Bali & Perth

When I was in standard one I was already used to going oversea every year.
So I think it was partially my 'fault' that my mum signed us up with a traveling agency to Bali and Perth. This time it was not because of work but just plain holiday. Our first stop was DENPASAR, Bali. I don't remember much of the first two days there except of our visit to a temple in Kintamani. It was a Hindu temple and there were performances based on Hindu beliefs and cultures. They performed the Barong Dance together with colorful costumes and masks. I loved it because I've started to develop my own personal interest in cultures.

But I didn't get to spend there for a long time because on the 9th we had to catch our plane to PERTH. We spent around three days there and I had quite a lot of fun. The weather was not as nice as in London or Seoul but instead it was almost the same as back home. In fact, it might be hotter because Perth is a desert. The hotel that we stayed in was in the city so it was easy for us to go shopping! Unfortunately, the shops closed as early as five in the afternoon.

Aside from shopping, we also went to an orange orchard. I've only seen oranges at hypermarkets so it was really cool to see them hanging from trees. We were allowed to roam on our own with a warning NOT TO PICK THE ORANGES. But my dad being himself, he picked one to pose for the camera. After that we were given a box full of oranges to bring home :) At the same orchard I had my first experience of sheep shearing. It was mostly informative than fun.

Later we went to Caversham Wildlife Park. It was here that I had the most fun! I love animals so I was eager to see and touch a kangaroo! To my surprise they didn't just allow us to touch the kangaroos but we were also allowed to feed them! The kangaroos hopped to me to get the nuts the park provided in a cup and they were so cute! Besides that there were also parrots, baby beavers and my first camel ride. Next, they brought us to a winery but my family just sat an enjoy the beautiful scene of grapes as we don't really associate with wine.

The next day we went to Kings Park which contains the State War Memorial with names of servicemen that served in various wars. Malaya was part of the war so to feel part of it I posed in front of the section dedicated to the Malay States :) The place was close to Lake Monger where the main attraction are black swans!

After four days we took another flight back to Bali where it wasn't much fun for me anymore because I fell sick once we arrived :( To make things worse, the doctor there tried to rip my parents off by offering medicine at an unreasonably high price. I was really sick so they had no other choice. I love you ibu, papa! But on the up side the medicine was quite nice unlike any other medicine I've tasted till today. My brother had all the fun at the Monkey and Snake Temple. The only fun thing I remember on our second half of the Bali trip was of me having a plate-full (or was it two plates?) of nasi padang after almost a week eating everything except rice.

After experiencing being sick oversea we packed our bags for home and this time for a very long time. We stayed home for three years because after we came back from this trip, Asia faced the 1997 economy crisis.