Albany
We left The Lily at about 1100hrs this monring for Albany.
The 85km drive took about an hour and a half, due to the heavy flow of traffic before entering Albany.
The first thing we did was to to head for the petrol station. We have a quater of a tank left, but was afraid that the petrol price will go higher when we go further into the trip. We have travelled more than 1000km thus far.
Second thing we did, we went straight to Albany Plaza, but could not find a free parking lot. So we parked at Woolsworth, and went over to Coles (in Albany Plaza) to buy our food for the next few days.
We also brought lunch from Subway, and then we proceeded on to Jesters Pie, the real reason why we came to this part of Albany.
Jesters Albany
1/77 Lockyer Ave
Albany 6330
Of course, its available all over Australia, but its only at Stirling Range I remembered about it and the nearest location would be here, I guess?
We bought:
Chunky Beef (Stockmans)
Tender chunks of lean beef simmered in our traditional gravy
Chicken Carbonara (Pavarotti)
Skin-free chicken with bacon & button mushrooms in an Italian cheese sauce
Beef, Bacon & Mushroom (Footy)
Chunks of lean beef with bacon & juicy mushrooms topped with tasty cheese
Satay Chicken (Nutty Chook)
Skin-free chicken marinated in Jesters secret Satay sauce. *Contains Peanuts
And thats $18, FYI.
We didn’t spend much time in Albany, infact, only an hour for the shopping that we did.
We then went on to Albany Wind Farm.
Albany Wind Farm
Albany wind farm is situated in Albany on the southern coast of Western Australia, the wind farm is about 12km south-west of the city.
Torndirrup National Park
“At Torndirrup National Park, the Southern Ocean has sculpted a Natural Bridge in the coastal granites and formed The Gap, where the waves rush in and out with tremendous ferocity. The Blowholes, a crackline in the granite, ‘blows’ air and occasionally spray. The noise is quite impressive. Windswept coastal heaths give way to massive granite outcrops, sheer cliffs and steep sandy slopes and dunes.
The area was one of the first in the State to be gazetted as a National Park, in 1918, though it was not named until 1969 and acquired its first resident ranger in 1973. Torndirrup was the name of the Aboriginal clan that lived on the peninsula and to the west of what is now Albany. “-naturebase.net
It was an easy 20mins drive to reach the Gap and the Natural Bridge.
They both share the same car park. Once you enter the attraction via the only walkway, the Gap is on your left, and the Natural Bridge, on your right.
The Natural Bridge
The Gap
Blowholes
The Blowholes is further south, by car. Lookout for a very inconspicuous sign on the left of the road, pointing you into the road leading to the blowholes.
Once you arrive, its another 1.5km walk, and it takes a cool 20mins to reach the holes. Wear good shoes as you will be walking and climbing over some rocks, which can be slippery.
Do not expect to see geysers of water sprouting out of the holes like the Old Faithful.
Its merely waves creating air pockets in the cracks and creating loud noises.
But still, its worth the 20mins walk to me.
Nothing much left to be seen, since I am not visiting Whale World, we drove into the Vancouver Peninsula, to find more stunning views.
Vancouver Peninsula
Denmark
Its only then that I realised that its already 1600hrs and we have more than an hours drive to reach Denmark.
Denmark is a wonderful wonderful place to be in.
Unlike the route we have taken thus far, where all is relatively dry, Denmark has trees…. trees with GREEN leaves… and loads of them…
Found The Cove Chalet, and Illya immediately pulled us to the Wilson Inlet, wanting to show us this:
Spent another 15mins looking at the scenery, telling us that we can use the boat anytime, and that Honeymoon Island, although almost 200m off shore, the water level is only up to the chest level, but anywhere beyond that, its deeeeeeeeeeep.
He too showed us and walked us a distance on the Bibbulmun Track.
“The Bibbulmun Track is one of the world’s great long distance walk trails, stretching nearly 1000kms from Kalamunda (Perth Hills) to Albany (South Coast) through the heart of the scenic South West of Western Australia” – bibbulmun.org.au
By the time we got to Tingle Chalet, its late at night, and Illya had a volleyball game to catch.
