The Cube

There's a souvenir shop inside this little building, at the start of the jetty.

My baby niece skipped her newly started swimming lesson, my sis and bro in law postponed their usual morning grocery in Subiaco market and I missed my usual Saturday jog. We made our way, together with mom down south in Western Australia. After a brief stop in Mandurah and Bunbury, the next pit stop was Busselton.

I was at Busselton Jetty a few years ago, for a short 10 minutes as part of a day trip tour to Margaret River. This time around, it was a little longer. Busselton Jetty is said to be the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It stretched 1.8 kilometres across Geographe Bay. You can spend a little more cash and take a train ride, or walk to the end. You will be rewarded with entrance (if you have paid for the ticket) to the Underwater Observatory at the end of your walk, if you are lucky. I said, if you are lucky, because it was closed the day we were there. LOL, speaking of timing.



Entrance up till the souvenir shop is free of charge. To access the remaining of the bridge, one has to pay $2.50 per person.




















Side note: I'm tired of being tired :(

My niece refered to this as “会长大的石头”, literally translated as stones that can grow up. They aren't exactly grow up but thrombolites, or rather 'living rock's are a form of microbialites, which are rock-like structures built by micro-organisms. One of the few places in the world where thrombolites grow is at Lake Clifton in Western Australia, approximately 3 hours drive south from Perth.

 

At the entrance, there were two walks to lead to the thrombolites - Thrombolites boardwalk or Lakeside Loop Trail. Difference being that the former was 600m return, while the latter 5km return. No prize in guessing to which we took.



It was fairly quiet on the day we visited. Not too sure if it was due to the winter season or merely because we were the only visitors at that time.



The thing to see was obviously the thrombolites, but Lake Clifton itself were beautiful and serene. The quietness obviously add to the beauty.




Side note: 端午节快乐 ^_^

There was suppose to be some image of someone sleeping on the roof of the Opera House, just not in this pic that I took.

I'll confess. This is an overdue post, I actually went to see those lights on the first day of the event and the event went on for slightly over 2 weeks... the event has ended on 11th June 2012. My apologies.

Vivid Sydney is an annual event (so, there's always next year... just saying) where a few spots in Sydney, usually the Circular Quay area - is transformed into a canvas of lights, music and ideas after the sun has set.



It was not just the buildings, there were some 'stations' set up along the walk up to the Opera House. There were heaps of people posing with the lights.


One of the two buildings with lights shows was the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).



... and the other was the Custom House...^_^


I tried to upload a little video on the light show but it was taking way tooooo long.. and the lappie stopped working the first try. Oh well..


Side note: Of late, blogger is such a nuisance to format.. bleh.

It's hard not to notice the Opera House in Sydney

Initially had the intention of doing a whole day walk, something like seeing Sydney City in a day or something. By the time I reached Pitt St Mall, I canned the idea, got some grocery and hopped on the train home. :P

Comparing to KL, Sydney is a much more walkable city... much, much more, just put on a comfortable shoes and you are good to go, though I've seen many ladies walking across the bridge in high heels, a very impressive feat, in my opinion.
Anyway, there are a few "exits" from the bridge, going to The Rocks, Circular Quay, Opera House. I took the one going down the staircase, heading towards The Rocks. There's usually a ice cream van to greet you once you reach the end of the staircase. Diagonally from the staircase, you'll see the Australian Heritage Hotel.










Ha! Everybody who sat at the cafe facing this fountain must've thought I've lost it...or some lost tourist taking pictures of this fountain.. located in the Sydney Hospital. :P
Not a lot of people walking down Philip Street on a weekend so it could be a nice little walk, as shops are located around Pitt Street and George Street area.

Side note: Kirribilli Markets today!

I know this is not a lot, especially since a lot of people do bring their own food to work... but I don't really do takeaway coffee (despite I drink a lot), I don't shop a lot either. So I've decided that I'll give up takeaway lunch for the month of May.

