Well the time has come once again for us to relocate to our next position. Our company has been very good to us over the past 3.5 years with new and exciting places to live and amazing opportunities for both of us. We have known about this potential move since June, but it was just finalized a few weeks ago, and Kaes' announcement was published to the region this week.
We will be relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. KL is just a short 3.5 hour drive to Singapore and on the Malaysia mainland that is bordered by Thailand to the north, and Singapore and Indonesia to the south. For those of that are unsure of where it is located, see the map below.
Our very first overseas location was in Malaysia, but on the eastern side of the country in Miri, on the island of Borneo and close to the border of Brunei. I have pinpointed each location {A - KL and B - Miri} to see the distance between each city. 2.5 hours by flight separates the two from each other; similar to the distance between Houston and Denver.
Kaes officially starts his new position on October 1, which is a 2-year assignment, but it will take us a bit longer to relocate. Currently, there is a ban on importing horses and domestic animals from Australia to Malaysia {this is very unusual due to the strict quarantine process in Australia} due to the deadly Hendra virus {transmitted by fruit bats} that has killed 20 horses, a dog, and has infected humans. The ban on livestock and goats was just lifted a few weeks ago as they are the biggest exports for Australia and where Malaysia gets its main source of meat. Unfortunately, the virus is on the eastern side of Australia, over 2,000 miles away, but Malaysia is taking all precautions to ensure it is not transmitted to Malaysia.
What that means for us is a waiting game...the dogs and I will stay in Perth until the ban is lifted and Kaes will travel back and forth to KL. Hopefully the Malaysia and Australian governments can sort the issue quickly so this does not turn into a lengthy process. Once we get the green light, it will take 6 weeks by sea for all of our furniture to be transported from Perth to KL. I cannot say that I am ever excited to be packed up, wait for what seems like forever to finally get to sleep in your own bed again, then have to unpack and organize everything...it is quite the daunting task...
Perth's beautiful summer is quickly approaching, so I can't say that I am complaining {too} much!! It will be bittersweet to leave the beautiful beaches, river, and amazing weather that makes Perth such an enjoyable place, as well has the many friends that we have met, but we are excited about new opportunities in Malaysia as well as being closer to quick getaways in SE Asia.
Stay tuned for updates and pictures of our new city and home!!!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Weekend Down South - Albany and Denmark
As our time in Australia is coming to an end, Kaes and I are taking advantage of our 9/80's {having every other Friday off work} to travel somewhere within Australia. This weekend, we decided to drive south 5 hours {260 miles SE of Perth} to the old whaling town of Albany and the Dutch discovered town of Denmark. I found a quaint hotel on Middleton Beach called The Pelicans where we would spend the weekend.
The first day we woke up to beautiful clear blue sunny skies and decided to drive along Middleton Beach along Frenchman Bay. Our first stop was to Cable Beach where we had breathtaking views of the ocean breaking against the cliffs. We even walked down the side of the cliffs to see a school of 5 dolphins fishing for food. Incredible doesn't come close to describing just how beautiful the cliffside is along the vast ocean.
Our next attraction was to Torndirrup National Park to see The Gap, Natural bridge and Blowholes all shaped by local granite. This point was where Australia was attached to Antarctica 45 billion years ago in what was then call the Gondwana land mass. The Natural bridge is pictured below.
The afternoon started to get dark and rainy, so we drove through the town and stopped at a local brewery for lunch and a "middie." The rest of the day was spent relaxing at our hotel planning the next days adventures.
The next morning we decided to head to Denmark for the day. Denmark is about 40 minutes west of Albany. On the way, we stopped at Mount Clarence for a panoramic view of Albany with its harbors and bays. The view was just stunning! An ANZAC war memorial is also at the top of the mountain to honor everyone that died between 1916-1918.
Once into Denmark, we stopped at Ocean Beach and Lights Beach, both with beautiful clear waters and great wave breaks that attracted the avid surfer. After a bit of time at the beach, we stopped off at Swiss Annie's chocolate lounge for some delicious hot chocolate and hand made truffles.
The next stop further down the coast was to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. The Greens Pool was a swimming beach area that had the most beautiful bright blue/green water. The pool was surrounded by what they call "Elephant Rocks." I was curious as to exactly what elephant rocks was supposed to look like until I actually saw the enormous boulders that resembeled a herd of elephant. We were both quite amazed at the similarity the rocks had to real elephant.
Before heading back to Albany, we stopped off at the town center that was holding a 100 year celebration of Denmark being a town. Children games and activities lined the streets and the local primary school was raising money selling homemade donuts, scones, having a dunk tank and even a small petting zoo. An antique car show was on display as well as other local craftsmen and artists. We also tried our first "meat pie," a staple food in Australia. It was fun to enjoy the local events of the town and reminded both of us of a small town back home.
Our drive back to Albany seemed to go quickly and we spent the rest of the afternoon at Emu Point, a beach just close to where we were staying by Middleton Beach. No wind made the bay very peaceful and a perfect end to our weekend.
The first day we woke up to beautiful clear blue sunny skies and decided to drive along Middleton Beach along Frenchman Bay. Our first stop was to Cable Beach where we had breathtaking views of the ocean breaking against the cliffs. We even walked down the side of the cliffs to see a school of 5 dolphins fishing for food. Incredible doesn't come close to describing just how beautiful the cliffside is along the vast ocean.
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The afternoon started to get dark and rainy, so we drove through the town and stopped at a local brewery for lunch and a "middie." The rest of the day was spent relaxing at our hotel planning the next days adventures.
The next morning we decided to head to Denmark for the day. Denmark is about 40 minutes west of Albany. On the way, we stopped at Mount Clarence for a panoramic view of Albany with its harbors and bays. The view was just stunning! An ANZAC war memorial is also at the top of the mountain to honor everyone that died between 1916-1918.
Once into Denmark, we stopped at Ocean Beach and Lights Beach, both with beautiful clear waters and great wave breaks that attracted the avid surfer. After a bit of time at the beach, we stopped off at Swiss Annie's chocolate lounge for some delicious hot chocolate and hand made truffles.
The next stop further down the coast was to Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks. The Greens Pool was a swimming beach area that had the most beautiful bright blue/green water. The pool was surrounded by what they call "Elephant Rocks." I was curious as to exactly what elephant rocks was supposed to look like until I actually saw the enormous boulders that resembeled a herd of elephant. We were both quite amazed at the similarity the rocks had to real elephant.
Before heading back to Albany, we stopped off at the town center that was holding a 100 year celebration of Denmark being a town. Children games and activities lined the streets and the local primary school was raising money selling homemade donuts, scones, having a dunk tank and even a small petting zoo. An antique car show was on display as well as other local craftsmen and artists. We also tried our first "meat pie," a staple food in Australia. It was fun to enjoy the local events of the town and reminded both of us of a small town back home.
Our drive back to Albany seemed to go quickly and we spent the rest of the afternoon at Emu Point, a beach just close to where we were staying by Middleton Beach. No wind made the bay very peaceful and a perfect end to our weekend.
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