Melbourne Travel Guide (Keaton Ochoa)

Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria, which is located in South-Western Australia. It is a popular tourist destination with people from all over the world, partly thanks to its many attractions, great climate and beautiful scenery. This article takes a look at some of the best places to eat, sleep and drink, and how to get around when you are visiting the beautiful city of Melbourne.

Tourist Attractions

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do in the city. No visit to Melbourne is complete without a trip to Federation Square, which is located opposite Flinders Station. It is the perfect place to people watch while enjoying a coffee at one of the many cafes. Special events, such as festivals and exhibitions are also held in this square throughout the year.

The Botanical Gardens are a beautiful place to visit with all the family. The gardens are home to over 50,000 species of plants, which are positioned within 35 hectares of land. You can take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful greenery of the park. The Botanical Gardens are open from 7:30am until sunset everyday of the year, and entry is completely free of charge.

Art-lovers will enjoying visiting the National Gallery of Victoria. The gallery is the cities largest and oldest public art gallery. It contains artworks by many famous artists, including Constable, Auguste, Rodin, and J.M.W Turner. Entry is free of charge, although tickets are required for special events and exhibitions. The gallery also has a second centre which is located in Federation Square, which is home to indigenous artworks from colonial times to the present day.

Where to Eat

Melbourne boasts a huge range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. From small cafes and local pubs, to luxurious dining experiences - there really is something for everyone.

Where to Sleep

There are extensive accommodation options spread throughout the city and the suburban areas. Visitors can choose to stay in a basic but clean hostel room, right up to a beautiful 5 star hotel. Camping options are also available throughout the year.

Travel

Melbourne has a huge range of transportation options. It boasts four airports: Melbourne International Airport, Avalon Airport, Moorabbin Airport and Essendon airport, all of which offer frequent passenger flights. Melbourne International airport is the largest of the lot, offering domestic and international flight to cities all around the world. Taxis and buses are available from the airport to locations across the city.

Melbourne bus network is composed of over 300 routes, with regular services to the outer suburbs and inner city areas.

The city also has its own tram network, which is actually the largest tram network in the world with 1,773 tram stops. Trams will provide a fun, affordable and convenient way to see the sights.

The rail network is also well developed, with 200 suburban stations. The rail connections serve major stops in the city centre, suburbs and they also connect to regional cities and interstate locations.

Melbourne is a wonderful tourist destination in Australia, also known for its wide range of dining options. Enjoy your meals at a fine dining restaurant in Melbourne and experience the best food.
Click here for further details.

Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria, which is located in South-Western Australia. It is a popular tourist destination with people from all over the world, partly thanks to its many attractions, great climate and beautiful scenery. This article takes a look at some of the best places to eat, sleep and drink, and how to get around when you are visiting the beautiful city of Melbourne.

Tourist Attractions

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do in the city. No visit to Melbourne is complete without a trip to Federation Square, which is located opposite Flinders Station. It is the perfect place to people watch while enjoying a coffee at one of the many cafes. Special events, such as festivals and exhibitions are also held in this square throughout the year.

The Botanical Gardens are a beautiful place to visit with all the family. The gardens are home to over 50,000 species of plants, which are positioned within 35 hectares of land. You can take a picnic and enjoy the beautiful greenery of the park. The Botanical Gardens are open from 7:30am until sunset everyday of the year, and entry is completely free of charge.

Art-lovers will enjoying visiting the National Gallery of Victoria. The gallery is the cities largest and oldest public art gallery. It contains artworks by many famous artists, including Constable, Auguste, Rodin, and J.M.W Turner. Entry is free of charge, although tickets are required for special events and exhibitions. The gallery also has a second centre which is located in Federation Square, which is home to indigenous artworks from colonial times to the present day.

Where to Eat

Melbourne boasts a huge range of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. From small cafes and local pubs, to luxurious dining experiences - there really is something for everyone.

Where to Sleep

There are extensive accommodation options spread throughout the city and the suburban areas. Visitors can choose to stay in a basic but clean hostel room, right up to a beautiful 5 star hotel. Camping options are also available throughout the year.

Travel

Melbourne has a huge range of transportation options. It boasts four airports: Melbourne International Airport, Avalon Airport, Moorabbin Airport and Essendon airport, all of which offer frequent passenger flights. Melbourne International airport is the largest of the lot, offering domestic and international flight to cities all around the world. Taxis and buses are available from the airport to locations across the city.

