Melbourne

Mammy's Malaysia exchange buddy Marie family lives in Melbourne. This time shall pay a visit to them too :-)

Melbourne locates at south of Sydney, 1 hour flight away. It is considered as the culture and sports center of Australia. Each year Australia Opens and F1 car tracing are held here. Melbourne and Sydney are called as "rivalries" ;-) Perhaps it is bit like Shanghai and Beijing? That's why Australia sets its capital Canberra out of nowhere but in the MIDDLE of Sydney and Melbourne to ease the tension :-)

(View from airplane to Melbourne)

Marie family live in new suburb of Melbourne. Car journey to the city center takes about 30 minutes. This living area is brand new, most of the houses are just constructed. There are still quite a few under construction. It is wonderful to have own house! Let me think of our own project, when will it be ready? Perhaps next Christmas???

(Australia style??)

For the first time in life, we tasted Kangaroo meat. Hmm, actually it tastes pretty much same like beef. What about reindeer's meat? Tuomo always says it tastes like wool socks (villasukat :-)

(Kangaroo dinner)

Any beautiful city must have water around, the same applies to Melbourne. High school canoe club is in action, very much British style.

(Melbourne "eye"?)


(City center runs through by the famous river)

It took 15 minutes for Bobo to get comfortable of the new thing "beach". This time it's real sand not play yard's sand box :-) In the end it was so fun and didn't want to leave...

(St. Kilda beach)


(Sea food)

As one of immigration country, of course you can always find China Town in each major cities of Australia.

(China town)

General to say, Melbourne is a city more European alike. It is much younger and newer and cheaper than Sydney. Melbourne's winter is colder too. Well, perhaps the only thing Sydney can be proud of is the weather.

Taronga Zoo

Taronga zoo locates on one island near by the city center (same as Helsinki zoo Korkeasaari). From Circular Quay it takes about 15 minute ferry journey to reach. The zoo is designed that visitors walk from top of the island while enjoying the well kept animals. It has wild Australia, Asia and Africa etc. different parts. It's so well designed and brings lots of convince for the visitors, especially families with children. Cable cars are the fastest way to reach the top of the hill.

Because of the famous Koalas, Kangaroos and wombats, the entrance tickets are quite expensive. Even for a daily pass including ferry and cable car costs AUD44 (Euro25, RMB250) one person. It is good idea to plan for the whole day there.

(Ferry to Taronga zoo)


(Cable car to the top of the hill)

All the animals are fun to watch :-)

(Watching kangaroos)

(Baby giraffes)

(Chimps hiding under shades)

(Sleepy koala)


(Sydney city viewed from the zoo)


(Peaceful bay)

With lunch, snacks and resting stops, at the time the zoo is about to be closed we didn't even get chances to see newly comers - giant elephants. It is pity the zoo door closes too early at 6pm. Well, till next time...

Sydney

Nini's mammy is my high school classmate and best friend, actually we shared the same table :-)
Few years ago, the whole family immigrated to Australia and settled down in Sydney. We seldom meet nowadays, the last time we saw each other was summer 2006 in Shanghai . Finally we are going to meet again...

Nini's home locates at Sydney north suburb area called Hornsby. It takes about 35 minutes by local express train from the city center.

Once you are in Sydney, of course you must visit the Sydney harbor. To my surprise, the opera house is actually yellowish. Often I saw pictures of it with white surface, perhaps because of the good lighting. I was told the outside surface is actually made of shells, that's why it is yellow.

(Bobo and Mammy)

Sydney city has very good rail system. You can access most of the places via metro and local railways. During rush hours they are packed with people for work. The ticket price is not cheap, rush hour ticket price is bit higher than other time of day. Therefore for travelers, it is the best to avoid that period time.

(Townhall's big Xmas tree)

David Jones is the biggest department store in Australia. During Xmas time, it establishes a Santa village for children to meet the Santa and take photos. But of course it is not free ;-) Since Santa lives in Finland, Bobo has many chances to meet him and receives gifts.

(Department store David Jone's Santa village)


(Street Kangaroo)

Sydney's city center is pretty much like other big cities with high skyscrapers, department stores, shopping complex and offices. And the city is not a cheap place to live either, a normal restaurant lunch menu costs about AUD30 (Euro18, RMB180). It is the most expensive city to live in Australia.

Summer sun is really strong, it is advised to apply UV30+ sun block before going out. Even the sun is behind the clouds, you still can feel the heat.

Little little traveller

Less than 2 years old Bobo is already a pro-frequent flyer :-) Before she was born, Bobo has already traveled to France, Belgium, Holland and China (of course inside mammy's tummy :) Bobo had her first air voyage at age of 4 and half month. She went to Stockholm Sweden to visit cousins. In additional every year, Bobo goes to visit grandparents in Shanghai 2 to 3 times as well.

