Perth 2013 - Day 6 - Swan Valley

Merry Christmas to all from Perth, Swan Valley. 

We woke up without any alarm - not sure if it was due to us sleeping relatively early the previous night or just that our bio clock was simply still working on our holidays. But well, the sun rose quite early in Swan Valley that we actually got a shock that we overslept. It was only 7 plus. So, we washed up and were all ready for our first hand experience at the farm!

It was really great to be out at the farm, though we did not really help much. All I did was questions after questions to learn more about the farm. But the close encounters with the farm animals were great. I never seen a hen with its eggs next to it, never seen the cows fighting food with the sheep. Even the hungry pigs made me laugh at its sight. Milking the cow seems really easy but we did not pluck up enough courage to try it on this very morning. Well, we did the next day and I was so glad I did!  

Farm Life @ Keller's

After the tour, we went back to our room and Marija served the breakfast in a trolley. So cool! And they have used ingredients right from their farm and garden - Imagine the fresh eggs, fresh milks and even the bread and jams were made from scratch! Lovely touch to a homestay, I have to admit!

Our breakfast with a view

After breakfast, we borrowed bicycles from Keller's for our tour around the area. Remember that I mentioned that it was Christmas, so most of the shops or rather all the shops were closed except for petrol station. How bad this was, right? And the temperature was really high that Philip had offered that if we felt tired and were not  able to continue our tour by the bikes, we could give him a call to pick us up. And he was to have his Christmas lunch with their family living nearby. How thoughtful they were, don't you agree? And that they have humbly mentioned that their bikes were old. But Philip changed new tyres for us. Oh great!

And so, we packed our water and our food and off we went. the traffic lights weren't that great in Swan Valley and it was not very direct. To cross to the next street, we would have to take a long detour and remembered, it was along the expressway. Not a very good experience especially under the hot sun. Own time Own target, we managed to roam through the town and get back to Keller's safely. Here's some of the pictures I took. There are many routes that you can walk and the maps can be found here. 

A tour around the Guildford Town

Back at Keller's was like heaven. We desperately need the aircon and rest. And whille, Philip and family were not back yet. We have earlier asked them if we could do some BBQ and they do have a BBQ equipment. But we decided to go easy with the cooking and here you go, our Christmas dinner we prepared - a simple and yet filling dinner for both of us. 

Our very own homecooked christmas dinner

Taiwan 2013 - Day 6 - Kaoshiung, Cijin Island

Today was a cycling day and off we went to Cijin Island (旗津島) at Kaoshiung area. The nearest station is Sizihwan Station (Orange line 01). Initially we thought of taking the ferry over to the island before embarking on the cycling trip. However, at the train station, we rented the bicycle for the whole day at NTD 90. Cheap deal but the catch would be we will be cycling along the cars and trucks to the ferry terminal. Really an experience which we would never do in Singapore. Cool thing was we could take the bicycle on board the ferry to Cijin Island, which will cost you NTD$15 NTD (less than S$1).

Here's the planned route within Cijin Island but well, since it was all about cycling, I think everyone could just go with the flow, not really a fixed route to follow:

旗津區風車公園 (Cijin Wind Turbine Park) – 旗津海岸公園 (Cijin Seaside Park) – 旗津天后宮 (Cijin Tianhou Temple) – 旗後山隧道 (Cihou Tunnel) -旗後燈塔 (Cihou Lighthouse) – 旗後砲台 (Cihou Fort)

As some places did not allow bicycles into the premise, we had to park our bicycle by the side and locked them with a chain provided by the shop. Ok, I guess no one really wanted to steal the bicycles. I simply loved the relaxing day with the nice weather - clear blue sky!

Beauty of Cijin Island

Almost spent the whole day at Cijin Island where we had seafood. There were a lot of seafood shops around selling fresh seafood. Not knowing which is a better shop, we just pop in to the nearest shop available. There, we ordered sashimi, calamari and some shell dish -  it was not very expensive and I can safely say that the food was really fresh. Thereafter, we went to a dessert shop to have some cold mango ice. Well, the shop is just next to the chinese temple near to the ferry terminal, you won't miss it. It was marvelous and refreshing - mango is indeed fresh as well!

Seafood Lunch and Mango dessert

Afterwhich, we went back to the main island and continued our cycling trail. As compared to Cijin Island, Kaoshiung's road traffic was heavier and so, please do take care when cycling along with the motorist. There, we visited the Takao Railway Museum, Love Pier/Pier 2 Art Centre (驳二艺术区) and any places that we happened to pass by which attracted our attention - a very random hop on and off kind of trail. The scenery was really a beauty! 

Beauty of Kaoshiung

After the whole cycling event, we went back to Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市) for dinner. Nearest station will be Formosa Boulevard Station which was near to our hotel. You got to try the papaya milk, it was really great with many famous people visited it as well. As for the other food, just buy whatever that caught your attention - Taiwanese street food is really up to standard. But do try out the dessert - red bean soy milk pudding - it was great especially after eating the main course. 

Food at Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市)

Time to rest for the next day - a day to see the sheeps. Like I said, weather at Kaoshiung had been great for us that my tan-line was formed. Boo-hoo!