Melbourne bus network is composed of over 300 routes, with regular services to the outer suburbs and inner city areas.

The city also has its own tram network, which is actually the largest tram network in the world with 1,773 tram stops. Trams will provide a fun, affordable and convenient way to see the sights.

The rail network is also well developed, with 200 suburban stations. The rail connections serve major stops in the city centre, suburbs and they also connect to regional cities and interstate locations.

Melbourne is a wonderful tourist destination in Australia, also known for its wide range of dining options. Enjoy your meals at a fine dining restaurant in Melbourne and experience the best food.
Click here for further details.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

G/F Hong Kong and Macau Tips?

Gung Hay Fat Choy or Happy Chinese New Year!


Toby and I are off to Hong Kong and Macau in Feb and while we are both kind of familar with the vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong. This will be my first time going to Hong Kong and eating gluten free.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about my eating options since coeliac disease really is a foreign concept and wheat is in soy sauce and most Chinese sauces. 


Does anyone know of any gluten free friendly options in either place?

Gung Hay Fat Choy or Happy Chinese New Year!


Toby and I are off to Hong Kong and Macau in Feb and while we are both kind of familar with the vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong. This will be my first time going to Hong Kong and eating gluten free.

I have to admit I'm a little nervous about my eating options since coeliac disease really is a foreign concept and wheat is in soy sauce and most Chinese sauces. 


Does anyone know of any gluten free friendly options in either place?

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

US Products Which We Loved

These were only some of the products which we tried and loved there was plenty more like hemp milk (I think it was this brand) and a vegan box of chocolates from Food Fight but I forgot to take pictures of them. I also loved the crazy rumours lip balms which I've thankfully also found in Melbourne.

I tried maybe 4-5  vegan ice cream flavours, but these were the two we tried when we had an ice cream party with Susan. We each bought some ice cream and shared. They were all delicious but I'm not a huge fan of the fake cherry flavour. I can't decide if the luna and larry coconut chocolate hazelnut fudge (pictured) or the purely decadent coconut based chocolagte peanut butter swirl was my fave.

 

I really don't get why we don't have awesome vegan yogurt here when both the UK and the US can do it. I enjoyed several flavours in this coconut range (except for cherry-what is with the fake cherry flavour?):

 

Another thing that the US do well in gf cereal, these were my favourites, particuarly the maple sunrise and from memory it was pretty healthy too.


I tried 3 brands of vegan peanut butter cups but these were my fav, they were just a tad saltier which is perfect in my book. I  really need to replicate this recipe.





Other sweet treats which I loved, justin's flavoured nut butters including maple almond butter, sour gummies bars, and the whole range of eli's earth bars, and the little individual organic chocolates from sjaaks particuarly the caramel ones.

It was only the flight home that I finally tried tings and we devoured the huge bag. I had heard Mandee rave about them but had trouble finding them. I had looked in a few whole foods but couldn't find them. I eventually asked someone at wholefoods who showed me where they were hiding which was not in the chip aisle but somewhere else. They taste a lot like twisties and have nooch in them so I wish I took more packets home with us.

Only one more US post to go from Toby, can you guess what it might be on?  And that will conclude our US holiday posts. I hope I haven't bored the Australian readers with these posts.

These were only some of the products which we tried and loved there was plenty more like hemp milk (I think it was this brand) and a vegan box of chocolates from Food Fight but I forgot to take pictures of them. I also loved the crazy rumours lip balms which I've thankfully also found in Melbourne.

I tried maybe 4-5  vegan ice cream flavours, but these were the two we tried when we had an ice cream party with Susan. We each bought some ice cream and shared. They were all delicious but I'm not a huge fan of the fake cherry flavour. I can't decide if the luna and larry coconut chocolate hazelnut fudge (pictured) or the purely decadent coconut based chocolagte peanut butter swirl was my fave.

 

I really don't get why we don't have awesome vegan yogurt here when both the UK and the US can do it. I enjoyed several flavours in this coconut range (except for cherry-what is with the fake cherry flavour?):

 

Another thing that the US do well in gf cereal, these were my favourites, particuarly the maple sunrise and from memory it was pretty healthy too.


