It's all about my travel experience and things I love to do…
Posts tagged Perth
Perth, Western Australia – So Much To Do
Jun 10th
If there’s a highlight for my travel trips last year, it would be Perth which I went in January 2009. So much fun for a 7 Days backpacking trip without itinerary on hand before the trip. This is the kind of trips that I would like to embark all the time.
One thing about me is that, I always leave my travel posts hanging. See, the last post I did for Perth was on Perth Day 2 – Rottness Island Fun. Okay, that was like 4 months after the trip, but still the excitements from the trip is still in me. Blogging it now brings back memories. I’m sure Jun and Rue would agree with me. Right boys?
It was somewhere in September 2008 that we decided to plan for a trip and well, got Jun and myself a ticket to Perth while Rue bought it later. When I informed CK that we’ll be making the trip to Perth, his reaction was “Why do you want to go over to that dead place?” or something along that line. It made me wanting to make the trip and prove him wrong, and I did. Perth is such a nice city…
These was the itinerary for the 7 days we had in Perth.
Day 1 – Perth City on Foot
Day 2 – Rottnest Island
Day 3 – Exploring the City, Leederville and Subiaco
Day 4 – Kings Parks, Swan Bells and Cottlesloe
Day 5 – Pinnacle Tours, City Night and Moon Cafe
Day 6 – Freemantle (Full Day)
Day 7 – Chillings and Duxton Hotel
If you ask me, the best of the 7 days would be Rottnest Island. Okay… how about I talk about the highlights of each day while I was there. Sure it will definitely entice you to make a trip down to Perth.
Day 1 – Remember we had no itinerary? The first day I decided to make a round in the city, on foot and the Boys agreed. The highlight of the day would be The Perth Mint, where we get to see how they make gold bars. It is the same day that we decided what to do for the rest of the 7 days.
Day 2 – We decided to make this a full day thing and Rottnest Island is where we planned to go. No tour package blah blah blah, but we did all this trip all on our own. Took a speed boat from Freemantle and off we went to Rottnest Island where the fun of cycling around the island began. You can read more on my trip here.
Day 3 – Free and Easy Day. Nothing much that we did… wait, actually, we walked a lot. Like… A LOT! From the city we traveled to Harbourtown, then I traveled to Leederville myself where I have an office there and finaly at night we had dinner at Subiaco with The Girl who was still in Perth that time.
Day 4 –We did some touristy visits to Swan Bells, Kings Park and the best was Cottlesloe. What’s in Cottlesloe? Superb beaches is what’s there. But, before we made our journey there by bus, which we went lost for a bit because of the map. Okay, maybe it was because of me, but hey, we managed to explore some new places… 
So, this is what Cottlesloe looks like.
Day 5 – It is the only day we did an organized tour and we paid for Full Day Pinnacles Tours where it took us to the Caversham Wildlife Park and Pinnacles. Imagine yourself in a 4WD coach and you are actually doing this (look below). Cool right? That’s the highlight of the day, other than that… throw in some visit to see Kangaroos and Koalas and Platypus.
Day 6 – Okay. I’m stuck… what to tell you about Freemantle? Hmmm.. Oh yeah. They have a Freemantle Prison which I never had a chance to visit. It was such a dramatic day where the rail system broke down and we had to take the feeder bus down. Impressed with their quick solution to their transportation mess, but that aside, Freemantle is actually a Port. So, seafood here is nice but price is also “VERY NICE”. Good place to chill, away from the city.
Day 7 – Our last day there was pretty much a relaxing one, because it’s a Sunday. We went for some last minute shopping and of course, what’s the best was the night that we put up at Duxton Hotel, Perth. Don’t ask for the price paid but please join me to thank Jun for spending us a night there. 
So yeah… That’s about it for Perth from me for now. I can tell you so much more about Perth, but it would take me another few posts and maybe a few trips to Perth again (*hints*) to explore more on Perth. Yes, you hear me right. What’s more to do in Perth? Let me tell you what I would really want to do if I’m there next.
Walpole, where there is The Valley of Giants Tree Top.
Monkey Mia, visit the Shark’s Bay for Dolphins.
Margaret River, the Wine Region.
Mandurah, just another city which I want to visit.
and many many many many…. more….
