Western Australia 2002 (standard:non fiction, 4366 words)
Author: Jasen	Added: Apr 28 2002	Views/Reads: 3707/2539	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
This the follow up to Teacher - my Friend.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

front few seats sat Desmond, Louis – their tour guide, Miss Kok, 
Jerome, Zheng, Stacy, Lucas, Sam, Jasmine and others. At the rear of 
the coach sat Miss Sharon, Mr Kelvin, Lance, Raymond, April, Jovin, 
Jonathan and others. 

‘Jerome, how do you feel about this trip?’ asked Zheng. 

‘Well, okay, I like this trip so far.’ Replied Jerome. 

After a minute of silence... 

‘So how about you, Zheng?’ 

‘Oh me, I’ll say, this trip is so far still enjoyable with the flight
from Singapore. Anyway, this is my first time travelling alone without 
my parents and also my first time on board an airplane.’ 

‘Jerome, did you have a good sleep last night?’ 

‘Yes I did have some peace after some special moments. It kept me awake
for quite a while. Because last night, Lucas did not actually had a 
good time sleeping well. Why not you ask him personally what had 
actually happened?’ 

‘Okay, I’ll ask him later.’ 

‘How about you then, Zheng?’ 

‘For me, it’s still fine there. As there isn’t any nonsense happening.’ 

So Zheng went over to talk to Lucas, while he switched places with Stacy
on the coach. 

‘Lucas, how do you do today?’ 

‘Fine.’ 

‘You do not look fine in my sight of your statement. Can you tell me
what actually happened last night?’ 

‘Okay, actually I really felt unbearably homesick and felt like calling
home. And during that moment, I felt like having a mental breakdown. It 
got even worse when Jerome and Stacy were happily chatting and not even 
one had noticed how I was feeling. But back at home, I had a quarrel 
with Faizal. But, I just feel that our friendship bond is still strong. 
What I did was, I went out of the room and really wanted to look for Ms 
Koh. But half way to her room, something pulled me back from 
proceeding. So in the end I went back to the room and split out a four 
letter word before the two guys really notices my existence.’ 

‘Thanks for that touching story. Anyway, if you have any problem, do let
me know. Maybe as a friend I may be able to render some assistance to 
you.’ 

While the chatting goes on, the students and teachers were having a
great time interacting. As that is so, they were about to reach 
Fremantle. 

Chapter 3: Fremantle 

After they arrived in Fremantle, the group went to the Fremantle
Children’s Literature Centre. There they attended a 2-hour Literature 
workshop. It was an enjoyable one as it gives them an idea of what it 
is like to be a writer and an illustrator. That’s where Zheng had made 
a new-found love – Reading and writing. 

The centre was previously a prison hospital. But until 1991, when the
prison decided to give it a new resident, about a hundred over 
organisations step foot on their visit to the Prison, and submitted 
their proposal. The Prison officers then look through and handpick the 
idea of a Children’s Literature Centre as its first newcomer after the 
Prison is closed to crimes. 

Next, they went for lunch of ‘Fish and Chips’ meal at a restaurant near
the seaside. There were sea gulls flying around. As Zheng sat with 
Zack, Sam and a few others, another conversation began. They talked 
about school life and about the Perth Trip - the places that they have 
visited. 

‘How do you guys find school life?’ Zheng questioned the others. 

‘So far it is still fine and adaptable, as compared to when we started
Secondary one’ replied Zack. 

‘That’s for sure. I felt a bit the same as you do when I was in
Secondary One. But there were some differences.’ 

As the talk went on, they started to eat enjoy the scenery. 

After the delicious meal, the group proceed on to the peak of a small
hill to view the seascape. It is lovely scenery as Zheng describes the 
scenery as the sea blends into the sky. 

Near them is a cannon that can lit off when activated. But it was
unfortunate, the group had to go as there will be a scheduled guided 
tour inside the Fremantle Prison. 

Before they set off, they were just in luck to see a passing train. 

After arriving at the Fremantle Prison, the group proceed on to room
where they view a short introduction of the prison’s history. 

Next, they proceed on to the inmate waiting room where the inmates will
be question and done with a full body search. Follow-on, they will be 
asked to take a shower and changed into the prisoners’ clothes and 
taken a few photo shots each. 

They were brought into another building; this is much bigger. It is
where the inmates were kept. The tour guide explained the reason why 
netting was erected. It was for the prison officers’ safety; there were 
several cases where the inmates threw object down aiming at the prison 
officers. 

Then they proceed on to the prison cells were the cells were formerly
half the size. Until a certain period when the prison finally realise 
the need for air and space, before they decided to join two small cells 
into a big one by knocking off a partitioned wall. 

They visited cells and the gathering area. Also the special areas like
the hanging (for death sentence), naughty criminals (for those who beat 
up others in prison) and also high security cell and others. 

