Raeburn Orchards

One of the amazing experiences which I will never forget during my travel to Perth is the Raeburn Orchards at Roleystone. I will never forget those fresh apples, avocado, oranges and sorbet.

 

 

Sorbet?

I bet, many of you have not heard about ‘sorbet’? Me neither. It’s a freaky cute snowball! I mean, ice-cream~ =D

 

But not this type of normal ice-cream.

 

From what I understood, wikipedia explains that sorbet is a frozen desert, just like ice-cream which made from sweeten water flavored with fruit. You can even find it with wine or liquor. There are various types of sorbet which I could find in Raeburn Orchard.

 

Fruity types (I regretted for not having enough space for storage in my tummy or else I could test this too. Now, I can’t find it in Malaysia jor.. sob)

Milky and chocolaty type. Yum~

In commercial packaging too! Love the color =)

 

Well, the one which I have tried is made by chocolate and milk. The experience of eating sorbet was seriously adventuring, especially when your tongue and teeth were frozen while lungs weaken once the cold wind in the winter passing by the body... o_O!!

 

My 2nd winter dressing. Now I see it, I feel it’s kinda weird combination. Summer+winter. Forgive me as I am a ‘newbie’ for winter. I was pale as I hadn’t get used to cold weather =.=

 

Anyway, I managed to finish the sorbet. It’s real tasty, different from those commercial ice-cream which you can get in the hypermarket. Why ya?

 

 

Besides sorbet, apples are another big attraction during this trip, especially to my mum. It was terrific to see a container of fresh and juicy apples in a huge container. The owner of the shop planted apple trees by themselves, pluck and sell them directly here. It’s sad to know that these were the last apples or else, we could experience plucking apples and other fruits by ourselves!

 

 

While mum was busy ‘robbing’ apples from the container, dad was fascinated with the big size of avocado. Well, he doesn’t really like it but then, he was very much connected with this green-in-color fruit because it looks like.. em.. guava to him. Lol.. XD

 

 

As everyone was busy looking at fruits and vegetables in this orchard, I found myself being so overwhelmed by this:

 

Lol.. Don’t ask me why because, I know you know why.. =P
Well, I couldn’t find any curry product here or else, I can try making Australia curry egg. Hahaha.. XD

 

These are two good pictures on how the orchard actually look like. It is pretty clean and authentic. I like this atmosphere with free air-conditioning. Best of all, no flies.

 

 

I was thankful that the owner of this orchard is really friend. She allowed me to snap as much photos as I like. Besides, she even taught me on how to eat sorbet. Lol.. Thank you so much.

 

 

If there is a chance,  I would love to come here again to pluck fresh apples, orange and sorbet. I mean, eat sorbet (in a warmer weather).

 

Don’t you just fall in love with the sky?

 

Again, my selected sorbet… *trying to tempt my readers*
Ngek ngek ngek..

 

Fast fact: Day time is shorter during winter. Most shops including this orchard and big shopping malls close in between of 5-6pm.

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The Breathtaking House in Perth

If you are aware of my last few posts, you will know that I just came back from a trip to Perth. Yes, Perth! Australia! =D

 

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~

Sorry folks if you have been waiting so long for my updates. I was busy with some personal stuff before getting back into my writing on my Australia trip. There are hundreds of photos of them and trust me when I tell you that, it took me a day to figure out which location should be blogged first.

 

So in the end, I have decided to begin with my first stay at my mum’s friend’s house which is located at a rural, hilly area in Perth.

 

You will be amazed with this place. Like, seriously!

 

 

So this is the house, a view from the outside. Guess what? They have their own car garage with automatic door. In fact, most of the houses here have car garage like this to keep their cars safe and warm.

 

Here are some of the photos on how indoor looks like. The interior design portray a warm and cozy design. I like it.

 

First living hall

Grandfather clock =D

Christmas!

 

There are second living hall and dry kitchen, which are my favorite spots but sadly, I can’t find those photos in my hardisk. Probably I have forgotten to capture them with my camera? Aiya *knock my own head*

 

Well, I can’t blame myself entirely for the mistake because there are too many places to be focused in this house. I heard that this house has more than 5 hectares of land? Well, no idea but for sure, this place is super huge!

 

I am more interested with their garden (or should i call it an orchard?).

