Friday 9 th March: On Tuesday I flew from Singapore to Perth. The temperature when I arrived mid afternoon was a mere 41C. I took the shuttle bus, and checked into the Perth City YHA. Costs are a lot more over here so I'm going to have get used to sharing rooms more. It was hot in the dormitory, even with air conditioning and I didn't sleep too well.
I am finding it increasingly hard to remember what day it is as every day is a weekend for me now.
Perth is a major city but somehow it seems very quiet. There is so much less traffic than London or other major cities I've been too. There are some beautiful views of the Swan river, which looks more like a lake. After a day doing a walking tour of the city centre, on Wednesday night to find a bit more life I ventured into the Northbridge area, just north of the centre. Here I found a large bar/ night club where there were hundreds of people were watching live boxing from Sydney (where Russell Crow was in the audience) on a large screen. It was quite a good night as the atmosphere in the bar was lively and the boxing improved into some really interesting contests.
On Thursday I took a ferry boat to Fremantle, approx 15kms and one hour trip by boat. The driver and guide gave the worst commentary I've ever heard. Probably I need some cultural adjustment to the brash Australian sense of humour, but opinionated is an understatement. And totally fixated about the price of riverside property, which in London terms are bargains.
When we arrived I took a short bus tour around Fremantle and then checked into the YHA.
The temperature was still in the 40's but when we visited a high spot the bus driver (a much more digestible commentary) pointed out the cloud on the horizon indicating a change in weather. During the evening the breeze began and when I went to a famous fish and chip restaurant, Cicerrelo's, it was quite cool and I ate indoors. Although it is still sunny and warm, the breeze makes the YHA dormitory a lot more comfortable, as there is no air-con here.
Today I went to the maritime museum where I spent an hour plus on a submarine tour which was fascinating. I had intended to go to the Cottesloe beach but the stiff breeze put me off although I did make a token visit to Fremantle's South Beach, but the sand was too cutting to sit down.
Tomorrow I'm hiring a car and will be starting a tour down to Albany and back.
No comments:
Post a Comment