The prison also has two chapels. One for the Catholics and the other for
Christians. The prison was build by convicts. In 1984, a fire broke up 
in the prison due to the inmates being unhappy about the prison’s 
facilities. 

And in 1991, as the prison can no longer hold the inmates, they decided
to build another prison, this time it is located at the country side. 
The inmates were allowed to show their artistic works by painting in 
the old prison before the move in 1991. 

After the visit, they took a group shot before proceeding to the
Fremantle market to do their souvenir shopping. 

After an hour, they met back and set off back to Perth for dinner. That
night, they celebrated mass birthdays – Lucas, Philip, Jasmine and Ms 
Sharon’s birthday. After dinner, they had a good time shopping. But, 
Zheng felt a bit giddy even though he refused to go back to the hotel 
to stay. They went on a ‘Swatch Hunt’. They were hunting for Swatch 
watches, so the group guided by Ms Kok with 4 members went on the hunt. 
After an hour of searching, they finally found the shop and started 
getting the watches. Zheng bought a Swatch watch; both Lucas and Stacy 
bought a pair each of different designs. 

After the ‘Swatch Hunt’, the group went back to where they came from.
And after walking for sometime, they sat down and Stacy made a phone 
call back using Zheng’s hand phone. 

After calling home, his statement changed. And Lucas when to check on
him. 

‘Stacy why do you look so unhappy?’ asked Lucas 

‘I’m facing some financial difficulties’ replied Stacy 

‘I’m sure we will be able to help you. Do not feel so helpless and sad.’


So Lucas went to the group and told then what actually happened. After
which, they tried to comfort him and they went to the gather point. 

Chapter 4: Albany 

This morning, they had their breakfast at ‘New Esplanade Hotel.’ They
were off for a five-hour coach journey to Albany. 

During the journey, they had some entertainment, they watched some
movies. 

By an hour past noon, they have arrived at in Albany for lunch. They ate
at a Beachside Café. Zheng and Jerome ate Fish and Chips, while Lucas 
and Stacy ate Lasagne. And they were also given a bowl of salad per 
table. So while Miss Sharon was distributing, Jerome and Zheng 
requested for more as to try to finish up the bowl quickly. Next to 
Zheng sat Lance. 

With the story progressing, a new set of friendship may occur. 

After Lunch, they move out of the café, the temperature out in the open
is cooling, but cold. As the group took a few shots before returning 
back onto the coach. 

They were off on their way to the natural wonders. The ‘gap’ and the
‘bridge’. 

They move through the residential area and Miss Kok had a close look at
the flowers, as she loves them. It was a nice look at them. And as the 
road moves near the seaside, Lucas and Stacy saw some ships and tankers 
around, even sea gulls. It was an unforgettable experience to look at 
them. 

As they were all about to doze off, they reached the natural ‘gap’ and
‘bridge’. 

There they took shots as usual, but also, they also learnt a bit of
physical geography through explanation by Mr Kelvin. He explained how 
the ‘gap’ and ‘bridge’ is formed and also about how erosion occurs as 
in a nearby area, there is a bare slope. 

After that, they visit the Queen Fortress. They were just in time to
witness a wedding ceremony. And after which, Jerome, Zheng, Stacy and 
Lucas explored the area before they and a few others went up the slope 
to the highest point where they saw the Australian Flag. Jerome, Zheng 
and Lance took a shot under the flagpole together. 

They explored the other area around till its time to return to the
coach. Again at the entrance area, they saw the bridal car. But it 
maybe another couple. 

Their next destination was the war memorial area. When they arrived,
Lucas felt a bit unwell, but he still tried to be with the group. 

Once, they were out at the memorial, the group had a look at the plaque
and took a group shot before moving upwards to the park and there the 
scenery was lovely. Sam, Miss Kok, Stacy, Lucas, Jerome and Zheng took 
a shot together as a memorial. 

After a while, they went down the steps and to the coach. From there,
they return to the city centre where they had their dinner. After 
which, they had their stay at ‘ACE Motel’. 

But that’s not the end of a peaceful day. At night, the three girls-
Jasmine, Sarah and Joan. The received a scary call by someone unknown. 
They were scared till they have to change their room with Jerome’s 
group. When Zheng visit Jerome, he was shocked to see them all cuddled 
together. That scared them. As he was checking on how Lucas is feeling, 
he stayed with them for a while. 

At least, they managed to get through safe and sound the next morning.
They had their breakfast before setting off to their next destination- 
Pemberton. 

Chapter 5: Pemberton 

The ride to Pemberton took about two to three hours. They visit the
‘Tree Top Walk’ WOW! A treetop walk experience. 

They went in and they were given an introduction to the Karri Forest,
how the forest tree top walk is built and others. After all the 
explanation, the group set of in small groups of 10. They set off and 
weave through the spans slowly as the walk sags slowly. 

