Perth 2010 - Day 05 Pemberton to Albany

Dear YY n NN n DD

Today's itinenary
- Travel from Pemberton to Albany

It was really a freezing morning! Temperature dropped to 7 degrees!
YY, you were immobilised with cold.
Haha. Papa had to carry you from the cottage into the car....
Before we left this beautiful cottage, NN and DD, you 2 fed the colorful birds one last time. It was really a wonderful experience here.

The Gloucester Tree
This was to be our last stop in Pemberton.
The Gloucester Tree was tall. Really tall. 61m high.
There were steel rails anchored all around the tree that acted as ladders for those who dare to brave the climb up to the platform 61m above. San Shu was one of them.
We could only posed for the camera at the first 5 to 8 steps. Haha.
Many tame and colorful birds here too.

At Pemberton

Valley of the Giants
At Wadpole, we finally got to see what it was like on the top of the trees. Earlier, San Shu had shown us the photos he took on top of the Gloucester Tree. We stopped at Valley of the Giants, Tree Top Walk. It was a suspended bridge to the top of the trees. The highest point from the ground was 41m. High enough for DD to keep clinging onto Papa.
NN, even the usual daring you also hesitated to take the next steps and insisted to hold hands.
YY, only you were daring enuff to run at this height.
The next stop was the Ancient Empire Walk, full of living trees with big gaping holes, a result of lightning strikes.

Green's Pools and Elephant Rocks
Our final 2 stops before we reached Albany.
Great sea view at these 2 places, but we missed one of our scheduled stops, Pentland Alpaca Stud Animal Farm & Wildlife Park. :(

At Wadpole

Albany at night
Reached Albany around 4pm. It was really a very quiet town. Not much cars on the road too. Shops were closing and we had to rush to the Visitor Centre to book our accomodation. Home tonight was Emu Point Cabin at Emu Point. It was a cold cold night again.


Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Perth 2010 - Day 04 Busselton to Pemberton

Dear YY n NN n DD
Today's itinenary
- Travel from Busselton to Pemberton

It was time to depart from Busselton, after a short 2 nites stay.
We would be travelling towards Pemberton today.

Sheep Cheese Farm
Papa and San Shu were actually on the lookout for wine vineyard when they spotted this sign along the road.
Out of curiosity, we decided to drive into the premises. We entered the tiny shop that was surrounded by a huge grassland full of roaming sheep. Papa and Mummy accepted the small offerings of the few types of sheep cheese by the owner. It was a mistake. The cheese didn't quite agree with our stomachs. Haha. So we didn't buy any at all. Papa's first thought then was our poor xdd is currently on goat's milk now." Poor little fellow.
In the end we were more interested in the roaming sheep and numerous fruit trees outside.
NN, you were busy collecting the twigs from the ground. Such simple nature that gave you so much fun. :P

Cheese and Wine

The Trees Change
During our car ride, the trees started to grow taller and taller. The Trees in Pemberton Region were really very very tall. Some of them were as tall as 60mH (equivalent to 20 sty bldg in Singapore)

Pemberton Town
We arrived at Pemberton Town around noon. While Papa walked towards the Visitor Centre, you 3 ran in the opposite direction. Towards the playground that you had spotted immediately when our car stopped.
YY, you actually asked Mummy then "why are there sand in Oz's playground?".
Hmm.... Mummy suddenly realised that we seldom see sand in Singapore's playground anymore..
We had a quick lunch at one of the eatery in town while waiting for the next Pemberton Tram into the Karri Forest.
You 3 were pretty excited at first even as the station master's commentory was running.
It was your first time in a Tram and we were really going into the Forest.
There were 2 stops, one at the Cascades and one at Warren River. It was really an adventure on the jungle trail (5-10 mins only!) Haha.
On the way back, YY and NN, you 2 took up the invitation to horn the Tram once.

We checked in to Warren River Cottage for the nite after that. It was really a beautiful place. Imagine earthen cottage in the midst of tall trees (yes, we were really sleeping in the forest to-nite). There was a traditional chimney with firelogs in a timber chest next to it too. The logs were sufficient to last us the night. We were also given a pack of bird feed. You 3 searched for the feed stand and found it in front of our cottage. You placed some food in it. At first we were still wondering what kind of birds would show up. Very quickly, 2 very colourful birds came flying past us, and stopped at the stand. They were real beauties.
There was an outdoor gas BBQ pit. So we decided to make use of it. We were having BBQ tonight.
Tonite was really freezing cold. But it was very very fun BBQ-ing in the cold weather. It was totally darkness outside and we could see the stars and moon so clearly here.

At Pemberton

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy
A tiny accident that mired the Pemberton Cottage experience though.
NN, you together with your 2 bros have been told not to go near the chimney as it was very hot. You forgot and scalded your little finger. There was a big blister, and you really cried very hard. It must have been very very painful. My poor little girl.

Perth 2010 - Day 03 Busselton, Yallingup and Margaret River

Dear YY n NN n DD

Today's itinenary
- Visit Attractions at Busselton, Yallingup and Margaret River Region

Busselton Jetty
It was our first stop in Busselton in the early morning. Alas, the jetty was still closed for renovation, and we were too early even for the lone giftshop on stilts there. Despite the construction activity around here, the jetty still look wonderful. It was also here that we spotted the 1st of the 4 rainbows that we were be seeing today.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Our next destination. It was a windy road uphill.
The place was still quite deserted and we waited around for the first guided tour of the day into the lighthouse.
The view up there was wonderful, but Mummy guessed YY and DD enjoyed playing ball more than the view.

