On the way to Murdoch, I called Meisi, as she was leaving for Singapore. Her bus shuttle to the airport was supposed to arrive at 8am, but when I called her at a couple of minutes past 8, she told me she just woke up. Sure gave me a scare man... Later on, she called and told me that she managed to make it, as the shuttle was late. Her lucky stars were still at work. Actually, to think about it, her lucky stars must be sure overworked by now. Though from time to time they'd actually malfunction, I guess they have been quite useful to date, judging from her daily "stunts".
Okayspecial feature's over, we're back to our regular program. We met up at Murdoch, and set off to Margaret River, which is roughly 300 km south of Perth.
The rented car (No birds is the rental Co's slogan)
It was really a butt-breaking ride. We set off at 10am, and reached only around 12.30pm. And that was travelling at speeds of 110 - 120 km/h. By the time we reached the Margaret River Winery where we were supposed to have lunch, I had to peel my foot off the brake and accelerator.
The view was fantastic, with really beautiful scenery to look at while we had lunch. The food was good as well. Joel's recommendation of char-grilled scotch fillet was really, really good. Took a couple of piccies at the winery. Too bad it was winter, and the vines were wintering. I shall come back during spring again!
The Margaret River Winery
Picture of the Winery again
Posing by the rock Boulders - Front: Steve Middle: Joel, Lydia Back: Yan, Edwin, Sara, Jennifer (Ian is the photographer)
Scenic view plus 3 hunks
Absolutely beautiful view =)
The group of us- From Left: Jennifer, Sara, Lydia, Joel, Steve, Yan, Edwin, Ian
Headed down to the Berry Farm next. We sampled their various fruit dessert wines and port. It was good! Especially the mango dessert wine. I thought the pear dessert wine tasted something like what I would expect of nail polish remover. Gross. Bought a couple of bottles for myself. Whee~
The Berry Farm: Ian, Sara, Yan (who somehow grew shorter) and Edwin
Ian and Jennifer, who is sporting mysterious growths on her fingers
We went on to our motel, known as the Augusta Baywatch Resort. The place was nice and quaint, and had a homely sorta feel to it. Didn't take any pictures of the bedroom, but here are some photos of the place.
At the stairs. Yan is pretending to the resident dog =P
The view from the resort
The lot of us on the balcony (Jen taking pic)
We cooked our own dinner that night, and played some "eating games" after the dinner to see who has to polish off the leftovers. It was real fun, and Jennifer has a sneak preview of what her future husband will look like now as well. (private joke)
Dinner time!
Sumptous dinner cooked by Joel and me
We were bored after dinner
Got to play with the resident dog. She is this big, sleek and heavy dog. Her name is supposed to be Princess, but being the coy lady she is, she refused to confirm it with me. It was hell trying to get her to take a picture with anyone of us, and the fact that there are so precious few just proves it all.
Yan trying to get the Princess to pose with him
We checked out the next morning at around 8.45am, and left for other attractions. Today was a dismal day, and kept persistently raining. We headed for the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse first. The lighthouse was pretty nice to look at, and the view from the top was just excellent. The wind was really strong though, and I started too look like a "Super Saiyan" from Dragonball soon enough. The coast was also interesting in the on the left, it was the Southern Ocean, while on the right, it was the Indian Ocean. Really interesting.
The lighthouse
In the lighthouse
The coast with lots of swirling white wash
The view from the top of the lighthouse (houses are where the lighthouse keepers work and stay)
The guys at the top: Yan, Edwin, Ian, Joel and Steve
All eight of us Sitting: Edwin, Yan, Joel, Steve Standing: Ian, Jeniffer, Lydia, Sara
Joel & Yan trying to make out the oceans (making out in front of the oceans =P)
Went down to this place known for their Lavender Wines next. The place was quite pictureseque and beautiful. At first, the thought of Lavender Wines didn't appeal to me. I mean.. I think lavender and I think air-fresheners. Kinda weird. After trying it out, it was not too bad, though still rather not up my alley. Loved the other lavender products though.
Yan by the little lake
On the little bridge
The group in front of the lavender patch
At the stairs. Yan is pretending to the resident dog =P
The view from the resort
The lot of us on the balcony (Jen taking pic)
We cooked our own dinner that night, and played some "eating games" after the dinner to see who has to polish off the leftovers. It was real fun, and Jennifer has a sneak preview of what her future husband will look like now as well. (private joke)
Dinner time!
