Perth Wildflowers

Hi

Is anyone keen to join me on a tour to see wildflowers down in Western Australia? I’m particularly interested in a).

These wildflower tours can range from:a) a day tour on 18 Sep that costs AUD 55 per person b) 3D/2N from 7 – 9 Sep for AUD 588 pp or c) 4D/3N from 13-16 Sep for AUD 786. These are conducted by a local tour agency. I have joined a day crayfish tour a few months back and thoroughly enjoyed it and felt that it was good value for money.

You can also opt to do other things while you are in Perth either, free and easy on your own or with some help from me to arrange some activities for you. For those who think the b) and c) I’m also thinking of arranging one self-drive tour to save some costs. Let me know directly if you wish to join in.

Joan

49 thoughts on “Perth Wildflowers”

  3. Dear Joan,

    I am quite new to SHC. Glad to know that we have a member in Perth. I used to have a place at Willeton, sold it.

    My wife and I do travel to Perth occasionally to visit my relatives at Casuarina.

    If any, would like to meet up with you for a good cup of coffee and chat.

    Regards and God Bless,
    Edwin Chen

  6. Joan,

    You had raised a business idea for Singaporeans. If you are keen, we can arrange to hook you up on a long-distance presentation. If the ideas are relatively clear, you may participate from Perth, all via the internet. No extra cost.

    Terence Seah

  7. Hi Yellowbark, Philip and Priscilla

    You have indicated your interest in C) – Wildflower Tour from 13-16 Sep costing AUD $786 (twinshare) with AUD $879 (single). You will need to make a 10% (or AUD$50, whichever is greater)deposit to secure your booking and the final payment 6 weeks before departure date. This final payment would be by end July.

    I will be in Singapore from 5 July to 22 Aug and can meet with you to discuss further. Meanwhile I will also email directly to you for more details.

    Regards
    Joan

  8. Hello Kong Thean

    Yes, the crayfish lunch was delicious but these crayfish tours are over as the catch is seasonal, in Autumn. You will have to wait for the next season.

    Just to let you know that when we went fishing up north at a place called Cervantes, we bought fresh crayfish off crayfishermen at AUD$12 each when it was sold at $17/18 at supermarkets. These were cooked but not difficult to cook them.

    Regards
    Joan

  9. Hello Terence

    I’m not too sure which business idea you are referring to specifically as I had posted several comments. Please give me more details and what you had written.

    Regards
    Joan

  10. Joan,

    Like to hear more about your RV plans, wildflowers and crayfish tours.

    If you run a business, here are some tips

    (a) Call it lobster. Sporeans can’t tell the difference. All they know is that they pay more for a lobster.

    (b) If you sell wildflower tours to guys, make sure that you clarify it is the botanic variety. We don’t want to disppoint all the Bintang uncles.

    Any plans for real estate? Are you joining us live on internet in the upcoming business gathering.

  11. Excuuuse me KT …. who says Singaporean can’t tell the difference between a crayfish and a lobster huh? Even the most suan-koo knows what a lobster look like hor. Calling a crayfish lobster is like calling a garden snail escargot lor.

  13. Wong Kong Thean Says: (a) Call it lobster. Sporeans can’t tell the difference. All they know is that they pay more for a lobster.

    On 2nd thought I think that there are more Singaporean here besides myself who are “…..” if the above is true.

  14. Lily,

    Garden snails for escargots…

    Great idea. I can see it now. World franchise – Singapore Escargots. No Chemicals. Fully organic and garden grown. From garlic oil, sambal to curry.

    Hope that you turn up for the Biz meet. Bring samples.

  15. YK,

    Very susah. How to put this politely, diplomatically and not offend people ??….

    Give up.

    Better read this yourself. All you ever wanted to know about decapod crustacea but dare not ask. From Victoria Museum, Oz entitled “What is the difference between lobsters and crayfish”.

    http://www.angelfire.com/sd/otagounidive/crayfish.pdf

    Last laugh is the best laugh. “Yo Ho Ho”.
    Meet all fellow discerning decapods at biz meet. We can laugh together.

