Hi guys,

Just got home from a day in Fremantle. I am really tired but eager enough to update my weblog ;) Today I had to wake up early to attend the bus trip to Kings Park, Cottesloe, and Fremantle (Freo, as the Australian people would say). I managed to get up early as I set my alarm :P I ate some cereals with milk and two slices of bread for breakfast. Then I was heading for the university, where the bus would wait for us. For the first time, I was able to find my way to the university right away! Which was good, as it only took me 30 minutes to walk. But of course the bus was waiting at the other side of the campus (the campus is stretched out), so 15 more minutes were added to my walking :P At the bus, I got to know different students. Most of them were Asian and they come from Malaysia, Singapore, and China. Most of them were about to do a degree in engineering! I was the only study abroad student... But they were also quite young, average age was 19 years old. I had a good time hanging out with them :) First, the bus drove us to Kings Park, which was not a 'park' as we know in the Netherlands, but a huge forest! There were many large trees everywhere. We didn't have time to be dropped off there, so I'll definitely go back to explore more of it. Then we headed for the Cottesloe beach, where we had 15 minutes to chillax :P Well, one would not consider 15 minutes as a 'relaxing' time frame :P But the water was very clear! And the sand very fine and hot :P Then 15 minutes flew by and we headed for Fremantle, a cosy port located south from Perth. It was a very nice place, but unfortunately, we didn't have much time to explore all its tourist attractions... First, we went to a place where we ate Fish and Chips :P Yes, Australian people seem to serve such course, just like many other Asian countries (at least, that's what my fellow students said :P) I shared my course with someone from China, as the course was very suitable for two persons :P Afterwards, we visited the famous markets, where I bought some cheap (as compared to IGA, a well-known supermarket in Australia) fruit. It was a very cosy market, with lots of items for sale (food, clothes) and many services offered (massage, henna). I'll go back here as well when I have an opportunity to do so :) When being brought back to campus, I still had 45 minutes to walk home... and one might not believe it, but I got a bit lost on the campus! :S Well, the good thing about it is that it offered me an opportunity to take pictures of the surroundings, which of course I am happy to show you soon! When walking home, I got quite fed up with walking :P Especially since I had some luggage to carry... I should get a bike soon, but there are hills here that might make it hard for me to cycle.. well, at least cycling would be faster than walking :P

You might wonder what I did on the previous days. Here we go:

On Thursday I met up with my study abroad adviser. It was very nice to finally meet him, as I had much contact with him while I was in the Netherlands. He was very helpful to me and explained everything that was told during the welcome day on Wednesday (I missed it out, because I just arrived the previous day and needed my sleep). It was a funny encounter, because he spoke quite fast and when I didn't quite catch him, he started to utter the words slowly. At a certain point in time I asked him whether he could get me a Guild leaflet but he didn't understand me (Guild is a students' organisation). I was making several attempts to pronounce it correctly, avoiding to pronounce the word 'guilt'.. It was funny, I was definitely making a fool out of myself... ;) That evening I ate cooked potatoes with beef meat and zucchini (courgette). Quite nice, I must say ;) Oh, and I also bought an Australian sim card (Telstra) but up until now it still doesn't work :(.. My housemate will help me sooner or later :)

On Friday I had my enrolment day. I had to enrol for the Chinese courses that I am intending to attend :) I had to be at the university at 13.30 but when I woke up, I found out that it was 12.30! :S!!!! I couldn't believe that I had slept that long! Well, I had 15 minutes to eat breakfast (or lunch...) and then headed towards the university. At least, that's what I thought... I went into the wrong direction, which took me further away from the university... I didn't know at that moment, but when I got at the end of the road, I knew I was lost. I didn't recognize any of the signs, buildings, fields, etc. So, I asked someone, who happened to be outside (I am very suprised by the fact that hardly anyone is outside in Australia.. because of the weather? Because they are working?) A very friendly old man helped me out and offered me a ride. I wasn't on time at the university but at least I had plenty of time to enrol myself in the courses and to arrange things, such as a bank account (it's free :P) When I went back home, I passed a shopping mall, where I bought washing powder. It seems that in Australia, there are two types of washing machines: top loader and front loader. Certain types of washing powder were not suitable for front loaders. I asked a lady in the supermarket and she told me that a top loader is a washing machine with the lid at the top and a front loader with the lid towards you (like we have in the Netherlands). I don't know why there are two types and why certain washing powders are not suitable for front loaders, but I will ask my housemate when I get a chance :) By the way, we have a top loader in the house! Will take a picture of it when I don't forget it!

And now I am trying to rest, while there are still some things to be arranged. Well, tomorrow is another day, then I have time to look into them! Now I am gonna chillax! And check my emails :P

Hugs from Aussie! ;)