After two weeks on the DL in KL, we headed to the land down under. You know the place. It’s filled with kangaroos, Vegemite sandwiches, and pretty much all the dangerous animals that can kill you.
We decided to visit Australia for one big reason. Friends. Not to mention that I’ve never been and was secretly hoping someone would say this to me…
But they didn’t. Moving on.
We spent over two weeks in Western Australia, mainly Perth, and it was everything we wanted. A Western country after months of undrinkable tap water. Our good friends Fergie and Jess let us practically move in and become their two new roomies even though they have an adorable (and my new BFF) 7-month daughter named Tilly. I think my ovaries just skipped a beat.
Tilly was the best kind of bestie. She laughed at all my jokes. She didn’t mind that I drank a lot because let’s face it, Tilly hits the bottles of a different sort.
Tilly just gets me. I guess having two rad people as your parents probably means you’ll be pretty rad. Job well done Fergie and Jess.
It was so nice staying in an actual house…to watch the boys cook.
So Jess and I could drink…
We explored a lot with our roomies (and watched a lot of animal-themed movies). They took us to Kings Park and we were treated like VIPs thanks to Fergie being employed there and all. We even got a roomie/family photo. How cute are we?
I’ll tell you what, Perth is really pretty. So fresh and so clean. Just like Outkast intended.
But fuck it was hot. I guess that’s why everyone has pools. Or goes to the mall and discovers their mecca.
Perth also has our two favorite things: breweries and wineries. Our roomies took us to all the hip places. They even let us take their car down to Margaret River for a 3-day adventure in wine country.
We rented a cute/expensive-for-what-it-was cabin by the river. Gosh, I miss Asian prices. Our cabin compound also had an organized wine tour and they gave us a discount, so we thought wine not?
So many wineries, so little time. We ended up tasting at around 4. I think. I lost track. They were all really cute and so not crowded like the Napa and Sonoma we’re used to.
Margaret River isn’t just about the wine. They have a shit ton of caves, too. And not just crappy little caves, but big, semi-spooky ones. The type of caves that would make my dear friend Simmi squeal with joy over the sheer number of stalactites and stalagmites.
From the darkness, we stepped into the light. And by light, I mean beach. Australia, you sure do have some gorgeous beaches. That I’m a bit terrified to swim at…even though you have shark nets on some.
Hamelin Bay was sans shark net (not sure if that’s good or bad?) but did have sting rays that loved to venture about a foot off the beach. I didn’t take any photos because I thought of Steve Irwin and didn’t want to die, so I took a picture of a wooden thingy. Pretty, huh?
Overall, Margaret River was pretty and peaceful. We did all the touristy things one does and still had time to zen out in nature before heading back up to Perth.
We were lucky enough to have not one, but two sets of friends in Perth that had spare rooms for us to crash in/catch up with. We gave our original roomies a break and stayed with Anna (Craig’s high school friend) and her husband Matt. They too have adorable children. Must be a thing you do when you grow up?
It was my first time meeting Anna and Matt and they are my kind of people: chill people who like chill beverages (like wine and beer). They cooked us dinner, made us breakfast and even took us stand up paddle boarding (or as the cool kids like to call it, SUPing) which has been a travel goal of ours. Craig and I felt like baby giraffes trying to walk for the first time, on water. But we did it. We didn’t fall in. I call that a success.
After SUP time, we met both sets of friends (and their adorable) children at a brewery. Old friends, brew friends. It was lovely. And now I’m totally realizing we didn’t get a picture with Anna and Matt. Friend fail.
Any hoo. When we weren’t catching up with friends or watching Sharknado, Piranha DD, Anaconda, Snakes on a Plane, Deep Blue Sea or Tremors, we chased after rainbows.
We caught some amazing sunsets.
We were so hoppy.
Our second to last day we took a boat bright and early to Rottnest Island. This island is car-free. Whee. We rented bikes for the day and just cruised along the coast. Much to our surprise, it wasn’t rammed with tourists. Probably because like most things in Australia, it’s fucking expensive to just get on the island. But we are suckers for islands.
We biked to all the beaches and even spotted a completely deserted one that you could only get to by ditching your bikes and walking along a path. It was just us, the waves, and giant lizards that I’m pretty sure were trying to get into out packs.
After a few hours of biking in the sun (with no shelter most of the way), we dropped our bikes off early and hit up the one main restaurant/bar. Oh, so that’s where everyone is…
We were greeted by the island’s mascot, the quokka. Think giant, yet adorable, rataroo that loves eating food the tourists drop on the floor.
And then just like that, it was our last day. Once more, Fergie had the VIP perks. We were wined and dined at the gorgeous Indiana restaurant on Cottesloe Beach. Not to mention got the best damn table in the entire place. The chef just kept making us food. Gosh, my pants are getting tight.
Oh and there was a sculpture by the sea thing which was mostly overrated. But had a few cool arty moments.
Our time in Western Australia was Perth-fect. It was so good catching up with friends, seeing them all rocking at parenthood, and having them be beyond generous in letting us stay with them. So to Fergie, Jess, Anna and Matt (oh and Tilly, Eloise and Harvey)…a million thanks. Friends like you make the world go ’round.
It’s back to Asia we go. Everyone’s always singing the praise of Singapore, let’s find out for ourselves (and visit more friends!)
Roam Mode 