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.
