The Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory

Location: 135 Puzey Road, Wilyabrup WA 6280, Australia
Coordinate: S33°43.792′ E115°04.411′
Contact: +61 8 9755 6111
Website: http://www.oliveoilsoapfactory.com.au/
Operation Hour: 10.00am - 5.00pm 7 days per week (closed on Christmas)

We came here by chance, as this wasn't recommended by our friend before the visit to Perth. Upon seeing the maps provided by the hostel yesterday night, we decided to came here to have a look. Well, indeed it is surprise for us. I mean it is a good place to visit. All products available is made of olive.

The staff was very helpful and keep encouraging us to try the products. There are many products available here ie soap, lotion, hairwash etc. The staff very knowledgeable to provide the information, and also understand the needs of their customer. Friendly staff indeed.

Besides the products, they also have a food section. One can also try all the foods made of olive. You really can take your time to taste the food here. My wife like the foods here but I'm not used to it. Well, everyone has their own taste, isn't it?

Since it is the factory as well, one may see their staff cutting and hand packaging the soap, right through to the finished product.

Upon checking on the official website of this factory, found out the owner (Louis & Edwina Scherini) started making soap in 1993. They have 3 children whom suffered from eczema and dermatitis, were advised by doctor not to use soap nor shampoo. The Scherini's were inspired to create a chemical free alternative incorporating extra virgin olive oil and essential oils, excellent for those with allergies and sensitive skin.

Canal Rocks

Location: Canal Rocks Rd, Yallingup, WA 6282

When we reached here, it was pretty windy. We were extra careful so that nothing drop to the sea from the bridge we walked along. This beautiful area is part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. The canal was form by the granite rocks, jut into the ocean. There is a bridge built for visitor to get the safest and best views of the area. One need to be careful during raining day as it would be slippery.

We walked along the bridge, heading towards the canal. We could see wave hitting the rock, forming a big waves. Actually the water was very clear. Upon reading some information about this area, we found out this area is popular for fishing with salmon catches a big attraction around Easter time. Hence, it would be lovely if we could make the visit to Australia next time for my fishing trip.

The sky start turning into black, and prompting us to make our way for our next destination of the day. While walking to our car, we found out a signboard. The title say "Beneath the Wave".... Upon looking at the photo, we found out the area is full with sea creatures.

There are some great bush walks in the area - the famous Cape to Cape walk passes by Canal Rocks with a route mapped from the car park to Wyadup. It`s a two hour round trip hike and one will be rewarded with stunning views over the Indian Ocean. You might even spot humpback or southern right whales migrating along the coast.

Sugarloaf Rock

Location: Sugarloaf Road, Dunsborough, Western Australia, 6281, Australia
Directions: It is about 13km from Dunsborough.

This was our first visit for today. We were very happy today, as it was clear blue sky today (no more raining). When we reached here, we were the first to reach here. I guess it was still too early. When there is no one here, we were able to take our own sweet time to take photos.

This place is quite rocky, and the wind was quite strong while we were there. We tried to get good photo when the wind not too strong, and hence we spent a fair bit of time over here. We climbed down to get nearer to the sea, and the view was better. Not too difficult actually.

From the parking area, we need to walk up to the viewing area. However, we preferred to go besides it, which is quite rocky. This place would enable us to climb down a bit towards the edge, and get a better picture of it.

Before we left the area, we met with 2 rangers whom scouting for whale using their binocular. We were told whale was spotted. However, we didn't go to see it as we need to continue with other places we intended to go.

Dunsborough Beachouse YHA

Location: 201 - 205 Geographe Bay Road, Dunsborough 6281, Australia
Contact: +61(0)8 9755 3107

This is the first YHA hostel we stayed for our holiday in Perth. Actually we reached here quite late at night (the previous night), but it was not bad an experience. On our journey previous night, we drove on highway without streetlight, and saw few wild kangaroos. We really enjoy the drives.

When we reached here, we were greeted by 2 volunteers as the reception from New Zealand. They were very friendly, and we chatted for quite a while on the few places of interest at Dunsborough. We were given with a map, and with the help of the 2 Kiwis, we already knew of our journey plan.

At night, we cooked instant noodle with ham, also with some vegetable. We met few guests staying here. From what we see, guess most of them came here for the surfing purposes. They really enjoying their night, and also meeting with other guests from all over the places. I love to join them, but need to sleep early. Was tired driving for long journey as well as need to drive again for the next day.

