Perth-ect getaway part 1 - Roadtripping guide

Perth… This Western Australian gem is definitely a much more laid back and chill place than Singapore. We spent 9 days travelling across the south of Western Australia (WA) in November. I do not know if you are facing the same situation as I did when I planned for my trip in Perth, but looking for the right (updated and helpful) was … quite a pain in the a**. If you are actually looking at how you can plan your drive around WA. This is basic guide to get you started.

Planning your route

Perth is strategically located between the northern and southern region of WA which means you have 2 routes you can potentially explore. Driving down south, we covered an approx. 2,400 km across Perth, Busselton, Margaret River, Permberton, Denmark, Albany then back to Perth. Find out more of what each city has to offer here.

Some snapshots from our travel here

We recommend to spend more time in Margaret River and Albany as these are major towns. For nature lovers out there, be sure to stay longer in Pemberton and Denmark - They house the a majority of the lush forests in WA.

Planning your schedule

If you intend to drive down South, these are the approximate (non-stop) intercity duration to take note:

• Perth -> Busselton - Approx 2.5 hours
• Busselton -> Margaret River - Less than 1 hour
• Margaret River -> Pemberton - Approx 2 hours
• Pemberton-> Denmark - Aprrox 2.5 hours
• Denmark -> Albany - Less than 1 hour
• Albany-> Perth - 4.5 - 5 hours

Do note that generally, shops and establishments close at 5 pm. You will have to plan your schedule wisely. Our advise is to pack your drive between cities and arrive early before 10/11 am. Because by then, the shops/attractions will open just in time when we arrive. As you are waking up earlier, you will be pretty drained by 5.

A smart tip is to pay a visit to supermarkets just before they close and you may sometimes find pre-cooked meals / roasted chicken at discounted prices. Pick up one of those before you head back to your hotel / Airbnb and you can have your dinner while watching the sunset.

Driving through Western Australia

The most sensible way to really experience Perth and its surrounding cities is to drive. Decide on the cities that you would like to visit then plan your route around it. You can get a good price comparison across different price, rental companies and car models here. Generally, No Birds, Red spot and Hertz are the more reliable car rental companies in Perth. Feel free to select the one that you are most comfortable with.

We had a Hyundai i20 from Redspot which served us pretty well. Moreover, it was a great steal! - 298 AUD for 9 days.

Be warned

Things you should look out for:

1. Wildlife crossing

Really, do look out for wildlife, especially kangaroos prancing across highways. They will jump right out of the bushes onto the roads without any warning. Crashing into a kangaroo is NOT a pretty sight and the fine you have to fork out will not be good for your wallet as well. Kangaroos, emus, birds or any other wildlife is especially prevalent on the Albany highway so always stay vigilant.

2. Visibility

There are barely any lights lining the highways in Australia. The trick is to start out early before it gets too dark. It is also wise to drive out early especially in summer, when temperatures can soar up to 39 degrees Celsius by mid day. The only exception you can make is when you drive on the S/W Highway National route. This route we took from Pemberton to Denmark is possibly the most scenic route we experienced. Start from Pemberton at about 2-3. There are plenty of nature parks surrounding the area and the sunset there is just plain magnificent.

3. Speed

Maximum speed is 110km on highways. Driving along the highways can get really boring. Please make sure your driving partner has exceptional taste in music, is a great conversationalist or an aspiring  stand up comedian/belly dancer so that he/she can keep you entertained. *wink*. This will help keep the lids from shutting out of boredom.

4. Connectivity

Sim card is inexpensive to get in Perth.

Connections will get cut off at certain parts of the highway. Download your maps/playlists/videos. Have an offline day and talk to one another. This is a great time to bond with your loved ones in the car. Or have a merry sing along session together!

Gas price guide and savings

Petrol is priced differently at different stations depending on where you pump. The general rule is that the further you are from central Perth, the higher the petrol prices. So make sure you fill up before driving out of town. To maximise your petrol savings, you can

1. Use supermarket bundle discounts

• If you shop at Coles, IGA or Woolsworth and spend a minimum sum, you will be entitled a couple of cents off your petrol when you pump at their partnering gas stations. These will help you save a couple of dollars off your gas.

2. Drive around and compare

• They include Shell, BP, Caltex, United, etc. In our experience, we found that United offers the best price at the time we are there, even with the supermarket coupon discounts at Shell and Caltex.

For the ultimate bargain hunter, you may also check out Fuel Watch for the best fuel prices in WA.

Drive on and get started

Perth is very much a globalized city and people there are very hospitable.

Especially if you stay at an Airbnb, which in my opinion is the best and most affordable option, your hosts will be more than delighted to host you. Be prepared to exchange stories with them. From my experience, my hosts taught me a lot more about WA than the internet did. So be ready to mingle and make new friends! It is going to be quite an experience.

Have fun planning!

Ho Chi Minh in one day

I visited Ho Chi Minh for a work trip recently and had a day to spare in between.

With just a day in mind, I wasted no time and challenged myself to 'digest' the city as best as I could. And boy did I really digest all that Vietnamese delicacies. Good things are worth sharing. Hence, for those of of you who are planning a day trip in Ho Chi Minh, this is for you.

First off the travel essentials:

1. Getting around - Best is to take a cab as it is cheap and convenient. The biggest 2 cab operators in Vietnam are Vinasun and Mai Linh. Always ensure that you have smaller notes as I was once denied of my change because my I did note have smaller change.

2. Language and directions - Vietnamese speak very limited English, even in Ho Chi Minh. Once, I got on a cab and asked to be driven to Chinatown, but I was driven to Sheraton instead. Quite a waste of cab fare and my precious time. It is best that you get your destinations written down in Vietnamese and show it to your driver. Safer that way.

3. Phone and data - You can get a sim card that gives you unlimited 3G/4G at the airport. Get it from the vendors after the baggage pick up point, it is cheaper than the counter you see at the immigration. Prices are also very affordable. Around 10 SGD for unlimited data for a week.

Food oh glorious food

I literally ate my way through the city. For what I ate, click here.

Sightseeing

Due to the strategic placement, I was able to cover most of HCM's landmarks within a couple of hours. Some of the famous places of interest are the church, post office, Independence Palace, War Museum and if you have time you can visit the Chu Chi tunnel which I did not get to. Sorry food temptations got in the way.

Shopping

When you talk about shopping in Ho Chi Minh, you think about Ben Tanh Market. Personally, I am not a huge fan of the place. 

One place that I discovered that not many people know is 3A Station in district 1. This bustling art complex is very instagrammable and is the local designer goods is worth a check out.