Sumptous dinner cooked by Joel and me
We were bored after dinnerGot to play with the resident dog. She is this big, sleek and heavy dog. Her name is supposed to be Princess, but being the coy lady she is, she refused to confirm it with me. It was hell trying to get her to take a picture with anyone of us, and the fact that there are so precious few just proves it all.
Yan trying to get the Princess to pose with him
The lighthouse
In the lighthouse
The coast with lots of swirling white wash
The view from the top of the lighthouse (houses are where the lighthouse keepers work and stay)
The guys at the top: Yan, Edwin, Ian, Joel and Steve
All eight of us Sitting: Edwin, Yan, Joel, Steve Standing: Ian, Jeniffer, Lydia, Sara
Joel & Yan trying to make out the oceans (making out in front of the oceans =P)Managed to see a whale at the lighthouse area as well. It was pretty awesome, and cool. I'm laughing while typing this. But never mind. Let's look at the piccies.
Awesome eh? You'll probably get to see the same whale if you go to the lighthouse.
Making a peace sign
Went to visit the Jewel caves next. I kinda feel now that one cave is pretty much like another, as they were similar to those I've visited in China, Thailand, etc.. I'm definitely not a geology sorta person. The caves were interesting, but if you ask me now, I'd rather pass...
Caves 1
Caves 2
Drove around to find a spot for lunch, but it turned out that a lot of places were closed (Honey Meads!), and the first cafe we came to that was open just experiences a power outage and was closed. Damn... We had to go down to the Margaret River town to eat instead. We had Chook's for lunch. My first time having Chooks, and it tastes like KFC with salt overkill on the original recipe. Not very nice. KFC is better.
Visited the Margaret River Chocolate Company. It was around the same as the one up in Swan Valley. Had some chocolates as well. Yummy.. For some reason there are no pictures of this place. I gotta get it off Edwin and Sara.
Awesome eh? You'll probably get to see the same whale if you go to the lighthouse.
Making a peace signWent to visit the Jewel caves next. I kinda feel now that one cave is pretty much like another, as they were similar to those I've visited in China, Thailand, etc.. I'm definitely not a geology sorta person. The caves were interesting, but if you ask me now, I'd rather pass...
Caves 1
Caves 2Drove around to find a spot for lunch, but it turned out that a lot of places were closed (Honey Meads!), and the first cafe we came to that was open just experiences a power outage and was closed. Damn... We had to go down to the Margaret River town to eat instead. We had Chook's for lunch. My first time having Chooks, and it tastes like KFC with salt overkill on the original recipe. Not very nice. KFC is better.
Visited the Margaret River Chocolate Company. It was around the same as the one up in Swan Valley. Had some chocolates as well. Yummy.. For some reason there are no pictures of this place. I gotta get it off Edwin and Sara.
Yan by the little lake
On the little bridge
The group in front of the lavender patch
Headed back to Perth after that. It was a real long and tiring drive back, especially since I have not been having my requsite 7 hours of sleep for 2 weeks, and was actually on overdrive mode since the study break. Reached back Perth around 8.30pm, and had dinner at Chin's noodlehouse. Yummy! Haven't had Asian food for some time.
Went to top up the petrol, before going over to Joel's place while he packs. He is going off to Sydney for a holiday tonight. Wowee~ It sounds really fun-packed but I think I'd collapse if I were him. Too darn tiring already. Sent him to the airport around 10.30pm, and went home. Rested for around an hour, before going to pick up my brother-in-law from the airport again, as he was due back from Singapore.
Really tiring trip, but it was fun. One night and two days is way too short though. I shall go again next year, but for a few days so that I can tour around slowly. Oh and thanks to Meisi for the CDs she burnt for me. The music really kept me awake for most part of the trip, and made the long drives less boring. Some people didn't agree with your choice of music though, but I thought they were nice. =)
Went to top up the petrol, before going over to Joel's place while he packs. He is going off to Sydney for a holiday tonight. Wowee~ It sounds really fun-packed but I think I'd collapse if I were him. Too darn tiring already. Sent him to the airport around 10.30pm, and went home. Rested for around an hour, before going to pick up my brother-in-law from the airport again, as he was due back from Singapore.
Really tiring trip, but it was fun. One night and two days is way too short though. I shall go again next year, but for a few days so that I can tour around slowly. Oh and thanks to Meisi for the CDs she burnt for me. The music really kept me awake for most part of the trip, and made the long drives less boring. Some people didn't agree with your choice of music though, but I thought they were nice. =)