  18. Lobster or Crayfish. It makes me ponder if Singaporeans cant really tell the difference.

    Perhaps I should bring a photograph of each with me each time if I want to patronise a restaurant or eatery for such dish.

    Dont want to end up paying full price for a lobster lookalike.

  19. Perhaps we should suggest to the Ministry of Education to seriously include a mandatory topic “tells the difference” in our Science texts. Its better to start them young than oldies like us.

  20. If I ever step into a restaurant, I would never tell them I m a Singaporean if I m ordering a lobster dish. Its better if I express myself as a foreigner to save face and pride.

  21. No wonder so many Singaporean are emigrating to Australia. Plenty of lobsters available and definitely no crayfish to be seen. Believe it a good choice.

    I am also thinking of doing so.

  22. Hahahahahahahahahahaha, KT, ee bai lei ji sei meh, san sin har funn dor mo fuu lor (canto)………….

    In a moment of indiscretion – or shd I say, a tongue-in-cheek which happens that the tongue this time digs a bit deeper into the cheek – KT got my favourite butties into a raging protestation.

    But dont worry lah, this is actually a good sign………….it means unity is strength and it also tells you which side you shd stand (or lie low & quiet) for unity.

    Dont they say, live old learn old?

  23. Wah Yew Kwong, – You “mei wan mei liow” leh.

    Wow KT, – You sure can think fast, so full of ideas. In your previous life, you must be an important “guan sze” har? Sorry lah, can’t attend mtg – got class lor, so sad :(

  24. Wowee!

    I can see that the subject of lobsters is a lot more highly charged than the wildflowers which started this forum.

    From what KT posted, lobsters are sea-water and crays are fresh-water. This is a lot easier than figuring out if their claws are big enough to qualify them as lobsters.

    Anyway, we can get lobsters quite easily in Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. And I prefer these compared to the ones in Oz… or is it because they don’t know how to prepare them?

  25. Hi Ken,

    No, it is not. If you think that lobsters sizzle, wait till you hear what we have to say about “Wild”.

    Lobster vs crayfish is only the free teaser preview. The main event is Wildflowers which is reserve for paying customers only at the biz meeting.

    So die, die also must attend.

  28. Hi Priscilla

    Just let me know when and where. If there are others, perhaps you can choose a suitable time and then phone me.

    Regards
    Joan

  29. Hi All

    I’ll be free from Jul 9 – end Jul to meet those who are interested in visiting Perth – wildflower tours (botanical kind), sightseeing etc. There are interesting things in Perth that you may like to join, even day tours if you are in Perth. I am bringing some brochures that you can look at.

    I will help by linking you to local tours in Perth, assisting in transport and accomodation bookings. If you have relatives in Perth, you can arrange your own accomodation etc too.

    Let me know through email and then you can contact me when I’m in Singapore. It’s better if I can meet you as a group – saves trips.

    I’m not sure what the biz meeting is about and am not thinking of attending though it’s good to do something that I may have an opportunity to with some of SHC memebers. Am open to ideas and suggestions especially if it’s raeas I’m interested in – travel, hobbies, education, food?

    Regards
    Joan

  30. There’s a cafe meeting on Thurs July 5. Would you like us to convey some of your ideas to the foodie group?

    F&E on-line travel is good variant for RV. Franchise tuition group is a spin on education.

    For some whose hobby is making money, we enter into a circular arguement. It is not a “either-or”. Hobby is biz. Vice versa. Any kind.

    SHC seem to love fishing. Is there a salmon pond stay in Oz? If you are looking for me I’ll be at the best fishing spot – over at the sashimi counter.

  31. Hi Joan,

    I would love to meet up with you and other SilverHairs who are interested in visiting Perth.

    Is 2pm on Wed 11 July 07 convenient for you?

    Shall we meet at the Civil Service Club in Bt Batok? Meeting point is level 3 outside entrance of Westwood Bowl.

    Can check out the club for future activities.
    It is not crowded on weekdays.

    Website:

    http://www.csc.gov.sg/HTML/Bukitbatok/index.htm

    Looking forward to meet you,

    Priscilla

  32. Hi Priscilla

    Yes, I will be able to meet you outside the station control on 11 Jul and we can walk together to the Club. I will meet others who are also present.