After completing the walk, they gathered and went hollowness and wonders
of the majestic Karri and Tingle trees. And some of them had been 
through a forest fire is 1931 which is a disaster that almost wipe out 
the species. 

Next they returned back to the visitors centre. And so from there, Miss
Kok told the students that they may have another round of walk through 
the ‘Tree top walk’. So, Zheng, Henry, Lance, Gilbert, James, and 
others went in batches. 

This time, they took shots on the way through. And they had their choice
of walking slowly. After the second round of walking, they proceed back 
to the coach via the Visitors’ Centre. 

In coach, Mr Kelvin gave them another Geography talk on the Karri forest
history and facts with assistance from Mr Louis– their tour guide. 

It was an hour journey left to Pemberton. When they finally reached,
they went to the nearby supermarket to get their supplies before 
heading off to a nearby restaurant for lunch. 

After lunch, they were off to the Sand Dunes. They arrived at the
National Park, where the group entered with their instructors. They had 
a journey of 2km to walk up to the Sand Dunes. The walk is rather turf 
as not to mention the sand flies. 

They were about to reach the sand dunes, but under one task, climb up
the steep slope. When the group saw it, they were shocked. As for 
Zheng, he decided to wait and look for another way up. What an 
in-adventurous person Zheng is. Together with Miss Kok, Gilbert, 3 
girls and the instructor, they went up the other path which is much 
more time consuming and far. 

Finally, after some struggle, the climbers reach the peak of the sand
hill. As for Zheng’s group, they reached a bit late. 

They had a great time sliding down the sand slope. There were many
exciting moments to the extent that they cannot really be put in words. 
They also had collected some sand specimens. 

After a few hours of fun, they had to bid good-bye to the sand dunes.
The moment down from the top is real cool and fun. 

From there they continued their way back to the car park at the park.
They board the coach and started their journey to yet another place. 
This time, for dinner at a nearby cottage. They had BBQ dinner. 

After dinner, they went to the ‘Karri Valley Resort’ where they had
their night’s stay. But, they had some problem finding their chalet. 
For both Zheng’s group and Miss Kok’s group. But after some search, 
they finally found their way. 

That night, Zheng’s group was staying with Lance’s group under one
chalet. 

There are three rooms in the chalet. A queen-size bedroom- that was
occupied by Gilbert. A room with double-deck and a single bed- occupied 
by Henry, Alex and Sam initially. And the last room with a double deck- 
occupied by Zheng and Lance. 

But, when Zheng poured his jeans’ contents out, the sand fell on to
Lance’s baggage and bed. Lance was horrified and Zheng was almost being 
seized by the neck. Lucky he did an immediate clean up. But Lance 
decided to switch with Sam while Zheng emptied his sand into the 
balcony area. After that, Zheng decided to sleep in the living room. 
It’s not due to the worry of bring disturbed by the pile of scattered 
sand. But it is for the sake of getting some thoughts through. 

That night wasn’t a pleasant one for Zheng, he has been a little
troublemaker as that was what the group says about him. But he wasn’t 
depressed. He felt that maybe he could use that to improve himself. So 
he work hard on it. 

The next morning, he was up early and took a shivering shower. But
having been unable to sleep well the previous night he felt energetic 
after that shower. After the others have woke up, they got their self 
ready while Zheng woke Lance. And, after that he went out to the 
balcony to have a look at the morning sun. It was a lovely scene. All 
by himself, he sat watching the pair of lovely birds till they flew 
off. Then he went into pack his belonging and got ready for Mr Louis to 
pick the group up. 

They set off for breakfast by the bi-centennial tree. Zheng and the rest
had toast, BBQ egg, beacon, sausage and cornflakes. It was an enjoyable 
Monday morning having breakfast by the forest floors. After which there 
were two batches of about six students who climbed up the bi-centennial 
tree. Stacy was on of the daring devils. He climbed his way up 
cautiously try to keep on the struggle for balance and the tempo. 

They went to the Bunnings Saw Mill where they witness how wood is
produced for furnishings. The sawmill was big and spacious. But 
unfortunately the state government will be closing the sawmill, which 
means job losses. But from a glance directly from the second level 
balcony, they could see the wood being processed. 

After the visit to the Saw Mill, they went to the Trout Hatchery. There
the group learned about the insight of Rainbow and Brown Trout breeding 
programme. After that, they went for river study. That was a really 
undesirable, with the people having to do the Australia Salute – That 
is what Lucas describe the action of getting the flies out of their 
faces and body like. 

After the River Study, they were off for four hour’s ride to
Dunsborough. 