 

 

This is their private corner for barbeque. Ahhhhwwwww…. barbeque! I can have my morning tea there if it’s not freezing out there.

 

 

Not to forget, the house’s guardian. His name is Golddie. Initially, I was so afraid of him. He is huge. Really huge and I nearly see him like a bear. Lol.. It took me some times to place down my fear and get close with him.

 

 

Thank God. He is friendly to all of us, the newbies. He has this ‘English look’ with beautiful, soft white-in-color fur. Aunt said, it is a pure breed of Australian Golden Retriever and has been trained by professional dog trainer at young age. No wonder *nodding*

 

I miss him. Really. He is so adorable.

 

 

One thing which I can’t forget about Golddie is that, he leaded me walking around ‘his house’, as if like he is the owner of the house. Or.. a tourist guide? He will wait me by slowing down his pace when I walked too slow and until I almost reached him, he will increase his speed again. I feel safe for being taken care of.

 

Ahhwww… so lovely. No wonder I love my doggie in Malaysia so much =)

 

 

Obviously, my dad loves him too. Golddie even entertained my dad. Lol…

 

By the way, this place is amazing. I feel like I can do documentary on every objects I spotted,  like National Geography or Discovery. The trees, flowers, herbs, lands, stone and even the sky are beautiful.

 

These tall trees are call ‘Bad Boy’. Funny aren’t they? Haha…

Mum and her old friend.

 

Ok. Ok. Maybe I am exaggerating my every statement here because it is my first visit. Everything I experienced here might be a bit bias. However, I can’t deny the air here is fresher, and the sun (and moon) here are brighter and rounder! I should show you more prove in my coming posts, especially about Australia’s Sun! Emm.. I mean, sun in Australia =P

 

 

Mum was enjoying her trip as much as I do. I can see, the moment she reached this place, her shoulders relaxed and face lifted up with smile. This house is not just breathtaking but therapeutic as well. Imaging the fresh, chilling air with bird chirping on Bad Boy trees. Hey! I spotted parrots too! =D

 

They even have person cruise in their house compound. Oh dear… oh dear.. That’s seriously cool-some-ness! Emm.. i wanted to say cool =P

 

 

The best expression I could do when it was freaky cold outside. I did look pale.

 

Oh, I think I have forgotten to mention that it is winter season and all of us were covering ourselves with lotsa clothes. I wore at least three layers of tops with thick socks and gloves. Why I was not wearing it in the above photos? Well, I can’t snap photos with gloves. Lol..

 

It is about 10-18 Celsius at day time and 3-5 Celsius at night. I can’t stand cold weather. Well, called me a typical Malaysian who always stay in summer. I had tried my best to stay happy by staying as warm as possible.. >.<

 

 

It is my first winter experience and I still enjoy it though most of the time, especially at night, I suffered internally. No matter how many blankets and jackets I put on, I could feel my veins froze while my bones tickled by sharp knife. Well, I am not sure how to put my chilling experience into words. These are my best description so far.

 

Anyway, this house is breathtaking! I love Australia and I shall tell you why in the coming posts. Stay tune!

=D

 

P/s: If there is any winter trip in future, I wanna kidnap my panda to go along and hug me warm. Can? =P

 

P/s/s: The number of photos I took for this trip is lesser because battery die faster during winter and my body can’t stand the coldness.

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Greeting From Australia

Hi dear all,

 

Guess my blog title speaks it all? Yeah. I’m currently in Australia. Thinking of staying my life time here with kangaroo, koala bear, kiwi, apple, orange, avocado and… what else?

 

Lol.. I am just joking.

 

Me

 

Tonight, is my second night in Australia and it is great (though I miss that special someone). I love the environment here, nice people and almost with no pollution country. But then, it is freaking chill here. Cold. Guess what, it is winter now with only 5-3Celsius last night.

 

Mesmerizing view =D

 

Anyway, I shall share my experiences in Perth more in coming posts, probably tomorrow or when I am back. Free internet connection at cafe or hotel are none so far. The rest, will need to be charged at an expensive rate – like 1 dollar for 20min. Now I miss Malaysia for free wifi service and my unlimited streamyx (though it is slow sometimes).

 

Wish me have fun, interesting and safe journey. I will be back with more juicy stories =)

 

P/s: I have scheduled two posts so far for this week. Do check them out! ^^

P/s/s: Pray and hope that I can see kangaroo and koala bear.

