Australia! Wagga Wagga.

Hi! Salam. We are coming to my 3rd post about Aussie. Since I got some free time now, I am planning of finishing this stories off. As previously mentioned, we traveled from Sydney to Wagga-Wagga by bus which departed nearly 4.00pm Sydney time. We headed to North a bit actually and arrived there at 12.00 something in the midnight where Prof Patrick Ball is waiting for us patiently in the very cold windy night at the railway station.  Traveling by bus for almost 10 hours is a norm to me. BUT! the air pollution made by a local pair sitting 2 rows behind me was really killing me! Ainul and Asma whom sitting right behind me can only stood still and hold in the angry. They are so loud throughout the journey. Aren't they tired talking, make jokes, giggling, laughing for that 10 hours straight? I wonder. Forget bout them. As soon as we arrived and stepped out off the bus, I can feel the cold straight down to my bone. Super cold! Everyone rushing to get into the van drove by Prof Ball for some heat. Next  George came driving the mini bus and a small truck for our luggage. Actually both of them are pharmacy lecturer. In Wagga-Wagga (i'm not sure about Australia itself), the lecturer supposed to have their own bus license. They don't hire driver for school trip/activities etc. The lecturer will drive the students by themselves. Interesting enough? Hehe. We were taken to our respective rent houses. House 1: Me, Solha, Ainul, Kak Dhabit, Asma', Arifah, Pijah,Faiqa, Mai, and Fatin. House 2: Kak Aida, Lily, Najwa, Kimi, Kaled, Kak Fatin, Ani, Huda (just them I think). House 3: Mahmud, Anis, Fawwaz, Hazwan, Yana, Bihah, Nani. (I'm not sure though). House 1 and House 2 quite near. Opposite. House 3 quite far on different road but still within walking distance. The house was great! Was big enough for 10 of us. Alhamdulillah, Sol quite fast in booking the room for us. We got bed with heater. In that house, we and Asma/Ainul getting that kind of bed. Sedap tido.

Living Hall

The kitchen

On the next morning, we were getting prepared to go to Charles Sturt University. From what we've been told by Carl (the driver/the pharmacist), CSU have 2 branches which are in Wagga-Wagga itself and another one in Orange.First thing first. We EAT! we paid much, so we ate much la kan. That day we were introduced to Vegiemart. It is salty fish if i'm not mistaken. I don't even tried cause the smell is not pleasurable for me. But is is actually the favorite and famous snack there in Wagga2. After we ate, we were taken to jalan2 by Carl around the campus. It was signage of kangaroo but we can't see them at that moment. Then, we went to the hall where the lectures are conducted. We had 3 presentation. 1st is the video conference from a lecturer from CSU Orange, and followed by Muhammed's father (forget his name), and Prof Ball himself. All lectures were great. Then, we were having our lunch which sponsored by Muhammed's father. There, I was introduced to an Arabic food, which named was forgotten (*poor me) and the lunch was superb! Delicious! Then, we were taken for jalan2 around Wagga2 town if I'm not mistaken. Next thing I assured, we got back for a short time for pray then, we were taken to Pharmacy Building CSU where we were divided into 5 groups. My group's name is Nasi Lemak consist of Huda, Kaled, me, Sol, Arifah, Kak Fatin, Asma and Ainul. WE ARE HAVING QUIZ!! We actually compete among us. The quiz covered few sessions representing the genre of questions. 1st session is about Pharmacy knowledge, then, Olympics, then, General knowledge about Australia and about Malaysia itself. The quiz host by George (a pharmacist/a driver), 3 students of Pharmacy students. The quiz observed by Carl and Prof Ball. Anddddd our group won the 1st place!!!!Yeeehhaa. Actually we was 2nd place after K.Aida's group. However during the last session, we managed to cross them over by one point! =D Hehehe. But no rewards =( Then, we ate. Prof Ball treated us Fish & Chips and some other side foods. It was delicious! Then we proceed with real-life dispense practice. Each group can choose their own medications from the cabinet and we act as the pharmacist meanwhile George act as the patient. It was great. We chose an eczema cream. The night then proceed to the lab where we were having another competition on making cream. Every one work in pair where I paired up with Solha. It was actually the same thing as what we did in our 1st year Pharmacy Practice. But we forgot. Huhu. The winner got the gold color mortar and pestle and Anis & Mahmud couple got that.The mixing was easy but to put the cream into the jar was quite challenging. After finished the game, we headed home to sleep ^_^

CSU!!