Mammy counted her passport's visas and stamps, hmmm... Bobo has already flew 16 times airplanes. Wooow, most of them were long haul cross continent flights.

Mammy recall her first flight was a short distance trip to nearby city via a propeller airplane at age of 12.

After this Christmas Bobo will turn to 2, Mammy and daddy decided to pay visit to Australia. Mainly to visit three good friends of Mammy, and enjoy some sunshine. As you know it is summer down there...

(little experienced traveler to AU)

Winter is here... Christmas is on the corner :-)

Finally winter is here. We had some snow fall during the weekend, today's temperature is around zero degree. Hrrr... It is cold. Next time to enjoy light and warm sun will be in 5-6 months time.

Lately I have been busy with work and study, therefore didn't get much time playing with Bobo. Last Saturday was church holiday, our library session was canceled.

Suddenly Bobo found interests of listening Xmas kids songs. Muuma bought a CD as Christmas gift last year. Bobo has been requesting to play them. Tuomo said to Bobo "Anniina, you must be kind, then Santa Claus will bring you lots of gifts. " "Jooo, Lego!" Bobo replied. I wonder if she really knows who is Santa Claus?

Each Christmas I have to prepare many gift packages. It has not been easy, since there are quite a few similar age kids around us. Everyday birthday, nameday and Christmas, its the gift season. I am running out ideas what to buy? :-(

Soon Bobo will turn to 2 years old. Many people has said age between 1 to 2 is the best time for babies. After that, they develop their own wills. Wuuu, Mammy will miss this period of time...

(In the library)

(interesting...)


(little friend and Lego)

Name day

Today is the name day for Anniina, Aniitta, Anja and Anita. Finnish people have a custom of celebrating of name days. To certain extend, it is even more important than a birthday.

Muuma (Grandmaa) has sent a package, Daddy bought a pack of sweat and a BIG drawing board...
:-P :-P :-P

Happy Name Day to Bobo!!!

F1

Congratulations to Kimi!!!

Long time no see "Tontti"

Another sunny day! After making some dumplings, I packed some of Bobo's playing gear (rain clothes, rubber pants and rubber boots) we headed to the lot. The weather is getting chilly, rrrhrrr, winter is surely on the way...

Bobo is quite happy that we are visiting the lot. Perhaps in her mind, its a land of adventure and lots of new things. Tuomo is currently working on the garage wall, once they are ready (hopefully before the first snow fall), he should concentrate on the main house.

Bobo was eager to to play her three wheel bike which was given free my Tuomo's colleague. Daddy has repainted bit. Hmmm, it seems still few more center meters to grow before she can reach the pedals. Anyway, you can see how happy she was! :-P

(Bobo on bike)

Very few lingo berries were still visible, Bobo was excited to discover them. Heeeheee, she fell down few times in the forest and even laughed by herself. You see with that much clothes on like a little little bear, it doesn't matter that much.

(Little little bear)

(Resting a bit)

Garage's chalk walls are up, just waited to put outside wooden panels. After that it is ready for this winter...

(Garage)

Hopefully till next weekend, we will see you again!

The first visit to local library

Finally it's weekend! What a wonderful feeling to have a long sleep...

Tuomo has left to the lot in the early morning. Oh, I can not remember when was my last visit. Before Bobo was born, I was a valuable labor. I was always there no matter moving the bricks or mixing the cement. Now Bobo is aboard, I have less chance and time to go there.

After the lunch, I told Bobo "Let's go to the local library and shopping mall." Bobo was very excited and managed to put on her pants and hat, ready to go. Heheeeee.... "You still need to put on your jacket!", I said. After all set we dashed to the library.

Last weekend, I was planning to visit there as well. But after shopping, it was closed. In the end we were only able to hang in around in the book store. Though there is also kids reading area, I thought it would not be a good idea, then we left after a while.

Few weeks ago, I have checked where exactly do the kids book locate. Once we stepped in, we headed to that section straightly. Sitting on the stroller, Bobo was getting very exciting to see so many books. This is Bobo's first official library visit!

Bobo stepped on the ground, and started her expedition. After few minutes, she already got few books in hand. I had to follow her and put those back to the shelf :-) Few moments after the excitment, I told Bobo "Let's read some books!" "Joo...", Bobo answered and climbed onto the sofa. Suddenly, she noticed Micky Mouse and Pingiun in the toy box and demanded to have time. After all are set, we started to read one book I have picked. Just few pages later, she took my book and put her own book to my hand and said "Äiti otaa" (Mammy take it). It seems always other person's apple is sweater than own one :-)

There are other kids were reading CD books, Bobo wanted too. Once there is a computer available, I put her onto the high chair, she was cheering "Anniina paina, Anniina paina" (Anniina click, Anniina click)

Just like that 1.5 hours passed quickly. We left with few books in hand. The library closed at 4pm.

