uncertainty. Perhaps a wise quote by Gandalf (from The Lord of The Rings) can be a good comfort and encouragement. It is not despair, for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not.      -  J.R.R. Tolkien -