Compounding Competition

On 1st Sept, we woke up and excited to visit Junee Chocolate & Licorice Factory! The building was old fashioned and small. The chocolate was not bad. I bought a lot!I think I finished about $70-$80 for the chocolate only hehe. Next thing is we went to Carl's farm. He got a huge farm. He owns cows, sheep, and we also able to drove APV and some of us did ride the motor-cross bike. Then he brought us to his house. Subhanallah, atas bukit! They don't admire the big house but they have huge land. He owns Alpakka at the back of his house. Not sure how many of them but I was told, Alpakka has the most expensive fur on market. Imagine how rich they are. We were treated nicely there, we ate a lot, his wife did bake muffin for us which was so delicious. He got 2 cute big cat which one of it named Pepper. So fluffy! Then, we were drove to the mart to shop ingredients and foods. Why?? Because we were having the Cultural Night on that night! We cook Nasi lemak, bihun goreng, dessert, and other side dishes. We invited Carl & wife, Prof Ball & wife, and those CSU students. Home 1 which is our house was in-charge in cooking Nasi Lemak. Wau, sisters of my class not only excel in studies but also in cooking. Since all of them focusing on cooking, so I bring myself to clean up the house, keep the bed, etc. All was completed within 1 half hour. We did sang and photo shoot in the night and was hoping they were happy with our hospitality. 

Making tea lemonade

Ainul introducing the food ^_^

Choc tasting at Junee Chocolate & Licorice Factory

Alpakka at Carl's house. Cute aren't they?

2nd Sept is our last day in Wagga-Wagga. We went to CSU for some pictures as memory and depart to Melbourne by train. We were send off by Prof Ball for train at nearly 2.00pm which actually was delayed. In the train, we were silence and enjoy the panorama throughout our journey. The view was beautiful especially the sheep and Canola field. Few minutes passed 7.00pm, we reached Melbourne airport. We prayed and ate. There's Duty Free shop so I shop some perfume for my mother and siblings but sadly I forgot to claim them after I passed the security. Inside, I managed to buy my dad a perfume and luckily it was not left out. Not my rezki perhaps. We departed at 12.45 am on 3rd Sept and we arrived at 7.40am. According to the pilot, we were a bit faster than the schedule. Alhamdulillah safely arrived Malaysia. 

Bye bye house, Bye bye WaggaWagga

That was the greatest memory and I wish I won't forget any part of the trip for my entire life =)

Australia! Sydney.

Salam. Fuh takes longer time than I thought to proceed my story in Australia. Today it is about Sydney. ^_^

 As I mentioned in the previous post, we went to Sydney from Melbourne by Jetstar which arrived at 10.30pm, Sydney time. It was dark. There, we were fetched up by the tour guide whom send us straight to the Sydney Backpackers. We assigned room as usual. Different than the one in Melbourne, there we got larger room so one room may fit up to 10 people. And we got a big hall too in our room plus TV and FREE WIFI. Except Heater! IT IS REALLY CRUCIAL TO HAVE HEATER YET WE DON'T HAVE ONE! Grr. The night went by with us waking up sneezing and shivering on that morning. 

In the morning, 28th August, we were headed to Walsh's Village Pharmacy by public transport. We took 2 buses to get there. It was great being there. The owner of the pharmacy, siblings named Paul Walsh and Richard Walsh were very great and kind. As well as their staffs whom also pharmacists named Shan (from Ipoh, Malaysia), and Aimee. The method they used was excellent. We were treated nicely. We ate lots of foods. They share a lot of their stories and activities and it was great =) . About noon, we thanks them and walk to Maroubra beach. Subhanallah. So beautiful! With such a great scenery, of course we took PLENTY of pictures just don't know whom pictures in whose cameras. There, we took some times to perform prayers. Like other Muslim tourist will do, we spread our coats/sweaters/jackets on the ground and pray as usual. We took the ablution in the nearest toilet beforehand. Quite a lot of foot trained as we do much walking there so we got bit tired. Pose while resting then we took the bus to Darling Harbour where Wildlife is located. 

