Perth Holiday: Day 2 Fremantle

Day 2
Sunday, 15th March 2015

WARNING:  The beginning of another very long holiday post

Today's itinerary - whole day in Fremantle!

We had our first homecooked meal - breakfast - today with back bacon, toast bread, cheese, egg, cereals, milk and fresh nectarines and peaches.  Needless to say, we were very full.  But hey, when on holiday, best to stuff ourselves with a full breakfast to seize the day!

Hubby was already busy in the kitchen when I strolled out of the room.  Vic took over the eggs, whilst William was in charge of preparing the table and pottering between the kitchen and the dining area.

Initially we were apprehensive if we could finish this 1kg of bacon, but by Day 4 if I recall correctly, it was down to the last piece!  The bacon here is thickly sliced and very fresh but of course, a bacon diet on a long term basis will not be good for the body.

Simple and filling!

Let's dig in!

Colorful dream catches hang on display for sale

The weather was good and sunny.  Both kids were told to put on sunblock on all exposed areas before leaving the apartment.  Mummy had her SPF50 on her face too!

The drive took about 25 minutes according to this very helpful website.  Driving in Australia is pleasant, but the only complaint the driver aka hubby has is the speed limit.  Obviously it's far too slow even on a highway.

Like most tourists, we headed straight to Fremantle's Tourist Center at King's Square after we parked our car at the open carpark next to Fremantle Market.  Mind you, parking can be pricey if you're staying long, so we paid only for 1 hour first which turn out to be a good idea, because some kind soul told hubby that we could park in the multi storey carpark just a little further away for the first hour free.

As forewarned by well meaning friends, Fremantle Market has nothing much to offer, but I just wanted to quench my curiousity and also put a tick on places I have seen and been.  As expected, there wasn't much to offer in terms of variety and prices was very pricey.  Take for example, we were looking for a similar boxing kangaroo soft toy that came in red and blue.  We bought the blue kangaroo from Melbourne's Victoria Market in November 2013 for William at that time.  Vic chose another souvenir at that time, but now she wants the red kangaroo.  So we found only one stall in Fremantle Market selling this red kangaroo, but very much out of shape and priced at least 3x what we paid for in Melbourne!!  So obviously we did not fall prey to such unscrupulous traders.

Just before going in, a street performance performed by a professional street performer was just starting.  The crowd was small but fast building up, and many time he had to remind his audience to move in more so not to block the walkways or the entrance of businesses.

His performance was entertaining even when the crowd seem reserved

Colorful didgeridoos for sale

Fruit market was small and many, if not all the stalls were managed and run by Asians.  The prices were a lot cheaper than the IGA we visited yesterday so we bought more peaches and nectarines, just because the kids love them!

Makan-makan

A large and beautiful painted mural at the carpark area

We found out from the Tourist Center that there's a free parking area along Ord Street where we can leave our car for the day without any worry about rates and time.  It's also within the free town bus service zone (Red and Blue CAT), which makes it so convenient to hop on and off.

By the way, there's also a free wifi area in town, which to be honest, I never got into connection or used.

Could not resist taking a close up picture of a tree bark near our free parking.  

William particularly enjoys chasing the birds, whether pigeons, ravens or seagulls.  Many times during this trip, he will run off to chase birds even if he spot them from afar.  

Kids went climbing on this!  Vic was scared, but bravo for attempting.  Still need a lot of practice to overcome her fear.  William was alright but not so adventurous from the middle onwards.  The caucasian kids were all climbing fast and furious whilst parents just sat on benches enjoying themselves.

Just wanted a picture on a railway track.  We crossed this to get to Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour where all the much reviewed eateries were.

A normal scene here of beautiful blue waters and glorious white yachts against cloudless, clear blue skies in the backdrop.

First lunch stop - Little Creatures, 40 Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour.  They are well known for their brews and wood fire pizza.  Food is great and so is the crowd too!

This is how you make pizza

Our orders... nachos, pizza and the freshest oysters you can imagine (but gone in one gulp)!

Second lunch stop - Joe's Fish Shack, 42 Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour.  This place is just next door, less crowded but food is just as great and fresh!  I'd say this is a more down to earth eatery, and you don't have to be dressed up in leather or blings blings like the previous venue.