We continued our shopping. Bobo was treated with an ice cream. She was satisfied with it! Once we got home, it was almost half past 6pm. Another day has passed...

From Bobo's eyes

Recently I have been very busy, often leave early morning and return late. Therefore feel bit "guilty" that haven't playing enough with Bobo. Knowing Bobo loves books, every now and then I bring back few books to make her happy :-)

In one of Bobo's drawing book, here comes the dialog...

Tuomo asks "What is this?"
Bobo answers "Papa's house"

Tuomo, "Hmmm, this one?"
Bobo, "Papa's airplane."

Bobo, "Anniina's airplane".

Bobo, "Papa and Anniina's car."

Bobo, "Puha Pete (Bob the builder)" :-)

(Bit like Bob the builder?)

Tuomo, "What about this one?"
Bobo, "Mammaa."

(Bobo plays slider)

Bobo's teech

Teh once asked about baby teeth issue...

Bobo went for her second dentist check 2 weeks ago. Basically with 4 more teeth, Bobo's all milk teeth will be in position. Her bottom jaw needs to be monitored carefully, it may still be too early to tell. Perhaps once the adult teeth are in position, then can judge whether the bottom jaw goes bit front than the upper jaw. Anyway I am bit worried.

Lately Bobo had another ear infection, so she had to take some antibiotics. As a result, there is bit black stuff building up in her bottom teeth. That was dentist's speculation, and he requests us to brush her teeth carefully.

Dentist strictly orders that only give baby main meals, no snacks and milk given in between during the day. Try not to give juice but only water. We are not doing very well in this respect. Bobo likes snacks. Dentist also recommends to give 1-2 troche after each meal.

Today I went to buy a pair of MAM teeth brush for her, since Bobo has been biting the old ones. They are worn out. Well, these are not cheap teeth brush anyway, costs more than 7euro. Of course finally I bought correct troche, last time I accidentally bought kids chewing gum.

(MAM tooth brush)

This set of teeth brush is used for both parents and baby. Parents can use the longer one to brush while baby is using the shorter one. That's why there is a plastic ring to prevent baby put it too deep into the mouth. The other side of the tooth brush is mainly for baby biting. But somehow, Bobo is not interested in that but the brush head. :-( This set may not be the softest, since Bobo also has other brand of tooth brush is much softer, such as Jordan and Colgate.

(Jordan tooth brush)

I am overloaded

I haven't been able to update my blog for 2 weeks. Mainly because I am too busy to do so. Actually I am overloaded.

My evening study's third course is over now, there is a exam coming on this Thursday. The teacher is very demanding, besides group assignment there are also individual 2 bonus assignments. In addition to her course materials there are another 5 chapters to read. So far I haven't got time to read them. I feel bit disappointed :-(

While company's project manager training is giving extra stress. I am hoping to get IPMC International Project Manager Certificate in next spring. I also started to study Finnish again, perhaps because the PM training was conducted only in Finnish. And at work, one project need to be done by the end of this month.

And of course dear Bobo and home stuff...

TOO many things going on... I don't know how long I will be able to manage all at the same time without "be burned".

Just to cheer myself, perhaps one day I will have similar collection :-P

10.1

Happy Chinese Independence Day!

F1

Weekend's F1 Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji was so exciting! For the first time ever in the history, two Finnish F1 drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Kimi Räikkönen stood side by side on the medals podium, as the second and the third fastest of the race. While blue white cross Finnish national flags were raised, even busy Bobo stopped her baby stroller pushing and watched it :-) Tuomo is wondering if the race organizer had to borrow the second Finnish flag just for this special occasion.

( Heikki Kovalainen, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen )

I still remember clearly, in the end of 1980's I attended the first F1 exhibition held in Shanghai. Back then I was just in middle school. That day I was carrying a heavy bag full of all kind of F1 merchandise and advertisements and enviably watching the beautiful red Ferrari racing car...

Until 2001 spring, finally I had chance to watch the Sepang race personally. I stayed in Penang for almost 5 months as an exchange student. Though due to the student financial situation, I bought an entrance ticket worth of 700 Finnish marks (bit over 100Euro). It was an fantastic experience to watching a numbers of fighter planes flew over your head and shake the world.

Nobody expected few years late Shanghai also held it's first F1 race... Tuomo has always been saying, if the Finnish drivers perform well he would like to watch the race in Shanghai too. Heheee, since the next race will be in Shanghai. I guess we have to see next year...