Perth

It was a last minute trip with my then-colleague and we booked everything through Expedia/ Agoda. I can’t remember which. What I recalled most from Perth was that I puked in the trip and that I felt I was very under-dressed. Perth was surprisingly “warm” for a winter and now I finally understood why it is the warmest city in Australia. There was no snow and no need for snow boots or thick outer jackets though you do still need a jacket to keep you warm. Our hotel location was extremely convenient (you pay a premium rate for it) though it would even be better if breakfast was included.

A few of my takeaways from the short trip:

• One café which I thought was rather good was The Tuckshop Café. This was one of the recommended cafes. It was crowded both times when I went so expect to wait for a table. Their pies and coffee were good. Huge portion too. We went there on the first day we arrived in Perth and having had such a good lunch there, I returned to the café again on the last day of my trip. Another café is the Negro Café which was next to our hotel. I have to say that their breakfast and coffee were really really good (closed on Sunday)
• Love is love. It was raining and I was out exploring on my own. On the bus ride back to the hotel I saw this group of people holding rainbow-coloured umbrellas. I got curious and alighted. The event was people advocating for same-sex love. It was later broadcasted on the news. Something which stay etched in my mind was this phrase – Rain is the start of new beginnings. I thought how apt
• Talk about under-dressed. My impression from my previous trip to Melbourne and Sydney was that I do not need to dress well or pay particular attention to my attire in Perth but I was wrong. I think they are “dressier” than people in Melbourne or Sydney? I felt so out of place and embarrassed as I was in sports shoes with going-out attire but everyone around me was wearing either sneakers or pretty boots
• Kings Park. It was a really pretty park and there was plenty to see. We had a good walk and I recalled many birds chirping away wherever we turned. You can take the free ETZ bus 37 to get there. Swan River is also nearby if you are looking for another good walk/stroll
• Fremantle market is also a good go-to
• We signed up for a winery tour. It was rather different from the other winery tours I had been to as you really have plenty wines and beers to try. I guessed I drank too much that I puked at the end of the tour. =( I hope I didn’t scare my colleague
• Anyway, all the shops close very early in winter (around 5pm) so do plan your shopping early
• There are many free ETZ buses from the city to most of the attractions. I also think they are convenient for families with baby strollers

Scandinavia- Norway, Sweden and Denmark

The planning of the faraway trip to Northern Europe began with my fascination for the Northern Lights. There were 3 of us – my mum, friend and I. What I enjoyed most in this trip was a better understanding of Northern Europe and its culture/land compared to zero knowledge on these places prior the trip. Northern Lights has always been somewhat magical to me and I had this thought when I was much younger that I would marry the man who proposed to me under the Lights. There was so much research and planning before the trip including crazy stocking up on thermal wear/gloves/socks and getting waterproof and slip-proof boots. I recalled I was excited and worried at the same time because it was my first time going on a winter holiday (it was on the extreme end of cold) and I was worried how my mum would take it. All in all, many misses and hits. I definitely want to go back Scandinavia again. More Northern Lights and maybe the midnight sun, anyone?

Our route: Tromso-Bergen-Flam-Oslo-Stockholm-Copenhagen

We went from 20 Mar-4 Apr 2015.

Tips

• Book train tickets early. The online booking opens 90 days prior to the travel dates and you can get cheaper tickets if you book on the opening day. Do note that some of their websites are not so English-friendly
• Book day/tour passes. Read up on the options available and compare which has the most savings for you. Note some require you to purchase in advance (before you enter the country)
• Spend more time travelling within a country and travel in depth than try to squeeze as many places as you can into your itinerary. You will have more time to appreciate the land/culture and having to avoid logistics hassle (which became almost like a horror as we had to move every other 2/3 days and lug our 20kg suitcases to/from train stations, go up/down the stairs and heave them up the stairs to board the trains and many of the streets/walkways are cobbled streets which are not exactly favourable in this case)
• My likes:
  • Sydspissen Hotel in Tromso (it has very reasonable rates and although it is further away from the city, I thoroughly enjoyed our 3 nights’ stay there as the view was scenic and the staff were super helpful. Book early!)
  • Chasing Lights tour team in Tromso (#1 Expedia votes as the best northern lights tour in Tromso and so expect to pay higher rates. The team was very friendly throughout and their expertise in chasing lights came in very helpful. We signed up for 3 consecutive nights and do mentally prepare yourselves for the long nights and try to keep warm. We experienced an unbelievable -22 degree Celsius when they drove us all the way into Finland to find clear skies)
  • Try dog-sledding! (initially I thought this was a super touristy thing to do but it brightened up everyone’s day. The thrill of driving your own sled of 4-6 dogs and the breath-taking scenery when you ride across the endless snow land makes this sport a must for your trip! We signed up with Chasing Lights)
  • Include the famous scenic railways- Bergen-Oslo and the Flam railway and a night’s stay at Flam (the scenic railways live up to their names and are worth it. I find the day and night sceneries attractive in different ways. It was also interesting that we experienced the daylight saving time while we were there and we were so worried if we got the time right as we had to catch an early train ride on that morning)
  • Fjord cruise (postcard worthy pictures from all angles)
  • Danish cookies (even those that we got last minute from the airport tasted so good and they are also very affordable gifts)
  • Everything Scandinavian (everything from their design, architecture, home décor to nature look so in-sync. I love their appreciation and respect for the nature. Cinnamon breads are everywhere and everyone is holding a cup of coffee as they stroll down the street/ chat. I love their home décor and wood furniture.)
  • The Northern Lights, of course (it’s a luck game. The more north you are at, the higher chances you have to see the lights. Usually at locations 70 degrees north as you may still be able to see it even when the aurora activity is low. The period to see the lights is between Sep and Mar.)