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The Best Breakfast Ever

Do you know what is the most unforgettable breakfast you can get in any part of the Hainan Islands? Something which is simple, cheap and tastes good.

Kopi O+ yau char kway+ white porridge

Trust me, you will never forget the aroma and taste of the local black coffee with 'yau char kway' (you tiao) once it teases your nostril and running around your taste buds. You will in the end wanting for more till you have forgotten your lunch, or maybe dinner.

Now, I hope Oldtown or any other Hainan Kopitiam in Malaysia will consider serving this for breakfast. Or else, I will have to wait till I go back to Hainan again.

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Back To My Roots - Qiong Hai (琼海)

"Girl, we have finally reached your grandfather's hometown", said dad proudly once the bus reached Qiong Hai (琼海). I could sense the excitement in myself while gazing at the paddy field through the window.

"It isn't that bad. This place looks pretty good", I whispered to my mum who was sitting behind me.

It took about 10 minutes to travel from the town to the village. I remembered my grandma (who has passed away just one year ago) ever told me that it wasn't convenience at all to go back to my grandfather's hometown during 90's. Transportation and roads were the main problems before Sanya being recognized as one of the tourist sport in Hainan Province.





I believe I am lucky enough to be able to enter the village with no hassle because the tourist bus could stop us just in front of my ancestors' house. Thanks God! I can't imagine myself, walking 15km++ from the town to 'my roots'.




Well, yes. This is my roots, meaning that this is where my Tan family supposed to come from. If grandpa didn't take the daring move, walking weeks over weeks from the village to the town and swimming months over months to Malaysia, he would not have met my gorgeous grandma. Ok. I am just joking. He didn't swim across the South China Sea. He took the ship.. :)





Mum and I will never able to picture my late grandpa's life if we didn't step into this old house. We will never be able to understand the adjectives used by my grandmother without witnessing the objects and people around us although dad did snap some pictures few years back.




Frankly, I am glad he took the move to find a better fortune in Malaysia because I could not imagine my life staying here with no electricity, toilet attach, gas and water supply and proper bed. Let alone car, computer, mobile phone and television.

There is no refrigerator to store those foods. Those dry woods are used for cooking.

We called this as 'Satay house' because every house sticks so close together with front door and back door connecting each other.

Can you see the doors?

I smelled pigs.

Anyway, life in this village is far better than before. There are more facilities in this area including electricity and water supply. Besides, there are even education for children too. However, they fail to support the new generation in facing the fast changing world. Thus, most of the youngsters are moving out, trying to create a better life out there - and I agree.

I am surprise to know that she is my cousin.

This is her friend with their dinner on hands.

The blue rabbit soft toy which I gave it to her during our first meeting ended up on the roof. I guess she doesn't know how to play with it.. :(


My other Tan family members as well as the villagers here are still depending on the river to survive. They drink, cook, wash and bath using this river water which used to be so clean but not anymore. I was there, capturing every evident I could get on their daily activities.

She only used dust (if I am not mistaken) and water from the river. Oh my God. Isn't clean? I believe their immune system must be really strong.. >.<

Spending one whole day here wasn't easy at all. Why?

1. Firstly, I couldn't speak nor understand Hainanese (the main dialect) which supposed to be my mother tongue. Thus, I was having difficulty in communicating with my other relatives especially the elderly. They spoke like a bullet train!
   
2. The weather was too hot and I kept on sweating. Thanks God, my aunt's new house has 2 fans.
   
3. I kept on being attacked by mosquitoes. Hate them!
4. There wasn't anything I can do other than snapping pictures. I believe my cousin, Kiiro felt the same too.
   

I shall say, life in this area isn't easy. However, I realized that they are happy and enjoy living with whatever they have without much complaining. Maybe you may conclude that they have used to this kind of living and thus, not needing any changes. Well, maybe you are right but then, when I think twice, sometimes life doesn't have to be perfect to gain happiness.


One can be genuinely happy even though the old house is half broken, living only with candle light at night, sleeping without mattress, cooking with charcoal, not owning any single penny and being isolated from the so-called advance world, he or she is still eligible to find happiness. As long as they know how to be thankful and give their best in their lives, happiness can still be achieved, right? Like I always says, "Complainer with no action is a loser".

My uncle looks so much like my grandfather. Surprise!

I have found my roots, how about you?
:)

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