Land down under

Before I begin, patriotic Singaporeans kindly click the X situated on right side of your screen. Aussie (Australia) lovers stay on to grieve with me.

Western Australia, known as dead man's town really is not a boring place. In fact I will trade my youth to be there (means skipping a decade of fun, which is quite a lot right? Look...will you do that?). Or swear of alcohol for five years...maybe two (considering the fact that alcohol is cheap there, it will be torturous). Can you already feel my love for Aussie?

Well, I was in Perth. Despite being without my family or close friends, I did not feel lonely at all. In fact, I was happy or rather happier (don't get me wrong, I was missing them every single day), but I probably love independence better; from having to do nothing to everything did not seem that tedious. From having zillion of people around you to going shopping on your own suddenly seemed like the perfect fit for me.

I adored being by the wharf at Fero (Fremantle) watching birds flapped their wings, stoning at any coffee joint along Kings Street (City) watching happy shoppers, I did not even mind staying in or crashing at a friend's doing nothing at all. It was good fun to cook and watching Fox 8 (screening Gossip Girls, Sex in the City, Chuck and much more)

As much as you think the Aussies hate Asians, it is not always true. Most of them are actually pretty nice, and yes, they are friendly people. They will be yakking (small talk) to you even if they do not know you. So, do not freak out if it happens to you.

Though I loathed crumbling in the cold, I rather awake to the painful cold and freeze as night falls than being in tropical Singapore with scorching sun rays piercing through my skin.
Yes, I know shops close at 5pm daily, but so what? Do you really need to shop after 5pm? And it really will not matter if you have fantastic malls at your suburb as compared to those at Hougang and Ang Mo Kio.

Apart from heading to bars (43 below, Brass Monkey, Vultures) and clubs (Library, The Court, Metro City) at night, dog racing (Grey Hounds) was the next best thing to do; families and friends gather at Cannington to try their luck as little kids run about the greens mingling with their fellow playmates. And if you are itchy of a game or two, there is always Burswood casino.

Do not forget to head to Swan Valley where the wineries are (even if you do not appreciate wines, there are a couple of breweries). Swan valley is a suburb filled with vineyards, local produces (Mondo nougats, honey, Margaret River chocolates) and not forgetting, Caversham Wildlife Park. Spend an entire day exploring the place; indulge in the different sort of delights the place has to offer.

Remember to pop by the city to visit Perth Mint, the manufacturer of gold, silver and platinum coins (you can customise your own); and The Swan Bell Tower, the 82.5 metres tall attraction contains 12 bells of St Martin-in-the-fields Church in London, overlooking the picturesque Swan River, one of Perth's most unique attraction.

If you are a beach bum, head down to Cottesole Beach or City Beach for some wind, surf and fun. Or head to Kings Park for a picnic in the midst of its lush greenery and pretty flowers.

The plus
You will not be perspiring as much
You will get amazing Fish and Chips
Friendlier people around you
Better shopping

The minus (there are not minus)
More expensive bubble tea
You will not get to laugh at people with horrible English or dressing
You might get lost

I know I found my true love; Australia.

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