Fremantle Snaps, Perth 2013

I will forever associate Perth with the colour blue. Those blue skies and blue seas. I have never seen anything like them anywhere else. A lot of people say that Perth is boring and slow, and to that I say, what's wrong with that? We all need a bit of boring and slow in our lives, especially when it comes in that wonderful blue package. I am already looking forward to another Down Under escapade. As far as I am concerned, it can't come soon enough.

Around Fremantle 03, Perth 2013

Perth Journal, Day 02 (cont)

We traipsed across Bathers Beach, in the hopes of losing some calories after our fried fish lunch. While Singapore is an island with quite a few beaches, the shore isn't as pretty as Fremantle's. Such a treat to walk on the lovely (scorching) white sand.

We stopped at the Round House, built in 1830, this is the oldest building in Western Australia. I peeped in a little and it seems to be based on the panopticon concept. It's also a great spot to look over the city. I really like how low the city's skyline is, subtle and unassuming.

I am so glad that our apartment in Fremantle was the only place that responded positively when we were searching for places to stay in Perth. Fremantle is the perfect place for a holiday. It's dynamic, atmospheric but yet manages to remain laid-back. Our landlady remarked at the end of the trip, that we all seems so much more relaxed after the holiday. I wonder how stressed we looked upon arrival. -__-

Around Fremantle 02, Perth 2013

Perth Journal, Day 02 (cont...)

We hopped onto the Blue Cat bus on Cappucino Strip for a round trip around South Fremantle. South Beach looked gorgeous, I wish we had the time to stop and dip our toes in the surf. We stopped at Victoria Quay to visit the WA Museums, Shipwreck Galleries. This is one museum not to be missed! And since it's free to the public, you have no excuse! From the outside, with the huge anchors, balls & chains displayed, I knew this would be an interesting place. The Shipwreck Galleries tells the stories of the various shipwrecks and shipwreck recovery expeditions off the shores of Fremantle. The highlight of the galleries was the reconstructed hull from the wreck of the Batavia and portico from the wreck. It takes one's breath away the first time you see it. Unfortunately, lighting was really dim and my photos of the hull were terribly blur.

After our visit to the museum, we decided to lunch at Kailis', just a few steps away at the Fishing Boat Harbour. Personally, I preferred Sweetlips' fish & chips but my brother liked Kailis' better. Still, no complaints. The fish was incredibly fresh, I fancy it was probably caught just that morning!

Around Fremantle 01, Perth 2013

Perth Journal, Day 02

We woke up refreshed from an early night to explore our temporary home, Fremantle. Being the weekend, our top priority was to visit the Fremantle Markets. Predictably, we got lost. But getting lost had its rewards because we stumbled across Hush Espresso Bar. I promptly stepped in to remind myself of the awesomeness that is Australian coffee.

A few steps more, we finally managed to find the Fremantle Markets. While the selection of stalls were eclectic, ranging from fresh produce, coffee beans, paella (check out that humongous pan!), sushi, candles, home decorations, I expected the markets to be bigger, somewhere along the scale of the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne. I wish we could also have sat down at one of the small eateries for a meal, there was a little Japanese ramen stall that were bursting from the seams of ramen-slurping people. It must have been pretty good.

Sunset in Fremantle, Perth 2013

More than a month after arriving and departing Perth, Australia, I am finally ready to share my photos and memories of Perth. I am going to be recapping my trip, journal style. 

Perth Journal, Day 01

We caught an early morning flight from Singapore to Perth, and after your usual travel procedures, we got on the road to Fremantle, reaching in time to catch our first Australian sunset. It was possibly the most lovely sunset we have ever seen. With the other families at Bathers Beach, we watched the sun sink heavily over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the harbour and its surrounds.

After that spectacular first sunset to welcome us to Fremantle, we met my friend L for dinner at Sweetlips seafood cafe next to Bathers Beach. It's a smaller affair than Cicerello's or Kailis but it's a place where locals are more likely to congregate. It's also slightly harder to find, tucked around the corner of Kailis, facing Bathers Beach and adjacent to the WA Museum, Shipwreck Galleries but once you have found it, your tastebuds are in for a treat. Even now, more than a month after I have been back, I can't bring myself to eat any fish & chips because I know none will be able to top the amazingly fresh and tasty seafood we had in Fremantle.