You know, there is one person I envy right now would be Dr. Ling Shih Gang. He was the winner for Experience Extraordinary Taxi Ride for the second leg. You can follow his recent adventure here at Experience Extraordinary, Western Australia. Fully sponsored trip to the South West of Western Australia. How cool can it get? Can I get one too?
Plan your trip now as AirAsia flies to Perth. Click Here for AirAsia Schedules.
I’ve pretty much covered Perth in general, what about you?
I’ve given you some travel tips above, so start planning already!… 
P/S: I’m definitely gonna continue my Perth Day 3 onwards. Pls chills…
Beautiful Sky
Jan 6th
Seeing the beautiful sky this morning certainly did change my day more…
How often we have clear skies here in KL?
Not like in Perth, we can get clear skies practically everyday. I’m not staying in Perth, but I can ask people to testify that they do have clear skies practically everyday!
I miss Perth… hmm…
Perth Day 2 – Rottnest Island Fun
May 7th
*** Warning: TWENTY FIVE EXCITING PICTURES AHEAD ***
Now, this is the long version after my short preview like few weeks ago.
So, after our Day 1 in Perth, we just want to head somewhere and do something. So we visited this youth travel agent on Hay Street to look for stuffs to do for the next 6 days in Perth. Wanted to book our day 2 trip to Rottnest Island but decided not instead. Because we felt that we could do it from scratch.
And, our journey to Rottnest Island began…
#1 – We took a train all the way to Freemantle and from there, we took the Rottnest Ferry over to Rottnest Island. Took us about 30 minutes to reach the island.
#2 – Rue and Jun giving their thumbs up.
#3 – This is me camwhoring upon arrival at Rottnest Island. Wheeee….
#4 – I had to take this shadow picture of us lah…
#5 – We walked over to the visitor centre nearby the main jetty and got ourselves a map. Went over to the Bike Hire place and got ourselves one bike each. Each bike cost us about AUD$ 50 for a day’s rental. Not too bad eh?
$6 – There were 3 tracks to follow and they are Too Easy, about 4KM/1hour; Relax or Snorkel, about 10KM/3hours; and Whole of Island, about 22KM/5hours. We took the Relax or Snorkel route.
#7 – First stop was Hernrietta Rocks. The view was breathtaking! OMG!
#8 – Then, we took a long cycle towards Wadjemup Lighthouse. Whoa! It was killer cycling there.
#9 – We are such a camwhore… aren’t we?
#10 – Next stop will be Oliver Hill Battery, but on our way, we found little Kangawoo. Haha. Or better known as Quokka. Watch out from these cuties… They smack ass man…!!!
#11 – We then reached Oliver Hill.
#12 – Rue and Jun nearly got ran over by the train. Watch Rue duck the train… -_-
#13 – OH! The view there was breathtaking too!! Why the sky in Aussie so nice wan!?
#14 – It’s time to head back and look for food. On the way back we passed by Pearse Lakes.
#15 – The place where all the restaurants are. They call it the Settlement Shops.
#16 – After a nice meal, we headed over to the beach at The Basin.
#17 – I started to play with the beach sand. Writing words like DGMB. See! I brought DGMB all the way to Aussie! Muahahah
#18 – Saw the waves and had an instant idea to draw a heart and make a snapshot of this. NIce or not?
#19 – Took a snapshot of what I found on the beach…
#20 – also a snapshot of Rue taking a dip…
#21 – Made friends with the wildlife there…
#22 – While I’m doing all those, Jun was busy… Hahah, tangkap basah!
#23 – It’s approaching late evening and our ferry will be departing soon. Time to go! Bye bye Rottnest Island… *Sniffs*
#24 – We headed back to the city to look for dinner. Dinner was at Arirang and it was a sumptous one. Brought Lee there, our Korean buddy befriended at Old Swan Barracks.
#25 – After dinner, we walked about in the city and I stopped by my shop in Perth and modeled in front of it. -_-
That’s it! That’s my second day in Perth. It was pure pure pure pure pure fun! Epic!
Went back to our backpackers with sore thighs. That’s what you get for not cycling for ages!
Read all about my other post on Perth.
