Melbourne's Pink Lake

I've never thought that I would see a pink lake. I've heard of one at Esperance, Western Australia but it was very far from Perth. Then I heard of a Salt Water Lake becoming Pink in Melbourne.

With just a few minutes drive from the City of Melbourne, we arrived at Port Melbourne and located the West Gate Park. On a Sunday midday, we were not expecting a lot of people but we were definitely wrong. There were a lot trooping down to see the Pink Lake. 

According to the articles I've read, the lake turns pink when inland lakes reach a certain level of saltiness and combined with various species of algae, this either secretes red pigment into the water or the algae growing at the bottom creates the illusion of the pink color. 

Truly a unique color! We sat down to enjoy the view and left home happy that we got to see Pink Lake to ourselves before it goes back to its usual colour.  Thanks for reading and 'til next blog :)

kunanyi/ Mt Wellington 2019

For those heading to Hobart soon, kunanyi/ Mt. Wellington visit is a must on your list of things to do. The Aboriginal culture called the mountain with numerous names but the official indigenous name is kunanyi. The mountain is unmissable as it towers over Hobart City. 

On my 2nd day at Hobart, I decided to go into the visitor center to book myself a tour for Mt. Wellington. Other people would choose to drive up there but because I can't drive, I settled with a tour. I chose the one that departs at 12 noon so I could have time to explore Salamanca Market on that Saturday morning. I paid $30 for this 2 hour tour. You can also book online for these tours but I chose to rock up to the visitor center just to ask for more details and see some alternatives they could offer. 

I came to the meeting place at least 15 minutes ahead and waited for the tour bus. Then a white van pulls up with the unmissable label. The driver, who also serves as the tour guide, asked to check our confirmation slip and let us into the bus.

On the way up, he was explaining about suburbs at the foot of the mountain and how the flora on the foot of the mountain was different from the ones on top. He was also sharing a story about a forest fire that happened before that left some trees looking dead or without leaves but the fire must have not entirely destroyed the roots that is why they are still standing until now. 

When we were at the top we were informed we had 20 minutes to explore the place. This is the pinnacle area. I was able to come up there even if I was wearing  dress and sneakers. The boulders were a bit risky to climb to.

The plants on top of the mountain are shorter than that of the ones on the foot of the mountain. One of the reason is that the winds are stronger on top, and the plants in order to survive, will grow to a few centimeters only.

I also went into the observation deck where I had read more about Mt Wellington and at the same time be protected from the wind/ cold from the outside. It is said that on top of the mountain, the temperature is 10 degrees less than that of the city.

There's also a walkway outside the Observatory for those wanting to see more of the view.

After enjoying the view and reading at some helpful facts about the mountain, our tour went halfway down the mountain to an area called  the Springs for some coffee. After that, the driver/ guide took us all back to Hobart City.

I felt it was a quick trip to kunanyi/ Mt Wellington but I'm satisfied to see what is there to see. Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!

MONA 2019

One of the things I planned to do while in Hobart was to go to the Museum of Old and New Art. It is Australia's largest private museum and one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world.

There are various ways to get to MONA. One is via the MONA Ferry from Brooke St. Pier. in Hobart. Second is to drive and third is to take the Mona Roma bus. I chose the third one because it took me directly from the airport and can drop me back to the city thereafter. Cost for the return transfer was 22AUD. I booked my transport just after I touched down at Hobart Airport. 

Arriving into Mona, I could see that there was a vineyard and some other buildings in the compound before I could reach the museum. The view from outside the museum was awesome.

I just had to show my confirmation email's barcode so I can go into the museum. The staff asked me to leave my bag in the locker they provided.

One has to start from the basement and work themselves up to see the entirety of the museum. Some people took the lift down but I chose the stairs.

A bar greeted us downstairs and just up ahead was where people could claim their device. I was not able to put my email to the device so it didn't send me the list of names of the galleries and art displays that I have seen so I will try to remember them here as much as I could. There were many classifications of the things there but these were what fascinated me.

The first display was this wall with water spelling random words. I tried to capture the words on my camera but I succeeded only once.

Different words were formed from the water sprouts installed on top of the wall. Very unique.

Then a room with mirrors that made me appear multiple times.

A room where people lined up to throw glass bottles and break them into pieces. Interesting. I was not able to throw one because there were only 3 bottles left when I joined the long line.

Clear plastic bags with water in them.

There was a display wherein only one person at a time could come in and we had to queue from our device. When it was your turn to go into it, the device would display a yellow ticket.

A room that made me look like an alien? I swear this is not a filtered photo.

Well the room gave out these bright lights that made me look like a cartoon character when I took a selfie inside it.

The view from one of the cafes inside the museum. Relaxing after going through halfway of the museum.

This is awesome. The wind draws the lines from a wind turbine from the outside.

The wall of vaginas.  One of the reasons that I knew and aimed to visit  MONA.

2 goldfishes in a bowl with a knife. I liked the commentary for this art. If I remember it right, it was about perception and fear of danger.

This is the fat car. In a world where people would always aim to have the better things or bigger things - the fat car has materialized.

I spent a good 2-3 hours in the museum before it was time to take the bus again this time to the city. It was nice finally seeing MONA for myself and I could say bucket list ticked!

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!