:: finally, out of town!

remember that i've been involved in monash peer support program? again, i was asked to lead this bunch of students for a trip to puffing billy, belgrave. i was overzealous when monash international called and asked me to go with them because i'd always wanted to visit puffing billy. and finally i got the chance to go there. thanks to monash and this program, i got free ticket including train and entrance fees. yay!

#2. Puffing Billy Railway
Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave 3160 (Melway ref: Map 75 F10)

on 30th of july, sunday morning, we met up each other at appointed meeting point for early leaders briefing. later after that, around fifty students joined us and together we walked together to catch the train at caulfield station. as usual, train timetables are very lousy on sunday so we had to change trains 3 times before we reach the final station of belgrave line. it was my first and longest trip on a train, especially zone three line.

there were only five leaders in this trip, so each leader was responsible for around 8-9 students. my own group was consisted of five students from china and four from thailand. i frankly admit that i was so nervous that i wouldn't be able to icebreak the silence situation between these two groups. i handled such a 'big indonesian only' group in my previous tour and i think i did fine. but this one, i frankly wasn't so sure. after a few gimmicks of taking as much photos as possible, finally they talked to each other! after the introductions, finally the conversation naturally flowed. pheewww...

it took an hour trip with train from caulfield to belgrave station. as soon as we reached belgrave, we went out for lunch around belgrave town. belgrave is a very typical quite and nice town you'll find in victoria. they had some restaurants/cafes and also some shops but alas most of them were close on sunday. so i and part of the group had our quick lunch at puffing billy cafe and others opt for subway. after that, we straight popped into the steam train as scheduled.

a brief story about puffing billy; it is an australian old steam train from 1926. it's been running along the mountain track from belgrave to gembrook passing through the scenic Dandenong Ranges [mainly taken from www.puffingbilly.com.au]. we took almost an hour on the train, sightseeing the magnificent ranges of dandenong and stopped at menzies creek. from the train we could possibly see some local's houses, but sightviews are mostly dominated by trees, hills and lake.

if you're after the quiteness of a small town and eye soothing view of green forest, you can try this place. unlike other public interests in victoria, puffing billy is one of the most approachable sites. with distance only around 40 kms from Melbourne CBD, driving or public transportation options are both fun.

want more pictures? take your time to click here :)