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.

Taylor's, Perth 2013

Before driving back to Fremantle, we decided that our last stop in Swan Valley should be at Taylor's Art and Coffee House for a cup of joe to sustain ourselves for the drive home. I didn't know what I was expecting but I certainly wasn't expecting to be greeted by what seems like an ancient steam turbine at the front.

Taylor's is the most eclectic coffee house / art gallery that I have ever seen. It seems to be part coffee house, part your grandmother's house, part metal scrapyard, part antique shop, part dusty garage. The cafe part seems normal enough, with your usual chalkboards, cakes display and espresso machine, albeit one with an umbrella shielding it from the sun. The coffee cups and plates are of varying shapes, sizes, designs, all stacked higgledy piggledy around.

Everything is this space feels like it has been done by hand. The furnishings looked like they were slowly added on one by one rather than being styled all at once. It's a great place to spend an afternoon, leafing through magazines or if you need a quiet space to do some work.

After exploring the insides, we went out to have a poke around the outdoor area. 

I can't quite decide if the spiderwebs are real but I think they must be. I have never seen such a complete spiderweb ever.

Oh, and the coffee's great too! So if you need some fuel for the ride home, remember to stop by Taylor's before it closes for the day.

Swan Valley, Perth 2013

Perth Journal Day 06

Initially, we planned to drive to the Margaret River wineries but after finding out how exactly how far away it was, we decided to keep it simple with a drive to the closer Swan Valley region. Before entering the Valley, we stopped off at the Swan Valley Visitor Centre in the town of Guildford. There, the lovely guides introduced us to the various establishments in the Valley and recommended the places we should visit or have lunch. I highly recommend you do that if you are a first-time visitor because they are so many choices in the Valley, it can get overwhelming.

It was a truly beautiful day to drive around the Swan Valley, blue skies and white clouds. We couldn't have asked for a better last day in Perth. Armed with the map and recommendations, we took an easy drive through the valley, stopping at places we thought would be interesting or were recommended by the Visitor's Centre. We stopped in at Sandalford Wines and Houghton Winery. Sandalford had on display some heritage vines that were planted in 1890 and are still producing grapes (second image in this set)!

For lunch, we decided on Mash Brewery & Restaurant. I really like that cheeky gorilla and garage feel they have going on in that place. So many hilarious ape and beer puns all over too! Both the food and the beer was really good. We had the fish & chips and buffalo wings, accompanied by a glass of Crush beer. Perfect holiday food.

After that yummy lunch, we stopped for a scoop of ice cream at the delightfully old-fashioned Oggie's Ice Cream Cafe. Seems like many others had the same idea too. I ordered a scoop of whiskey (yes, whiskey!) ice cream. While enjoying my ice cream, I poked around the shop and discovered they stocked tins upon tins of old-fashioned candy. I imagine many of the older customers must love re-discovering all their favourite childhood candies and buying up truckloads to reminisce about yesteryear.

Link-Ups, 1 May

Wow, can you believe that it's May already. In some respects, this year has been passing by really quickly and yet really slowly too. I feel like I have already done at least half a year's work but it's just May, only four months have been completed so far. The first two months of the year was all high-energy and my schedule was mad-packed. I found myself slowing down in March and April, becoming sluggish and choosing to hibernate more at home. Not good for the balance that I am seeking. May will be all about re-gaining that balance, achieving equal activity and rest.

                                                                                                                                                          

x sfgirlbybay ponders what to do with a book addiction. i wonder too.

x Obviously Korean architect Moon Hoon doesn't have the same problem, because he built a library slash slide slash home theatre! (via Frankie)

x One of my favourite photographers, Brian W. Ferry, just launched his new website!

x I adore Rhianne's photographs of Norfolk. They are all so postcard-worthy!

x I think I am one of those persons who could alone happily in a cabin for awhile. Provided I have some books, some magazines and the internet.

x Did you know that some townhouses are not what they seem?

x Hanna visits Seoul, one of my favourite cities! I miss that place so much!