Perth Trip, Winter 2015 - Part 3

Cont'd from here

 

I did excursion to Frementle, an adorable seaside town, located about 30 minutes travelled by train from city of Perth. It is like KL and Klang. Calm and quite, not so much of the crowd, at certain part it just looks like a ghost town. I found the way to the beach. There's an old fort right by the beach, standing there one can see panorama overlooking the town and the ocean. I touched the Indian Ocean, the same vast ocean that hides the mystery of MH370. Time passed by slowly while I was enjoying the sunset by the beach, and get entertained by watching a bunch of aboriginal kids showing off their acrobatic skills on the soft sea sand. They made my day.

 

 

I had my dinner at the famous Kailis. I ordered BBQ Platter, haha.. the jumbo one. Temptation gitu. I forgot to check the price before place order. If I knew it gonna cost me $79, I doubt I pick that. Haha. Nonetheless, nothing to regret, money is not yours until you spend it right, plus, bukan selalu datang sini, once in blue moon. But, the taste not that outstanding though, I must say kinda plain taste. Well, mana boleh nak compare dgn Asian way of cooking, with all the spices, kan.

 

 

Talking about local food, other than Kebabs, the common one I suppose the most popular among Malay tourist must be Fish and Chips. Here in Perth they serve F&C with no plate but wrap with big paper - the traditional way of serving according to them.  What else to shout, hmmm I guess worth to mention the famous Apple Strudle at the Northbridge. The size is much bigger than I expected, boleh makan untuk 4 orang per pieces. The taste is so nice, something not to miss. I also eat the churros while I am in Madurrah. That was another excursion. I picked and choosed Mandurrah becos it is reachable by train, by day. I just wanted to go to the next town, no specific one. And I found Mandurrah on the map it meets my criteria. My intention is to sightseeing outside Perth cornubation. I wanted to see the scenery along the journey. When I was on the train, I recalled something when I saw the bushland at the rural part. I remembered many years back, someone did tell me that certain part in Terengganu have this distinguish look that reminds to Australia. And few years later, I heard someone else said the same thing! My curiosity at last get the answer, and yes, their saying is not baseless. See photos below, almost similar, kan. Madurrah is a small town by the lagoon. Not so many thing happens or any tourist attraction here. One activity to kill time I did is dolphin cruise in the lagoon. Cant recall how much it cost. I and the rest of the tourists on the boat managed to see the dolphin few times, close enuff. Kinda amazing, cos those dolphins are wildlife. Living in natural habitat.

Perth

 

Terengganu (Dungun-Marang coastal road)

 

The next day, I went to Perth Zoo, located just 5 minutes bus ride from the city. Not too bad for a quick look, nak melepaskan hajat. I just wanted to see the native animals i.e. kangaroo, koala, wombat dan Tasmanian devils. It is a must, tak lengkaplah trip ke OZ kalau tak tengok these exclusive animals, right? And did I say Wombat is like when a koala married with a pig, they got anak called wombat! I just learnt that there’s few species of kangaroo, includings one that sit on tree branch most of times.

 

 

I also managed to pay a visit to WA museum. My travelling rule, I have to do at least one museum. I need to know about the past of the city, then I could appreciate and feel the place a little bit more. WA museum is free entry. 

 

 

The day before I fly back home, I went to Kings Park, again. I love it here in Kings Park. That morning, I woke up at dawn, and went outdoor, got myself a cup of hot coffea and egg burger at Hungry Jacks, then took a walk all the way from the city to Kings Park. Enjoying my own time on chilly morning. I saw peoples cycling, walking and jogging along the way. At Kings Park, I just sit on a bench facing the calm beauty vista, enjoying the delightful view and the sounds of the birds chirping, feel the chilly breeze on my face, take a deep breath of fresh morning air…that was a perfect relaxing vacation the way I wanted to. Kalau mat salleh, mereka enjoy the morning scene in the tropical island of Bali or Phuket they call paradise, I, on the other hand, call their home paradise. Grass is always green on the other side.  

 

 

Cos the trip is on my own, I wont be able to do the long distance driving to those places far further in outskirt like pinnacles, wave rock, the gap, drive to the next town further down south, posing on the empty rural road in the middle of nowhere, etc. Nak ambik pakej, agak mahal. It cost $160 for day trip to pinnacles. Takpe lah, next time boleh datang  jalan-jalan makan angin ke Perth lagi inshaa Allah.

 

 

All in all, Perth definitely a world class city with high standard of living quality. Not overcrowded like Asian cities, peaceful and pretty setting. Thanks God this land fall to the right hand who know how to preserve, take good care and enhance the natural beauty.
  

