Sunday, September 08, 2013

Farm Stay at Margaret River

Serene and Meng How arranged for the whole family to spend a weekend at a farm at the Four Elements Farm Stay in Margaret River. On the way, we stopped at Busselton Jetty to have a picnic.

My grandson just loves to chase after birds!


My grandson is an extremely friendly kid who has no fear of approaching stanger to start up a conversation. At the picnic site, he did not hesitate to approach this man who was having a small puppy.

At Busselton Jetty

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Starting a fire.

Having a friendly football session with a kid of a neighbouring farm house.

Sampling all kinds of nuts on display at Margaret River Nuts and Cereals.

At Margaret River Chocolate Factory.

At Perth Zoo with My Grandson

We had such great time at the zoo.

Chasing a friendly bird!

His favourite moments were probably riding the "horse" at the carousel and driving the "car"!

Father's Day in Australia

I had the privilege of celebrating Father's Day twice this year, one in Sabah on 1st Sunday of June and the 2nd one on the 1st Sunday of September in Perth.

For Father's Day celebration in Perth, we were treated with a sumptuous dinner by Serene and Meng How at The Quarie Bar and Brasserie.

Three generations - mother, grandmother and granddaughter

Three generations - father, grandfather and grandson. A great photo for remembrance.

Present from Zion Praise House, Perth - a super bright small torch

Present from Basel Church, KK, Sabah - a pen drive

Gastronomy Extravagant in Perth

Our gastronomy extravagant first began with a breakfast buffet at The Gate Bar & Bistro at Cockburn. This is the second time Serene and Meng How took us there. The first was for a dinner in one of our previous trips to Perth. The unique thing about this restaurant is that a play area is set aside at one corner of the restaurant where kids brought along by young patrons with children can enjoy a good meal with minimum disruption by their kids. Two ladies are on hand to take care of the kids. One is exclusively assigned to do painting on the kids' faces. It's truly an innovative idea!


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During our stay at the Four Elements Farm Stay in Margaret River at one weekend, Meng How and Serene took us to a highly recommended restaurant in Margaret River, Knee Deep in Margaret River. True to its reputation, we were turned away when we turned up one afternoon without advance reservation, "Sorry, we are fully booked!". Immediately, we made reservation for lunch for the next day to avoid another disappointment.


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Unlike Malaysia, Father's Day is celebrated at the first Sunday of September. For the Father's Day celebration, Serene and Meng How took us to this Quarie Bar & Brasserie, which is situated a short distance from their home in Success suburb.

  
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Each time we went to Perth, we never missed eating the Fish & Chip at one of the seafront outlets at Fremantle.


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We were privileged to be taken by Meng How and Serene to have lunch at a celebrity restaurant owned by Jamie Oliver in Perth, Jamie's Italian. Apparently, he owns two such outlets in Australia, the other is in Sydney. Business is good everyday. Even at around 5-10 min before its opening at 11am, we had to queue behind 5 other customers who turned up earlier than us.


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Beside dining outside, we did have special meals prepared by in-house chefs. At the Farm Stay, we had barbeque by Meng How.


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At home, my wife did come up with a number of nice dishes: Ngau Nam Mee (Beef Noodle),  braised lamb shank and roast lamb just to name a few!

Chef was busy at work

Cutting up the roast lamb

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Mobile Alarm Clock

Now back to KK, I have to get back to the usual habit of switching on my alarm in my handphone just before sleep.

 

Back in Perth for three weeks, the need for switching on my handphone alarm was unnecessary as I was awaken daily by a mobile alarm clock. Without fail, this "clock"- my grandson Nathan would come to open the bedroom door between 6.45am and 7.15am carrying a toy or a book. The alarm came in the form of "Kung-kung, wake up!". Then, he would move to the other side of the bed saying softly, "Popo, wake up!". He would then jumped into our bed nudged in between the grandparents playing with his toy or reading his book.

As usual, once he was done with the toy or book, he would turn to Popo, "Popo, can I have e-pad?". If that was denied, he would turn to Kung-kung. "Kung-kung. can I have e-pad?". The answer was 10 out of 10 a yes!