Tweet
As I emerged from slumber into wakefulness, still lying in bed under a feather-soft duvet, my eyes opened into near total darkness. There was just a glimmer of early morning sunlight emerging from under the curtains and fabric covered windows. The crisp, cool air in the room had a hint of the scent of olives, flowers and fresh herbs. But what was that sound? A beautiful polyphony of insect, animal and bird calls filled the air around me.
It was only then that it hit home that our accommodations for the night had no walls. We were in a canvas tent, whose soft fabric sides were practically invisible, acoustically speaking: the sounds of nature and wildlife filling my ears were crystal clear, as if we were sleeping in the open, by a lake near a forest. Which in fact we were: A small lake was ahead of us, just meters away, right outside the wide panoramic glass doors. And nearby, the forest and olive tree groves of the Olio Bello Olive farm at Margaret River.
Apart from sprawling olive tree plantations and a wonderful cafe, Olio Bello had just 6 tent-like accommodations located on their grounds. These were large canvas tents, but built as hybrid structures, with wood flooring, electricity, air-conditioning/heating and proper bathrooms. This gave guests perhaps the best of both worlds, the romance of a flowing canvas tent, along with all modern comforts, not to mention cutting edge décor and styling. So this was what glamping was about…
Mrs yflyer, my younger girl Miss yflyer no.2, and I had arrived in Perth the day before, arriving at midnight on SQ215 SIN-PER, operated by Singapore Airlines’ new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.
We had flown from Singapore to Perth in Business Class on 3 x Krisflyer Saver redemption tickets, and spent the night at the Four Points Sheraton in Perth, before renting an SUV the next day for a pleasant 3+ hour drive down to Margaret River.
We spent our time in Margaret River touring the sights and wineries in the region. Apart from our stay at Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping, we also moved into the town of Margaret River for two days, which was our base for further exploration of this beautiful part of Western Australia.
Back in Perth a few days later, we stayed at the Westin Perth, a very impressive new hotel, just 7 months old, located in the heart of the city. We explored the city on foot, and I also managed to squeeze in a run from the hotel to Kings Park, where great views of the Perth city skyline, and Swan River, could be had.
We flew home on SQ216, a red-eye service, again operated by SIA’s 787-10, in business class, but not before checking out the SilverKris Lounge in Perth Airport.
Although we flew all sectors in business class, I could not resist a peek into the economy class cabin as well, to see how SQ’s 787 Y cabin compared to other carriers. Some pictures and brief impressions of the Y cabin coming up, along with full coverage of SIA's new 787 Regional Business Class.
TR INDEX
1. SilverKris Lounge - Changi T3
2. SQ215 SIN-PER - 787-10 Regional Business Class
3. Four Points Sheraton Perth
4. Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping / Margaret River
5. Margaret River Sights / Wineries (Leeuwin, Fraser Gallop, Cape Grace, Heydon, Vasse Felix)
6. Margaret River - Vintages Accommodation
7. Margaret River Dining (Miki's Open Kitchen, Squid Lips) / Mammoth Cave / Farmer's Market
8. Run - Margaret River to Surfers Point
9. Margaret River Dining (Berry Farm, Morries) / Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
10. Westin Perth
11. Perth Sights and Dining
12. Run - Kings Park
13. SilverKris Lounge - Perth Airport
14. SQ216 PER-SIN - 787-10 Regional Business Class
It was only then that it hit home that our accommodations for the night had no walls. We were in a canvas tent, whose soft fabric sides were practically invisible, acoustically speaking: the sounds of nature and wildlife filling my ears were crystal clear, as if we were sleeping in the open, by a lake near a forest. Which in fact we were: A small lake was ahead of us, just meters away, right outside the wide panoramic glass doors. And nearby, the forest and olive tree groves of the Olio Bello Olive farm at Margaret River.
Apart from sprawling olive tree plantations and a wonderful cafe, Olio Bello had just 6 tent-like accommodations located on their grounds. These were large canvas tents, but built as hybrid structures, with wood flooring, electricity, air-conditioning/heating and proper bathrooms. This gave guests perhaps the best of both worlds, the romance of a flowing canvas tent, along with all modern comforts, not to mention cutting edge décor and styling. So this was what glamping was about…
Mrs yflyer, my younger girl Miss yflyer no.2, and I had arrived in Perth the day before, arriving at midnight on SQ215 SIN-PER, operated by Singapore Airlines’ new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.
We had flown from Singapore to Perth in Business Class on 3 x Krisflyer Saver redemption tickets, and spent the night at the Four Points Sheraton in Perth, before renting an SUV the next day for a pleasant 3+ hour drive down to Margaret River.
We spent our time in Margaret River touring the sights and wineries in the region. Apart from our stay at Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping, we also moved into the town of Margaret River for two days, which was our base for further exploration of this beautiful part of Western Australia.
Back in Perth a few days later, we stayed at the Westin Perth, a very impressive new hotel, just 7 months old, located in the heart of the city. We explored the city on foot, and I also managed to squeeze in a run from the hotel to Kings Park, where great views of the Perth city skyline, and Swan River, could be had.
We flew home on SQ216, a red-eye service, again operated by SIA’s 787-10, in business class, but not before checking out the SilverKris Lounge in Perth Airport.
Although we flew all sectors in business class, I could not resist a peek into the economy class cabin as well, to see how SQ’s 787 Y cabin compared to other carriers. Some pictures and brief impressions of the Y cabin coming up, along with full coverage of SIA's new 787 Regional Business Class.
TR INDEX
1. SilverKris Lounge - Changi T3
2. SQ215 SIN-PER - 787-10 Regional Business Class
3. Four Points Sheraton Perth
4. Olio Bello Lakeside Glamping / Margaret River
5. Margaret River Sights / Wineries (Leeuwin, Fraser Gallop, Cape Grace, Heydon, Vasse Felix)
6. Margaret River - Vintages Accommodation
7. Margaret River Dining (Miki's Open Kitchen, Squid Lips) / Mammoth Cave / Farmer's Market
8. Run - Margaret River to Surfers Point
9. Margaret River Dining (Berry Farm, Morries) / Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
10. Westin Perth
11. Perth Sights and Dining
12. Run - Kings Park
13. SilverKris Lounge - Perth Airport
14. SQ216 PER-SIN - 787-10 Regional Business Class
Comment