 

Perth Trip, Winter 2015 - Part 2

Cont'd from here
 

Perth city is beautiful! It definitely sit among top position of my list of cities that I like. Should I say I was in love with beauty of Perth. I just like the way it is. The weather, the plants, the peoples, the place. Perth setting is extraordinary. It sits on the banks of Swan River, bluish in colour and wide enuff to look like a lake. And the river gets wider towards the ocean. Perth has a huge beautiful park, i.e. the famous Kings Park. As the matter of fact, Kings Park held the prestige of the city. The most stunning park I’ve ever visited so far, so to say proudly, personally. I didn’t like it, but I loved it. It is not an ordinary park. It sit on top of hilly area with a stunning panoramic view over the city and Swan river! It is grand. Where else in the world you could find a city park with the same setting? Filled in every corners with all the Aussie native species of bushes plants that well-maintained, you wont get tired to learn about it. Not to mention the lovely tall shady gum trees lines up along the main drive.

 

It was winter month. The weather is kinda cold in the morning, tahap keluar asap bila bercakap. And it gets warmer as day goes. Temperature range between 8 to 18 degree C, mild chilly and easy breezy. The first two days the sky was blue, bright and shiny. So nice. Unfortunately on day 3, thick grey cloud appeared on the sky. Gloomy. Scattered showers at few times thru out the day. Photos taken didn't look as nice despite it is still the same city.

 

 

A bunch of modern highrises in the central district looks elegant. Further towards the river banks, I passed by the quarters where European style establishment dated over 100 years back gives me the sense of the colonial hey days. The esplanade surrounding the city is equipped with cyclying track, as far as I observed. How lucky they are, could own a bicycle and cycle miles after miles in the city, no worry on the hectic traffic, I wish I could do that. And the houses in Perth, they are nice, a mix of Medditerranean with English styles.

 

Oh ya, being here, it reminds me again about the friendliness and politeness of mat salleh peoples. They are warm and respectful to each others. If we watch the TV series or Movies with period back time setting, we could observe their manners, how they greet and address each others, with honour, although one don’t have socialite status. And the traits still been practice until now. They say hi and thank you to the bus driver whenever hop on or hop off. The same at the cashier counter. At least they smile. One morning, I sat on the bench in quiet corner at the Kings Park, having my laptop on my lap, writing my manuscript while embracing the serenity, few locals passing-by greets me with a smile on face. I responded the same way, it warmed my heart.

 

 

TBC.

Perth Trip, Winter 2015 - Part 1

Felt so excited to set foot on land down under. It’s time for Aussie, finally. The continent I am longing to see and discover. Aussie seems to me somewhat a unique and special place in such a way, hmmm it has things others don’t have.  In the view of nature and wildlife, OZ has a list of native animals that do not exist elsewhere outside the island. If the elephant only inhabit in the jungle of Africa and Asia, while the sketch of girrafe was recorded by the jaw dropping Chinese sailers when they arrived in Africa after months navigating thru the ocean. And that is how it is like when we are talking about the uniqueness of the native animals of Australia. We can’t find Kangaroo in Austria, that’s for sure, despite that country name only missing two letters.

Geographically, OZ is a country owns the whole continent, vast enuff to have different climates, species of vegetation as well as earth formation at different corners. At one end it has the thick tropical rainforest and lines of coconut trees along white sandy beach at the warm north territory, while thousand miles away down south the rainforest adapts to the frosty and mild temperature somewhere near the valley where they grow grapes. Adding to the diversity,  at the middle of the continent lays the endless dry sandy dessert layout, after passing thru the proximity of savannah where offers a wonders of unique rock formations and such. And yes, the places I suppose the locals like it most probably they could relate how does it feels in their ascentors origins, Aussie has the Meditteranean feels on the southwestern shore and Europe alikes 4-seasons climate with the snowcapped mountains on the far south states. It is amazing a single island have various climate, isnt it.

What most that get me excited, OZ is a western country neighbouring us, the Malay archipalego. Does it strange, negara orang putih, 100% orang putih, tapi berjiran dengan Indonesia / Nusantara. If whole continent of America now becomes totally Europeans descendant countries, but that is fair enuff I guess cos there are no original early civilisation that still exist until now forming a country in modern day in America. Unlike Aussie, the peoples do not share same biological breed with the rest of the Asia. Not to speak the unsimilarity of the culture, food and spiritual belief. That’s might be one of criterias this land does not belong to Asia.  

The big island was once refered as New Holland in most of the earliest maps drawn by the European explorers whom most likely must be the Dutch. Despite the Dutch could claim on their first discovery, over times, the British explorers finally reached the shore and laid their anchors, the story twisted. After a close look the Brits reckoned the hidden potential to be discovered, they deems this land worth to be fight for.  I don’t really know in depth about the exact history, how the battle of colony between the two went, but at the ends Brits crown colony the one could keep the  flag colours stand high. However, I read that the Dutch at early stage already ignored and underestimated this vast land as they doubt the potential of this harsh and arid land, almost lifeless. They might be busy enuff with their interest on Dutch East Indies sorting the spices trading.