Prepared the BBQ pit, and we had out first BBQ of the trip!
Shall show you Tingle Chalet tomorrow.
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Bluff Knoll
The peak is 1095m above sea level, but the car park is only about 450m above, and is served by a sealed road, about 8km long.
We actually went up the car park after dark last night after dark, and its kinda eerie.
But this morning, its a whole different story.
We left Stirling Range Retreat at 0645hrs and managed to get to the car park before 0700hrs.
I will let the pictures speak for itself.
We met the park ranger, who watched the sunrise with us, and apparantly, he comes up here everyday to make sure everything is alright, and that the toilet is clean.
He is almost 65.
He was also telling us that the day before, the fog was much denser and the moon was bigger and close to the hills, and sky was all purply.
Too bad we missed that.
Stirling Range Drive
We went back to Stirling Range Retreat to pack up again, and went on our way to do the 80km scenic drive, along Stirling Range Drive, right to Red Gum Pass road, and then right again to Salt River Road.
The only sealed section you will see along this stretch is when you turn right into Salt River Road. However, please be careful as there are loads of road kills I can see along the way.
Guess how fast my wife is going at on a sealed road.
The Lily Windmill
After driving for almost an hour and a half, and making a circle around Stirling Range Drive, we came to The Lily Windmill.
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King’s Park
After a full breakfast DimSum, I brought my wife back to King’s Park for a walk to digest off the additional stuff we stuffed into our tummy.
We walked towards Federation Walk, to the South West of King’s Park, to have a look at the Glass bridge and walk way.
Saw this wierd looking fruit…. Australia is filled with wierd looking plants, I must say.
And we saw this couple taking their wedding photos, and I had my fun as well…
And here is the glass bridge:
We then saw a couple of vintage cars and they were really cool. We found out later that is actually a day to celebrate and show case old cars from England.
However, not all cars are English made.
All the cars are labelled “Veteran”, except for one, which is “Historic”. I suppose its much old than the others.
This is the one labelled “Historic”
And then we saw one stretch limo. I see this limo very often around King’s Park, so I believe it belongs to one of the restaurants on the hill top.
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I used to go for Dim Sum at this small little shop along William’s Street, Northbridge.
They serve the best deep fried cuttlefish tanticles (make sure you get the Salted ones!), and the best fritters （炸两）I can find in Perth.
Anyway, we reached Northbridge slightly early and had a walk around.
When the clock struck 9, we went straight back to Welcome Inn Tea House, to treat our hungry tummy.
I remember the place to be a very typical HongKong Tea House, even the counter.
But when I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised that they have renovated the place. Its almost 10 years since my last visit anyway. But seriously, I still prefer the old ambiance.
Its on the left side of the road, and opposite a shop selling toufu, across the street.
Address:
354 William Street Northbridge
Opening Time:
9am
Sorry I forgot to take pictures of the food as I was too engrossed finishing them up!
Total cost, $31. For 8 dishes. Great satisfaction， great value! And the food still taste as good after all these while!
虾角
烧卖
糯米鸡
鱿鱼须（椒盐）
炸两
肠粉（虾仁）
鲜竹卷
萝卜糕
菊花茶
Outside the teahouse….
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FREMANTLE
So I was driving toward Fremantle, and just when I cross the traffic light to enter into Fremantle, along Canning Highway, red lights and sirens came chasing me from behind.
Officer: You know how fast were you going?
Me: not too sure
Officer: 77km/h. You now whats the speed limit?
Me: 70?
Officer: Nope. 50! And you 27 above.
Me: Shit!
Officer: Can I have your license?
*passed him the license, and was shitting in my pants now*
Officer: Singapore? Where do you stay here?
Me: Perth?
Officer: Which part?
Me: Comfort Inn Perth City?
Officer: Ah… tourist?
Me: yup.
Officer: Still, you are going real fast.
Me: I understand.
Officer: How long have you been here?
Me: This morning?!
Officer: geez…. 8hours and you are with the police, not a good feeling, eh? ok, I will just issue you with a warning this time round. Don’t you speed again. And have a great holiday!
gosh… got back into the car…. my wife was there, asking what happened.