The next morning, we enjoying the beautiful seaview. This would be a nice place to view morning sunrise, a really good place to begin our days. However, since this just beginning of spring, we didn't swim here as it is still cold, for us at least.

At the kitchen, one could see what is the top 10 things to do at this area. We would love to visit all of them, if time permit us to do it. Would recommend anyone who staying here to try it out.

One could get more information from the following URL:
http://www.dunsboroughbeachouse.com.au/

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Location: 1267 Cape Naturaliste Road, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Western Australia. It's 13 kilometres from Dunsborough
Contact: +61 08 9755 3955
Opening Hours: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Coordinates: 33°31′S 115°00′E

From Busselton, we heading towards the lighthouse which takes about 30 minutes. By the time we reached the Lighthouse, we couldn't purchase the entrance ticket anymore as it was about the time to close for the day. We had a quick chat with the reception there, and was told that there were whales sighted on this particular day. We were very exciting about this great news, as we never see whales before.

The reception told us we can walk aroud the Cape Naturaliste area as it is just besides the great ocean and natural park. We decided to choose the "Whale Lookout" point and heading towards the best spot to see the whale. Along the way, we could see lot of plants and flowers. There were few other groups there enjoying the scene as well, and we had a quick chat with a group of travellers from Germany.

The whales is easily spotted from afar, but we mean really from afar. I would put an estimates about a kilometres from the cliff where we stood. It would be great if one bring along binocular to get a better view. We could see the water bubbles from the sea, the caudal fin comes out from the sea, and whow.... you see it... I mean I might be excited for the first time seeing the whale.

We could see the lighthouse as well from afar. Since it is about sunset with clear sky, it was breathtaking view. Though we can't entered the lighthouse, but clearly we were satisfied as we could wonder around the beautiful scenary over here. The lighthouse was activated in 1904, constructed of limestone quarried from nearby Bunker Bay.

As we walked around the area, we saw wild kangaroos around. Though we could see lot of it in zoo, but this is the first time I encountered wild kangaroo with such a short distance. Since the area is natural park, it has lot of kangaroos over here. In short, we were happy as could see the wild animals and whale over here.

Before we leaving, we enjoying the sunset view. Just a simple word to describe, "AWESOME". We could see the sun 'eaten up by the sea'. We rushing back to our car heading towards our accomodation before it is too late.

Here is few websites which is I find it very useful and informative:
http://www.geographebay.com/accom_result1/cape-naturaliste-lighthouse/

http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/wa/cape%20naturaliste/cape%20naturaliste.htm

Busselton Jetty

Location: Busselton Town

We reached this beautiful tourist spot during lunch time. We still not hungry as we ate lot of chips along the journey over here. We decided to stroll over here first and the weather still good. We proceed to the Interpretive Centre to get ticket to the Underwater Observatory. To our great disappointment, the observatory was closed due to the bad weather the previous week, and we could see the water was not clear enough. Ooouuccchhhh!!!!

We decided to take a walk along 145-year-old jetty, measured at 1,841 metres. It is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The construction of the jetty commenced in 1853, and continually extended until 1960s. The jetty served to transport the cut timber to the ships, due to the shallow waters of Geographe Bay. The last commercial ship visited the jetty on 17 October 1971. On 21 July 1972, the jetty was closed to shipping.

Since the jetty is closed, government also ceased the maintenance work causing the jetty to start deteriorating. On year 2009, a AUD$27.1 million contract was awarded for the refurbishment of the jetty. I was proud to read that local community has taken the effort for fund-raising to keep this proud monument as intact as possible, and subsequently become one of the main tourist spot in the area. I'm proud of you!!! On 6 Feb 2011, the jetty was re-opened for the public again.

One of the attraction over here is the train. One can purchase the ticket from the centre, boarding the train to the Underwater Observatory and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. However, we decided to walk along this jetty as we truly like the environment here. When visiting the area, take a look on how the train make a U-turn to go back to the centre, as the rail is only a one way rail.

Once we reached the Underwater Observatory, we only able to visit the center. We are not allowed to descend to the underground tower, which is about 8 metres below the sea level. From the pictures at the tower, at any good day one able to view vivid color coral and school of fishes. What a day for us....Might be another reason for us to re-visit this place again in future.

http://www.busseltonjetty.com.au/

http://www.busseltonmail.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-date-announced-for-official-reopening-of-the-busselton-jetty/1923419.aspx

Back Beach a.k.a Hungry Hollow

Location: Geographe Bay

Since it is windy and beginning of springs, we didn't dare to touch the water. What we did just take photo and stroll around the beach. Water was not that clear on that day, and the wave was quite strong. We had our time here planning of our next journey.

