Day 1, Thursday
The flight took approximately 5 hours, which was longer than what we expected. However, we did not really mind that as we both were all geared up for the trip.
Perth was cooler than I anticipated when we first landed - 16 degree Celsius during summer was pretty rare, we were told. Checked ourselves into The Melbourne Hotel located in the heart of Perth city. We came across the hotel online and it looked pretty decent and all, especially since it has been around for 105 years (we were expecting something like Carcosa Sri Negara).
Disappointingly, it was not what we were used to when we travel. So, we checked out the next day and checked into somewhere nicer...
Day 2, Friday
The Outram Luxury Hotel is located near King's Park and Subiaco, which is the up-and-coming happening area in West Perth. We loved the hotel and their service. Complementary drinks and canopies available everyday.
Spent the day shopping and wandering around Subiaco and we bought 2 beautiful landscape photographs as remembrance. Lunch and dinner were good but almost everything shuts at 4pm in Perth. A very laid back city and it took us a while to get used to it.
Day 3, Fremantle
The Fremantle Market, a place not to be missed if you were in Perth... so we were told. To be honest, the scenery was nice but the rest was really average if you ask me. Had lunch at a famous fish and chip restaurant (I cant even remember the name, it shows how impressed I was with the place...) and its just a little too touristy for my taste. Oh well, a tick of the box anyway.
Day 4, Sunday
Started our self-drive tour down south to Margaret River. The journey took us 3 hours and the drive was pleasant enough, just that it was a bit hot and I got tanned sitting in the passenger seat. My left shoulder is darker than my right, to give you some idea.
Along the way, we stopped by a few towns for a look-see. Lunched at a restaurant by the beach in Bunburry and the view was simply amazing. One thing we are used to on this trip was long lunches, can take up to 2.5 hours, enjoying the beer, wine, views and each other's company.
Drove thru Busselton and visited the jetty... Stopped for coffee and ice cream.
Finally, arrived at The Merribrook Retreat at 4.30pm. Our room key and map of the hotel were left at the reception area as the office closed at 4pm, what's new? The retreat is set in the middle of a wild life reserve park of 190 acres and there are only 9 cottages available. You can just imagine the amount of space we have, the place was simply stunning. There were hares, kangaroos, different kind of birds, ducks, swans around us (these were the animals we encountered, I am sure there are plenty more that we missed). This is as close to living in the wild as anyone could get.
We rose early as breakfast was served every morning in the main house from 8 - 10.30am. This was also a time for guests to get to know one and other and chit chat. Eating out in Margaret River is limited as all vineyard closes by 5pm, most of them only do lunches and only a hand full of good restaurants in town serve dinner. So, the guests were encouraged to buy food and wine and use the kitchen in the house. Loved the atmosphere, reminded me of the days I spent back in university.
Day 5, Monday
Began our vineyard tour around Margaret River, we enjoyed it tremendously.
Had lunch in Leeuwin Estate, the best meal we had on our entire trip to Western Australia - food was amazingly good and the view was unbeatable. We were pleasantly surprised when we saw the Malaysian flag being raised at the courtyard as we walked in, after we found out that the Malaysian Tourism Minister, his wife - 'Puteri Gunung Ledang' and family were expected to lunch at Leeuwin as well. Just hope that they were not on any 'official visit', if you know what I mean...