    Regards
    Joan

  33. Hi Joan

    My Wife Alice and I read with interest as regards to the trip to Perth on wild flower tour.

    We would like to meet up with you and the rest of the group to discuss further details, if possible, to include FISHING in the itineraries, as Australia has a very good fishing ground.

    So far we have been to Perth once, staying at the NTUC chalets at Joondalup, for week, next to the golf course. We have also visited Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra. We have yet to visit the city of Melbourne, one of these days.

    We will join all of you at the mtg on ll.07.07
    to find out more details.

    REGARDS

    Ron n Alice Lai

  34. Can we have a mobile number for co-ordination? Either that or a fixed location for the meet. No sense standing around waiting for one another.

  35. Ron n Alice,

    Joondalup brings back a burnt smell of nostalgia.

    How are the NTUC chalets at Joondalup. Many early investors lost money on real estate here. About 50 km and an hour by car from international airport, it was touted to be last train stop from Perth. In those days the nearest thing to urban civilisation is Perth.

    Unless you want to step into the course in your pyjamas (tops only if you lost your pants in the deal) on a chilly winter morning, I don’t see the logic. If its only about staying next to golf, you could also do so in places much nearer and cheaper. Just wake up in time to tee off at the break of dawn and turn your air-con up high.

    Same, same.

  36. Hi Kong Thean

    You must have known Perth at the tip of your fingers. Lucky me, I have had the intention of buying a property in Perth long ago, but changed my mind. At that time, many Singaporeans were chasing after properties in Perth.

    The chalets were at one time rented out to members at a very good discount, but now I think no more. We stayed near the golf course because my son-in-law is a golfer (not me), every morning you would be able to watch even the kangaroos came along (to play, hehe).

    With your experience of Perth, you can bring your “notalgie” with you and join the group to Perth, not only to see but guide us to wildflowers hunting as well as to fishing in the Australian open seas.

    By the way my wife and I will be going for a trip to Hokkaido on July 17th, is a cool summer month, where Lavender will be aplenty, after the months of Cherry Blossoms and Sunflowers seasons.

    REGARDS

    Ronlai

  38. G’day mates,

    How much is Joondalup’s membership now? Is the house included. Try to cross sell. Bundle it with another loser from Bintang or JB. Ooopps. I was just going to say Batam. But that’s a hold since Batam is finally legislating for FTZ (Free Trade Zone). If you own something in Batam already, it’s double jeopardy – you can’t be cheated twice on the same deal. At least, not if you are normal.

    Say its a bargain. And sell 2 for the price of 3. All Sporean KS love a bargain for bargain sake. If all else fails, say its near the train station. (just don’t tell them how near. According to Einstein, distance is relative. To an Ozzie, 10km is just down the street. To a Sporean, it is $4 million difference)

    I don’t really know Perth. But I have a collection of real estate horror stories and urban legends around the world. Especially those with a spore twist.

    After tokyo rose and cherry blossoms in July, we can all go down under for Nov Spring’s wildflowers. (tell your spouse you’re going to botanic garden; try not to say Northbridge).

    There are no kangaroos in Oz. Only wallabies.

    A trip down to Freemantle’s seaside al frescos will settle the controversy of crayfish vs lobster once and for all. If they can’t tell a kangaroo from a wallaby, do you think that they can tell the difference between a crayfish and lobster?

  39. Dear KT

    No way I’m going for faraway place like Joodalup for membership, whether for investment or for the love of golf. We have lovely golf courses right at our door steps, even our nextdoor neighbour’s courses are just not right, with a hectic drive up and down, and God knows whom you’ll meet along the way, you know who???

    KT it seems you have a Silverhair right here ready to broker for you…..Joondalup.

    It seems your season of “war” on lobster n grayfish is almost over, and now we have a new season of kangaroo n wallaby. Wallaby a distant cousin of the kangaroo, very similar but only smaller in size, a marsupial of the family Macropodidae. It seems our wildflower journey will not stop at the Botanic Garden, but may go beyond the fields to search for wallabies.