Chapter 6: Dunsborough 

They arrived at a sheep-shearing farm at about 2 that afternoon. They
had their lunch in the sheltered area. After which, the group visit the 
sheep shearing area where they were shown how a sheep was being sheared 
and the steps to take before shearing. During that session, some 
student had the privilege of feeding the feeding the lambs. It was an 
enjoyable moment. Following on; the shearer also showed the group the 
use of the sheepdog. They had an eye opening experience. Finally, each 
of them received a piece of sheep for a souvenir. They proceed on to 
the souvenir shop. There, some of them bought souvenirs. 

On the coach, Zheng talked to Jerome once again, for the ride to their
next destination. 

‘Jerome, so how do you find the sheep shearing experience?’ 

‘ I still find it a bit funny, the way some of them ‘feed’ the lamb
really made be giggle some how in my heart.’ 

‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ 

Next, they proceed on to the Mammoths Cave area. They had a majestic
view of the cave in its natural form. A real cooling experience. And 
after the cave visit, they were on their way back to Perth. 

The trip was a long and continuous one as it stretches from the late
afternoon to early dusk. On the coach, Zheng and Jerome has a great 
time interacting with Lance and Zack. But most of the talking was only 
between Zheng and Lance. 

‘Zheng, how do you find the trip to Perth?’ came the question from
Lance. 

‘Oh, the trip is okay, I love it. How about you?’ 

‘Fine, it is enjoyable.’ 

‘Did you make any new friends?’ asked Zheng. 

‘Yep I did really made some.’ 

And the chat goes on till they were exhausted... 

Chapter 7: Perth Again! 

They were back in Perth by 8 at night. But after they checked-in, they
rush down to meet at the lobby. By then it is about a quarter past 
eight. They went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. 

After dinner, the group returned to the hotel. For Zheng, he moved out
of his room and into Lance’s room. He stayed with Henry and Lance for 
that night. That night, Zheng was a counsellor solving some minor twist 
between Jasmine and Zack – Friendship problem. It worked like a 
telephone marathon that ran from 10.30pm at night till 12 midnight. 
While Henry and the rest were doing the assigned task for the trip. 

It was a boring Tuesday since they have to bear with the scorching sun
as they set off for the Prinnacles. They had a very irritating time 
shooing the sand flies. But overall, it is still enjoyable. 

After that, they took the same route back and reach Perth at night after
having dinner at the outskirts of Perth. 

On the next morning, they got ready and were setting off to a school
visit at the Roleystone Senior High School. This school is 40 hectors 
big with the building scattered and close to nature. A nice place to be 
though, after the visit, they visit the Elizabethan Village in 
Armadale. After that, they visit the fruit orchard before finally 
returning to Perth City for lunch. 

After the hefty lunch, they were off again to do their last minute
shopping. 

A little terrible it really is, Zheng, Stacy, Lance, Jerome, Lucas and
Miss Kok went shopping together to grab souvenirs and chocolates. That 
is for their last minute shopping. 

After the long shopping, they finally gathered and set off back to meet
at the same place where they disperse. So after that, they were bought 
to have dinner before they watch a show ‘spontaneous insanity’ as their 
finale for the trip to Western Australia. The show was great and 
wonderful. After that, they proceed to the airport where they repack 
their stuff and got ready to check in and wait for departure. 

They did their little shopping at the shopping alley at the
airport-waiting lounge. Both Zheng and Jerome bought a copy of Reader’s 
Digest (Aussie Edition). In addition to that, Zheng go himself a John 
Grisham novel- The Firm, and an issue of National Geographic. What a 
bookworm he is. 

After that, at ten minutes before one, the group boarded the flight and
were on their way back to Singapore. Zheng sat next to Miss Kok. Anyway 
it wasn’t as bad as what others thought it would be, sitting ext to a 
discipline mistress. At least he felt safe. But Jerome felt sick for 
that flight home. And Zack with Lance, both forgotten about their 
breakfast. 

Author’s final comment 

In this book, much of the time has been spend on description and not
much on friendship. Since I started writing on 17 Nov 2000- Day 2 of my 
Perth trip. I have been observing my new made friend T.T.Y, and my 
close friend Jeremy. Both had been very supportive in giving me 
self-encouragement. And not to forget Stacy and Lucas for their support 
and Lucas for his friendliness in helping me in my enquiries. I feel 
excited to complete this story on 3 Dec 2000, and completed my final 
editing on 31 Jan 2001. 

A friend in need, is a friend in deed or vice versa, I’m grateful to the
spontaneous support by my kind friends for me to complete this short 
story. Especially Jeremy and T.T.Y. 

The characters mentioned in this story may or may not be alive, but are
not related to real life persons. They are the ideal characters. Also I 
would like to acknowledge someone special – that person knows who he 
is. 

Also, thanks to Lucas and those who have read or edited my first and
second short story. This short story couplet shall end here. (Teacher 
My Friend & Teacher My Friend II) 

Du Zhengdao 

31 January 2001 


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