I tried 3 brands of vegan peanut butter cups but these were my fav, they were just a tad saltier which is perfect in my book. I  really need to replicate this recipe.





Other sweet treats which I loved, justin's flavoured nut butters including maple almond butter, sour gummies bars, and the whole range of eli's earth bars, and the little individual organic chocolates from sjaaks particuarly the caramel ones.

It was only the flight home that I finally tried tings and we devoured the huge bag. I had heard Mandee rave about them but had trouble finding them. I had looked in a few whole foods but couldn't find them. I eventually asked someone at wholefoods who showed me where they were hiding which was not in the chip aisle but somewhere else. They taste a lot like twisties and have nooch in them so I wish I took more packets home with us.

Only one more US post to go from Toby, can you guess what it might be on?  And that will conclude our US holiday posts. I hope I haven't bored the Australian readers with these posts.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Rest of San Fran

I unfortunately got sick in San Fran but am now feeling better due some amazing Amercian medication, but it did make me drowsy and made our short time feel like a bit of  blur. It also meant that we fell behind in blogging so I've decided to combine the rest of our eating into this one post. San Fran is very pretty with it's colourful old houses and murals and hills. The hills meant that I didn't really feel like walking like I did in New York. I highly recommend doing a mural walking tour it is so much more interesting knowing about the political/social meanings behind each mural. There is a large homeless population in San Fran and there times were I felt unsafe. I'm not sure if we actually were but there a few areas that I wouldn't want to spend too much time at night. Anyway on to the food.

We went to Gracia Madre twice, which is a vegan Mexican restaurant in Mission. First time ordered an appetiser and two mains and it was way too much food. The appetiser was called Gorditas- potatoes with cashew cheese on top, so delicious.



I ordered the cactus taco dish,it had another name but I can't see it on their online menu which comes with slightly sour tangy filling, beans, rice and corn tacos on the side. The corn tortillas were quite different to other tacos I've had, they were super thick and Scrumptious suggested that it was because they are handmade rather than made it a machine. I think I preferred the thinner variety.

Toby got the tacos each one had a different filling: greens, mushrooms and plantains. He said that he liked the plantains and greens but thought the mushrooms were a little bland.

The second time we met up with the friendly Scrumptious from In My Box and she suggested ordering a range of appetisers so we had enough room for the flan for dessert. I think she is right and this is not only a better idea but also includes the tastiest dishes.The sweet potato and caramelised onion dish was probably my fav, it was called Quesadillas de Camote.

We also enjoyed some quality guacamole which comes with tortillas:

The Pozole which is a hominy stew was better than the version we have tried in viva vegan, but scrumptious explained that she has had better pozole.

The flan was pretty awesome both in texture and flavours and also made us realise that the flan that Toby made before we left  from Viva Vegan was pretty authentic.

We also went to the fancy Millennium for dinner. I had this thai rice cake, the texture of the rice cakes was unlike anything I've had before. It was combined with mild curry and fresh veggies.

And we ordered the sunken souffle which comes with salted peaches and nectarine sorbet. The combination was perfect, neither of us had anything to compare the souffle with but it was basically a nice cake.

We also went to loving hut at westfield shopping centre since it was convenient. I was told that one dish could be made gluten free, the noodle soup. Unfortunately, I had a couple of mouthfuls and then discovered a piece of gluteny mock meat. I went and inquired and sure enough it was, so they got me another one. I didn't really feel like eating it afterwards.

And lastly we accidentally ran across a farmers market which sold the amazing scream sorbet. I had the vanilla almond and Toby had the chocolate hazelnut and Strawberry Rhubarb. So good, I would like more right now.

I unfortunately got sick in San Fran but am now feeling better due some amazing Amercian medication, but it did make me drowsy and made our short time feel like a bit of  blur. It also meant that we fell behind in blogging so I've decided to combine the rest of our eating into this one post. San Fran is very pretty with it's colourful old houses and murals and hills. The hills meant that I didn't really feel like walking like I did in New York. I highly recommend doing a mural walking tour it is so much more interesting knowing about the political/social meanings behind each mural. There is a large homeless population in San Fran and there times were I felt unsafe. I'm not sure if we actually were but there a few areas that I wouldn't want to spend too much time at night. Anyway on to the food.

