Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Aussie Diaries - Melbourne Day 4

The Aussie Diaries - Melbourne Day 4



"Go to the Twelve Apostles!" was a recurring remark I heard when I was planning for the Melbourne leg, and I would usually be greeted with blank stares when I said I wanted to head to the Mornington Peninsula instead. I'm glad I stuck to my guns to stray a teeny bit off the beaten tourist track, for the day trip to the peninsula was all I'd hoped for and more. Just look at that view.


Look what caught my eye when we stopped off at Mornington Peninsula Chocolates. Macaroons by the former patisserie chef from Laduree in Paris! They were nothing like the original but enough to tame that unfed craving.



Juicy plump grapes may be so last season (quite literally so!) but the vineyards at Red Hill Estate still make a pretty picture in late fall. I can quite easily sit there looking out to the vines for hours.




Lunch at Max's Restaurant, which overlooks the beautiful vineyards.

My sore wisdom tooth had unfortunately begun acting up by that time, so I left a good part of my food untouched, which was a pity.


I may not be able to chew, but I sure can sip...



Walking off our lunch at the incredibly beautiful Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens.


Some sections, especially the mazes, felt very Alice in Wonderland-ish while others like the lavender labyrinth made me feel a tad like a L'occitane flower picker.


A tasting platter at Red Hill Cheese, where we were suitably won over by the Paradigm Log, a goat's cheese dusted with local vine ash. Our purchase did however haunt us on our subsequent travels from city to city, especially with its fart-like scent. But hey, smelly cheeses are (usually) good cheeses okay.



The night ended somewhat uneventfully at the Crown Casino, where we were unable to get bar seats for the wagyu burger at the Rockpool Bar & Grill. Moral of the story? When you really want a burger, a moussaka just wouldn't do.

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