Perth Day 2 – Short Preview
Mar 30th
It is coming back again. The Perthlogs. -_-
But, it is just a preview for now okay? I have pictures edited but, writing part is just consuming too much time. I will write more in detail later once I have the time. Got some other obligations to attend to first.
Anyways, here are the pics that sums up our Perth Day 2 at Rottenest Island. Enjoy.
A long day’ cycling around the island…
Discovering something unusual along the beach…
Took a dip in the sea…
Took some pretty good shots…
Had a sumptuous dinner back in the city…
Read all about my other post on Perth.
Il Gelato Soothes Your Tiring Day
Mar 15th
Just what I want to chill my tiring body…
Oh il Gelato. You soothes my tongue, throat and body…
Hmmm… I shall resort to some el-cheapo gelato here in Malaysia…
Okay, that calls for a “hunt for gelato” plan today… Good!
Exploring Perth City On Foot
Mar 11th
We reached The Old Swan Barracks and left our bags in their holding room.
Everytime, when I reach a new destination, I will have to do one thing first.
I will explore that particular location I’m staying. Scaling my perimeter, leaving my first-timer footmarks all around the Perth city was what I did. Yes, I traveled the city on foot! Also we need to study on the public transportation system so that we know how to move around on what mode of transportation in Perth.
Spent pretty much half-morning walking around the city, which is actually quite small. So after walking for some time, we decided that we should find a place for lunch. Looking around we found a Malaysian restaurant on Barrack Street. Wheeee!!! Malaysia Boleh!!
NO! We didn’t dine in there. They are serving Roti Canai for AUD$ 8, if I’m not mistaken! Gosh! I wonder if they actually make the dough for 48 hours… -_- Worth the money you pay ma. Taste nicer also.
Rue said that, if we don’t visit The Perth Mint while we are in Perth, our trip will be incomplete. So, Perth Mint then we went looking. Read. Given my “superb” skills with map and location, I took the lead. I failed. I lead them towards the west of Hay Street, Wellington Street, Murray Street and ended up in Chinatown instead. Haha. Don’t blame me! My mapping skills needs 24 hours to adjust from Kuala Lumpur to a new location, Perth.
Decided to throw away my men ego in asking for directions, I walked into Perth Visitor Centre which is just right opposite of Perth Train Station and ask for directions instead. The centre has all the information you need to know about Western Australia in a whole. What to do, where to eat, where to stay and many more. They have their advisors all ready to take your questions and give you their best advice.
We got our new direction to the mint and it is right towards the east of the city on Hay Street. It is like the other end of the city. We arrived at the mint just in time to join a group for the tour.
Once we are done with The Perth Mint, we headed back to the city with red Central Area Transport (CAT) bus. It took us back to the city center on William Street and Hay Street. It is already 6pm and by the time we walked around again to explore the city, the time is about 7pm. The city is dead at this hour. Like dead, dead.
It is getting late and while walking back along Murray Street, we saw a group of people looking up and there was this graphic video shown on a building and eerie background music playing.
It was an abstract video presentation of tiny humans put together to form abstract movements and objects. I seriously do not understand the whole meaning of the video, but hey, didn’t I say abstract?
We are totally beat and we retire back to our hostel.
There you go, exploring the city one whole day on foot. Imagine if you do that in Malaysia, you are already swimming in your cloths. The weather in Perth is so nice that you don’t really sweat because their summer is dry, not humid. Oh… I miss the weather in Perth.
The Perth Mint
Mar 9th
It is our first day in Perth and while walking around the city, we decided to take an entry to The Perth Mint. The entrance into The Perth Mint cost us AUD$15 each person and the tour will take about 1 hour. When we arrived at The Perth Mint, the security guard asked us where we are from, for statistics. We told him that we are Malaysian and he said that he remembers Old Klang Road. He was dispatched here in Malaysia back then during World War II. He right palm is handicapped, maybe due to to his service in the army.
So, we arrived just in time to join a group for a tour.
Joining the group, we were told about the history of the mining industry in Perth. The guide also showed us the types of gold nuggets that were mined in Perth. The tour ended with a demonstration on how gold is melted and made into a gold bar.
Demonstration lasted for about 20 minutes just to see how the demonstrator pour out the liquids of gold into a cast, then cool it with water and then pour it back again into the boiling pot to melt it for next demonstration.
