I miss you guys so much. Wondering if anybody is still reading my blog or am I just in the syok sendiri position these days. BAHAHAHA. Nonetheless, no harm done cause I will still be reading it some day to refresh the memories.
I love travelling. I'd even bought a phone just for the sake of taking quality pictures since this is the first time that I am travelling to Australia. It feels a bit more atas than my usual overseas trip. Heh.
The phone is amazing. 6s is excellent. I know I'm super late, but hear me out, I'm not that kind of person who would splurge on new phones as the price is extremely cut throat.
This was an expense paid trip by my company. YAY! Our tickets were pre-booked few months earlier. The battle was between Perth and Bali. I've been to Bali back in Form 4. So of course I would try my best to list the attractive places to sway colleagues in voting. ahaha.
I got so excited that I was ahead my colleagues in changing Aussie dollars and boy I was extremely lucky! I bought it at 3.41 and my colleagues bought it at 3.43/ 3.44. I brought around AUD500 there for 5 days. Accommodation was provided. And I got the entire room by myself. I was so so lucky!
I decided to wear a coat instead of a jacket - did not regret my decision although I looked like the Poh Kong lady. It kept me warm throughout the flight although it did not contain my excitement.
Arrived at the Perth Airport around 4 pm. There wasn't any time zone difference which is a plus point for me. Decided to get a local mobile number. Vodafone won cause it was the cheapest with mobile data and the local calls were free.
Managed to order UBER around 5pm. While waiting for our Uber driver, the was a minor collision of a car whereby the driver reversed and the bumper kisses the car behind it. All were well behaved and so civilized. You cannot hear any form of swearing nor name calling. I was so impressed.
The journey to our hotel was around 20- 30 mins drive, we have finally arrived at - THE PENSIONE [ 70 Pier St. ] . Extremely love love love that place. It's slightly too small if you were to share the bed, but I didn't have to. The perks of being singled out is that you get to enjoy the entire room all by yourself.
We freshen up and went for our dinner. It was a quite a walk to the Northbridge. We passed by Central Business District. And I must say - I failed planning on what to have for the evening. I simply googled while we were at the area. It has good reviews for this Cafe/ Restaurant namely Francoforte Spagetti Bar.
I ordered the Kangaroo Bolognese. This was my closest encounter with the Kangaroo as I decided not to visit the zoo. BECAUSE I GET TO SAVE $40 AUD.
The cook maintained the natural ingredients taste. Which for me, Malaysian Chinese didn't appreciate that much. We like strong and heavy stuff like the Kung Pou Chicken and Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet. No additional/ extra herbs that was overpowering the Bolognese. The spagetti was cooked well, but I would have preferred mine with extra sauce. To me, it was okay although I was famished.
By the time we finished our dinner, it was already 8.50pm. We went shopping for toiletries because you know men, they buy instead of packing it from Malaysia. I spotted Ben and Jerry ice cream section whereby, it's in cute miniature tube. Suitable for people [ ME ] who wants to have a taste although the tummy says - DON'T YOU PUT ANYMORE FOOD IN HERE, I'M SO OCCUPIED.
It was an early day next morning as our destination was Fremantle. We left our Hotel at 8 and proceed strolling to Captain Crook Cruise. Lots of pictures were taken. Here goes!
We bought the tickets for our trip to Fremantle as it was suggested by our boss. They have wine tasting session for your return trip at 5pm. I was getting excited.
After that, we went for our breakfast session at Riverside Cafe. And I did posted an Instagram pic on the actual day with the hashtag of Saturday when it was actually Sunday. Lost track of time on my second day. HAHAHA.
I ordered Egg's Benedict with Black Coffee which wasn't as picture worthy as my colleagues waffles top with ice cream. Who eats ice-cream for breakfast? -.-
It's time to get on our boat. The boat's name was James Stirling. Fun fact - a boat is considered bad LUCK if it doesn't have a name. The view was splendid. You get to see millionaires houses build on the shore. It a 45 minutes ride. We were seated around a table while enjoying the boat ride while I did peek at other people's beautiful babies.
It was hot. When we arrived, we immediately went shopping for souvenirs (because it was shaded). Look at my basket. So little. The person who bought the most souvenir is him. Yay!
There was a lot of retarded shots taken. God knows I tried so hard sucking in my tummy to appear slim.
