18 Dec 2005

Finally the day arrives for us to get on the bus to tour Swan Valley. The tour we chose would take us to some wineries, a chocolate factory, as well as a nougat factory. We first had to get to the city where our tour would depart and Shirley is all excited to get there. Not knowing that the meeting point is just around the corner, she asks me to walk faster. Me? Walk faster? Well, I roughly knew where the place was and we had 20 minutes to get to a place that's 3 minutes from our bus stop. Hehehe... So we kinda check-in and head across the road for some lunch. So crappy it was that photos weren't worth the effort. With the few minutes to spare, I looked around and realised that I was right next to the hotel I had stayed in 7 years ago, and it didn't seem to have changed one bit either.

It was 1p.m and we weren't moving and the reason for the delay was a couple that went on their own tour and got lost. In the end, this couple would be the target of all our bitching. The tour starts with a little introduction to Perth and it's historic buildings, moving on to Guildford, passing my grand-aunt's place along the way. As we got nearer, we were going through patches of WA that seem to get older and older, till we finally reached a spot where the oldest operating post office stood. Right across that was the town hall (so quaint) where the community set up their stuff for the weekend markets. Crossing the bridges over the Swan River, there were families having picnics or some men doing a bit of fishing in a little corner. Ahhh how I wish I could too. Anyhoo... on with the tour and we pass farms with horses, cows, sheep, some with big ponds and ducks, some growing strawberries and obviously grapes.

Our first stop was at Sandalford Wineries for our first wine tasting. They basically let us try the whole range at our own pace and some people, a.k.a. late irritating couple, were hogging the whole bar when one of them didn't even want to drink. The non-drinker was basically making a meal out of the crackers and cheese that was offered. They also offered a tasting of a really special (read: super expensive - AU$95) wine for AU$5 a portion. So that we would never regret not tasting the bloody thing, we just let go of that little note. I would say it was a well spent $5, and I would buy the wine if I had more money. If I did buy the wine I won't be sharing it with no one either! Shirley and I decided rather quickly what we wanted and got them before we were chased onto the bus by the driver as most of them weren't interested in getting anything - weirdos.

Lunch Anyone?

Next stop was the Margaret River Chocolate Company! If Yana & MJ are reading this; You'll love the Dark Chocolate here! The minute you enter through the doors, you're greeted by the sweet smell of cocoa! With a huge range of chocolate items, as well as gift ideas, it was hard choosing what I don't want (other than white chocolate). As everyone was getting their stuff, I finally decided on a mug and some Christmas chocolates for Michelle, Daryl & Russell.

Couldn't Decide between Dark Or Milk


Just A Small Gift

Right on to the thing I was looking forward to for almost 2 years (yup), ever since I saw a pic of my friend holding a fat, lazy, cuddly wombat! Caversham Wildlife Park looked like a rather boring place once you step in, but that perception changes when u get to interact with the animals and get really close to them. You'll end up finding a few that are absolutely lazy, some that love the camera and some that are really really shy. You also end up encountering another kind of animal, we found a pair, that kept pushing anyone out of their way so that they can take photos which they could've done with the other kangaroo but they want THAT one you're posing with. So what do they do with your model roo? They start getting scared to touch it or go near it for the photo. The last straw was when I stepped back to avoid a splash from the tap and the biatch goes right for THAT tap when she was using the one infront of her. Well not bothering about them, we head on to the gift shop, which was a surprise with the low prices. Obviously got a few things there too!

Our Bus Driver In Orange




Kookaburra Sits On The Old Gum Tree




Rather Yummy Treats!


Processed Yummy Treats


Very Lazy Male


Mom With Possesed Look


Not So Lazy Ones


There You Go...


EMU??


Ohh...Emu


Scratch Scratch Scratch...






I Thought I Had A Strange Do...

The One I Wanna Bring Home


Our Guide Micky


Aren't You On "Lost"?















Naughty One Sent To The Corner


Proud To Be A Koala


Yellow Bloomin Christmas Tree?


Hmmm.. These'll Do Good For Christmas

Last stop, Charlies Estate Wines & Nougat for another wine tasting and to check out their range of nougats as well. If I heard right, this was the former Evans & Tate Winery. That or they had some tie up with them and were selling the wines at a discount. Anyhoo... after the wine tasting, which was at our leisure, the idiotic Twidledee and Twidledumdum was at it again, jostling to get everything first. With 2 reds and a white on the bus, I decided to get 2 whites that I actually liked, and another red. Now how do I get them back into the country?

Still Wondering Why There's The Singapore Flag Here

Satified with our purchases, we met up with Michelle and my sis in the city and had them drive the stuff back since Daryl's 2-door couldn't fit us all in. Shirley got an Extra Happy Meal from Hungry Jacks, costing her $2 including my drink, and we had to head back to pack in preparation for our flights.

Now Why Does It Look So Familiar?...

Later on, Shirley helped me with my packing by wrapping some things in a rather kooky way. While Daryl was really happy having a whole load of presents dumped on him. Nice ending to a slightly odd trip.

Anyone Hiring Gift Wrappers?