The thing about mental toughness...

One of my favourite time of the year is around the Australian Open season... it's the first grand slam of the year and top tennis players from all around the world gathers in Melbourne and do their battle in Rod Laver Arena.  Pearly and I always try to make it a point to go and watch tennis. This is the first year we bought ground pass and decided to hang around the outer courts instead of going for centre court matches. 

Match after match, the one thing that impresses me is how players deal with defeat and disappointment - mental toughness. Obviously, some do it well - others do not. But one thing about the winners is that they all do it one point at a time. If you keep winning points, you'll win. The moment you take your eyes off the next point and look at the overall scoreboard or focus on closing off the match - YOU LOSE! 

Perhaps such is life, sometimes there are disappointments... sometimes defeats... sometimes unappreciated... unrecognised. But I think the key is to keep you eyes on that next point, hang in there - win it. Don't give up, don't lose sight. The win is just around the corner!

London Bridge - Great Ocean Road

Ok, this is the fourth time I have visited this spot. The last 3 times - I have either not really taken up photography or have forgotten to bring my camera along. So when my family arrived - I thought.... let's do a trip that allows me to take some photos & show them the natural wonder of Victoria! That's two birds with one stone... win win!


When I arrived, I almost didn't manage a shot as the sky was gloomy and threatening to pour forth wet blessings on me! Fortunately, I managed a few shots on my camera before it all came down!

Churches and cathedrals are such beautiful place

I mean the painting on the walls and the stain glass windows are such a display of artistry! It can take me hours to just sit down and go through the paintings on the wall tile by tile... I am amazed by the intricacies - every little detail, every tone. This experience in the church has left me in awe!

Near Federation Square

This photo is part of a series of 6 that I'll be sharing taken from a recent night out in the city of Melbourne. The next time I'll be out doing a night shoot in the city will be on New Year's Eve. Hopefully, I'll be able to grab some shots of the New Year's fireworks. 


I must say that I counted myself really lucky to be able to do this on a night full of clouds... sure, at some stage during the shoot it seems like the rain will not hold out. But it did! I recall leaving the city around 930pm and the minute I stepped into the car... the heavens opened and it was raining heavy! Not sure whether I've mentioned this before, for those of you who are visiting Melbourne, be sure to check out this place! Heaps of cools restaurant and personally, I think the National Gallery of Victoria (you can see this place in the background) is one of the best museum in Australia... their exhibits changes frequently and most of the exhibits are free to see... additionally, there are usually cool performances on weekends.

The Most Iconic Building in Melbourne

Yes, you guess right. The most iconic building in Melbourne for me is the Flinders Street Train Station. I liken it to the Sydney Opera House for Sydney. 


Despite its old and colonial looks, it holds certain sentimental values for me - I still remember the first time I stepped into the train station and boarded the train. It was crazy... people all around me, confusing platforms... waiting for the train that never seem to arrive... or after it arrived... it took forever to leave. That was my initiation to Melbourne!

Rugby World Cup - Federation Square

Some of my colleagues and friends are from NEw Zealand ... and yes, you guess right, the past week was "hell" for me, there was an incessant mentioning and bragging of how superb the All Blacks performed at the Rugby World Cup that ended last weekend. 


When the All Blacks were playing the French team... I was busy taking photos in the city near Federation Square. The moment was electrifying... eyes pierced on the big screen - it was intense. I figured, while no one's looking I'll try to capture the moment!

Finally - after close to 3 years

This photo reminds me of a conversation I had with a colleague of my who lives in Australia... yes, she might have grown up in Brisbane and recently moved to Melbourne but that is no excuse for not knowing where Chadstone Shopping Centre is!! I mean, it's Chadstone SC - I remember having it on my wife's list of "must do" when we first arrived here 3 years ago.  In fact, I remember that it was on her top three list of to do!

Come to think of it, I am no exception. Ever since picking up photography, I have always wanted to do a night shot of Melbourne City. Well, like they said "the greatest intention is smallest than the smallest deed". I just never got to do it... yes, there was once I nearly managed to do a night photowalk in the city... but when the rain came down that night, it was all over!

Thankfully, my understanding wife allowed me to do my night photography last weekend... we started in the late afternoon and stayed until about 930pm! 

Melbourne City View

Back to Outpost Restaurant - I had to try the pork belly again!

I must admit...


I'm not the risk-taking type... in fact when it comes to food - I'm risk-adverse.


Once I found a restaurant that serves really good food... I tend to keep going back for more.


About a month ago, my family chance on this restaurant, my sister ordered pork belly - I took a few bites. It was the best pork belly I've tried. Fancy finding a restaurant of such quality in the middle of Gippsland (for those not living in Melbourne, it's a rural region part of Victoria about 1-2 hour's drive from the city).  Now I am back for more - not sharing this time! I've a whole plate of pork belly to myself. The quality is still good - except I wish the chef did not pour the gravy over the crispy skin.


Also, this time, I brought my tripod - set it up and took these shots.

Polly Woodside

Part of the reason why I enjoy visiting Southbank is because you tend to find something interesting every time you turn a corner. Polly Woodside is now a tourist attraction - you'll have to pay to go onboard. Observing from a distance is completely free! Ah nice!

Flinders Street Melbourne

Walking down Flinders Street - I thought it is simply wonderful that there is a bit of "history" retained in every modern city. These walls are true tell-tale signs of what the city has endured through the passage of time.

A river runs through it...

The Outpost Restaurant in Noojee

One more shot...

The Outpost Restaurant in Noojee

This restaurant is probably's Noojee's best kept secret! The food is seriously good and the ambience is excellent... really blends into the rural Victoria type feel! Highly recommend the Roast Pork Belly. While the food took awhile to reach us... it sort of didn't really bother anyone since there's so much interesting things to explore in the restaurant. Hosts are John and Barb Snelling.

Address: 38 Loch Valley Road, Noojee, Vic 3833.

Toorongo Falls - Noojee

Almost 1.5 years later, I've decided to revisit this place... sure if the weather holds up I would have surely stayed for a longer period of time. The trip was somewhat frustrating... it kept raining ... it was cold, wet and slippery. fortunately, I did manage a small number of shots before I called it a day! I think someone should set up a shelter along the track to the waterfall... for rainy days... it'll be a blessing.

Tanjil Bran - on-route to Mt Baw Baw

This is the last stopover before you proceed to Mt Baw Baw... from a short distance I saw some smoke coming out from the chimney of a cabin (believe it's named Crowmwell Cabin). Decided to hop in to see what's there... to my delight... and I took these photos!

Everyday I'm planking!

Satay !! The great food safari!

I took this shot about 6 months ago during a chinese new year street bazaar in Boxhill. Really like the ambience of this shot. Smoke in the air... the activity... wish that somehow I can retain the smell!

Guess who is Owling in Southbank!

What a classic! need I say more? Is there a best owling shot contest I can send this to...

A beautiful house...

This is a really beautiful house that caught my eyes on my way through rural Victoria.