One thing that I love about Perth, it's the clear blue sky. There wasn't any cloud which covers the scenic view.
Places like this makes you feel like you are appearing in the movie scene like "The Sound of Music". Those green green grass - blue blue sky makes me want to roll all over and started singing my heart out.
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE~ WITH THE SOUND OF MUUUUUSIC.
Let's move on before I get carried away singing the song while I'm in front of the computer.
Sight seeing and hike aimlessly. I'm a retard when it comes to reading maps. As a result, I became lobster. Red and burnt. #unintentionalsuntan
It's time for lunch, and we have decided to try the best Fish and Chips in Town. Googled it and it directed us to "Kailis". Mind you, it was a very hot day out there and eating Fish and Chips for lunch wasn't a good idea at all. I also made a mistake of over ordering. Ordered family meal for four groups when our pax was only- few. I wasn't kidding. Look. At the end of the meal, I said " no more Fish and Chips till next year".
We gave up and ordered UBER to visit the Fremantle Prison. We were quite cheapskate as we didn't want to pay for the entrance fee. Therefore, we toured only the public access route which requires no cost.
Talking on the phone through the glass separator.
Underground tunnel.
Hung up on the wall were the history and the stories in the prison which makes the environment slightly eerie.
Sobering is a good word used to describe - Don't commit a crime. Else, you're going to stay at a place similar to this.
On our trip back, we were exhausted from the scorching sun. We played cards for a bit and waited for the wine tasting sessions.
We finally docked at the starting point and began heading back to our hotel to freshen up before we head for our dinner. It was a Malaysian Food Night at Victoria Park. I seriously have no memory of what I have ordered. The only picture I had was satay and a fried rice which I think it wasn't mine to begin with.
We headed back and then ran out for the night life. I had a culture shock as the night life started as early as 5.30p.m. Back in Malaysia, I hardly go off work before 7.00p.m. The sad part is that the pub/ club closes around 11.45pm. They require proper shoes for men, and strappy heels for women. Else, they wouldn't allow you to enter the premise. How I wished that the operating hours would prolong during my stay in Perth. A girl can only dream.
Our first pub crawl was a hipster look-alike-cafe. The interior were just like in the movies. I've only manage to get one picture. The pub is super long, there were DJ's in the backyard spinning R&B and techno. The atmosphere was slightly awkward as we weren't local and I have a hard time differentiating the locals and people who looked similar like locals - the white people.
We left after 30 minutes trying to find our next venue. We then stumbled across a fair anddd it was packing. lol. Damnnn. WHY SO EARLY?
Fine. We went to the next pub with live band, the band was really good. The song No Scrubs and Independent Women came up and I was singing my heart out.
The next morning was Swan Valley tour. I was wearing semi-formal. And there were few ugly shots taken. This outfit is not playing its photo taking role. LOL.
My breakfast for the day was AVO SMASH. Instead of chowing down meat. I chose healthily. LOL. Kidding- I had beef sausages first before the AVO SMASH -
Our mode of transportation for the day was train and on two feet. Althought at last we turned to UBER cause it was crazy HOT.
The highlight of the trip was the Millers handmade ice cream. Never have I tasted such creamy ice-cream. My aunt said it was the dairy that was the reason for the good ice-cream. I ordered Rum 'N' Raisin.
Also I did molested some grapes cause it was too irresistible. Hiked for almost 2 KM just for the ice-cream. How crazy were we. We gave up subsequently and ordered UBER again to bring us to our lunch destination.
The Lavender Bistro & Boutique. I was expecting to see at least an acre of Lavender but to my dismay, three tiny bushes was the only Lavender seen.
My lunch was Stew Pork Cheek. It was my first, and it was okay. Nothing to shout about.
We then went next door to Providore, a famous local production of variety jam and condiments. I bought a raspberry jam. I didn't finish it to date. Then, there was Margeret's River Chocolate Co. I bought two of it. I am, and still will be Belgium Chocolate fan. No offense, just stating personal preferences.
My dinner was one of the best meals I had in Perth, Lamb Briyani at the Sahara Middle Eastern Cuisine. The lamb was so juicy and tender. It was THAT GOOD. Double thumbs up! It was an extremely big portion but I managed to finish the entire meat portion. We even had the rock honey melon as our dessert.
