Anyone Game? It’s my Sep 2013 Blog! I'm home; with a TR link in #1189, 10/14

[rentayenta]

I'm here....a little or a lot late...but better late than never. Thank you for posting links to updates.

 

[Minniemum]

More Fireworks - Moomba

For anyone thinking about it, March is a great time to visit Melbourne. It's autumn here and there are a bunch of festivals on this time of year:

[*]The Food and Wine Festival usually runs for over 20 days during the month. Lots of masterclasses, wine tasting, restuarants offering special menus...that kind of thing.
[*]The Australian Grand Prix; usually the 3rd weekend in March.
[*]The Comedy Festival kicks off in March and goes in April.
[*]The International Flower and Garden Show.
[*]And Moomba.

Did I miss the memo? Are you the new travel ambassador for Melbourne?

You definitely met the friendly firework gods at Moomba. Like everyone else, I think your photos are fabulous.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Another one who is impressed by your fireworks pics.
It looks as though there are lots of cool upcoming events in Melbourne. I must make a point of visiting there at some stage.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm here....a little or a lot late...but better late than never. Thank you for posting links to updates.

Glad you made it over!

Did I miss the memo? Are you the new travel ambassador for Melbourne?

You definitely met the friendly firework gods at Moomba. Like everyone else, I think your photos are fabulous.

Travel ambassador? I like the sound of that.

There are just so many great events in Melbourne...that's why I called this PTR a 'blog'. I'm hoping to get out to Flower and Garden. We'll just see how things go and what the weather is like.


Thanks!

Another one who is impressed by your fireworks pics.
It looks as though there are lots of cool upcoming events in Melbourne. I must make a point of visiting there at some stage.

Thanks WanderlustNZ. If you do get to Melbourne, I'm always good for at least a coffee catchup.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Breakfast Food Porn




Yesterday, some friends and I checked out a new cafe in Melbourne. Our meeting spot was fashionably up-market.

Our normal breakfast spot was in the centre of Grand Prix-ness and we decided to avoid the area as it does tend to be a little crazy this time of year.

The coffee was very, very good.

The Chai Latte. I have no idea how this tasted; but my friend enjoyed it.

I completely missed shots of the hot chocolate!




Service was a bit slow; but the food....well.....let's just take a look.


The Big Breakfast.

Pulled Pork sanger.

Scrambled Eggs.

Fruit Salad with yoghurt.

Ricotta Hot Cakes.

Believe it or not...the pick of the morning was...Egyptian Eggs. Who would have thought that the smoked salmon, eggs, avocado and beetroot combo would taste so good??

It was great 'find' and somewhere we would come back to....we just have to accept the slow service!

 

[dgbg100106]

Yummy, that last one looks amazing. How were the yolks? I love it when they are cooked perfect and run all over everything..

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yummy, that last one looks amazing. How were the yolks? I love it when they are cooked perfect and run all over everything..

The yolks were running; but not as runny as I would have expected.

 

[zanzibar138]

Good place to go for a leisurely breakfast Not so good for a quick breakfast on the way somewhere

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good place to go for a leisurely breakfast Not so good for a quick breakfast on the way somewhere

It actually wasn't too bad in the earlier shift.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Plans as they stand for September 24; Monument Valley



Where are we going?

Leave Page and drive towards Monument Valley. This drive takes about 3 hours and I believe that we might lose an hour at Monument Valley.

I understand that MV subscribes to daylight saving?? We’ll see.

In any event, we’ll head down the 98 to the 160, turn off at the 163 and make our way to MV. I must remember to buy gas at Kayenta.

Where are we staying?

I’ve booked 1 night’s accommodation in the Monument Valley area. Hopefully, it will be nice and convenient for our activity in the Valley.

What are we doing?

We won’t be allowed to do a lot of the Valley without a tour so I have booked us for a 5 pm jeep tour of Monument Valley.

There were earlier timeslots; but this tour coincides with sunset at the park. I’m hoping that this will give us an up-close view of the Valley, the...er....Buttes....and the Mittens. *sigh* I guess we will just have to put up with Butte jokes in the TR.

There is one self-guided walk that we can do from the Hotel. It’s the Wildcat Trail and is about 3.2 miles long. I understand that most people count on 2 hours for this walk.

Depending on how we feel and how early we get into Monument Valley, this is something I would consider doing before the jeep tour. We will just have to see how it goes. I suspect that if it is hot, we may just sit this one out. Afterall, with a view like this, why wouldn’t you just want to sit and enjoy?

