sPERTHacular Australia trip: 12-15 December 2013 Day 2

Day 2 of our sPERTHacular Australia trip: 13 December 2013

 

Woke up with sun shining at our butts only to realise it's only 5 am...

We continue to explore Fremantle today with a day trip over to Rottnest Island. Sun, sea, beach, life is good!
Headed over to Fremantle Market for our breakfast before heading to B-shed ferry terminal to take the Rottnest Express.

 

Fremantle Markets

Corner South Terrace & Henderson Street Fremantle, Western Australia, 6959

Opening Hours:

8am - 6pm

8am - 8pm (Fridays)

 

Pretty flowers!

 Fremantle market is a lovely place of interest. Get to experience the whole local market - ing experience. The place is neat, dry and clean unlike our usual Asian markets. Very much similar to what you see at our local Pasar Bella. You can a wide variety of cheese, flowers, local produce, freshly baked goods, handicrafts and souvenirs.

 As we were early and not all the shops were opened, we got some cheap bagels at AUD3.10 for 2 before heading over to the pier.

 

Rottnest island

The ferry bringing us to Rottnest. This Rottness Express ferry trip and island admission cost us about AUD39+ each, expensive but a good experience to have, especially if you are keen on having some beach fun.

We didn't bring our beach attire so we decided to go around the island together with the free voluntary guided tours.

Alighted at the Rottnest Island pier.

Island go-ers waiting for their bicycles/ luggage to be off loaded from the vehicle. There are additional charges to bring over your own bikes but if you don't, you can rent them on the island. Charges are at about AUD15+? Not your average ECP prices... :(

 Hi silver gulls. Tons of them on the island!

The bubble floating structures look damn fun to play with! #mustbeexpensive

First glimpse of the quokkas! More of them later!

Picture perfect beach!

And I thought the Jeju beaches were beautiful. Sorry to say but this beats them hands down. Should have taken our wedding pics here! Hahaha!
Only qualm is that there are too many house flies around. #irritating From what we understand, there are lots of flies during the summer period. We should be thankful that we didn't encounter the period with the most (seems to be in October).

 Huge ass pelican spotted!
It also wanna #relaconecorner

 

 We headed our way towards the island's 2nd lighthouse while enjoying the magnificent view

 First glimpse of the tower. Beautiful against the clear blue sky!

The 2nd lighthouse is built to help navigate boats and ships after a shipwreck occurred off its coast due to insufficient navigation aid with just 1 central lighthouse initially.

Don't you wish to stay at this beach to chill? #beach #whitefinesand

360 deg view of the lighthouse and its surroundings.

These grey and pink parrots (I assume) can be found on the island too. #sopretty

And the stores on the island had these stickers on their gates. Haha! #humor

 

After the first tour which got us hungry. Stopped over at subway to grab a seafood sensation footlong sub. Cost us AUD9.50 for a foot. Not the most tasty but was filling enough.

 

After our lunch, joined the quokkas tour to check out the quokkas natural habitats. So happy to find them! Apparently there should be thousands of them on the island (estimated from the no of droppings around the island).

Quokka Chipmunk spotted! #cute 

Rottnest Island is known to be the only place in the world where you can find quokkas until recently where there's a report that they found them on another island in Australia as well.

Unfortunately, there aren't many of the animals around as compared to years ago. :(

 

Hi do i know you? #animaltalk

 Quokkas feed on leaves and plants #herbivore they hop around and carry their babies in pouches just like kangaroos.
They look more like a hybrid of kangaroos and chipmunks than rats.

 During the quokkas tour, we ventured to this area where it's serene and picturesque. You could stroll along the banks of the river, kicking the clear waters hand in hand with your loved ones. Like the scene off some romantic dramas. #toopretty

 

This palm tree on the left has a strong willpower. The guide was telling us how this tree survived the strong wind which toppled it over and it continued to grow upwards into this huge standing tree it now is. #determination

Random photo on the island

 

What I get NB to do. #imitate #eatgrass 

 

Got back to finding quokkas after we ended the 3rd tour around the island to understand more about the island history. NB feeding the quokkas. #upcloseandpersonal #yum 

Saying bye to quokka #animaltalk #languagebarrier

Before we headed over to the pier to wait for our ferry, we stopped by the beach, this time nearer to where the yachts are parked!

Just had to take a shot with my yacht #fathope and have a dip in the crystal clear waters! #barefeet The water was cold (great when the sun is shining) and sand was soft to step on! I was telling NB the sand is so fine you can barely feel it! It's like stepping on erm... pepper! Haha!

Thanks for having us #RottnestIsland!

Us against the sun #shadows

Beautiful waters!!

#inlove #perfect #iwannaswim

One more shot before we leave Rottnest! #selfie

My amateur video of the sights and sounds of Rottnest island.

Upset that the last frame of quokkas got cut off. =(

It was late (in Aust time) when we reached Fremantle. Afraid that the restaurants and shops will be closed at 5pm, we quickly headed to E-shed for some quick shopping.
True enough, when we were selecting some of the affordable priced souvenirs there, the shops started pulling down the shutters.
Managed to get a couple of tees for the little ones at home nevertheless! #phew

Next stop was dinner and we made our way to the fishing harbour for what other than fish and chips!
First stop - #Kailis
Kailis'
Fishing Boat Harbour, 46 Mews Road,
PO Box 800, Fremantle 6959
Western Australia
Opening Hours:7 days from 8am

Seafood prices.

 

There were a couple of seafood restaurants along the harbour and read up reviews on them. Of course, we read that #Cicerellos (the no.1 fish and chips) standard has dropped and that others like Kailis is much better. So, we decided to give both a shot.
Kailis: fish fillet was thinly coated with batter before frying making it less sinful but it has got a slight fishy smell to it. Not sure if it's the kind of fish used or?
Cicerello's: thought this tasted better but batter was thick and oily.

Cicerellos
44 Mews road Fremantle WA 6160
Opening hours: 7 days from 10am.

 

 

 Thankfully we didn't order chips at Cicerello's cause not only was the oil getting on us, we were getting "heaty" from sun and exhausting day! Plus, there was no chilli to go with them (definitely not paying AUD.40 for a small pack)! #howcan NB was fighting his urge to buy coke (easily cost us AUD3,4+!) he so desired.

 

 Fortunately, we stumbled upon hungry jacks' penny pincher deal which served frozen coke and raspberry drink for just AUD1 each! #steal
Perfect to end the day with this treat!

Back at the hotel, helped myself to the complimentary nespresso coffee while NB got his English breakfast tea.