Of course, before leaving Perth Mint, we have to camwhore first.
I got myself a bronze coint for AUD$2. Just as a souvenir.
Flying With Air Asia To Perth…
Mar 7th
We flew Air Asia to Perth. It was 5 hours of flight and it was a near full flight.
While waiting for our flight D7 2712 to Perth, we tried to get a seat at the boarding gate. It was difficult. Why is it so difficult? LCCT sure has enough adequate seats but, it is the other people waiting for the same flight are making it difficult for us to get a seat.
Those people just don’t understand that seats are for humans, not for bags! Grrrr….
It was a tiring and long 5 hours flight. You know how bad can the leg room be for people as tall as me. I can’t complain either as flying with Air Asia, you want a good seat, you pay extra.
So throughout the flight, we entertained ourselves with their on board chat system. Which pretty much took away our boredom.
I also paid for their entertainment package which cost me RM 30 and I can watch most on board movies and I watched Cars. Yeah I know how outdated I am. -_-
One lesson one should learn when flying with Low Cost Carriers is that, fill in your stomach first before flying. You can save quite a bit from the on board meals which cost a bomb. I had Sri Melur Roti Jala with a cup of coffee and it comes to about RM 12 (Roti Jala) + Coffee (RM4). Crazy!!
It was really yum for the Roti Jala, but I thought they could do better with the serving potion. Maybe two more pieces of the Roti Jala?
Time passes by very fast and the captain announces our arrival to Perth 30 minutes before landing.
We checked out and when my baggage arrives, I found that in front of my backpack, the string was torn. Must have been that the gound handling people destroyed it by holding my backpack by the string or it was just rough handling by all parties. Gah! It is new bag… 
*sobs*
Passing through all the immigration and out we are at the arrival hall. We took the airport shuttle that cost the 3 of us AUD $35 to the city.
The journey to the city took approximately 30 minutes and were in Perth!!!
and… we are going to explore the city…
The Old Swan Barracks Backpackers, Perth
Mar 2nd
I guess it is time for updates on my one whole one week break in Perth. I shall do some introduction bit by bit. I also made three post while I was in Perth here, here and here.
Finding internet in Perth is not cheap. Like seriously. The cheapest I can get is $3.00 per hour. Here at where I am staying, it is $4 per hour. The longer you buy, the cheaper it gets.
Let me start the whole Perth update on where I stayed throughout my duration in Perth. It is The Old Swan Barracks. It is situated in Northbridge on Francis Street. Click for Map.
used to be a real barrack…
Now, why I choose to stay here initially is because, they are recognized and they have good review online. Staying somewhere we have not stayed before, it all depends on reviews. I wanted to choose Perth YHA as our accommodation, but decided instead because the review says that train runs behind the hostel and it can get quite noisy. Furthermore, The Old Swan Barracks is very accessible and not too far away from the city.
The Old Swan Barracks (OSB) is huge! They have three floors and they have all the facilities one need for a long term stay. The most happening place at OSB is the common area. They have a bar, big screen, flat screen LCD tv, dining area, pool tables, computers and space, large space.
they show Simpsons every morning…
the pool tables…
Above is how it looks like during a typical day, but when the sun sets, it is when the fun begins. Every guests will be here and outsiders will come over for a nice drink at the bar while watching the soccer matches played on the big screen.
the bar…
the big screen…
They have a common kitchen, where you can make your daily fix for your stomach. It opens from morning till 11pm and they have chiller and storage cupboards should you need to use them. If they would have allowed guest to enter later than 11pm, I would have made roti canai there already!
messy kitchen…
dry storage…
the chiller…
OSB also have washing and dryer facilities, which you have to pay of course. $3 for washing and $1 for 20seconds of dryer usage. The dryer also a little bit faulty, the one far left. Wasted $3 and when the dryer stops, the cloths are still wet. Grrrr….
washing machines…
the dryers…
Unless you want to save some money, you can use the backyard to hang and dry your cloths. If not, while waiting for your cloths to dry, you can play some cards.
the backyard…
playing this card game call “asshole”…
Want to see the rooms? Come let me show you. OSB offers many type of room configurations, from 4 share dorm to 12 share dorm. Jun mentioned that we should take the 4 share dorm to minimize our sharing with other people. That didn’t happen. I will touch on that later.
hahahhaha…
Family Share…
See the difference in the above two pictures? The double bunkers room is where Jun and Rue assigned to and the one below with one queen bed is where I was assigned to. I took the lower bunker in that Family Room.
