Memoirs of My Thoughts: Warratina Lavender Farm & Philip Island

From my previous post, http://wanderluzz.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html, our first night stay in Yarra Glen BnB was indeed a memorable one. If I were given an opportunity to visit again, I would definitely make a come back. Below seen was the picture showing our 2 ensuite rooms, I had booked online, adjacent to each other. At the very end was the home of the owner, Mac and his wife. They stayed here together with their loyal pet, Bobbie, the shepherd dog.

Awarded with 4 stars plus based on its standard and services, spick-and-span, Yarra Glen BnB also supports tourism board of Yarra Valley.

Had continental breakfast, facing lush greenery and breathing in fresh country air, at the balcony.

Introducing to you, Bobbie, the smartest, friendly, pet dog. Mac told us to leave the keys hung on the hooks inside the rooms, before leaving. My instinct told me that I gotta lock the doors somehow before departure. Looking amazed, Mac replied that there's no worry to leave the doors unlock, and we could just leave like that, leaving the keys behind. FYI, Mac and the wife were not around that morning as they had errand to run. They trusted Bobbie to look after the house. And indeed Bobbie did a very good job. Noticed that whenever strangers walked past the place, Bobbie will give a suspicious look and barked endlessly. As for its neighbours who always jogging around the vicinity, Bobbie will behave well. No wonder, its owner trusted him so much...:)

BOBBIE...

Vineyards and wineries were abundant around Yarra Valley. Albeit the fact, we didn't stop by any of the wineries around, as bro and sis were not keen in wine tasting.

After leaving Yarra Glen BnB, we ventured out to Warratina Lavender Farm which was not very far away. Its located at 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock, 3139, VICTORIA, opens from Wed to Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., free entrance. One can just visit this place and admire the sweet smelling lavenders around the farm. November is actually the best visiting time for full bloom lavenders.

Lovely purplish lavenders with sweet soothing smell of the flowers, brought the calmness within us, but not to the extent of dozing off, hahaaa. We took plenty of pictures with the lavenders and cherry blossom, but always be careful not to disturb the bees who were busy collecting nectar in Spring. The buzzing sound of working bees, while I shooting away really put me off sometime.

Cherry blossom in bloom

Windy yet strong sunny day, a beautiful day to admire the nature.

September is not the best time to harvest lavender. Only one row of lavenders was left untrimmed for visitors view. The rest all 'BOTAK'.

Cherry blossom in its full bloom, leaves were hardly seen on the tree. Though I slipped a chance to visit Tokyo during its last Spring, and had a narrow escape from its deadly natural disaster of Tsunami and major nuclear crisis, but the lady luck was generous in giving me the bestest view of full bloom sakura in Victoria.

Family shot at Warratina Lavender Farm

There were a few species of lavenders available in the farm.

A steel look alike machine, extracting lavender oil, to make into essential lavender oil.

After having great time strolling around, we stepped into Lavender Cottage nearby for a brew of lavender tea and ice-cream.

Had 2 pots of lavender tea, one was lavender with cammomile and the other was lavender with black tea, together with 2 bowls of lavender ice-cream. I prefer the lavender with cammomile, double soothing effect.

The souvenir corner, where they sell aromatheraphy oil, essential oil and fragrance oil. I allowed myself to purchase one bottle of lavender essential oil with AUS$15. Love max the fragrance, I couldn't help but to drop a few drops of the oil onto my shirt each time. My bro teased that I must watch out for the bees as they might attack, coz of the lavender oil which misleaded the little ones into thinking that I produce nectar. LOL...

Teapot set with hand-drawn lavender on it. Lovely as tea set collection, right?

Next, we checked into Frankston BnB, which I booked online through Agoda. However, we were devasted to find out that we were checked into a queen sized room instead of 2! Its a disaster, as I had paid a full amount online, and yet we couldn't squeeze 5 luggages into the room. We had to struggle for space on that night! The housekeeper gave us 2 extra mattresses which we had to lay on the floor. Sigh... But I have since recover the half amount paid from Agoda through the refund request made online, the moment I returned to Singapore. All my life, I hate shared bathroom, but unknowingly, Frankston BnB, has shared kitchen and bathroom, although there were 2 bathrooms, 1 upstairs and another 1 downstairs. We were put up upstairs, but I was afraid to use the bathroom downstairs, as the movie 'PSYCHO' kept playing in my mind. Weird right? LOL.....

Frankston BnB was kind of rowdy and not well maintained. Its the worst accommodation we came across, throughout the 7 nights in Vic.

After short rest, we embarked on 1.5 hrs journey into Philip Island for Penguin Parade show before sunset. Upon arrival, got ourselves admission tickets of AUS$25 perhead, only for Penguin Parade show instead of 3-in-1 combo attractions, as we had limited time, coz its already 6 plus in the evening. There are 2 types of seats available, the normal platform view with AUS$25 per person or VIP view with cut throat 3X the normal price. I was told that 60% of fairy penguins parading onshore, would appear around this so-called VIP area. Heck! We paid for normal tickets and quickly made our way to the platform to 'chop' the front seats. Waited patiently, embracing ourselves with ferocious cold sea breeze, for the sun to set, which was the perfect time for penguins to make its appearance.This is to avoid themselves from falling prey to predator like eagles, as penguins are too vulnerable.

As darkness approaching, troups of fairy penguins were seen swimming to the shore, and quickly made their way into nearby bushes and burrows. Spring is the best time for mating and hatching. So there were tons of them. Photography was strictly prohibited. Many rangers were seen patrolling around to make sure we abide by the rule. Not even non-flash photography, in order to protect Philip Island as their come back mating ground. They are threatened species which are protected in Australia.