At any good day, one can enjoy the pristine white sandy beach with all sort of water activities. It is excellent spot for swimming, surfing and even snorkelling. Besides that, beach fishing is also a popular activity over here.

Bunbury Town

Location: Bunbury Town, Western Australia. This location actually is nearby to Lighthouse Lookout.

We reached Bunbury town about around noon time. The first stop we had in this town was Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre. We had a look at the centre, and was told that there is no dolphin sighted for today. We made the decision to skip this centre and proceed to the Lighthouse which is just around the corner.

When we reached the Lighthouse, it started to drizzling. It caused us not able to take photo for the lighthouse and make our way to the nearby beach. We saw some people there stand on the rock looking at the wave hitting the rock.

The wind was quite strong, making the wave hitting the rock hard. We really enjoying the wave and the strong wind. We did really enjoying the wind blowing onto our face, thus refreshen ourselves from the long tired drive. Not long after that, it started to drizzling again. It makes us to continue for our next stop.

Today, Bunbury is one of the Western Australia largest towns. However, the town was first sighted by French explorer Captain Louis de Freycinet from his ship, Casuarina in 1803. He named the area Port Leschenault after the expedition's botanist, Leschenault de la Tour. The bay was named Geographe after another ship in the fleet.

Mandurah City

Location: Mandurah City, Western Australia

We drove from Perth heading to Bunburry for our first attraction's stop (about an hour drive). With only Garmin as our guide, we just blindly follow the direction using it. Along the way, we came across this beautiful city from the highway, and decided to make a quick stop to enjoy the view. We just follow the sign board heading to the riverside.

It was recreational park while we turn inside the road, heading towards riverside. From there, we just enjoying the clear skies as well as the serene surrounding. We started to snap few photos, and by then we saw dolphin swimming along the river. What a pleasant surprise for us for this short pit stop.

After about 10 minutes, we packed our gear again and ready to continue our journey to Bunburry. It is indeed a good stop for us to refresh ourselves before continuing our journey.

One can get more information from the official website of the city: http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/.

Avillion Port Dickson

Location: 3rd Mile, Jalan Pantai, 71000 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Contact: +606 647 6688

We purchased 2 rooms during the previous Matta fair, and decided to book the room since it is expiring. Packed with our stuff, we came here together with my sister and brother-in-law. We decided to to drive along the coastal road to Port Dickson, which means we are driving through Banting and going to Port Dickson. Even though it is longer route, we feels relax and this is suppose to be. Along the way, we decided to stop at Tg Sepat and pay a visit to my aunty's house.

Not long after we start our journey, we make another short stop. This time we stop by the roadside because we want to buy some fruits, and there are aplenty of dragon fruit stalls along the road. Soon, we reach our intended destination.

Soon we check-in to our room, premium water chalet. The room was nice, comfy and has a king size bed with additional bed besides it. We liked the room's setting, a bit classical if you would like to ask me. After the sleep, we called up to the housekeeping, requesting for wine glass and some ice. To our horror, it took bout an hour and we still can't received what we request. We make another call to follow up. Next, we need to call up again for technician to fix our TV. It can't display the program properly, and it takes more than half an hour to fix it. What a waste of time waiting for both of the request, and I mean it's real waste of time compare with the price we paying.

At night, we had our dinner at the hotel. The food is quite pricy, but luckily we have bought the discounted coupun during the Matta fair. Food is average rating over here. During the dinner, we ordered pizza as our supper. The waiter was kind enough to send it to our room at specific time, which he does not need to do it. Credit to the waiter. Breakfast at the hotel also doesn't give us a good memory, except some jokes created by the hotel's resident there.

We would recommend one to visit the Spa, as the centre is built from glass and looks classy. The lounge is gorgeous, awesome. We didn't take any treatment over here, but ordered some drinks and enjoying the view.

Upon check-out, we complained to the front counter staff and he seems doesn't understand what we are trying to say. Fed-up with it, we request to see the manager in duty and explains our experience we had during the stay. She noted down and mentioned will take actions with it. The manager even gave us her contact number, and mentioned that we can call her if we are coming back for another stay.

Overall, the surrounding scenery is beautiful especially during the sunset. But we do hope the hotel management can raise their bar for their services, a 5-stars service in line with the hype we heard about this hotel before we made our booking.

http://www.avillionportdickson.com/