This is a shameless plug (though not a lot of people read my blog anyway) to sponsor me on giving up takeaway lunch. The money I saved, I will donate it to the Australian Red Cross. :)
Donations of over $2 are tax deductible (not sure if this applies to outside Australia though).

Thank you. :)


Side note: I got this new hypothesis where I think May and June must the two months when most people goes on holidays.

After my disappointment in limited activity at the Blowhole Point, I decided to scout out the smaller relative. I asked the nice lady in the Visitor Centre of the Little Blowhole, and was told that it is more consistent as it depends on wind direction from the North. I am not too sure if I want to make another trip on purpose for a little more activity of this blowhole, so I set off my walk to see the Little Blowhole.


View from the lookout point at Blowhole Point

The Little Blowhole is located between it's bigger relative and Kiama Heights, so just head off towards Kiama Heights. I was told the walk takes about 30 minutes, though as usual, it took me longer :P



It was a nice coastal walk, hugging along the beach. It was nice view and all but as I was walking by the Kiama Showground, I felt it was getting warmer and craving for a nice smoothie.



I had to walk pass two beaches, first one - Surf Beach...and kept on thinking of getting a smoothie. :p



Here's the second beach - Kendalls Beach. If you are to do the Kiama Coast Walk, it is at the same direction.



Walked a little further... and you'll see the Little Blowhole...definitely more activity compared to the bigger blowhole.



I didn't proceed any further and made my way back to the town area, to visit the Kiama Seaside Market. It so happened that it was an Easter Monday Public Holiday, there was an extra market being scheduled. :)



I didn't take any pictures of the stalls as I learnt stallholders in Australia don't like people taking picture of their stalls or wares.

My lunch treat - sweet chilli chicken, served with wedges and sour cream. Food wise - only so so.. and service definitely not brilliant, so I won't recommend any. Oh.. not only I had cooling, refreshing berry smoothies, I even got a vanilla milkshake. :)




Side note: This is a scheduled post... and it is now Sunday night. How I dread tomorrow :(

Kiama is at the south of Sydney, approximately 2 hours by train, of course faster if travel by car. It is being promote as a relaxation town with views over the ocean to Kiama's headland, characteristic pines and iconic lighthouse.

When I told Little P I'm thinking of doing a day trip to Kiama, she said it sound like I'm scolding some bad words = ="


Waiting for train on a public holiday Monday


Fast forward 2 hours, reaching Kiama train station

For a couple of times, I have tried to look up for time to visit this town, trying to coincide my visit to see the Blowhole with the markets, also avoiding staying overnight. Generally accommodations in Australia are expensive, and there is no exception in Kiama.


When I was passed this place, it reminded me of an old Salem TV advertisement.

An excerpt from Kiama's free visitors' guide 2012.

Located on a harbour, Kiama was the heart of the local cedar, quarrying and shipping industry in the 1880s and is now seat of the rgion's Council offices. In the town's Civic precinct you will see many fine old buildings: the imposing Old Council Chambers, the iconic pink Italianate Post Office and the oldest surviving building on the South Coast of NSW, the Kiama Court House, which was completed in 1861.

Kiama Council Chambers


The pink Post Office

A short walk towards the Kiama Blowhole and Lighthouse, near the Kiama Visitors' Centre, is the heritage Pilot's Cottage, home to the local harbour pilots from 1881 to 1981. For those interested in family history, you can trace your own ancestors at the Family History Centre, located downstairs from the Kiama Library.

Kiama Lighthouse


Pilot's Cottage Museum
The main attraction - Kiama Blowhole. I checked online to see the tide times before I made my travel and thought I would see the glorious blowhole. Much to my disappointment, there wasn't much activity.


Blowhole Point



I went in the Visitor Centre to check, I was told that it wasn't the tide that would influence the blowhole activity, instead direction of the wind. From memory, this blowhole is influenced by wind from South-West. The lady from Visitor Centre said there are information in the website but I can't seem to locate it, so I guess it's probably worth a phone call to the Visitor Centre to check before making a travel.


Side note: Getting addicted to stir fry udon.. yumm