A double whammy for this action-packed blog post! Rottnest Island and Margaret River… get ready folks!
A couple weekends back, the whole crew caught a ferry from the ports of Freo to the island paradise known as Rottnest. After a hectic morning of classes, shopping, and packing, and one photo shoot later, we were off!
A couple weekends back, the whole crew caught a ferry from the ports of Freo to the island paradise known as Rottnest. After a hectic morning of classes, shopping, and packing, and one photo shoot later, we were off!
Rotto (as the locals call it) is a quick ferry-ride off the coast of Perth. Rumor had it that it was an island speckled with stunning beaches, untouched landscapes, and these magical creatures known as Quokkas. We couldn’t wait. We arrived Friday evening just in time to drop off our luggage at our villas and run down to the beach. Cups in hand, we caught the sunset while climbing the surrounding cliffs barefoot. It was stunning. Add that sunset to the top 3 sunsets I've seen here. |
Our accommodation wasn’t half bad either. Spread out across 4 villas, all 27 enjoyed balconies with beachfront views and a great location on the island. Shout out to Kat, Maddie, Katie, Bri, Dold, Minelik and James for making the best villa group and for successfully surviving the weekend almost entirely on stir-fry and peanut butter.
We then spent our entire Saturday and Sunday exploring the whole island. First, we made friends with the wildlife...
We then spent our entire Saturday and Sunday exploring the whole island. First, we made friends with the wildlife...
Then, armed with nothing but our bikes and our cameras, we trekked around the entire island twice (that’s 50km for those who are counting). During our wanderings, we spotted lighthouses, swam in salt lakes, and picnicked on hidden beaches. Literally the entire island is picture-perfect!
The weather cooperated for the most part and our bike rides were marked by moments of glorious sunshine followed by tempestuous wind and rain until it became sunny again. Some other highlights for when we weren’t soaking in the sun on the beaches or braving the storm on our bikes:
· Attempting to stream the ND Michigan game on spotty café Wi-Fi early Sunday morning our time (yeah, rough game watch, but great game!).
· Taste testing the different ice creams at Simmo’s (rumor has that it’s the best ice cream on the Southern Hemisphere).
· Clandestinely feeding the Quokkas (apparently it’s illegal?).
All in all, Rotto was incredible. It had us all asking why we don’t go there every weekend considering how close it is to Freo. Personally, I have every intention of making it back one more time this semester. Whether to snorkel its top rated reefs or just to see the Quokkas again, I’ll see you again Rottnest!
* * *
Now, for Margaret River!
Last weekend, on a whim, a group of four of us drove down south with our Aussie friend Scrim (real name James) to the Margaret River region (or Margs according to the locals). The area is famous for its wineries and its stunning surf and beaches. Think the Australian version of Napa Valley. In order to save money, plus just for the pure experience of it, we opted to stay at a campsite over a backpacker (Aussie for hostel). This would be my first real camping experience so I was pumped!
After we successfully pitched our tent in the dark, Scrim added some homey touches to our campsite: a kombi van doormat outside of our tent and a portable picnic bench that he grew up using when he went camping with his family. Looked cozy enough to me.
That first night, we walked over to the beach to listen to the waves, have DMC’s (deep meaningful conversations) and gaze at the stars. Seeing so many stars strewn across the night sky, I was in total awe. Spotting multiple shooting stars, Mars and Jupiter, and the Milky Way were just some added bonuses.
The next morning brought along our full day wine tour. After doing our best to dress up for the occasion given the crummy campsite bathrooms, we boarded the bus to start our tour of 4 wineries, a brewery, a venison shop and the chocolate factory. We felt sufficiently cultured as we toured the various wineries and learned about all the different wines and the wine-tasting process (“swirl, sniff, sip, savor”). Who ever said that just because we are broke college students that we had to act like it? Or at least that is what we told ourselves...
· Attempting to stream the ND Michigan game on spotty café Wi-Fi early Sunday morning our time (yeah, rough game watch, but great game!).
· Taste testing the different ice creams at Simmo’s (rumor has that it’s the best ice cream on the Southern Hemisphere).
· Clandestinely feeding the Quokkas (apparently it’s illegal?).
All in all, Rotto was incredible. It had us all asking why we don’t go there every weekend considering how close it is to Freo. Personally, I have every intention of making it back one more time this semester. Whether to snorkel its top rated reefs or just to see the Quokkas again, I’ll see you again Rottnest!
* * *
Now, for Margaret River!
Last weekend, on a whim, a group of four of us drove down south with our Aussie friend Scrim (real name James) to the Margaret River region (or Margs according to the locals). The area is famous for its wineries and its stunning surf and beaches. Think the Australian version of Napa Valley. In order to save money, plus just for the pure experience of it, we opted to stay at a campsite over a backpacker (Aussie for hostel). This would be my first real camping experience so I was pumped!
After we successfully pitched our tent in the dark, Scrim added some homey touches to our campsite: a kombi van doormat outside of our tent and a portable picnic bench that he grew up using when he went camping with his family. Looked cozy enough to me.
That first night, we walked over to the beach to listen to the waves, have DMC’s (deep meaningful conversations) and gaze at the stars. Seeing so many stars strewn across the night sky, I was in total awe. Spotting multiple shooting stars, Mars and Jupiter, and the Milky Way were just some added bonuses.
The next morning brought along our full day wine tour. After doing our best to dress up for the occasion given the crummy campsite bathrooms, we boarded the bus to start our tour of 4 wineries, a brewery, a venison shop and the chocolate factory. We felt sufficiently cultured as we toured the various wineries and learned about all the different wines and the wine-tasting process (“swirl, sniff, sip, savor”). Who ever said that just because we are broke college students that we had to act like it? Or at least that is what we told ourselves...
That night, we were exhausted from the long day, so we just pulled our sleeping bags out from our tent onto a field and fell asleep under the stars. That was before the rain came… and the cold… and we were forced back inside. Sleeping in a bare tent with heavy rain and winds made for one rough night and a dampened day as we packed up all of our gear, but we really couldn’t complain given how good the weather had been otherwise.
We spent most of that Sunday road tripping home. Taking our sweet time, we made many detours along the way back. We drove through the forests of Leeuwin National Park, grabbed ice cream again at Simmo’s, this time at it’s original location, and stopped at the Busselton jetty, which, at 1.9 meters long, is famous for being the world’s longest jetty. Finally, as only college students could, we shamelessly made a lunch out of the free tastings at an olive oil producer. #noregrets
We spent most of that Sunday road tripping home. Taking our sweet time, we made many detours along the way back. We drove through the forests of Leeuwin National Park, grabbed ice cream again at Simmo’s, this time at it’s original location, and stopped at the Busselton jetty, which, at 1.9 meters long, is famous for being the world’s longest jetty. Finally, as only college students could, we shamelessly made a lunch out of the free tastings at an olive oil producer. #noregrets
Two incredible weekend. Many still to come. Life is good.
Cheers,
Maggie
Cheers,
Maggie