Visit Victoria Day 8: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, Coffee Tour, Shark Walk, Victoria Market and Chinatown

Visit Victoria Day 8: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, Coffee Tour, Shark Walk, Victoria Market and Chinatown

It is hard to imagine that I am on my second last day in Victoria. The previous 7 days were days of great adventures. Many people have asked me what to do in Victoria, I just told them read what I’ve done in my 8 days in Victoria and you will know what to do.

For coffee lovers, many would love to come to Melbourne and one of the most popular to place to go is no other than Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar.

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar needs only a couple of photos to demonstrate that everyone has coffee here, from Christy Turlington to Kevin Sheedy, and all us no-names as well. Let’s not forget its granita and the consoling uniformity of all its pasta dishes.

While sitting there enjoying my coffee latte. I see many people coming in and out getting their coffee. Coffee to me is like a fire starter, you really need a good coffee to kickstart your day.

There is nothing better to travel around without a great cup of coffee in the morning.

Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar Address and Contact:

66 Bourke Street

Tel: (03) 9662 1885

Well, after enjoying my cup of coffee latte in Pelligrini’s, I met the Hidden Secrets walking tour guide Fiona Sweetman. Fiona took me to one of the weirdest tour I had, a coffee tour or I prefer to call it the coffee trail.

Just in an hour, Fiona took me to visit almost half a dozen of coffee shops or coffee joints. Interesting, fun and unexpected, the hidden secret tour is something to look for in Melbourne. For more info on the coffee adventure, visit www.hiddensecretstours.com

After the coffee trail, it is time for the Shark Walk.

Shark Walk at Melbourne Aquarium.

Melbourne Aquarium is a unique journey over four levels featuring displays of coral atolls, mangrove swamps, billabongs and a rock pool, which lead to a spectacular 2.2 million litre Oceanarium. Enjoy a close encounter with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and dozens of schools of colourful fish.

It was my first time putting on a diving suit. Thank god, they have my size and with the helmet I look like a mini “shrek”.  I went through a short course on how to breathe with the breathing helmet. I thought it was pretty safe and fun.

Walking around the aquarium looking out to the visitors was a totally different experience. As I was trying to look for the sharks, I believed the sharks were frightened away by my “shrek” physique. Instead I found one sharking sleeping on the surface of the bottom rocks.

There were quite a number of string rays. They were like huge space ships hovering on top of us. They were friendly and I had my guilt loving them as food.

After the shark walk, I ventured the Melbourne Aquarium. The cute penguins took my attention as they were swimming in a huge transparent tank. Well, they were from the “happy feet” movie species, forgotten what is their name though.

Melbourne Aquarium Address and Contact:

Cnr. Kings Way & Queens Wharf Road

Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: (03) 9923 5999

Website: www.melbourneaquarium.com.au

Read our full review: Shark Walk at Melbourne Aquarium

It was hard to say goodbye to my guide Rainer. He was attentive, fun and nice to talk to. After 8 days with him, it was time to say goodbye. He dropped us at Victoria Market for some shopping as today it is our free and easy day.

The Victoria Market is huge. Similar to the Paddy’s Market in Sydney. There are lots of value for money souvenirs as well as other items such as shoes, clothes and food.

There, I met up with Malaysian based blogger Jessica. She is studying in Melbourne and she showed me around the market.

Victoria Market Address and Contact:

155 Victoria St
Melbourne Victoria 3000, Australia
(03) 9320 5822

Then, I walked to Lygon Street to meet up with another Malaysian based blogger Ellie Chee for lunch. We dined at the the popular Thai restaurant in Lygon. Check out my experience here.

Next, I went back to hotel for a short rest before meeting up with my friends in Chinatown.

I have dinner at Hutong Chinese restaurant, one of the popular restaurants in Melbourne’s China Town.

Lastly, I met up with my other friends for a short drink in Long Room.

It was a crazy night with lots of booze and drinks.

My friend, Jolene walked me back to my hotel and make sure I was still in one piece as I will be leaving on the other day. I am really happy to meet friends who are now residing in Melbourne. Catching up with them is more than I can ask for.

This is my last night in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia and it has been an awesome eight days of adventure!

Check out my other Visit Victoria 2011 9 Days experiences by clicking the link below:

Visit Victoria Day 1: Causeway 353 Hotel, Federation Square, Chinatown, SouthBank, Eureka Skydeck 88, Tutto Bene and Crown Casino

Visit Victoria Day 2: Dandenong Ranges, On Puffing Billy, Olinda, Sassafras, Miss Maple’s Tea Room, Yarra Valley, Domaine Chandon, Sebel Lodge Hotel and Balgownie

Visit Victoria Day 3: Global Ballooning, Rochford Winery, Yarra Valley Dairy, Rayners Stonefruit Orchard, Giant Steps, Koala Conservation Centre, Waves Apartments and Phillip Island Nature Park

Visit Victoria Day 4: A Maze N Things, San Remo’s Fisherman’s Co-op, Heritage Farm at Churchill Island and Dinner at Taylors Waterfront Restaurant

Visit Victoria Day 5: Panny’s Chocolate Factory, Mornington Peninsula, Max’s at Red Hill Estate, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Gordon Studio Glass Blowers, Brooklands Best Western and The Rock

Visit Victoria Day 6: Horse Riding at Gunnamatta Equestrian Centre, The Baths, Ashcombe Maze & Water Gardens, Peninsula Hot Springs and Dinner at Hotel Sorrento

Visit Victoria Day 7: Sand Sculpting Exhibition, St. Kilda, Dinner onboard the Colonial Tramcar, Bar tour With Michelle Matthews of Deck of Secrets.

Visit Victoria Day 8: Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar, Coffee Tour, Shark Walk, Victoria Market and Chinatown

Visit Victoria Day 9: Gold Class Limousines and Goodbye Australia

Wilson Ng