So Bored

I am so bored that I had some drink and I got a bad hangover due to it. And then I can't sleep at nights because I slept during the day due to boredom. What more can I say... oh, and I will not gulp down red wine ever again. Ever. It gives you bad headache and stomach ache and makes you overeat.. well.. it could be signs of boredom in the first place. Dejavu.. its the feeling of phase 1 all over again....

Unconventional Photo

I'm definitely taking Freeways whenever I drive next time. When Felicia was here for the last trip, I thought it'll be a good idea to take minor roads just for a change of scenery. Bad idea. Suddenly at a corner, a flash with lightning-like intensity caught my eyes. Problem is its not even raining in Perth at that time. I was doing over 60km/h at the downhill road (you know how it defies logic to press brake downhill when its safe to just let it roll downhill?)

And sure enough, it was a nicely set up speed camera in front of a bus stop. I'm not exactly happy with what had just happened but I didn't want to express it because its suppose to be a holiday for her. A month or so passed since and there wasn't any news of it. I thought that I might just be lucky and got away with it. Then at last I got a letter last two days. Most people was actually quite amused when they saw it because the letter actually comes with a photo of the driver. I guess I got a unique 'souvenir' from the Perth police. Problem is the 'souvenir' cost $75...

Amazing Albany (Pt 2)

Albany boys aka Nic, Macha and Me planned for the Albany flight during one of the marginal days. To boldly go where no one has gone before... not exactly accurate because many cadets before us went there as part of our requirement. It wasn't exactly the best weather forecast to go down south. But with winter days coming in on us, it was probably worthwhile to give it a shot.

The trip there was uneventful except for the low hanging fluffy cumulus which didn't totally cover the sky. Half of the time the clear blue sky take a peek with the sun shining down to the ground. As we approach Albany, the majestic Stirling Range suddenly appeared to our left looking like one of the scenes from LOTR. Too bad the visibility was quite low but from what I understand from my roommate, during the flight there, the visibility was even worse than that. So I guess I'll have to start counting my blessings.

Stirling Range from two different point of view. Top one looks better but the bottom one has the overall view

The weather was much better at Albany itself. The sun is everywhere with some patches of clouds. The airport itself was quite busy with aircrafts coming in and out of the airport. Initially what we imagine as a relaxing one hour break there turned out to be at most 15 minutes break with the remaining time used up to refuel and for necessary planning to go back.

The wind turbine (or wind farm) overlooking Southern Ocean

Does this look like Rio to you Jim? View of King George Sound.

As predicted, the weather was closing in on us and therefore on our leg back, the cold fronts was pouring its heart out. Lucky for us again that its in patches and therefore we could maneuver our way around to get back. It was somewhat of a different experience because normally we'd only fly in good weather. This being our last navigation, it was truly an adventure of its own to experience the marginal weather. To feel the excitement of flying again. It also enforces the need that safety always comes first when it comes to flying and the appreciation of life (here's looking at ya babe!).

What a way to end the visual navigation chapter!

Margaret River

Normally I drive to a destination. Never had I imagined that I'd be sightseeing (that's not exactly the technical term to use when you're undergoing a flight training) on a plane!

Margaret River and its vineyards- birds eye view

But last week I did just that to Margaret River. All I know of the place is that its full of vineyards. What I didn't know is that there's a place called Cape Leeuwin just south west of Margaret River where Indian Ocean meets Southern Ocean. According to Darren, the latest south WA tourist attraction expert, the cape is marked by a historical lighthouse which is a must go destination if you're driving there. So now you know too!

To the left of the cape is Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean on the right

And they live happily ever after....

5 days ago I went back to Sarikei to attend my sisters wedding on the 26th March 2oo8. Initially I thought that I'd have time to spend with her before she's 'sold' off to Tie family (pronounciation different from a type of clothing accessory). Speaking from experience, I know that the last few days leading to the biggest event of one's life is probably the busiest and thereafter any breaks are rare and far in between. Therefore, I hardly have time to talk to her during this trip. The fact that I reach home very last minute does not help as well. In fact, I reached home 7 hours before the whole wedding day rush starts for her.

I took lotsa photos during the day but not using my camera... I took photos using my cousin's camera and I still haven't got hold of it (shall be updated). Before the trip, I was planning to get my own SLR but didn't manage to at that point of time due to time constrain. It was a pretty short and tiring trip but I was happy to be able to see a lot of my relatives I haven't kept in touch with for very long time.

I think it might be a while before I'll see her again. That's the sad part. But I guess the joy is knowing that she's happy. I wish her all the best in her new life.. and I feel really happy for her! Now... anybody has any idea the most economical way to call States using call cards?

Albany Flight (Pt 1)

After passing Phase 2 (Navigation Phase), we're now given longer and more interesting navigations. One of the more interesting flights is down south (yes! further south than Perth!) to a place called Albany. Its part of the requirement in our programme to complete this flight. I'm quite excited about this flight because it will be one of the very few flights where we get to land outside of Jandakot, refill and then get back to home base.

As with any navigation flights, preparation is done before the flight. For this particular long flight, our normal visual navigation chart (VNC) is insufficient. We'd need another map which covers all the way to South Ocean since Albany town faces that particular ocean. Lines are drawn to indicate the flight path on ground, distances and bearing measured. All this are normally done the night before.

However, the next day when the flight was suppose to take off at 10am, the forecast for Albany wasn't very good with low cloud base and the flight had to be canceled. Part 2 of this flight when the flight is completed and there's photos of Southern Ocean to show...

Crabs! (but I'm not talking about VD)

Crab or no crab. That is the question. Location: Peel Inlet which is one hour drive south of Jandakot at a place called Mandurah. This inlet is a unique geographical feature where rivers meets the sea and forms a huge lake but waters are just knee deep. Don't know when the season begins and when it ends. Legally only 2 months in a year strictly no crabbing i.e. September and October. However, we didn't want to take the chance missing the crabbing season as there's sign that summer is getting shorter by day and therefore conditions may not be favourable for crabbing anymore.

Its a pretty interesting device that we use to crab. It is made of spherical wire mesh hooked to the end of a stick. We had to saw away some end of the broomstick so that it fits into the car boot. Because the mesh is wide, we have to carry a pail with us so that when you scoop up the crab, you put it immediately into the pail or else it'll scurry around and fall back into the water.

Evening and night is the best time to crab. Walk around in the inlet and sometimes you'd spot something moving in the water. As you approach it, the crabs (which has camouflaged back and quite hard to spot) would be in its attack (or defence?) position with its pincher raised. This would actually cause its white contrasting bottom to stand out in the water and thus making it easier for us to spot and catch it. Kindda silly isn't it?

Interesting part of the trip was some of us got pinched by the crab at night because we can't see where they are and we're not wearing slippers. I guess that's the best time for them to take revenge on us. Also at night, wherever you shine the torch, there'll be some silly fish swimming in the beam and most of time we mistaken it for crab. Too bad the fish is too small to be eaten and too ugly to be kept as a pet.

Anyways, we caught some crab and missed some, let go of some which are too small (minimum size is 127cm at its widest). And in the end, the number of catch for the day tallies to 8! But I guess its not the number that counts but the fun and excitement of catching them. The chilly and egg crab dish we had for supper is just the bonus....