Go Fly Kite !!!

It has been ages since I have last made a kite. Gone are the days where kites were made from papers that were used to wrap bread, its frame (supporting sticks) from sapu-lily and strings hijacked from Mum's sewing kit.... plus lots of glue (made from starch) and broken glasses to give the cutting edge to the strings (in the process, get cuts on the hands as well !!!).

Then there was the mad rush of kite chasing whenever there was a casualty .... where a kite looses its fight and every kid will run after it. Most of the time, the trees and telephone/power cable wins !!! Some kids will also fall into drains and bum into each other in the process ... more casualties .... just for a kite !!!

Part II - Melbourne Trip

After the official part of the Melbourne Trip was duly completed, bags were packed and was all ready to meet up with God-sister, Margaret. She came by the RACV Club where I was staying for the past 3 days, before we headed to the Southern Cross Station to hop onto the train for Ivanhoe. Whilst enroute to the station, we dropped by St Augustine Catholic Church, where we took our first shot together in Aussieland.
With Patrick, Lisa and Michael away to Singapore, Margaret was the duty driver to pick by son + a pair of twins and a sweet little girl from school. It was another opportunity for a snap-shot of the duty driver mum with the kids. Back home, we had some "light" snacks of sushi crackers with cheese whilst we prepared a simple meal of roast turkey, fried rice, cous-cous and Margie's secret pepper soup. It was certainly a nice meal to end the day.

Part 1 - Melbourne

On the invitation of Lloyd's List DNC to deliver a presentation at the 6th Annual Port & Maritime Scurity 2009 which was held at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).... had the opportunity to re-visit Melbourne after our last holiday there some 5 years ago. Arrived early on Sunday morning, thus it was just too early for check-in, so took a walk to the Queen Victoria Market to wonder around for 3 hours before the rooms could be available. The flea market was still as interestig as before. Lots of unique stuff such as personalised car plates, clothing for dogs, odd shape plates, etc .... After the walk around, the room was finally ready and checked-in to the RACV @ 501 Brouke Street, Melbourne. Though not obvious from the outside, the rooms were large and well equipped to the standard of a 5-star hotel. Whilst the programme proper was held mainly within the Club, our first night dinner was some 500m away at the Dockland pier. The night scene was certainly peaceful at the pier-side. Was thankful for the first 3 hours of wondering around the streets of Melbourne for that was the only opportunity for a look-see, look see around town.