9th June 2005

Busselton

M&m were coughing badly last nite, so Mr Tan decided to bring them to c a doc. We went to two, but both of them needed appointment. So in the end, we ended up in the hospital. Busselton Hospital.

We spent two hours there, and the best thing is, consultation of doc is free! unless there is admission. In the end, the doc saw both of them and decided that there is no cause for worry, there is no medication so basically, we did not fork out any money. I would expect to pay becos I know for the locals, healthcare is very cheap, but we are tourists, I would expect to have to pay. But nothing, we dun have to pay anything.

After lunch, we went to Busselton Jetty. But there was no train to be sat, firstly becos the train is under repair and maintenance and also the wind is juz too strong. No way the train is moving. And also no way, I am going to walk with the children 2km down the jetty. Who knows, we might be blown away by the wind or washed out by tidal waves. Juz to let u know how strong the wind was, mabel was almost blown away (ok, maybe not blown away but knocked over) by the wind.







Next, it was still quite early in the afternoon, so we drove down a little to Dunsborough to see the Ngligli Cave. Last ticket sale closes at 330, we reached at 325. anyway, we managed to walk down to the cave. Spent about half an hour in there, or down there. The sight is beautiful with the statalclites hanging down. Columns of it. And the camera has to die out on us this moment, no battery so we could not use the flashlight, managed to take only a few pics. How lucky can we get!



Then we drove back to the motel. Had dinner, Mr Tan cooked some porridge for all of us but marcus wanted noodles. So had to cook special for him. Since the motel has ironing board and iron, I quickly ironed all our clothings that had been washed the previous nite. In one way, I could be kept warm too.

Over the news, I saw that the temperature at Pemberton and Albany could drop to 12 degrees Celsius. Showers with hail expected. Well, if there is really hail (if I heard correctly) then that is one big experience! The weather is expected to turn fine on Tuesday.

Now I understand why some people choose not to come to Australia in winter time. But I didn’t regret becos although becos of the adverse weather, we could not do much, but we enjoy the weather, the cold weather. And it was really chilly today at Busselton Jetty when the wind blew so strongly. To think that mabel was almost knocked over by the wind, it was really quite an experience.

10th June 2005

Pemberton

check out of Gale Street Motel and villa and drove down to Pemberton. The road to Pemberton (Vasse Highway), it was really an interesting road to drive on. It winds, goes uphill and downhill, past forests and my, those trees are huge. It was really an experience driving on this road.



When we reached Pemberton, we decided to take the tram first, since the last tram leaves at 2pm (we reached Pemberton at about 1 plus). To Marcus, I think this was the best part of the journey, he considers this train. There is really a steam train but it only operates during the weekends. But the steam train was on the track and there was burning, so you could see the steam coming out from the funnel.





We were the only ones on the tram. It wass like we book the whole tram. Along the way, the tram driver was very good at his commentary. The people in Pemberton really knew their place well and even the trees in the forest. Pemberton is famous for its karri trees. He could explain the different types of trees/plants in the forest, the rivers, the history of the railways and etc. I really gain a lot of knowledge from him. M&m of course were excited. Earlier in the morning, a tree fell over the tracks and while we were near the end of the journey before the tram turns around, they were still removing the log away from the track. The log was really heavy, we were actually delayed for about 15 mins, but it was an experience to see them move away the log. In the end, they had to use the tram to pull the log with the lorry in front of the tram to pull it, that’s how heavy the log is. Anyway, at the end of the station, there was a 10 mins break, so we went into the forest where there is this tree (one old man guided us to the place, actually he didn’t have to) which is 360 years old. There was a big hollow at the base of the tree and three of us could go inside to hide.



one of the stop was the rapids...








After this tram ride, we need to go and find accommodation. We found one which says Karri Forest Motel. But it was more like a hotel and it was not really self contained, so we could not cook dinner, got to have dinner at the restaurant.



I was very tired and slept very early. M&m were still playing while I slept, concuss beside them. Must be quite a sight.

11th June 2005

Walpole

While we were at Pemberton having breakfast, it started to rain again. At first, it looked like rain, on closer look, I realize it was hail! I was excited of course, this is the 1st time I’m seeing hails. To m&m, we had to tell them it is ice. Marcus actually went to pick up the ice. The hails were not very big pieces, juz small pieces, but it was to me quite a lovely sight.

