Canberra On My Mind

Canberra On My Mind

** Late posting

Written in January 2020, before pandemic days...

A part of Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra is the  capital city of Australia. It is more than 660 kilometers away from Melbourne via the Hume Highway.  Canberra is closer to Sydney with a distance of 247 kms. 

The name 'Canberra' was taken from the indigenous word 'Nganbra' which means 'woman's breast' as it lies between two mountains.

Canberra is referred to as the seat of power as the Parliament House is located there. The Parliament House, a major tourist attraction, was built at a staggering cost of A$ 1.1 billion.

Embassies of other countries, including the Philippines, can be found there.

Another attraction is the Australian War Memorial built to commemorate the sacrifices of Australians who fought and died in war.

Canberra is a must place to visit.

- Konted

The massive Australian War Memorial in Canberra

From the Australian War Memorial, you get a commanding view of Canberra's main avenue and the Parliament House at the opposite end.

The Australian War Memorial is a top tourist destination in Canberra.

Souvenir shot at the Australian War Memorial

Souvenir shot of mother and son at the Australian War Memorial

Lest we forget:   Remembering those who died in war

The phrase ':Lest we forget' was taken from Rudyard Kipling's poem 'Recessional'.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

Simpson And His Donkey sculpture. With his donkey, John Simpson Kirkpatrick rescued about 300 wounded soldiers in a battlefield at Gallipoli in Turkey. He did this in a span of three weeks. Unfortunately, Simpson was killed by machine gun-fire. He became a legend.

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Parliament House in Canberra. Sitting on a 32 hectare-government property, the Parliament House was inaugurated some years back with no less than Queen Elizabeth of England as principal guest of honor.

At the Parliament House in Canberra

At the Parliament House in Canberra

Chamber of the House of Representatives

Chamber of the Senate

At the Parliament House in Canberra

Philippine Embassy in Canberra

Philippine Embassy in Canberra

Traversing the Hume Highway on our way back to Melbourne.

It looks like it's foggy at the Hume Highway but it's actually smoke or haze coming from the bush fires threatening to engulf Sydney.

The Small Town of Lal Lal in Victoria

The Small Town of Lal Lal in Victoria

** Late posting

Written in January 2020, before pandemic days...

About 108 kilometers from Melbourne is the small town of Lal Lal. It is a laid-back town that takes you back in time, to the days, as Streisand would sing, "when life was slow, and oh, so mellow."

What is there to see at Lal Lal? At the junction where two country roads meet is a cluster of improvised mail boxes, waiting for the mailman.

After the bend and right after the old railroad crossing are wind turbines standing side by side with bales of hay. The soft swishing sound created by the wind turbines can be heard.

And at the town reserve, you feel the gentle wind as you take a look at an ancient gorge with steep rocky walls.

Then you suddenly remember that you have to rush back to the city to fetch the kids in school. See u again, Lal Lal.

Konted

Roadside mailboxes at Lal Lal readily accessible to the mail carrier

No flyers, pls.

Country living at its best

You won't get lost as there are clear road signs.

Watch out for horses and riders

Strictly enforced during the summer months of December, January and February

Wind turbines as seen from the main road

The old railway that connects Lal Lal to the City of Ballarat

Wind turbines in a countryside setting. 

Wind turbines generate electricity.

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal. New technology is certainly making its presence felt in Lal Lal. The wind turbines can be seen from the nearby towns.

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Wind turbines and bales of hay at Lal Lal

Farm animals don't seem to mind the wind turbines.

Getting ready for the races

Town reserve

A clear view of the gorge at Lal Lal

Trout Fishing at Mount Dandenong

Trout Fishing at Mount Dandenong

        Tucked deep at Mount Dandenong, among tall Eucalypt trees and lovely ferns, is a farm where one can spend his free time fishing trout and salmon. It is a big farm that is reached through a narrow road that veers from the winding principal road. One drives past ranches where champion horses are bred and lush green meadows where cows and sheep graze. Mount Dandenong is about an hour drive from Melbourne's Central Business District.

The main road at Macclesfield, Mt. Dandenong

The narrow road leading to the farm

The farm is a 7-minute drive from the main road.

You won't get lost as you will see this signage near the road.

         At Australian Rainbow Trout Farm, there is a lake where catching fish is more challenging. A little harder to catch. The lake is relatively large. But there are several ponds that are filled with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon and Golden Rainbow Trout. Catching trout or salmon is easier. Fishing rods with baits are available at the farm at no extra cost. And a bucket is given where fish caught are kept.

The serene lake at the farm

All family members are engaged in fishing at the lake. Family bonding time.

A little harder to catch fish at the lake

One of the many ponds at the Australian Rainbow Trout  Farm in Mt. Dandenong

It is easier to catch fish  at the ponds as they are filled with trout.

The Golden Rainbow Trout is a variant of the Rainbow Trout. It is much bigger than the regular Rainbow Trout.

You don't wait long to catch a fish

You pay more for Golden Rainbow Trout as it is most likely to be heavier than the regular Rainbow Trout.

The Atlantic Salmon is called  "the king of fish".

No one is allowed to fish here as it is the farm's stock pond.

 Filled with trout

Free use of fishing rods

Cardinal rule

Boy catches rainbow trout in 5 minutes.

Rainbow Trout

Easy does it.

Show it, show it !!

The one that almost got away

More fishing rods with baits

          After spending some time fishing and catching the desired fish, the fish are weighed, cleaned, filleted or prepared for shashimi. Trout need not be scaled. There is no charge for cleaning. A minimal amount is asked when fish are filleted or prepared in a special way. Waiting time is about 10 minutes except when there is an unusual number of farm guests.

Guidelines

Waiting for their fish to be weighed and cleaned and sliced.

Waiting time for trout to be cleaned and sliced is about 10 minutes.

Highly skilled

The picnic ground

Free use of tables, benches and grills

Getting it ready for cooking after being cleaned at the fishout section.

Some butter needed

Flattop grill

Getting ready

My catch

Phoenix's catch

Maximus' catch

Shrimps to go with the trout

Buttered Mushrooms, tomatoes and onions

Condiments

         There is a picnic ground at the Australian Rainbow Trout Farm. Picnic tables and benches are spread out with cooking grills in strategic areas. They are free of charge. Wrapped in aluminum foil, cleaned fish are then cooked. Guests do their own cooking. In any way they want. They partake of freshly caught, freshly cooked and generously served trout and salmon. A truly rewarding experience.

- Konted

Two kangaroos making a sudden appearance at the park.

Friendly one

Giant chicken

The gray with white dots on their way to their cages.

Mini golf

Enough parking slots at the farm

Time to go home

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