After dinner, we went for a drinking session. I started with two tequilas just to get in the mood. The club was a little bit too quiet as it was a Monday. We sat there downing in our own thoughts, while the other colleague ordered whisky, glasses by glasses, and we each took a sip.
Eventually we went back around 11pm. And see my cute red nose. Evenly burnt.
On 21st, it was a free and easy trip. I had my big breakfast with smoked salmon with Americano. We then took a bus to the Kings Park. I thought I was wearing enough clothes to keep myself warm, but no. The wind was merciless, it was so chilly that I had to put on another piece of clothing and look like a retard/ fashion disaster. Forgive me. This is one of my last pair of clean clothes. The budget was only 2 outfits per day.
Sight seeing day. Nothing much. The memorial for those sacrificed in and for the war so that others can obtain freedom and humanity. We did the AUD $7 hop on and hop off bus tour. After our walk in the park we took a bus to a nearby shopping mall at Hay Street. I had Shanghai Economy rice at the food court. THE WORST MEAL EVER. I know I am homesick because I'm deprived of Chinese dishes with aromatic rice. I should have eaten Japanese Bento. Ugh. Regretted my decision to date. We went shopping for a bit at Collete before we head back to freshen up for our next destination.
The Crown Casino.
I put on my black dress. The only time this dress gets out from my cupboard. No, I don't have much occasion to dress up like this. *AH HA*
I spent all $AUD 100 gambling on roulette. A game that sparks my interest. I did manage to come across professionals playing poker at the special section. One woman, at one specific table, playing black jack with the banker. It's crazy that she won so fast. It's not as. I think they are maths genius.
Let's fast forward to dinner. OMG. The second best food I had was Pulled Pork Quesadilla. Craving for it to date. And I can't seem to find good Quesadilla in Malaysia. The juice from the properly seasoned meat plays a very important role. *stomach growling*. My dish was the winner. And the winner among us paid for the meal because we were so pitiful losing to the casino.
We head back to the Hotel around 10 plus. Took a shower and I was invited to run out to get a quick snack before bed time. Our Uber driver arrived and we ended up hunting for the Freemason Building which I wasn't being informed beforehand. I didn't believe in any of such worship to Satanic or Evil God. I followed my colleagues, just for the the fun of it. It was kind of creepy when its midnight and there wasn't anyone on the street. Images of police catching up with us asking what are we up to, and I was preparing an act like we got lost.
It's just a building with the logo. Managed to take one picture of it.
The last day.
Packed in a dash for our supposedly 8am breakfast along William Street. Stumbled across another cafe " The Coffee Club". Mine was Bruschetta Haloumi with Bacon
My luggage. Barely enough clothes cause I was cold most of the time there.
The breakfast is smacking good. I'm a fan of western's big breakfast style. Always a creative combination which is an eye opener.
We ordered an UBER to go to the Perth Mint. As usual, we didn't wanted to pay for the tour fee, also, the hourly tour time didn't match us as we had to go back within specific time to catch our flight.
Among the gallery are super exquisite pink diamonds. It is so rare which can be proven by the price tag. lol.
We decided to buy some lottery. In the event, any of us won, we can come back for a second visit. WHICH I DID NOT WIN. T___T My colleague did won AUD $ 13 plus. Shooo lucky.
We sprinted to our last minute shopping at Colette again. LOL
We then rushed to the airport since it's safer to dine there rather than dining in the town and rush to the airport. We didn't want to miss the flight.
Mixed feeling during the journey to the airport. A part of me wants to stay here and work but a part of me misses home very much.
We checked in and then headed to the last meal in Aus.
I ordered Quesadilla. Nothing like the one I had in the casino. Arghh..
The airport has a lot of duty free stuff. I went and check it out, I mean, I went and bought stuff. LOL
While on the plane, we did some calculations on the balance of Aussie dollars provided by the Company. [ Acting as second treasurer ] And then we reviewed all the pictures. I took close to 1000 pictures in 5 days.
Nasi lemak, I'm coming~
I'm glad to be back home in Malaysia anyway. You know what they say " Hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri, baik juga negeri sendiri ".
* This post took me weeks to write. If you enjoyed reading it, do leave me a comment! *
Signing off with love,
The one and only Purple Dino