After breakfast, we headed to the Lavender Farm. It was a lovely place, we should have drove up further to check out this place the previous nite. The lavender smells nice, fresh and natural. Then we went into the shop. Bought a lavender hot bag for aches and pains and also 100 lavender balls. They gave me a discount. Lavender farm is really a nice place, too bad we had breakfast, otherwise we could try their food here. I wish I could stay longer among the lavender to soak up their smell, but it was starting to rain again, so we had to head back to the shop and car.







We managed to feed some llamas at the lavender farm. M&m were excited to feed the animals. Mabel was the braver one, she was not really scared of the llamas. She was standing close and the llamas were like licking her hair. Marcus was not too afraid too, juz put the feed on his hands and let them lick his hands. I think they enjoyed it.





After that, we drove down to Walpole. Decided to spend a day at Walpole before we go to the Giant Tree Top Walk and then to Albany. So at Walpole, the lady at the tourist bureau is really nice and helpful. Got a lot of information from her. Then we decided to check out Riverside Retreat.

I am typing this, with the laptop on my lap, our house, all round, nature, trees and bush and I have seen three types of birds flew past and stop by. It is really a nice place, the host is very friendly too. Chatted with us. This is really a nice place to relax, well, of course I am on holidays so I find it relaxing, but I think if I stay here for 2 years, my life can be prolonged at least 10 more years.







saw rainbow almost everyday in Perth. very beautiful ones at times


We will be cooking dinner later in the evening, still have not decide what to cook, guess we will juz ask m&m.

I am continuing this... it was after dinner, m&m were sleeping, they did not sleep in the afternoon and was quite tired. it was really peaceful. Marcus is really a homely person, not like us, adventurous kind. He was making so much noise and complaining during the journey, but once we checked into the Riverside Retreat, he was quite happy and started playing with his toys and mabel. Later at nite, he said, I am tired of Australia. Guess he is homesick and actually wanted to take an aeroplane back to Singapore. So lousy, not adventurous one. We were thinking he must have started to miss his trains and tracks and his playhouse Disney channel or his wide selection of vcds to choose from, that was why he says he wanted to go home.

Anyway, there are 8 more days before we go back to Singapore, so had to prolong his interest. I guess tomorrow when we reached Albany where there is beach, I am sure he would have forgotten it.

12th June 2005

Albany

In the morning before we check out of Riverside Retreat, there was hails again. Anyway, the previous nite, it was raining heavily and very windy. Even in the morning before we set off, it was still very windy and showers at times, with hails once.

When the sun was shining bright, we quickly set off. The host was really nice. He suggested that our family should stay over at Australia. He said I would have no problem getting a job as a teacher there. Sets me thinking…

As we head down to Albany, we will pass by Treetop Walk. This is a must to see. The bridge was suspended over the rainforest, with the highest point being 40m. so u could imagine some of the trees to be 40m and some even taller than that. It was quite frightening to walk the suspension bridge. Mabel pretended to have tummy pain and wanted me to carry her. Oh gosh, u could imagine, I have to tread carefully and make sure she dun fall over my arms and I wanted so much to look at the trees.
















After this walk, there is another trail where you could see tingle trees. These trees have their base hollow out either by fire, fungal or insect attack. It is amazing how some big the holes are and we all took a few pictures, with us standing inside.





After this, we head down to Albany. This is a much bigger town as compared to Walpole. Managed to find an accommodation. Pelican something, self contained chalets as well. While there is still sunlight, I suggested that we go to the Gap and Natural Bridge to take a look.



On the way there, it was very windy and occasionally showers. By the way, we saw a lot of rainbows in Australia. M&m are very excited at spotting a rainbow. When we reached the place, I was awed. The waves hit the rocks so hard (because the wind was so strong) that it was impossible to get to the viewing platform without getting wet. Plus the wind was blowing so hard, it was very chilly, very very chilly. Brought m&m down from the car but we could not venture further. We had to actually hide behind a caravan for shelter when the waves splashed up. We had to turn back, but we tell ourselves we must come back the next day, better prepared, with raincoats for m&m.



Went to town, wanted to buy some food, but when we reached the shopping centre, Albany plaza, it was pitch dark, then we realized it was a Sunday, the shops closed at 3 or 4pm. Oh god, luckily, we still have some rice to cook porridge.

At night, marcus was homesick again. Poor thing. Slept early too, about 10 plus.

Fell sick today, bad sore throat, flu and cough.