Day 6: Next Stop - Mornington Peninsula

Woke up to a (still) rainy day. We had a lazy slow breakfast and packed up. Luckily the rain reduced to a drizzle as we were getting ready to load the car. 

Then it started to rain and drizzle most of the ride to our next location:

First stop: Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie which we could not make the first time to due the controlled fires on our way to GOR. It was still raining, but that did not stop us from going to the chocolaterie. 

Mei-mei loved the place (obviously..) and asked for her pictures to be taken:

After buying (a lot of) chocolates, we headed to Belle's Beach for another round of the scrumptious pies. 

.. and coffee..

As we ate at the diner, we did not have enough time to catch the ferry on the hour. If we waited for the ferry, we'd have to wait for too long. So daddy opted to drive straight to Mornington. 

On the way to the farmhouse, we stopped at "Crittenden Estate" which was on the same road as our farmhouse. 

Unlike other wineries where wine tasting were held at the bar, here we were seated at tables. And there were packs to keep children occupied. 

All smiles to play the game

Ko-ko cracking his head for the clues.. 

While daddy and Ah Kong decide which wines to try, we walked out to enjoy the view. Wow!!

Soon it was time to load into the car and head to our next "home". It was a beautiful, large farmhouse. This is "our area" which had it's own dining, living and bathroom:

Dining + Living room

Bathroom

Our bedroom which actually had its own exit to from the house

We even had a kookaburra which came to visit most days when we were there (sometimes bringing a friend):

This is the main living room (next to the main dining room and kitchen):

That evening, we headed to the other farm (Red Hill Lavender Farm) where the rest of the Ban clan were staying. Here is daddy trying to light the woodfire oven for the breads:

While Jack Chek-chek got busy with the barbecue grill (which daddy had already washed up earlier on):

The kids just had fun running around and playing with each other:

Yup, daddy was still struggling with it late into the night

Mei-mei took this picture of the Ban ladies:

Soon it was time to call it a night. It was a looonggg day!

Day 5: The Sand, The Sea and The Sun Burnt

Our third day in Apollo Bay was to be a free and easy day. So for brunch, daddy and Ah Ma whipped up a fest of bacon, eggs and sausages.. and most importantly, our English muffins. 

After eating and washing up, the three of you changes into bathers and walked across the road to the beach. This is Mei-mei's first time at the beach. The water was cold and the waves were rather large and strong, and the winds was cold. But we all had loads of fun. 

After all the playing, we headed back. We'd collected a lot of stones and shells. 

Yup, we walked back barefooted because of our very sandy feet.  

It was a good thing the apartment had beach towels for our use.

One of the pretty shells Ko-ko found.

I showered Mei-mei to discover that she had a stripey bum (from her stripey bather bottoms) and suntan.

Rested at home and then decided to go try out the famous scallop pie before it closed for the day. But before that, brought the both of you to Dooley's Premium Chocolate Ice Cream shop for ice-cream as promised.

Look at the selection!

Then we walked back to the pie shop to meet up with daddy, Ah Kong and Ah Ma. Before entering, we just had to take a picture with this big guy:

My scallop pie. Was delicious

Later on, we left you kids with Ah Ma to rest at home, while we headed for some beer.

We each had one tasting paddle. Then we stopped by the Italian restaurant to have a look at the menu.

Went home to discover Mei-mei sleeping and that she was not feeling well. So in the end, daddy, Ah Kong and Ah Ma went out for takeaway (fish and chips, Italian and Chinese fried rice) for our dinner. And it was a good choice too as it decided to rain heavily that evening. 

Day 4: The Great Ocean Road

Woke up in the morning (wow! had a good uninterrupted sleep.. especially from Mei-mei) to find the two sleepy piggies.. 

Ate a quick breakfast and then packed into the car for our long drive to Port Campbell.

First stop was Castle Cove:

The beach was just so beautiful and serene:

There we caught our first glimpse of the famous Twelve Apostles (8 left):

Hopped into the car and to the Twelve Apostles:

It was a hot! hot! walk.. luckily not too far.

Ta-da:

Silly faces:

After taking so many pictures, we were hot and hungry so daddy drove to Port Campbell town where we went into the restaurant right next to where he was parked, "Forage on the Foreshore":

Too hungry to take pictures. Only managed Mei-mei's juice and my gnocchi:

This is The Arch. We all walked partially along the walkway. But the heat and the flies to got us. So we quickly bundled back into the comfort of the car.

Next stop was The Grotto. Here only daddy and I went down as you were all too tired and too hot to want to walk. Your loss :P

Look at the beautiful view. And the waves crashing in:

Then strangely the water is very calm here. 

This was our last stop for "batu" at Bay of Martyrs:

No more "batu". Next stop is Ko-ko's favorite - cheese:

We waited a while for our turn for cheese tasting. Daddy was busy worrying about the car's engine oil level which he had suddenly realized was rather low. But luckily he did some research to find out that it was at normal level. Of course, we left the cheesery with quite a selection of cheese!

Next stop for the adults. Whiskey

Right next to the distillery was Timboon Ice-creamery. Yay. So we all went there to cool down. This is the (rather large) tasting which the lady gave to Mei-mei:

Look at the dirty girl!

At least Ko-ko was cleaner and neater eater!

Ah Kong and Ah Ma also had some:

By the time we reached Apollo Bay, it was nearly dinnertime and we were hungry, since lunch was light and early. Spotted the sign to "Apollo Bay Fisherman's Co-op" which we had already listed as one of the placed to eat. So we popped by the grocery to pick up something then went back there to buy dinner:

Scallop, chips and prawn (missing my fish):

.. and of course, white wine to go with our dinner. 

Phew.. hot and long day. But it was fun. Everyone had a chance to do something they enjoyed.