Swan Valley

Vast fields of beautiful vineyards were stretched out alongside the roads for miles. Everywhere I turned my head, all I saw was the vineyards boasting their beauty under the bright sunlight. This was the Swan Valley (a.k.a Perth's Valley of Taste), the oldest wine region in Western Australia...

Two COST girls from Darwin had visited Perth, so 6 of us signed up for a wine tour at Swan Valley. We got on a train that took us right into the city of Perth. From there, the tour guide picked us up in his tour car, which seemed too big to be a mini-van, yet quite small to be called as a bus.

We passed all the buildings, the city, and the farms while sharing our excitement in the car as we approached our destination... Soon, the greenish-reddish hue of lands covered with grape vines were starting to peek. Even if I knew it was winter here, I was a little disappointed that there were no fat, round juicy grapes hanging from the vines. :P
Our tour covered 5 wineries, 1 brewery, cheese tastings, delicious lunch, and a chocolate factory. YES!!! Just imagine how excited I was!!! >_< This excitement of drinking wines kind of contradicts with my alcohol tolerance as I usually start to get pretty happy after a glass of wine,, quite tipsy(I wouldn't say drunk!) after 2 glasses,, and I would not even try 3 glasses.... So, the girls had reminded me to pace myself every time they got the chance, starting from the car before we even began the tour... 5 wineries, and was it about 45 wine tastings? I tried about half, and three of our girls, Ali, Cynthia, and Rebecca tried every single one of them.

Wineries were marvelous and I very much enjoyed my day that resembled the scenes in those romantic movies (minus the guy). haha :D However, highlight of my day came at the chocolate factory! As I stepped out of the bus in front of the factory, the sweet smell of different flavors of chocolate quickly seduced me into the building. We were able to sample a few different chocolates, but due to bazillion tourists lining up and packing every corner of the store, we did not stay too long.

I've collected another unforgettable memories in Australia. Spending my day taking in the breathtaking charm and exquisiteness of the vineyards was inspiring. Next time I come, I hope to see overly-plump and juicy grapes dangling low from the vines, unable to manage its heaviness. ^-^*

A Day at Fremantle

Today was the first day I met all the other COST participants at Perth. 4 girls including me! I was so happy knowing that I'm not the only one! wee~ :)

Despite my fatigue from the 40 hours of flight and waking up 3 am every morning, girls and I decided to go explore around a beautiful coastal city named Fremantle or "Frio" as what the Aussies call it. Thankfully, Perth had pretty decent transit and the train took us directly to Frio. The weather was perfect. The sun shined brightly in the clear blue sky, yet the cool breeze kept the temperature just right. The combination of weekend and good weather must have brought everyone out to treat themselves as the city was bustling with many people! We grabbed some lunch, and this is when I learned a good lesson about Australian beverage prices. Wow, they are expensive! Beginning price is about 3 dollars just for water. Cynthia was smart enough to bring her own bottle of water today. I should start doing that from now on... :P

After lunch, we walked to our main tour destination at Frio: the Fremantle Prison. This largest convict built structure in Western Australia that was built in the 1850s was actually still active until 1991! Knowing that it has only become a tour site just recently, I could almost feel the prisoners' presence as I walked through the dark, gloomy corridors of the prison walls. This prison was a place of hangings, floggings, and other methods of brutal physical and mental punishment, including months of solitary confinement. Within the depressing atmosphere, I noticed bright, colorful walls behind the small doors of few cells. Most inmates at the Fremantle Prison were Aboriginals, and these Aboriginals had the gift of art. As a therapeutic method, some prisoners were given the option to buy paints and brushes with little money they made and were allowed to paint on their walls. I do not know everyone's story weather their trials were just or unjust or exactly how these poor people ended up within these walls; however, their artworks definitely were sending messages that they desperately wanted to be outside with the nature. After learning a bit about the history of the prison, I came out of the building and breathed in the fresh air of gratitude of freedom.

Can't believe we're smiling so big behind these bars!

Back in the busy streets of Frio, Street performers, who were surrounded by a large crowd, were showing off their talents and their intriguing sense of humor! This one performer had probably kept me laughing throughout his entire show. =D

So, I had a little taste of Western Australia, but there's still long way to go!
I really look forward to next week!

Finally, @ Perth

Finally!!!

I’m here in Australia after much stressful confusion and upheavals.

The night before the flight, I couldn’t fall asleep with so many thoughts crossing my mind.
Hours later, I finally fell asleep after tossing my body all over the place like the chicken salad I ate at the LA airport… sigh…

So, I was on 4 different planes to get to Perth, which was definitely the most I’ve ever been on to get to one final destination. Total of about 40 hours, including the wait and transfer times. On the first flight to Dallas, I sat next to this guy who worked for a chicken company. He was telling me how valuable and expensive each of their chicken is, because the chickens they sell are meant to multiply. It was interesting, yet I began to lose focus as our conversation resumed about chickens for the next 20 minutes… He was nice, though.

I was completely exhausted by the time I got to Perth that I could almost pass out on the airport floor. My eyes were red and puffed up behind my glasses, and my hair looked like a Honeycomb monster’s. Yeah,,, just imagine that. I was greeted by my Australian coordinator Dr. Happs and his lovely wife Hazel with a big hug. Despite my overtiredness, we managed to get a quick look at the gorgeous beach side and went to go charge up the minutes on the cell phone they got for me. My face probably glowed when I saw that old-red-Nokia cell phone that people used to have about 7 years ago. Hehe. Whatever it is, can’t live without one~

We finally got home and I met my host-mom and her cute, but chubby Bichon- Frise. By the way he greeted me, I think he already knew that I was going to be his family. Muahaha. Oh, I almost forgot to mention… I am not living with a couple and three little kids anymore, which I am kind of glad about. After being with young kids for all day, you don’t want to go home to another three little young ones… Well, my new host family is an elder woman, and my gosh, she is so absolutely wonderful! She tries so hard to make me feel right at home, and she is so cute when she talks in her semi-Aussie/ semi-British accent.

I am so excited for tomorrow! With only 3 months to stay, I look forward to every next day so that I can live my time here to the fullest. I will soon post more exciting events with pictures!!!