This was my first time trying Choceur Chocolate. I have never heard about them, not to mention seen them any where. I was given a total of 6 pieces, sample size. I estimated each sample block to measure 10 cm by 5 cm each.

As usual, chocolate came in white, dark and milk chocolate. First the White were the pure white chocolate and the White Crisp. As usual, white chocolate are sweeter. This is no exception. Definitely not something I would choose, unless I have craving for it. There were slight milky flavour; make do.

Next is the Milk Chocolate. There were 2 flavours, the pure Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut Chocolate. It was lacking of chocolate flavour. It was like indulging in sugar.

Finally, the dark chocolate version, has always been my fave. Finally, at least these tasted like chocolate. Lightly sweetened was what I enjoyed.

NAHMJ Verdict

NAHMJ didn’t think well of Choceur Chocolate. We thought the cacao was a little too diluted in the chocolate. Though the texture of the chocolate was generally smooth and creamy.

Choceur Chocolate

Where to get them?

In Melbourne, Australia. Probably supermarket.

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It is about ninety minutes drive from Melbourne city.

When you entered the “town”, you will be led to the main street with lots of different shops. One of the first shop we entered was the confectionery shop selling lollies and chocolate.

As we walked further, we reached the Poppet Head, which is used as an observation tower in the park.

We climbed the twenty metres tall shaft to enjoy the view of Ballarat.

One of the highlights in Sovereign Hill is the Red Coat Soldiers. The soldiers dressed in red will parade in the “town” and then perform the firing. At the end of the performance, you can pose with these handsome soldiers for a  photograph.

We continued to explore the “town”.

There were some interesting building in the “town”, like the Empire Bowling Saloon.

You can enjoy a game of bowling here. Everything is very primitive. Unlike our modern days, the pins are manually re-set, bowling balls are manually retrieved. You will get to do more exercises playing the bowling here.

In the town there are houses of the 1850s design, featuring each rooms with furniture

and a school and on-going “classes”.

We attended a “class” at the Ragged School too.

During the 19th century, people used to rear their own live stocks, you will spot birds like the turkey, animals like the goat and horses in the town.

The demonstration that you might not want to missed is the Gold Pouring.

The demonstrator will show you how the gold is melted to pouring them over the mould to setting it and get the end product, gold. It is very interesting.

Other interesting activity is gold panning, try your luck at the Digging Creeks and if you are lucky, you may find gold.

There are also some other interesting building, like the Chinese quarters and the Chinese temple.

It is a fun attraction for the family with especially children. For adult like me, I find it very educational, getting to know the life back then and how gold were mined and how the final gold bar was made.

Sovereign Hill, Barat

Bradshaw Street, Ballarat

Opening Hours

Soverign Hill – Daily 0900 to 1700, except Christmas – closed

Gold Museum – Daily 0930 to 1730, except Christmas – closed

Note: Both Soverign Hill and Gold Museum are closed on Christmas

Admission

Click here for the details

Getting There

By Train:

• Ride the V/Line train from Southern Cross station and alight at Ballarat station, then transfer to the Gold Rush Special. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the V/Line sales outlet

By Car

• The most convenient way to get to Sovereign Hill

Link to check out before you go:

Souvereign Hill Website

V/Line Tickets and Time Tables information

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St Francis Church is a very beautiful church. It stands at its original site since 1845. It was built between 1842 and 1845.

This is the church that I attend mass whenever I am in Melbourne.

Church of St Francis

326 Lonsdale Street VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9663 2495

Website: http://www.stfrancismelbourne.org.au/

Mass Times

Weekdays Mass:

Monday – Friday 0730, 1100, 1205, 1305, 1730;

Saturday 0800, 1100, 1205

Weekends Mass:

Saturday Vigil 1800,

Sunday 0700, 080, 0930, 1100 (Choral), 1230, 1330, 1630, 1800

Exposition: 1430 – 1730

For more Catholic Churches Mass Schedule

http://www.cam.org.au/Church-in-Melbourne/Parishes-Mass-Times.aspx

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It is still running on its original route from Belgrave to Gembrook (and back to Belgrave)

We entered through the simple door, got our entrance tickets but as we were a little too early for the next ride, so we explored the town. We saw a second hand shop, a few cafe and restaurants. We decided to buy some fish and chips as our lunch later.

The first station to broad the train was at the Belgrave.

We were still quite early. We were the first passengers. We explored the station, took some photos, chatted with the station master. We were told that one way to enjoy the Puffing Billy and the view along the way better is to sit with your legs hanging out of the train. We tried, took some photos. This way of riding the train may be fun & enjoyable and allow you a good scenic view but it wasn’t comfortable.

It is a relatively simple looking train. Nothing fanciful in the carriages or the train.

The train moved in a slow pace (comparing to our modern train). It passed through the greens and over a wooden bridge.

We stopped over Lakeside and strolled around the area to enjoy the view and our lunch. We spotted a number of Crimson Rosella, very friendly, not wary of human.

Then, very soon, it was time for us to head back to Belgrave but on the way, there were some stops, one of the stop was Emerald. We went down from the train to enjoy the view.

We spent almost three hours at the Puffing Billy. This tourist attraction is best for children, even adult enjoyed themselves.

Puffing Billy

1 Old Monbulk Road, (PO Box 451), Belgrave 3160, Victoria, Australia
Tel: (03) 9757 0700

Opening Hours

Each day there are about 4 departure as early as 10.30am. Click here to check the website for the time tables

Getting There

By Train:

• Belgrave Train line from Melbourne CBD to Belgrave station. Follow the blue line on the platform to Puffing Billy.

By Car:

• Driving to Belgrave is one of the great option.

Link to check out before you go:

Puffing Billy Official Website

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My friend’s husband make some deep fried chicken with cheese for our lunch. While we were enjoying the home-made food at at one of the benches in Heavesville, a bird, in the above picture decided to have a share and kept coming to “steal” our food. The fragrance must have attracted the bird.

After our lunch, we moved on, the first animal we saw was the Kangraoo.

There were different species of Kangaroo in the Sanctuary. As I did not know the various species characteristics so I couldn’t identity which is which.

What attracted me was the way the Kangaroo slept, like sleeping beauty.

I was attracted by the Platypus and that was my first time seeing them.

Look so cute. They swim fast and I couldn’t get them on my camera.

Like I mentioned earlier, the main feature of Healesville Sanctuary is that they have mainly Australia natives animals so I took a few of them.

There were many birds, many which I don’t know what they are. Some of the birds were staying in the same big cage.

The last animal we saw before we left the Sanctuary was the Dingo. As we exit, the keepers were walking the Dingo. I went forward to give them a pat. They didn’t allow me to do that but when my sister was there recently, she was allowed.

Performance

In all zoo, there is always some performance.

No surprise in Healesville Sanctuary, they too have a performance.

I managed to catch the birds in action.

Verdict

Healesville Sanctuary is a place for the family, especially with the little ones. For the bigger boys and girls, it is also fun to learn about the different animals. I have a great time at Healesville Sanctuary. Thanks to both Jean and Gordon for hosting.

Healesville Sanctuary

Badger Creek Rd, Healesville VIC 3777, Australia
Tel: +61 3 5957 2800

How to get there?

By Car

For more information, click here.

When to go?

Any time of the year.

Link to check out before you go:

Healesville Sanctuary

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