The thing that concerns me about this day is the time that we will get back to the hotel after the tour. We are in First Nations country; and there really isn’t a lot around for food. I’ve asked the tour company what our options are and they have suggested that we take a look at the menu at The View hotel or at the restaurant at Gouldings; and perhaps we could place an order for food for later. It is a workable option but I am thinking that I might also need to stock up on basic food and drinks when I am in Kayenta; just in case. There might not be a wide choice….but Google tells me I should hit Basha’s Dine. Alternatively, I better stock up in Page!

 

[zanzibar138]

Monument Valley is definitely on my to-do list. Is that the view from your hotel? It's awesome!

I'd definitely pick up some basic supplies on the way.

 

[dgbg100106]

The yolks were running; but not as runny as I would have expected.

For that they need to be very runny....!

 

[dgbg100106]

Oops duplicate post.

 

[rentayenta]

Okay wow! I'm just getting a grasp on your itinerary and your trip sounds amazing. I'm really enjoying the blog format of it too. Very good read and I'm enjoying your photos.

And ya know Utah is very close with gorgeous red rock and lots to do year round so if you make any changes, consider Utah. And oh yeah, I'm here too.

And I agree the fireworks photos are awesome!

Now back to catching up. I'm trying to stay focused until I'm caught up but I love the chatter.

 

[Minniemum]

Your brekky photos have convinced me it's the Egyptian Eggs next time.

Re your trip: How long is your jeep tour? What time do you expect sunset? Are you expecting/hoping to see wildcats on the Wildcat Trail or just the venomous reptiles and insects mentioned on the sign?

I'm really keen to see how this section of your trip pans out. And keep the updates coming, they're a great read.

 

[skier_pete]

I've never been to Monument Valley, but I here those are some of the best buttes anywhere!

Seriously, I am not sure about the time change. I thought all of Arizona ignored DST. (My parents live in Phoenix.) Following it up, it does appear that the Navaho's use MST, so looks like you are right? See, you both inform and educate.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Monument Valley is definitely on my to-do list. Is that the view from your hotel? It's awesome!

I'd definitely pick up some basic supplies on the way.

I think it's the view from the outside platform. But yes, great view! I might just sit there with a drink rather than heading for a walk.

For that they need to be very runny....!

What's the point of poaching eggs if you don't have runny yolks?

Okay wow! I'm just getting a grasp on your itinerary and your trip sounds amazing. I'm really enjoying the blog format of it too. Very good read and I'm enjoying your photos.

And ya know Utah is very close with gorgeous red rock and lots to do year round so if you make any changes, consider Utah. And oh yeah, I'm here too.

And I agree the fireworks photos are awesome!

Now back to catching up. I'm trying to stay focused until I'm caught up but I love the chatter.

I love Southern Utah where all the Grand Circle National Parks are. I'd love to head back to Zion and Bryce and go see SLC, ski Park City.....someday. So many place, so little money!!

Your brekky photos have convinced me it's the Egyptian Eggs next time.

Re your trip: How long is your jeep tour? What time do you expect sunset? Are you expecting/hoping to see wildcats on the Wildcat Trail or just the venomous reptiles and insects mentioned on the sign?

I'm really keen to see how this section of your trip pans out. And keep the updates coming, they're a great read.

The jeep tour is 2.5 - 3 hours long. Sunset will be at about 7.15 pm.

And I don't expect to see wildcats on the Wildcat trail. Just reptiles, insects and desert flora.

I've never been to Monument Valley, but I here those are some of the best buttes anywhere!

Seriously, I am not sure about the time change. I thought all of Arizona ignored DST. (My parents live in Phoenix.) Following it up, it does appear that the Navaho's use MST, so looks like you are right? See, you both inform and educate.

You..er...crack me up. I'll make sure I check out the Buttes.

 

[skier_pete]

You..er...crack me up. I'll make sure I check out the Buttes.

Yes....you'll have to...er...***-ess those buttes for the rest of us! It would be a bum-mer if you didn't!

(Blame me having a 9-year old.)

 

[ACDSNY]

Yes you'll need to thoroughly check out those buttes.

Sorry I think I'd pass on the walking trail based on that sign, I don't enjoy venomous reptiles and insects.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yes....you'll have to...er...***-ess those buttes for the rest of us! It would be a bum-mer if you didn't!

(Blame me having a 9-year old.)

Look at those asterisks! I'm going to have to get Obelisk and Getafix in here to balance it out....


I sure hope no fly-by-mod is checking! Wouldn't want to have my Butte kicked off the Dis for this kind of language.

Yes you'll need to thoroughly check out those buttes.

Sorry I think I'd pass on the walking trail based on that sign, I don't enjoy venomous reptiles and insects.

I think the more I think about it the more I think I might just sit and think about going on that walk.....I think.