Food - The Bridge that Connects Hearts at Every Family Reunion

Whether we are meeting up at restaurants or sharing a home-cooked meals around family table, eating together during family reunions is always a special time to connect and bond. These shared meals are really the heart of the gathering, bringing together love, stories and laughs that everyone will remember.

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After exploring the Wungong Dam (Read here), Meng How drove us to the Last Drop Elizabethan at Bedfordale where we had our lunch - pizzas paired with a beer tasting!

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At Hello Spice in Canning Vale, I was surprised to find that some of the foods at this outlet were priced quite a bit lower than most other places. The grandchildren contended that it may be because of some of the food preparation and cooking are done with the help of equipment, which helps cut down on labour costs!

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Apart from eating out, we had lots of great home-cooked meals at Serene's place during that short holidays. The cheese platter she put together on 21.04.2025 was a meal worth remembering!

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A day before flying home on 23.04.2025, Serene's family took us to orchards in Roleystone to look for persimmons. After buying several packs to bring home, Meng How proceeded to look for a nearby place for lunch. We eventually followed a side lane that led us to Naked Apple Cider.

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Just before going to the Perth Airport to catch our flight to Singapore, Serene's family took us for lunch at Uncle 6 Nanyang Hawker Cuisine in Willetton. This is a new restaurant that serves one of my favorite foods - Fried Fish Wings Mee Hun Soup. Incidentally, this is the third outlet after Bateman Chinese Eating House and Two Hands Noodles Shop in WA which serve this dish.

Outdoor Activities - Cycling & Rowing

Cycling with grandchildren has become a cherished tradition every time we spend our holidays in WA. As cyclists ourselves, there is truly something special about sharing the freedom of two wheels with these youngsters - their faces light up with excitement as we pedal along, the wind on our faces and laughter in the air!

Each ride around the neighborhood and through a local park quickly turn into a little adventure. We stop along the way to marvel at spiders spinning webs, watch ducks in the pond or greet friendly dogs on their walks. What starts as routine outdoor exercise becomes a journey of discovery.

For this trip to WA, it's trio on wheels - just Grandpa and the two grandchildren. This round, it's often my turn to keep up with their boundless energy and enthusiasm. Most often than not, they are leading the way while I happily pedal behind - a delightful role reversal!

In the end, cycling with grandchildren is about so much more than fresh air and exercise. It's about joy, discovery and togetherness - a reminder that the best rides in life are often found in small, shared moments that bring us together.

During our second round of the cycling trip, Nathan joined us. At about 1.5 Km from home, the handlebar of Gracie's bike suddenly came loose. Without hesitation, her brother offered her his own bike and he carried the malfunctioning one by hand all the way home. What a thoughtful and selfless gesture from this young man to his sister!

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Nathan and Grace love anything to do with water - whether it's swimming, canoeing or kayaking. Back in October 2023, we were at Bicton Baths trying out a portable inflatable canoe (Read here). This time, it was rowing a portable inflatable bodyboard which we brought along.

I have to admit, I am not much of a water enthusiast. Still, Gracie managed to convince me to hop on the board while she propelled us along using a single oar - and I have to say, it was more fun than I expected - though one ride was more than enough for me! Impressively, she did the same for her grandma and mom - she is indeed a strong girl for her age!

Gracie is always fascinated by the big jellyfish found
in the water.

Revisit Swan Valley

WA seems to have  an endless supply of interesting spots where visitors can spend a few hours enjoying, exploring, relaxing and dining. On Day 3 after landing in WA on 15.04.2025, we were taken to Swan Valley Station  - a cafe, nursery and gift shop rolled into one in Swan Valley wine region.

At the little animal section, we met friendly farm animals like goats, ponies and parrots among others.

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Instead of heading to the nursery, we wandered over to a small man-made lake at one end of the property. Along the way, we paused to admire some of the whimsical metal animal sculptures scattered among the garden - these artistic touches - graceful heron, playful frog and quirky farm animals - add character to the surroundings. We enjoyed spotting them as we strolled along, and the lake itself was a peaceful place to relax (though a bit hot under the afternoon sun), to watch the water shimmer and snap a few photos.

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While the cafe at Swan Valley Station looked inviting, Serene decided to look for another spot for lunch. After a bit of searching, we set our sights on Joey's Swan Valley Diner, known for its classic burgers.

Interestingly, even though Joey's is only 1.5 Km away from Swan Valley Station, the Swan River lies between the two, forcing us to take a much longer route. What should have been a short hop turned into 12 Km detour.

When we finally arrived, we tucked into huge delicious burgers and chips!

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Our final stop before heading home was a visit to The House of Honey & Sticky Spoon Cafe - a delightful destination, especially for us as amateur bees keepers (Read here). The House of Honey is an outlet dedicated to producing pure, unpasteurized unadulterated honey. In this outlet, we were offered to taste a diverse range of honey products, including Jarrah Honey, known for its high antimicrobial activity. Beyond honey, the shop also offers array of beeswax candles, beauty and wellness products as well as a selection of meads and liqueur crafted on site.

In front of live bees and honeycomb kept behind glass frame.

Exclusive Time with Nathan and Grace in WA

Beside our time at the story studio, we set aside a full day with Nathan and Gracie on 16.04.2025. At the top of their list was enjoying their favourite ramen at Ramen Kaisuke Tonkutsu King.

After breakfast, we took the train from home to Elizabeth Quay and before heading to lunch at Ramen Kaisuke Tonkutsu King, we hopped onto the hop-on hop-off bus for a visit to the Kings Park.  

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As we walked through Kings Park, I was immediately drawn to a massive thick-trunked tree. My first thought was: "Wow, they have brought a baobab tree all the way from Africa!". But when I stopped to read the information sign, I learned that this tree is actually a boab called Gija Jumulu. Remarkably, it wasn't brought from Africa, but transported 3,200 Km from Telegraph Creek in northwestern Australia to Kings Park.

Interestingly, the trunk is carved with the initial - AL.

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I have visited Kings Park numerous times, even attended a wedding in a location popular for wedding couples (Read here). I am always fascinated by the open green lawns that stretch out like a peaceful oasis in the heart of the city. This is a lovely spot to relax, enjoy a picnic or simply take in the beauty of nature. 

On our way to the pond with multiple playful jet fountains, my grandson Nathan stopped and offered to carry my backpack. He is such a considerate young man! Eventually, we settled on a quiet spot some distance away, where we sat together, letting ourselves be wrapped in the gentle peace of the place.

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After arriving at Elizabeth Quay Station from our visit to Kings Park, we decided to walk to the restaurant. Time has certainly brought change - where we once led, the roles have now been reversed! This time, we followed the younger generation as they took the lead. After about 15-minute walk, we finally reached the restaurant. As usual, we joined the queue and waited patiently for our turn to be called in.

Queuing up for our turn at Ramen Kaisuke
Tonkutsu Ramen.

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After lunch, we strolled along some familiar roads in Perth city and paused at the Spinning Ball Fountain giving Nathan and Gracie to have a chance to have fun with the giant spinning ball. This public artwork offers a playful, interactive experience and serves as a fascinating example of physics in action: the water reduces friction so effectively that even a heavy stone weighing over a ton can be moved with a gentle push!