And Aussie no longer a no man’s land.  

I wonder why, the inhabitant from Malay archipalego in early civilisation kingdom never found Australia. Don’t doubt on their sailing skills. We are talking about an empire covering almost the whole strecth of Malay archilapego. Srivijaya and Majapahit. They control the land and the sea. Istilah Tanah Air ku, reflects the nature of our seafarers traits, the land and the sea, by heart. Due to reason that only God knows, they never found Australia. I just don’t get it, why. They sailed criss-cross  Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi and Malay Peninsular, but why they didn’t sail down south to Australia? This two prominent empires are maritime by strength  at clear reason, unlike  those empires on the north such as Siam, Khmer dan Burmese they didn’t sail much. They just fight with each others crossing from kingdom to kingdom via the continental land. So to speak.

I guess, Australia meant to be Australia, not a place by the name of Tanjung Pinang or Teluk Batik or whatsoever.  

I picked Australian backyard city i.e. Perth as my debut Australian trip. Perth is their 4th largest city after Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. That means, not everything of the do's while you are in Australia can be done here. Nonetheless, every city has their own charms and secret. The anecdote of the journey exploring the capital of Western Australia state, let's begin at the beginning. Jom jalan-jalan liburan ke Perth!

 

It takes only over 5 hours journey by air, someone from KL could arrive in a Western Country! All this while I’ve only been to Europe, that’s the only defination of mine on western countries, embark on 12 to 13 hours journey by air, arriving in different timezone yet to experience jetlag for first day. But, with only over 5 hours, eh eh dah boleh sampai negara mcm Europe! Wow, dekatnya….! Timezone pun sama. I overwhelmed. Everything looks so different from Asia, despite the fact that it is not too far away.

It is like someone bit my arm and say out loud to my ear, Perth is so close to us. Next time if I feels like taking a short quick vacation to western city with mediterranean weather ala ala California with all the big plam tress lines up by the waters below the bright blue sky with cold breeze, just go to Perth. I will definitely  come back. Sesapa yang nak migrate ke Aussie, pilih la Perth, less crowded, pretty and relatively close to Malaysia, which means short journey and cheaper flight ticket.  

 

Trip ke Perth ini berkonsep santai dan main redah aja. I get MAS ticket free by redeem the Enrich miles point. Not much of preparation done, I just made hotel booking and visa application. Plus, getting an info on how to get to the city from the airport the economical way.  The rest, pandai-pandai lah nanti nak berkelana. As I have this expectation the public transportation services in Perth must be good and reliable. No worries. Sampai sana nanti pandai2 la nak terjah. Itienerary, no nothing, just a rough ideas of list of places. That’s was a very different way of me doing preparation this time. Maybe short notice decision and I was busy with other matters. One day before depart, I went shopping ready made foods, mini rice cookers, then later at the night, I packed my clothings, there was it, zip it, off to Perth early in the morning the next day. In my head, the planning was to cover city of Perth dan nearby town i.e. Fremantle, or etc wherever reachable by train by day. I could say I am quiet skillful and pro about travelling, I was confident to do what it needs to be done and go where I wanted to go when the time come.  It’s kinda fun though to reach a new places and you got no clear idea what to do and go, sounds crazy but it is exciting, like you let yourself lost in a beautiful place, yet to fall in love with the place. #malasnakprepareitinerary

Arrived in Perth airport, the process of passing the immigration went smooth, not much questions asked. Hang on, actually no question asked to me at all, the officer just looked at the computer screen before stamped my passport. Not even flip thru the passport. Senang pulak. I later found myself queing at the declaration line to exit after claimed my luggage. Mind you, don’t forget to tick option you have food with you in the yellow form. The airport officers didn’t open my luggage, just need me to take turn for the dog inspection. I feel scared a little, just thinking worst scenario if happen some fool stranger put the drug in my luggage. Who knows. Exit to the arrival hall, I found my way to the parking area where I could take free shuttle bus to Terminal 3 / 4 for connecting bus to the city. Fare to city $4.50.  I watched the sun set on the red dawn sky while reaching to the city. I was in Australia. I jumped off the bus at downtown, one stop before the final terminal i.e. Terminal Busport Esplanade. From there I walked for 10 minutes before reaching Hotel The Royal, located few blocks away from Hay Street Mall. Locationwise, the hotel deserved 9 out of 10, near to most of things, bustling shopping scene, main train station, Northbridge, and halal food could be easily found, one of them is Ispa Kebab.

 

 tbc.