We went to Gracia Madre twice, which is a vegan Mexican restaurant in Mission. First time ordered an appetiser and two mains and it was way too much food. The appetiser was called Gorditas- potatoes with cashew cheese on top, so delicious.



I ordered the cactus taco dish,it had another name but I can't see it on their online menu which comes with slightly sour tangy filling, beans, rice and corn tacos on the side. The corn tortillas were quite different to other tacos I've had, they were super thick and Scrumptious suggested that it was because they are handmade rather than made it a machine. I think I preferred the thinner variety.

Toby got the tacos each one had a different filling: greens, mushrooms and plantains. He said that he liked the plantains and greens but thought the mushrooms were a little bland.

The second time we met up with the friendly Scrumptious from In My Box and she suggested ordering a range of appetisers so we had enough room for the flan for dessert. I think she is right and this is not only a better idea but also includes the tastiest dishes.The sweet potato and caramelised onion dish was probably my fav, it was called Quesadillas de Camote.

We also enjoyed some quality guacamole which comes with tortillas:

The Pozole which is a hominy stew was better than the version we have tried in viva vegan, but scrumptious explained that she has had better pozole.

The flan was pretty awesome both in texture and flavours and also made us realise that the flan that Toby made before we left  from Viva Vegan was pretty authentic.

We also went to the fancy Millennium for dinner. I had this thai rice cake, the texture of the rice cakes was unlike anything I've had before. It was combined with mild curry and fresh veggies.

And we ordered the sunken souffle which comes with salted peaches and nectarine sorbet. The combination was perfect, neither of us had anything to compare the souffle with but it was basically a nice cake.

We also went to loving hut at westfield shopping centre since it was convenient. I was told that one dish could be made gluten free, the noodle soup. Unfortunately, I had a couple of mouthfuls and then discovered a piece of gluteny mock meat. I went and inquired and sure enough it was, so they got me another one. I didn't really feel like eating it afterwards.

And lastly we accidentally ran across a farmers market which sold the amazing scream sorbet. I had the vanilla almond and Toby had the chocolate hazelnut and Strawberry Rhubarb. So good, I would like more right now.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Toby and I leave for our trip to the US this week. If you have any food related tips for New York, San Francisco or Portland please leave it in the comments or email us. Also would love other tips for good but cheap vintage clothes, tours, and anything else interesting. And I need ideas for snacks I can take on the plane since I can't get a gluten free and vegan meal!

We are taking a laptop and may try to blog while we are gone otherwise will be having a break from blogging (after next two posts) for about a month!

Toby and I leave for our trip to the US this week. If you have any food related tips for New York, San Francisco or Portland please leave it in the comments or email us. Also would love other tips for good but cheap vintage clothes, tours, and anything else interesting. And I need ideas for snacks I can take on the plane since I can't get a gluten free and vegan meal!

We are taking a laptop and may try to blog while we are gone otherwise will be having a break from blogging (after next two posts) for about a month!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

US Trip & New Limit on Eating Out

There are cheap flights to the US at the moment and the dollar conversion is awesome, so we decided to book a trip to the US. The flights should be confirmed tomorrow but it looks like we have 3 weeks in total and will visit New York, San Fransisco and Portland in June.

I'm super excited but overwhelmed looking at the eating options and trying to figure out what is g/f friendly. So if you have any recommendations please leave a comment!

To be able to afford the trip though we need to make some drastic cuts in our usual spending. We worked out recently that most of our money goes on eating out so in an effort to save, we are going to trial eating out only once a fortnight. This is quite a massive change from our normal eating out which involves eating out most of the weekend and one weeknight. 

On a completely unrelated note, look what Toby made with lego. It's the Melbourne Heart logo, which are his new favourite soccer team.

There are cheap flights to the US at the moment and the dollar conversion is awesome, so we decided to book a trip to the US. The flights should be confirmed tomorrow but it looks like we have 3 weeks in total and will visit New York, San Fransisco and Portland in June.

I'm super excited but overwhelmed looking at the eating options and trying to figure out what is g/f friendly. So if you have any recommendations please leave a comment!