Food served in Walsh's Pharmacy - First Round hehe

In Wildlife, we visited my long-lost-relatives (*hikhik) named Koala. It, hmmm he lah, he was quite cute but not SOOO cute. Maybe this one is the non-cute species. I thought he was having cute, wide, attractive eyes like the one shown in TV and posters. But this one has Japanese eyes. Sepet. Or is it because they sleep too much? Well I don't even have chance to touch them since they are quite high on trees plus 'is' sleeping throughout our presence there. So we just afford to look them sleep. I guess too much 'sleep' words representing this Koala. Hoho. Aside Koala, we watched snakes, crocodile whom kill his own partner, birds, insects, and other common birds such as parrots.After long sight-seeing  there, we get out when it got darked. We shopped some souvenirs and wait for Dr. Jalal (the IIUM Alumni) to come. He worked there in Sydney and during our meeting, I guess he just got back from work. He looks cool though. Well, watching clock at that time, no wonder everybody got moody, tired etc. We haven't lunch and dinner yet! So we headed to China Town specifically Malay Village. We got a really big surprised there. At that night, Solha and Kimi each brought their friends for dinner. But somehow, Kimi's friend bring along her mates includes; Anwar Hadi. Actually when he arrived, the restaurant was emptied for a while. Leaving out the tiredness, everyone rushed towards Anwar Hadi. I don't have any idea he got such the big wave. After finishing the last bite, we said goodbye to Solha's friends; Logan and Akram. Then, Kimi's friends walked us back to Sydney Backpackers. The China Town is not very far from our hostel. On the way, we stopped by an ice cream shop; Gelatissimo. Kimi's friends treated us the ice cream and they were so yummy! Thanks guys ^_^ Actually I was amazed to hear someone talking Utagha at the restaurant. Rupa2nya, Supian, the colleague of Anwar Hadi and he himself also from Utara. No wonder his pelat quite obvious to be detected. Hahaha! It's funny to recall back. Then we solat and sleep. Still cold as there's no heater even they said they've turned the heater on. ~_~"

With Solha's friends and Kimi's friends. See Anwar Hadi behind us? *muehehe 

On 29th August, we had breakfast on our own and then we headed to town for jalan2. We went to Paddy's Market and we do some shopping and then we ate at aaa (*forgot the name!). P/S: its either we shop then we ate or vice versa. I forgot! It's 2 months already >.<". Then, guess what we do?? We were late AND we were running towards the cruise! Yeeehaaa~~~ we ran in the middle of town just once we touched our foot on ground from the bus. Luckily we managed to get on the cruise. SUCH A GREAT MEMORY. Err, not the run part, but the cruise part hehe. Standing on that cruise while watching the views. Subhanallah! So beautiful. can't describe by words. Owh I just love Sydney <3. On the deck, we were still running! For what righttt?? Just to get our faces in someone's camera. hehehe... wHoever yang start counting, 1...2... then u heard "nanti!nanti!kejap! *gedush2 bunyi lari" haha so funny! Everyone was extremely happy. Adrenaline rushed. Satisfied. Then we were brought by the tour guide to jalan2 with his bus around the town. Only the last place I can recall. We visited Blue Point. There we could see the view of Sydney Harbour. Since it was already dark at that time, the view with the lights from Sydney Town really really can't be described by words. Reaching back to the hostel's area, we went again to China Town to another restaurant which I can't recalled the name. We ate mee and it was plenty, spicy and sedap! we walked back to hostel and fall asleep right after head touch the pillow.

We ate at 'THAT' place 

I am luckily been there!

On our 3rd day and also our last day in Sydney, we visited University of Sydney. Seeing the building right in front of my eyes, I felt so lucky. My sister said, the university was beautiful. And she was totally right. It was sooo beautiful and calm. Just the place you wanna study in. The dream school. I even saw a girl walking without her shoe. What?? But the tar was not hot though. So she can do that freely. The musolla was quite big as compared to Monash University. But Monash itself is upgrading their musolla. Alhamdulillah. The bigger means the increment in the number of Muslim  students there =). After the walk, we ate at the cafe. I ate pizza and take away Nasi Briyani shared with Solha to be eaten during our trip to Wagga Wagga.

We were taking the bus from Sydney to Wagga-Wagga which departed near 4.00pm.  Bye Bye Sydney. It was such a great pleasure to be there. 

Next post will be about Wagga-Wagga, kangaroos, girls cooking etc. See ya! ^______^