The dining area is filled with sunshine and in a very casual setting

We were given a table next to the windows, overlooking this...

Our order of grilled combo - chilli tomato mussels, grilled shrimps and squid, some kind-of-fish, salad and chips with rich tartare sauce.

Posing beside the old VW van in the foyer area

Done with two rounds of lunches, we walked the other way of Mews Road and discovered a couple fishing at an open carpark. We found this fascinating (so jakun right?) and spent easily 15 minutes there watching in silence.

William helped to throw back a total of 5 puffer fishes into the sea, as they came up with the reel but not what the fisherman wanted.  Puffer fishes "say", "Thank you William!"

And mummy goes selfie-ing... ;P

Hahaha... just for fun!  Wind and sunshine in the hair but not good for skin 

Since we had a little time to spare, why not drop by Fremantle Prison?  Maybe can scare educate the kids... haha, but there's nothing much to see or do there.  Ticket counter was closed.  No disappointment to us because we never planned to go in anyway.

This place ain't scary at all... well, not from the outside.  This is the FIRST time both kids ever stepped into prison grounds... mummy too!  Err... and I'm sure daddy too.  

Next stop... Bathers Beach which is just along the Fishing Boat Harbour.   Remember that this is Fremantle and everything... and I mean, EVERYTHING is very close by!

Praise God for great weather.  It's not hot even with the sun out like this.

Beautiful and breathtaking

Sun, sand and wind. It's only this great because we had each other.

We enjoyed breathtaking sunset, cool evening breeze, and the playful waves.  The moment the sun goes down and it gets dark, we leave as it gets too chilly.  Time to dry up and head for dinner.

This statue sits overlooking Bather's Beach, with a pineapple in his reel... so weird.

Tonnes of fun with the fine white sand - kids enjoyed burying feet and challenging the waves.  Boy got all wet and shivered but so enjoyed himself!  You bet the washing machine came in very handy that night as I rinsed out all the sand from their clothes and then dump them into the machine for a quick wash, and in time to hang them to dry before I retire for the night.

First stop for dinner - Cicerellos for their famous fish and chips!  44 Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour

The outdoor dining area of Cicerello's

Indoor dining area.  Kids can help themselves to crayons and coloring sheets to keep them occupied

Traditional fish and chips.  Extra tomato ketchup at extra cost

Second dinner venue - Kailis Fish Market Cafe 46 Mews Road, Fishing Boat Harbour

Getting cold outside with just shorts and tees under their jacket.  William looks so tiny here, but actually he's a few inches taller if he only stood straight

We ordered their traditional fish and chips again to compare the difference with Cicerellos.  Hubby added in their scallop... because I'm a sucker for everything seafood.  Just see how big it is, and my... it's so fresh and sweet!

What's a good dessert to wash down all the fried stuff?  Ice cream, of course!  Here there's two flavours, of which I can only remember one - simply called the Fish n Chips flavour!  Hahaha... 

Just a side note, if you park at a paid parking lot, be very careful not to exceed your time even for 5 minutes because we were almost fined (all thanks to the ice cream that delayed hubby).  Hubby had to literally run back to the car just in time as a man in black jacket approached him and almost pass him a ticket.  He was probably just eyeing our car and waiting to print out the ticket!  Thank God, we did not get a ticket for this - salute the officer for being honest and understanding.

That's all for today.  You bet we all slept very well that night.

The man I married

I cannot honestly remember when was the last time I wrote a love letter to my husband.  It's been so long, but yet our love for each other has not decreased one bit.  In fact, after 11 years of marriage (our wedding anniversary was on 28 February) and 16 years of courtship and relationship, I must say without any biasness that our marriage is indeed made in heaven, only lived out on earth.  We even joked that in heaven, we will no longer be married but that joke kinda made me sad for obvious reasons.

My husband is a true gentleman, only to me.  He won't allow me to carry heavy loads, nor fill the car with petrol (except for emergencies and very rare occasions).  He'd take the garbage out for me when we had no maid without being asked to, and this sweetheart even cooked breakfast and washed up for the family during our recent holiday in Perth until I had to protest because cooking overseas... is so much joy and fun!  On times when I needed to meet up with workers or delivery men, he'd make sure I'm safe after they leave.

