The launch of Yong and Mel's Wedding Blog.

Today is a special day for Tubbs and I and we just want to announce something important! From exactly 365 days from today, on 21 Oct 2011, Tubby and I will be walking down the aisle:

So I'm launching our wedding blog: http://yongandmelswedding.blogspot.com. Do pop by to have a look and feel free to leave a comment or say hi! :)

Mum's birthday trip: 3D2N Great Ocean Road and Grampians

Mum and I went for a 3D2N Great Ocean Road and Grampians trip last Wed-Fri. She had initially asked for Great Ocean Road only but I thought since there was an offer and we get to spend more days together on the trip, we might as well go for the one with Grampians as well.

Day 1: The weather was rather bad and cloudy. We had to wake up at about 6am in the morning (5am for me since I take an hour to get ready!) to get to one of the pick-up points. There were a number of pick-up points but we chose Habitat HQ, a backpackers along St. Kilda road.

Itinerary: Bells Beach, Memorial Arch, Beach Stops, Drive along Great Ocean Road, Lorne & Anglesea, Otway Rainforest Walk, 12 Apostles, Loch Arch Gorge, London Bridge and Cudgee Wildlife Park.
The highlight for day 1 was definitely the visit to the Cudgee Wildlife Park. We were each given a bucket of bread to feed the animals such as Wallabies, Kangaroos, Ducks, Emus and more. Mum also had a cute pink parrot who took an instant liking to her. But the best part when we got to hold a wombat and koala. I couldn't quite remember what the other animal I was holding is called, but they were so cute!

Day 2: That day was certainly a much nicer and lovelier day. The sun actually came out and warmed us up when we were driving up to Grampians. We stayed at the Warrnambool Beach Backpackers the night before and so after breakfast, our tour guide suggested a walk around the area.

Itinerary: Stingray Bay, Thunderpoint Coastal Reserve, Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre, The Pinnacle and true aussie BBQ for dinner.

Day 2 was probably one of the most tiring ones with the club up the Pinnacle. The 4.2km trip from Wonderland Carpark took us about 3 hours to get up and back. It was pretty strenuous and mum had to stop halfway and went back down to wait for us. But the rock formations were wonderful and the view from the top was just stunning that it was well worth it.

Day 3: What luck that out of the 3 days, 2 days had to be dampening. Day 3 was also pretty wet and cold. It was raining and pouring the whole night before. We were supposed to also visit the Boroka & Reeds Lookout and the Balconies, but it was just to wet to go there.

Itinerary: McKenzie Falls, Drive along Halls Gap, Wartook Reservoir and Bests Wines Winery.
And the hightlight for that day was certainly the cute and lovable Border Collie at the Winery. He was just so friendly and loving to everyone. They also had a book there on all the dogs in different wineries. We bought some moscato home that evening and boy did it feel good to get home again after much travelling. :)

Tulip Festival & Mum's Birthday Celebrations 2010

Today is Mum's birthday! Happy Birthday Mum! As her birthday falls on a working day, we had no choice but to celebrate her birthday earlier. But I think the most important thing was that this year, Mum's in Melbourne to spend her birthday with us again. The last birthday we spent with her was her big 60th in 2008!

We brought her to Tulip Farm in Silvan a couple of weeks ago. I'd made arrangements with Daniel's church friends and managed to get group discount for the tickets during the week. Diana and her group of friends, plus my high sch mate Ed and his mum also met us there. Boy it was a hot day! Starting to get the feel of summer! Here are some snaps from the day:

Colourful rows of tulips; yet I managed to capture a barren part.	Mum and I in the middle of some lovely pink tulips, which are my favourite colour.
More rows of tulips, somehow this year there seem to be lots of barren parts.	Darling and I at the exact same signboard which we also took a pic in 2005.
With Aims, Diana and Xiaowei	With mum, Aims and Jasper.
With Ed, Mrs. Han, Mum and Jasper who's looking somewhere else!	Love this photo, captures a close up view of the lovely red and pink coloured tulips.

And so for Mum's early birthday celebration on Sat 9th Oct, we arranged a birthday lunch in the arvo and dinner plus movie at night. This lunch was again in the Dandenong Ranges like her 60th birthday, one of mum's favourite place. We went to Cuckoo's Restaurant - a smorgasboard (buffet) place for lunch. $38 for all you can eat with heaps of variety of food and live entertainment as well.

Performer making a tune with those bevarian bells.	Snapshot of the boys looking all happy and stuffed.
The cashier and souvenir counter where mum like the souvenir displays	With mum, Diana and Aims at the large Cuckoo Clock.

Group photo - thanks to all for turn up for the lunch and made mum's day! :)

After Dandenong's, we went back home for a short rest before heading out to TGIF Southland for dinner and movie with another group (except Ammie) who came for both. We were still full from lunch and so mum and I ordered something to share instead.

Pics of us 4 ladies, cindy (Dan's church friend also came along later.)	Aims explaining to mum what a profiterole was and mum looking on.
The very lovely and yummy profiterole birthday cake Bro Dan got for mum! Thanks dear bro! :)	Just mum and I with a pic of the yummy and sinful cake which we all still found a stomach for after dinner.

And lastly a group pic for the night of those who came for the dinner. (Includes Cindy too who came later just for the movie. ) We watched "The Last Airbender" that night.

Hope you had a wonderful time that day mum! Love and Muaks!