Now, the rant starts here. You see, I did a reservation on Hostel World and got my first two nights booked at The Old Swan Barracks. When we arrive to check-in, the receptionist told us that we have to be split into two rooms. Reason why? They are fully booked throughout the week. Now, that sucks isn’t it?
So, I didn’t throw my tantrum yet, and accepted as it is. Besides, I’m the one who is staying in another room and I am fine with it as it is a backpackers experience. If Rue an Jun didn’t come with me, I will be staying alone anyways. I had to stay with two Irish guys with their partners. Yes partners found while they were there. Jun and Rue had to stay with one Korean and British.
We kept on extending our stay as our days pass until my 5th and 6th night, I was told that I will be moved to another room. So WTH right? I can’t do much but to accept it. The room they move me into smells strange, so I asked the Irish guys if I can keep on staying with them in the same previous room. They are okay with it.
Why I have to move when the initial room can actually stay 4 pax? They have one bunker bed and a queen size. The two Irish guy agrees to sleep on the queen as they are buddies while the new roomie from New Zealand can take the upper bunker. Reason was, the computer system blocked one pax and they can’t reverse that. How dumb. Argghhhh…
That’s not the worst, Jun and Rue have to be moved into another room for their 6th night. Where? To a six sharing room and I tell you, that room was a mess. This is purely a mistake by the night reception who didn’t extend the night as I have told him too. It seems also that the night and morning shift reception staff don’t communicate much. I don’t know. It seems to me only. How’s the six sharing room? Come, I show you.
uuuurrgghhhh…
Crazy mess it was, Jun decided to get outta of this place and enjoy a night like a royalty would. Where? Soon to be told… Soon to be told…
One lesson to be learnt about staying at Backpackers is to block your room in advance to avoid any inconveniences. By saying block I mean, pay up in advance. If you are the kind of person who is indecisive on what’s going on the next day, too bad, all backpackers run on NO REFUND policy.
Oh wells… what an experience at The Old Swan Barracks.
The Cool & Cold Korean
Feb 17th
Had a long day.
Had a craving for Korean thus we walked around and found Arirang.
I remembered that I was told that this restaurant is ‘the‘ restaurant for Korean food.
No, I am not gonna talk about the food I had, but instead, I will talk about ‘her‘.
Yes. ‘Her‘ I meant. A woman. In Arirang Korean restaurant.
Well, let’s say, 5% of the ‘yes’ to dine there was ‘her‘.
What’s so great about ‘her‘?
Hmmm…
She was outside the restaurant talking to another person with all smiles and when she finished, her face turned into a long cool and cold kinda expression. I don’t know how to be exact to explain about this expression but, it is the killer…
She seems to be the manageress of this restaurant, as she seems to be behind the cashier; running all over the restaurant; manning the bar; running the orders in and out and also giving orders at times to her work mates.
She does everything! She cleans the tables, she takes orders, she makes coffee, she makes dessert and etc. The kind of manager who runs the front and back of the house. Now, that’s what F&B restaurant people should be doing. They do everything! Not just give orders.
I stole a few look at her during my dinner and she just seems so cool and cold. The kind of person that gives you the vibe that, if you even gave her a nudge to her arm, she will stab you to death kinda scenario? Hahaha. She is so serious into what she does that kinda vibe.
But, twice did she smile, she actually looked prettier. Tempted to just tell her “You should smile more. You look prettier with a smile on your face.” I dare not. Because some customer put her into boiling mode and she was boiling and when standing at the cashier, I could feel the boiling heat!
Oh! That customer that got her boiling, let me see her dark side, where she puts a confrontation to the customer and not let her guard down. Whoa! Killer woman… Stay away from angry woman. They will run you down, even if you’re friendly! hahaha
Her expression, her professionalism, her cool look, her cold expression and her smile…
Awwww…
It’s so rare. Well… I’ve known a few, but this, she is Korean. That makes her so special.
Hmmm… Maybe I should go for Korean again tomorrow.
*Okay my time is running out… More updates soon!!!*