The little things he does, somethings announced and somethings secretly - like making sure I have my sunglasses in each car, or insisting that I wear his just so to protect my "fake eyes" (which is what hubby calls them), ordering two of my favourite on the menu if I cannot decide, bringing home surprise tea treats are just some of the many things that he does.

This morning I looked for my sunglasses in the usual place.  I couldn't find it and figured I may have accidentally took them out of the box and left them at home or in my other handbag.  Then something prompted me to check the sunglasses compartment which is where hubby would put HIS own, and there I found mine instead.

This man puts his family before himself.  Ever since I passed 30, the excitement of getting older doesn't come the same like it used to.  But hubby would not let my special day pass without such detailed planning even months ahead including showering me with expensive gadgets!  All these for one simple reason, he always tells me.

Friends tell me he's a good man. Yes, and he places God and family above career.  He doesn't ask for much, only happiness and a close family.  The man I married chases not wealth but God's heart.  His passion is mission - but alas, if only I shared the same passion.

When we plan for our holidays, he tells me to pick the place or country.  Then I draft out the itinerary and research on the places to visit and eat.  Basically I only need to tell him what we'd do and go, and my sweet dear hubby will see to it.  So there, a street wise traveller with a good sense of direction too and not to mention, a good eye for bargains too.

A good father too he is... always wanting to spend more time with both kids.  He'd play and learn about William's latest game interest, or download and earn up smurfberries for his princess Victoria.  When he's home in the evening, the kids wait to play ball or badminton or go cycling with Daddy, because Mummy is the boring one who wants to do nothing that involves me sweating!  

I write this not to boast, but I write this to acknowledge and affirm.  With him in my life, we can face the storms together.  In his words, "it's us against the world."

Today I wish this special man in my life, a very blessed, happy birthday.  May God's favor be upon you in all that you do.

Perth Holiday: Day 1

Day 1
Saturday, 14th March 2015

This school holiday, we headed down south to experience early Autumn in Perth, Australia.  It was a place that me and kids have never been before, but Daddy has visited once before we married.  Our 5hours flight was schedule to leave KLIA2 nearing 9am, which means we had to leave our house at 5:30am and therefore, wake at 5am.

Prayer answered that the flight was uneventful and only slightly delayed due to the strong winds from the cyclone in Perth.  We picked up our rented car, a four door Hyundai, from the airport.  Find our car at the carpark just 5 minutes walk away was pretty easy eventhough it drizzled when we arrived.

To keep themselves busy, daddy uploaded movies into his laptop.  On the flight to Perth, they watched Mulan half way...

... and slept the other part of the journey

Below are pictures of our 2 bedroom fully equipped, fully furnished, spacious and very clean apartment.  Our host stays just downstairs and it comes with a carpark in the garage too.  Oh, and free unlimited wifi as well,

 It's just a stone's throw away from Shenton Park, but King's Park would be quite a challenge for Asians who are not used to walking (no offence to anyone, but generally we are a pampered lot!)

From top left:  Kids room, masterbedroom, utensils and appliances, cupboard in Room 2

                         

From left:  Looking down from our balcony, the dining table in the living room, sofa 

                         

Apartment comes complete with appliances and utensils. On the last day I opened the cabinets and discovered that they even had baking items

This dryer washer came in very handy as we washed our clothes at least 4 times here.  Detergent and hangers are all provided too.

After we settled in and bathed the kids, we headed out to buy grocery before dinner.  First stop Woolworths, but...

I miscued on the opening hours for Woolworths near our apartment, and we realized this only after paying for our parking.  Then we headed to Coles nearby but that was also close.  Finally we headed over to IGA along Vincent Street which was opened 24hours and suggested by a liquor store operator.  Here we bought bacon, cheese, sausages, bread and milk for our breakfast supply on top of other grocery.  Oh, and first hour parking was free too!  

Our dinner venue was Alfred's Kitchen located some 25 minutes drive away.

Our dinner at Alfred's Kitchen.  We ordered 3 burgers, their famous pea and ham soup, and chips in gravy.  Very filling and highly recommended!

A simple no-frills menu on the blackboard.  At Alfred's, all patrons order at the counter, get a number, then wait for the number to be called, picked your order up, and take a seat anywhere on the benches just outside.  We dug into our burger dinner whilst enjoying the cool evening air.