Playing ball at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse while waiting for the tour


Inside the Lighthouse


Walking to the Lighthouse


Up the Lighthouse


Yallingup Sheep Shearing Shed
This had to be one of your favorite stops. You 3 were so excited to see the sheeps so close up in the enclosure. Even more exciting was when Papa came out of the ticketing area with 3 tubs of sheep feed for you to feed those hungry sheep.
YY, true to your age, you were the bravest. You easily used up the contents of your tub. You did not need any prompting when it came to sheep feeding.
NN, you were abit hesitant at first, but could see that you wanted to try feeding. You finally decided that the safest way was to place the tub in front of those hungry sheep and let them eat from the tub.
DD, you were the funniest. You kept placing the food onto Papa's hands and pushed his hand towards the sheep.
The Shearing Show was quite impressive. Fun, yet educational. You 3 also experienced bottle-feeding those baby rams.

Feeding the Sheep



Yallingup Sheep Shearing Shed - The Full Shave


Canal Rocks
Next stop was Canal Rocks, nearby the Shearing Shed.
Windy and rocky place, but we were rewarded with a gorgeous sea-view here.

Margaret River Town
We had a late lunch at Margaret River Town. It was a quiet and small town here. Tried Simmons Ice Cream here too. Nice.

Sunflower Animal Farm
This was the last highlight of today's activities. It was really fun for you 3.
As soon as we alighted from our car, we were greeted by a big friendly dog, almost the same height as DD. You 3 were given a bucket of animal feed each. There were just so many animals to feed in the farm. Ponies, Horses, Kangaroos, Emus, Llamas, Bunnies.... The list was just endless. Some of them were in enclosures, some were roaming around freely in the farm.
We spent around 1.5 hrs here. We were the last family to leave as you 3 were simply having too much fun, and our dear DD was so selective in his choice of feeding. He only fed those cute and harmless looking animals. Haha.

Sunflower Animal Farm

It was a very funfilled day indeed.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy
Actually we had planned to visit Augusta too, but due to time constraint, we only made it to as far as Margaret River

Perth 2010 - Day 02 Perthcity to Busselton

Dear YY n NN n DD

Today's itinenary
- Drive down to Busselton from Perth City

Stopover at Freemantle along the way
The first thing you 3 did when you got out of the car for a short break at Freemantle was to chase the seagulls. You were so excited to see the birds at such close distance. We had a walk around the town and ended up at Famous Freemantle Eshed Market. Too bad it was not opened on weekdays. You started chasing the seagulls at the port again. It was such a beautiful sight to see the seagulls, sea and fishing boat at the port.
We spotted a lighthouse nearby. It was too far to walk so Papa drove us over. It was another great seaview there.

Chasing Seagull at Freemantle


Stopover at Bunbury for early dinner
Toilet break at The Coles Shopping mall at Bunbury and we did some supermarket shopping here. The Supermarts are so big and spacious in Oz. Had early dinner at the nearby Chicken Treats fast food restaurant. Then it was back to the car for the last 45 mins journey to Busselton

Sharing an apple


Night at Amalfi Resort @ Busselton
Fell in love with this 2 sty apartment when we first entered. It was so new and clean. You had so much fun running up and down the staircase connecting the 1st sty and the upper loft.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Perth 2010 - Day 01 Sin to Perth

Dear YY n NN n DD
This is the Day of our long awaited Overseas Trip.
The Start of 1 week Holiday at Perth.
Also DD's first air flight, and regrettably we have to leave xDD behind in Singapore as he is too young now.
Our entourage include the 5 of us as well as Popo and San Shu.

DD, you were quite funny. You didnt understand that we had to check in our big orange luggage. When you saw it disappeared along the conveyor belt, you cried bigtime and went up to the counter to ask the SQ staff to return your luggage. Haha.

Overall, it was a good air journey with the 2 of you being totally engrossed with the KrisWorld games and shows on board the flight. Even DD was concentrating on his Dora Show throughout the whole 5hr flight. Opting to fly SQ looked like a wise choice...

It was a night flight and we reached Perth around midnite. Nothing much to do except pick up our Toyota Tarago from Hertz counter at the airport and drive to our accomodation for the nite.

Hugs and Kisses
Mummy

Moon follow me....

Dear DD
It started one night a few weeks ago when Papa brought you for one of the routine stroll downstairs. While walking, you turned around, saw the moon high up in the sky, quickly ran forward, turned, and the moon was still there. You became terrified and asked to be carried. You buried your face in Papa's arms and wanted to go home.
You were bewildered how come the moon kept following you.
You came home that night and told Mummy. "Moon follow me...."
Since then, every now and then, you would look up to the sky and mumbled to yourself, "Moon follow me..."
My silly lovely boy.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy

Our Old House

Dear YY, NN, DD and xDD
Papa and Mummy brought you 4 to our old house at pgl last Sunday evening.
You had a great time running around the place and playing at the big playground downstairs. We did some house visiting and it was really nice to see all the old neighbours again. Everyone was so friendly it made Mummy kinda miss the life here.

xDD, It was your 1st visit to the house where all your elder siblings called it their first home.

Hugs & Kisses
Mummy