Told her about it, and she took it quite well, just asking me not to speed again.
Anyway, we went on our way to Fremantle, had our dinner at Kaili’s, and its the BEST dinner I had in a long long time!
CAN YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THE LOBSTERS?
We ordered the Fish & Chips, half Lobster Mornay, half BBQ lobster. All for A$72. For that amount of money, you cannot even get a lobster that size in Singapore, not to mention it being cooked!
If people tell you that Cicerellos is the place to go for Fish&Chips, point your middle finger at them, and go straight to Kaili’s, I’m not joking!
The fish is fresh, and the chips are hot! The lobsters and juicy, salad is fresh!
Great great meal! This is the first time my wife tasted Lobsters this size, and having the need to cut them up into smaller slices before stuffing it into her mouth!
Parking cost A$2.20/hr. And since we paid for 2hrs, we went for a stroll along the beach after the dinner….
Oh… I forgot to mention that we had Apple Strudles and a cup of coffee after that sumptuous dinner, I guess….
Anyway, we were walking behind Kaili’s, and the sun was just setting…
2 hours is almost up, and we went on north, to Cottesloe beach.
COTTESLOE BEACH
Cottesloe is a nice suburb west of Nedlands and Claremont, and north of Fremantle, just beside the sea, and has a wonderful beach side restaurant.
We stayed for only 10mins as the wind was too strong and we went on to Claremont station.
CLAREMONT STATION
Claremont Station is a train station which I have always liked since the first time I was it like 10 years back. It looks old, built of stone, and the bridge, wood. Everything looks really nice and out of place, beside a shopping mall.
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Fremantle
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Cottlesloe and Claremont
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Arrive in Perth
So after many months of planning, my wife and I finally arrived in Perth, Western Australia.
Its not my first time, here, but its the first for my wife, and I guess she is absolutely excited over it.
We arrived at Perth at 0630hrs via SQ225, and went over to collect our pre-booked Toyota Aurion from Hertz.
3.5L, V6, 268bhp, its the most muscular car I have driven for a long long time.
Anyway, took the car, and went straight to King’s Park.
King’s Park
The temperature was about 9*C then, but it was all cool and sunny, with great blue sky!
Morley
Brought her over to Morley’s Centro Gallaria (about 30mins North of Perth CBD), and we bought olive oil, soy sauce, biscuits, loads of fresh food and 3×5L bottle water from Morley Market. All for about A$35.
Before walking out, we saw this shop selling groceries that look like they are from Singapore/Malaysia, and we found our sesame oil! Great, we are all prepared to cook along the way now.
So we left the things in the car, and went across the car park to Centro Galleria, to let her have a feel of prices of things in Perth.
Brought her to level 2 and stuffed her with Kebab and Coffee from McD, Price of Kebab has gone up considerably, the last I remembered, it cost about $6… now its almost $9, but thats like 10 years back.
Wanted to bring her to 白莲教 (a Chinese restaurant called White Lotus) to buy roast duck, but it seems like the building is closed, and the car park locked.
Fast Eddy’s is also no longer in the building itself, but has its own building along Galleria’s parameters.
Gosh, it brings back memories.
Back to Perth CBD
Left Morley at about 1330hrs and went back into the CBD to check ourselves into the Hotel – Comfort Inn Perth City.
Its a big room, considering its location and price of A$109. Kettle, hair dryer, heated water, coffee and tea are provided. GREAT! We can now have hot water long the way!
Oh, they have their own car park too, which is great convenience as parking is hell in Perth CBD.
Anyway, slept for about an hour, and we went on our way to Fremantle for Dinner @ Kaili’s.
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5 years into our marriage, my wife and I are finally embarking on our honeymoon.
We will be traveling from Singapore to Perth tomorrow night, and will be back next Sunday.
Boy am I looking forward to this!
Itinerary:
Day 1
Perth
Day 2
Wannaroo
Yanchep
Day 3
Gingin
Bindoon
Northam
Day 4
York
Stirling Range
Day 5
Albany
Denmark
Walpole
Pemberton
Nannup
Day 6
Balingup
Bridgetown
Busselton
Day 7
Fremantle
Day 8
Perth