First Time Experience - a Voice Over Audition

A friend asked if Vic and Will would like to try out a voice over audition for Disney.  I received the script and asked both children if they were keen... I was expecting my Vic to be the shy one but she turned out to be very sporting whereas William did not want to even have a go.  Not even when I said that his friends were going!

At first I thought it was only in English or that they could just choose one language.  But later I was told that they child have to try all 3 languages.  Again, Vic was very sporting and did not whine or opt out.

So that Friday when our appointment was made (had to cancel piano class too to meet the timing), she had lunch in the car, and we had a dessert at the Fu Chow Restaurant in Damansara Kim as we were early.  The soy pudding that we both had was the worst we ever tasted - watery, blend and the durian flavour one tasted like a load of chemicals.  Don't believe me?  I dare you to try it out.

Back to the audition, Vic did her best.  Made mistakes along the way, but the guys were really patient with her and allowed her to try a few times.

Vic in action!

                           

The script

Mummy is proud of you, baby girl!  

Holiday in Ho Chi Minh: A Day Trip to the Mekong Delta

Sunday, 7th December 2014

We booked a day tour to the Mekong Delta - just the four of us on a private tour with a guide (comes with many good reviews on the Tripadvisor and seemed very charismatic but...) called Jason.  He may not have lived up to expectations based on his reviews, but we ain't gonna let a bad guide ruin our holiday.  So we had fun... no matter what!

We paid a total of USD220 for the four of us, which includes everything from hotel pick up, transport, boat rides, a vietnamese home cooked lunch with his vietnamese family and tips.

We stopped by the Monkey Bridge at Long Dinh for quick photography and toilet break.  This is along the way to Mekong Delta

Cruising on his boat and relaxing on his brand new hammocks

Rice Paper Making

Rice paper drying on bamboo sticks

Each one of us got to try our hands at making rice paper.  It looked easy but looks are deceiving because it takes delicate skills to lift the rice paper up without breaking the thin skin.  As our reward, we were allowed to eat whatever we made... LOL (I guess that means, it's such bad quality that it can't be sold)

Me at work

Heading towards the Mekong (land) Market.  He did not bring us to the floating market, but I was not disappointed as I was already mentally prepared, and it was still run walking around the market being able to feel and see the activities and produce.

Some of the things sold at the market.  My S95 camera battery was running low so I had to toggle between that and my S4.

Colorful produce on display for sale.

Vegetable produce.  I noticed that the radish and carrots were thin and "organic" looking

Dried seafood

Oval shaped watermelons.  I bet these are very sweet!

Fresh fruits - which we had no chance to buy

Our guide was in such a hurry at the market, and many times we had to keep up with him.  I only had time to quickly aim and snap photos, with no chance to really admire the items for sale.  The only chance I had to purchase something was RICE!  Yup, you heard me.  We bought 2kg of good quality Vietnamese rice to bring back home since we had sufficient luggage space.

Sampling Local Fruits on Mrs Hai's Fruit Boat

We were given different types of fruits to sample but the hygiene of the boat and utensils leave much to be desired aka dirty la!

Sitting on a sampan on quiet canal.  This ride took around 30 minutes and the children were amazed at seeing so many mudskippers along the way

Fooling on the boat... it's a good place to relax and even take 40 winks

Local Lunch at Hoa Khanh Village in Cai Be

We were shown how to cook the Mekong soup - fresh corn, egg and other types of vegetables.  Also very tasty

Elephant ear fish waiting to go into the pot

Steam elephant ear fish (eaten wrapped with fresh lettuce).  First time we eat steam fish with lettuce but it was very very tasty!  

Cooking show!  Vic and Will got to wrap dumplings

The land around the house is planted with many different types of fruits and vegetables, the organic way! You can literally pluck the fruit from the tree, give it a little wipe with your own hands or against your tee shirt, and then bite into it.  Here the kids are plucking star fruits.  The uncle brought them around to pluck guavas and starfruits, and we saw ginger plants too besides others. 

Part of the Purple family... they very very hospitable and friendly although language is a barrier.  Our guide is useless la.  His family were the ones were made us feel at home whereas he was merely an overpaid transporter

Walking back to his Toyota car

The end of the "day trip" to Mekong.