    REGARDS

    Ronlai

  41. Ignore earlier posting 8July 6:12 pm. Typo error.

    Corrected version:

    Make an offer n c if d fish will bite. Just club membership no attachment.

  42. Ron,

    Your little witty remark on wildflowers was somehow censored out and not posted. Look at the discourse on tabooed words. Or learn to write like Tim. The liberties he is able to take with his comments is absolutely genius.

    I’ll repost your comments for you hereunder.

    ————–

    Dear KT

    No way I’m going for faraway place like Joodalup for membership, whether for investment or for the love of golf. We have lovely golf courses right at our door steps, even our nextdoor neighbour’s courses are just not right, with a hectic drive up and down, and < **** censored ****> knows whom you’ll meet along the way, you know who???

    KT it seems you have a Silverhair right here ready to broker for you…..Joondalup.

    It seems your season of “war” on lobster n grayfish is almost over, and now we have a new season of kangaroo n wallaby. Wallaby a distant cousin of the kangaroo, very similar but only smaller in size, a marsupial of the family Macropodidae. It seems our wildflower journey will not stop at the Botanic Garden, but may go beyond the fields to search for wallabies.

    REGARDS

    Ronlai

  43. Ron,

    I hopped out when offered Joondalup at launch. 2-in-1. Buy a property and golf club membership is included. I couldn’t see it work in the decade that followed. But, if held until now, this investment would stretch well beyond the initial time horizon.

    I wonder whether the early birds will make money if they sell their property and/or membership now.

    Here’s a story –
    Did you know that the Kangaroo got it’s name when European explorers first saw these strange hopping animals they asked a native Australian (aborigine) what they were called. He replied “kangaroo” meaning “I don’t understand” your question. (this is the polite version; point is the native replied in his own tongue to an obviously stupid question) The explorers thought this was the animal’s name. And that’s how the kangaroo got its name

    These delightful Aussie icons also make a killer steak; it’s tasty and virtually fat-free. It’s popular smoked, or preserved as jerky. Some popular recipes include Kangaroo Tail Soup and Wallaby Stew, and a modern concoction: Pan Fried Kangaroo Steak in Port Wine Sauce.

    Bet you can’t tell a W from a K stew. Hmmm… Joan what’s for lunch?

  44. Thanks Joan.

    Confirmed meeting you at Bt Batok MRT Station on Wed 11 July at 1:45pm. The Civil Service Club is just a few minutes’ walk from the station.

    There is a cafe inside the bowling alley where we can have snacks and drinks.

    Are any other SilverHairs joining us?

    Priscilla

    Priscilla

  45. Hi KT

    Thanks for your comment, will keep that in mind. Your beautiful tales of the aborigine will lead me to the land of Oz.

    Any taker of the offer by a member for Joondalup? The fish is still waiting for the bite.

    Stew’s my favourite, but not Kangaroo or Wallaby, anything in it will definitely hard to tell……now we have K n W stew to think about or B (beef).

    Ronlai

  46. Hi Pricilla, KT Wong, Ron and Alice

    Hi All

    Priscilla, thanks for arranging the meeting at Civil Service Club, Bukit Batok. Jenny and Audrey contacted me and could not make it that day. Nevertheless, hope to maintain contact with all of you.

    Hope to see you all in Perth one day.

    Regards
    Joan

  47. Hi All

    I will be making a self-drive trip to look for wildflowers up north of Perth and perhaps a bit of fishing from 5-8 Sep. I can take 1 more couple in my car. Others who wish to self-drive, following us, are free to join.

    Regards
    Joan

  48. Hi Joan

    Nice meeting you on that day of our group meeting with Priscilla and KT Wong at CSC, Bukit Batok. My spouse Alice and I had just came back last week from Hokkaido,Japan, trip, and had wondered to the fields of flowers, like Lavender, Sun flowers, and many more. The flowers were grown on the valleys and hill slopes, as far as the eyes could see. As such, we have to skip the wild flowers’ trip to downunder this year. WE may contact you again next year, when we plan our trip to Perth.

    Wish you a Bon Voyage.

    REGARDS

    Ron n Alice Lai

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