Chocolate and Hazelnut for $5.50 from one of the cake shops down at Acland Street, St Kilda (where I grew up).
I couldn’t resist my temptation, so I went into the cake shop and bought a slice. Unfortunately, the cake was a bit too sweet for me and it wasn’t as good as I’d expected.
The Government wants to impose a $400 congestion tax for each car parking space and raising it to $800 the year after, saying that it will reduce congestion, improve the environment, and encourage more people to use public transport.
Congestion is a big problem in Melbourne - especially in areas like the West Gate Bridge, Toorak road (thanks to citylink) and the area in Punt Road, near the Hoddle bridge. I takes forty minutes to an hour to get from Ashburton to the city by car during peak hour, but it only takes 25-30 minutes on the train. In fact, I would get frustrated if I get stuck in a traffic jam on the way to the city and then struggling to get a parking spot.
So I personally prefer going on the public transport - I wouldn’t have to worry about petrol, changing lanes, car registration fees, etc. And I can listen to music without concentrating on road conditions. It would be more environmentally friendly to catch public transport - no air emissions and less energy use!
Though I support it, four hundred dollars a year is too much. Eight hundred is even more. With petrol prices rising and rapid inflation in many goods and services, the tax will add to the financial burden of many Melburnians. But nonetheless, it might reduce congestion on roads and even force commuters to carpool. Eventually, people would come to accept it.
For the past week and a half, I have been out every day:
Saturday, 14th November - Chaddy with friends from Wesley
Sunday, 15th November - Had a family BBQ at my aunt’s place; went on a Yarra cruise, back to Seng Hing for dinner.
Monday, 14th November - Went to uni to watch my friend rehearse her presentation.
Tuesday, 15th November - Went out with my aunt (whom came for a visit from Hong Kong) to Albert Park, St Kilda and Elwood Beach.
Wednesday, 16th November - Went out with my aunt to Chaddy during the afternoon. Attended another aunt’s shocking wedding in the evening.
Thursday, 17th November - Out to Victoria Market with mum, dad and my aunt, then to Victoria Street, Richmond to have Vietnamese pho, back to Seng Hing down at Caulfield, then to Box Hill and lastly to Nandos at Holmesglen for dinner.
Friday, 18th November - Went back to uni to return some books, went to Seng Hing for lunch.
Saturday, 19th November - First off to Brunswick for a haircut, then to Box Hill for David and Camy Shanghai restaurant for lunch.
Sunday, 20th November - Yum Cha at New Royal Garden at Glen Waverley; off to the Caribbean Gardens at Scoresby..
Today, I got to stay home for the whole day, but I am still busy!
