Oz Day 9: A Dead Paddymelon and Dinner at Asian Gourmet...

~ 14th November 2015 ~

This is a paddymelon. It's the little cousin of a kangaroo and wallaby. Along the highway when we were driving, there were body parts of paddymelon strewn at parts and juncture of the highway. I was asking out loud why could this happen. Why were the drivers so heartless to kill the paddymelon. You see, God answered my question as well so that I would not come back still wondering what happened to those paddymelons. After refueling our little rented car, I sped off but still kept within the speed limit as I was a really careful driver.

We had to be back at Hobart before all restaurants shut their doors on us. As I was driving on a two-laned road, with the sun setting and no street lamps along the countryside, a paddymelon hopped right in front of the car. I think the paddymelon was attracted to the bright lights from the car. The only lights around the area and I could not brake in time. I dared not even swerve because that would spell disaster for all of us in the car. I screamed, we screamed and I rammed straight into the toddler-size paddymelon. Thank God it wasn't an adult kangaroo or the car would be totaled. I drove on but as the road became wider with ample space to stop on the shoulder, I passed the wheel to Mr. Ma. I broke down in tears and wondered how many parts have I made of that one cute paddymelon. 

I told myself I would never drive again in Australia, in the wilderness. There were street signs warning about koalas crossing, kangaroos crossing and even the devils crossing. I just did not know that I would kill a paddymelon on the road. In conclusion, I got my answers.

The travel buddy was eyeing on having good food in Mures Upper Deck but the kitchen has already closed before we even arrive. By the time we arrived, there was not a soul left. We headed towards Elizabeth Street Pier and a Chinese guy walked towards the carpark. He asked us to visit his restaurant but we didn't say we would go. We wanted Australian food, not Chinese food. Lo' and behold, his Chinese food was the only one still open. Actually the kitchen was closing already but when we entered, the same Chinese guy who walked back the restaurant wanted us to be served. We were sorry for those who wanted to go home but have to reopen the kitchen to cook for us. I would know how angry they would feel if they were angry.

The dishes came in quite large servings so unlike our zhu char here. It was expensive after conversion but I could really tell you that Asian Gourmet on the Pier is really good. I have Penang tastebuds, very heavy taste... and I'm giving Asian Gourmet on the Pier two thumbs up. I have two thumbs only, cannot give more than that. We were so hungry, we just wanted meat and more meat. We had beef, pork and chicken, rice and add on more rice. It was way past dinner time. We were having our supper hopefully we could be full until the next day so that we could skip breakfast.