To be able to afford the trip though we need to make some drastic cuts in our usual spending. We worked out recently that most of our money goes on eating out so in an effort to save, we are going to trial eating out only once a fortnight. This is quite a massive change from our normal eating out which involves eating out most of the weekend and one weeknight. 

On a completely unrelated note, look what Toby made with lego. It's the Melbourne Heart logo, which are his new favourite soccer team.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Holiday and Satay Bar

We are leaving for our holiday today, things have been pretty hectic and I have been hogging the computer for my thesis, so poor Toby hasn't had a chance to blog at all lately.

We probably won't be blogging much for the next couple of weeks while we are away, although we might be able to on our first stop to Hong Kong since we will be staying with Toby's family and have internet access, but I can't promise anything because I expect to be stuffing myself silly with vegan yum cha and shopping til I drop. Then we are off to London and Berlin where I don't expect much internet time at all.

But I have some news:

Toby and I are going to start a new combined blog when we get back and I finally have a decent camera, which makes a pretty good change from my camera phone.

Anyway on to the food, when I worked in the city I used to frequent Satay Bar and Toby is now a regular eater there. It's a small cafe, which tends to be quite busy at lunch time on weekdays but makes a awesome take away lunch option for city workers. We recently confirmed in writing that all of the veg options are vegan. You can choose from tofu skewers, spicy tofu skewers or vegetables skewers. For $8.40 you can get two skewers, satay sauce and two sides (rice/salad/krupak). The satay sauce is certainly the best tasting satay I've ever had. And the krupuk have the texture of vegi chips or prawn crackers but with a more natural flavour.

Toby being a big eater always get the larger pack with 3 skewers:




Satay Bar
Corner of Flinders Lane & Custom House Lane
Melbourne.
Phone 9629 1466
MON - FRI 10am - 7pm
www

We are leaving for our holiday today, things have been pretty hectic and I have been hogging the computer for my thesis, so poor Toby hasn't had a chance to blog at all lately.

We probably won't be blogging much for the next couple of weeks while we are away, although we might be able to on our first stop to Hong Kong since we will be staying with Toby's family and have internet access, but I can't promise anything because I expect to be stuffing myself silly with vegan yum cha and shopping til I drop. Then we are off to London and Berlin where I don't expect much internet time at all.

But I have some news:

Toby and I are going to start a new combined blog when we get back and I finally have a decent camera, which makes a pretty good change from my camera phone.

Anyway on to the food, when I worked in the city I used to frequent Satay Bar and Toby is now a regular eater there. It's a small cafe, which tends to be quite busy at lunch time on weekdays but makes a awesome take away lunch option for city workers. We recently confirmed in writing that all of the veg options are vegan. You can choose from tofu skewers, spicy tofu skewers or vegetables skewers. For $8.40 you can get two skewers, satay sauce and two sides (rice/salad/krupak). The satay sauce is certainly the best tasting satay I've ever had. And the krupuk have the texture of vegi chips or prawn crackers but with a more natural flavour.

Toby being a big eater always get the larger pack with 3 skewers:




Satay Bar
Corner of Flinders Lane & Custom House Lane
Melbourne.
Phone 9629 1466
MON - FRI 10am - 7pm
www

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hit me with your vegan travel tips

So Mr T and I will have a smallish holiday in Nov-Dec in Hong Kong, London, ATP (Minehead), Brighton (for only a day or two) and Berlin.

We still haven't decided if we will go to Manchester.

If you have any must eats or other tips like cool second hand shops/markets/handmade stuff please share.

Hong Kong is the only place that we are actually familar with.

Also, if you know of any bloggers based in those areas please send me links, I haven't actually come across many London food blogs but I'm sure they exist. I'm hoping to meet up with a couple of veg*n bloggers from those areas too.

So hit me with you tips..............

So Mr T and I will have a smallish holiday in Nov-Dec in Hong Kong, London, ATP (Minehead), Brighton (for only a day or two) and Berlin.

We still haven't decided if we will go to Manchester.

If you have any must eats or other tips like cool second hand shops/markets/handmade stuff please share.

Hong Kong is the only place that we are actually familar with.

Also, if you know of any bloggers based in those areas please send me links, I haven't actually come across many London food blogs but I'm sure they exist. I'm hoping to meet up with a couple of veg*n bloggers from those areas too.

So hit me with you tips..............

reade more... Résuméabuiyad