My last post

Du Vihn, Sophie, Me, and Robyn

Me and Calum

Dinner at Nandos

On Monday (Drea’s last day in Perth) we went to Carousel shopping center with Livia. Once we got back home, Drea packed all of her stuff up, and we headed to dinner over at Don Watt’s. Calum cooked spaghetti, and he made a really special pudding called self-saucing pudding. I had never tried anything like it, but it was delicious. After dinner Drea and I hung out there for a while because her flight was not until midnight. My friend Dave ended up taking us to the airport. It was sad to see her go…and hard to believe that our time together was already over. Her departure also meant I had to start studying for my exam, which I was not looking forward to.

So most of the week was uneventful. I kept busy studying, but it was still hard to focus because I had spent a week without doing any work so I was really starting to feel like I was on vacation. I was really excited for the weekend because I knew it was our last weekend together in Perth. On Friday, Livia, Komal and I went into the city for some shopping. I wasn’t really going for the shopping though…I just couldn’t handle studying anymore. After shopping we decided to hang out at Komal’s place and watch a movie. Livia even made a Brazilian chocolate cake for us. It was delicious.

On Saturday, I studied during the day because I knew I would be busy that night. I spread the word that we were eating dinner at Nando’s, and about twenty people showed up. It was awesome! We had a lot of fun at dinner. Some people decided to go the Casino after dinner, but I went to see the movie “Angels and Demons” with Matt, Komal, and Layla. Divya offered to drive us to the movies even though she couldn’t stay; however, unfortunately, we had to wait about an hour for a taxi once the movie was over.

This morning I went to Curtin community church. I can’t believe this is my last Sunday in Perth. After church Du Vihn and Robyn invited me over for lunch at their house. Robyn will have the baby any day now. I’m glad I got the opportunity to go over to their house one last time before I leave this coming Saturday. My exam is tomorrow night, and I am so ready to be finished. After Monday, I will start packing up my room, and I will spend as much time as I can with all of my friends before everyone leaves!

Wine tour lunch

Night Club in Subiaco

At Lake Cave in Margaret River

Wine Tour

Rock Climbing (Me, Dave, Komal and Jaymes)

Last Sunday after going to Fremantle for most of the afternoon, we decided to go rock climbing in Perth City. I was so excited because I went rock climbing a number of times during January and haven’t been rock climbing since. We had a lot of fun, and we pretty much had the whole rock climbing gym to ourselves! We were so sore the next day though because we did so much climbing.

On Monday, Drea and I headed to Cottesloe beach. It looked as though Monday was going to be the last day the temperature got above 70 degrees, so we decided we should go the beach while we still had the chance, and we especially wanted to see the sunset at the beach. We packed a picnic and had a late lunch on the beach. It was a very relaxing day and we saw a beautiful sunset.

On Tuesday our adventure to Margaret River began. We headed into the city after breakfast to catch the bus that goes from Perth all the way to Margaret River…about a 5 hour bus ride. Once we arrived in Margaret river, we waited for our hostel shuttle bus to pick us up. After an hour of waiting we finally got picked up. We found out that it had taken so long because the shuttle broke down as it was coming to pick us up. Once we got to our hostel, which was just a two minute walk from the beach, we were famished but we didn’t have many food options nearby. But we did find Gnarabar (a classy restaurant) and we sat next to the fireplace and enjoyed a delicious meal. It sounds kind of crazy that we were eating by a fireplace, but it actually gets pretty cold in Australia, especially down south in the winter. After dinner we headed back to our private room, and watched some T.V. for the first time in a while. The hostel was really nice and new and we got a really good deal, especially for having a room to ourselves.

Wednesday morning we woke and up and got ready for the wine tour we had booked a few nights before. The tour guide came and picked us up from our hostel and we headed around town to pick up the other 7 who were also joining us on the same wine tour. We went to four wineries, one brewery, a chocolate factory and a cheese factory. The tour even included lunch during our stop at one of the wineries. Drea had really wanted to try kangaroo meat, and the lunch included a little kangaroo meat. Neither of us liked it too much, although it wasn’t bad. I just don’t like the idea of eating Kangaroo. I feel that I have learned a lot about wine in the last few weeks, and slowly the taste is growing on me. Later that night, Drea and I headed back to Gnarabar for dinner because it was just that good (and we were excited to sit by the warm fire again, especially after an extremely windy and rainy day). After dinner Drea taught me how the play chess on a giant chess board at the restaurant.

Thursday morning we were originally supposed to check out, but we decided to stay another night because we wanted to explore other areas of Margaret River. Around lunch time we headed to the actual town area of Margaret River where all the shops and restaurants are located. It was fun walking around the candy shop, fudge factory, and souvenir shops. Soon after we headed down to the lighthouse …which is the southwestern most part of Australia. It was extremely windy and it was even hard to walk. Then, we headed to Lake Cave, and we had a guided tour of the cave. It was incredible. We had to climb down 200 ft before reaching the entrance of the cave. Throughout the rest of the afternoon we went to a few beaches and other scenic areas. Everything was so beautiful, and it was pretty clear why Margaret is a very popular area during the warmer months.

Friday morning we woke up and checked out of the hostel. Our bus back to Perth didn’t leave until around four o’clock, so we were able to explore the area a little more. We went to another candy shop and we got to see a honeycomb-like candy being made and we got to try it. We also stopped by an animal farm and a olive oil factory. The bus ride home seemed to last forever. We finally arrived in Perth around nine pm and we had to catch another train and bus to get back to Vickery, so we didn’t get home until around ten thirty. And, because we hadn’t eaten dinner, we made pasta and ate a very late dinner.

Saturday we woke up and made pancakes for breakfast because we didn’t have any other food in the house. So, accordingly, we went to the grocery store and pick up a few things that would last us for the remainder of Drea’s stay. In the afternoon I took Drea to Kings Park because I thought she would really enjoy the park that overlooks the city. We, again had a picnic, and enjoyed reading for the afternoon at the park. We then came home and made pasta and a delicious chocolate cake. And, we even had a glass of wine with our dinner (The wine that I got for my birthday like 3 months ago). That night we decided to go out the night clubs with some of my friends. Rather than going to Northbridge, my friends wanted to change it up and go to a night club in Subiaco. We danced all night long and didn’t get home until around 4 am. We had a lot of fun…this was only my second time at the night clubs here.

Nine o’clock Sunday morning came pretty early. We got up and went to church on campus. We saw Du Vihn and Robyn, and she is due to have her baby this Thursday! After church we went to lunch at Nando’s with Jenn and Livia. Afterwards we went and hung out at the Don Watt’s flat and we played some volley ball. I still haven’t even thought about studying for my exam, but I still have a week. Drea leaves tomorrow night. It’s hard to believe we’ve already spent a week and a half together!