Suzanne had left the key hidden for us which we found on arriving at the house so we let ourselves in while they were out at work. We had a quick nap, which was much needed after having an overnight flight, got changed then headed out into Perth CBD. We walked down the road, found the train station and made our way into the CBD. We weren't there long and it started raining ............ just like being back in Manchester! We were definitely feeling the cold now after it was roasting hot in both Dubai and Singapore previously. We headed down to find somewhere for lunch and ended up at a place called 'Outback Jacks' where we had a nice Aussie style lunch. To our disappointment (especially Antoni's) they didn't have any Kangaroo, Buffalo or Alligator in stock although they did appear on the menu!
We both had a cup of tea to warm up (remember we'd just been in temperatures of 35 - 51 degrees previously in Dubai and Singapore and it was now 12 degrees) we were pretty cold and thankful for our waterproof and warm NorthFace jackets! After lunch it had stopped raining and the sun had come out. We wandered around the city not really knowing where to go but we were just absorbing the Perth city life. We went through Stirling Gardens and past the Court House and fell upon the Swan River, Esplanade and Barrack Street jetty.
There were lots of 'Love Locks' on the tall bell tower building (the oldest bell tower in Australia) overlooking the Swan River. People had put their own random padlocks and bike locks on there too so it kind of looked a bit of a mish-mash padlock parade! (I think they have something similar in Paris).
We went for a walk by the Swan River and went past lots of runners, cyclists and people exercising in the parks - the people round here like to keep themselves fit.
Shops were shutting at 17:00PM which is normal for Perth and we spoke to a man in a random backpackers place we passed for information on Perth - he gave us loads of maps and tourist brochures - we think we overdosed a bit on these but we were happy to be here! We found a bar called 'Shack' which seemed pretty chilled and cool which had a beach scene stretching across three walls, a corrugated sheet steel ceiling and beach style furniture (very cool place - you should check it out one day). We sat enjoying fruit cider and chatted with the bar man about life in Oz.
Shops were shutting at 17:00PM which is normal for Perth and we spoke to a man in a random backpackers place we passed for information on Perth - he gave us loads of maps and tourist brochures - we think we overdosed a bit on these but we were happy to be here! We found a bar called 'Shack' which seemed pretty chilled and cool which had a beach scene stretching across three walls, a corrugated sheet steel ceiling and beach style furniture (very cool place - you should check it out one day). We sat enjoying fruit cider and chatted with the bar man about life in Oz.
For some weird reason we both fancied pizza and ended up in a place called 'Carnegies'. Only when ordering were we informed that as it was a Thursday they had deal on pizza with beer or cider ........... result! We eventually headed back to the train station and jumped on the train back to Bassendean to Suzanne and Padraics'. They were back from work by the time we got home and we were chatting until well after 01:00AM so another late night ...... and they both had work early the next day (sorry!). We also tried some of the Aussie famous lemon lime bitters squash drink - not bad. They had the heating on but we both layered up to go to bed - we were both feeling really cold still - not acclimatised just yet - you'd of thought we'd of been fine having lived in Manchester!
The next day (Friday 24/07/2014) we got up with Suzanne and Padraic as they headed to work as we'd planned a trip to Rottnest Island on Suzanne's recommendation. We headed out on the train from Bassendean into the CBD again which was pretty busy with the early morning commuters. We picked up some breakfast on the way and sandwiches for lunch later to take with us and a token blueberry muffin. We walked down from the train to the Esplanade which we knew from walking the day before. This was where we picked up tickets for the Rottnest express boat and a days bike hire. We got the first boat to Freemantle where we sat in wet seats given the rain but got a good view. We also had a tour guide informing us about the area pointing out sights like Australia's most expensive house etc. Just as we were pulling out of the harbour we saw a small pod of wild dolphins in the Swan River - amazing to see!
Once we arrived in Freemantle we jumped onto a larger boat which took us onto Rottnest Island. As soon as we arrived we picked up our hired bikes and off we went. Neither of us had been on bikes in years unless you count the ones in the gym! so it felt weird at first but didn't take long to get back in the swing of it and it wasn't long before I was taking photo selfies (standard!) of us both whilst cycling along! We had no actual plan of where we were heading but just saw a track and headed off in that direction on our (in great need of repair) bicycles. Antoni's bike definitely wasn't big enough for him!
We went past a few awesome beaches and the barracks where we took some random photos. We took a route along some old train tracks and found some lovely views across the island and the sea.
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We went past a few awesome beaches and the barracks where we took some random photos. We took a route along some old train tracks and found some lovely views across the island and the sea.
After cycling up and down hills for a few hours we headed back towards the main beach to enjoy our lunch when a seagull nearly stole our sandwiches! Naughty seagull-thankfully we were quick enough to save them! There were also some huge Pelicans on the beach - they don't like you much when you try to stroke them or try to get pictures with them! ;)
It had turned into a really sunny day given the rain we experienced that morning and we were pretty hot with the cycling so changed into shorts and put sun cream on - this was definitely a bad omen for later because not long after the gorgeous sunshine we'd had for the whole day it suddenly went overcast! After lunch we headed the other way to the other side of the island where we saw Quokkas (a cross between a kangaroo and a rat) which are only known to inhabit Rottnest Island.
We went to a few different beaches, spotted a lighthouse and took lots of pictures.
It had turned into a really sunny day given the rain we experienced that morning and we were pretty hot with the cycling so changed into shorts and put sun cream on - this was definitely a bad omen for later because not long after the gorgeous sunshine we'd had for the whole day it suddenly went overcast! After lunch we headed the other way to the other side of the island where we saw Quokkas (a cross between a kangaroo and a rat) which are only known to inhabit Rottnest Island.
We went to a few different beaches, spotted a lighthouse and took lots of pictures.
Although it was raining quite heavy we were now back on our boat heading back from the island to the mainland and there was the most amazing, full, complete rainbow - the best we've ever encountered - the colours really intense.
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After getting off the boat we nipped into the 'Lucky Shag Bar' for a quick refreshment overlooking the Swan River.
We walked up through the CBD, had a look in a few shops but as they all close at 17:00 we went to get the train back to Bassendean. On returning back to the house we just chilled out, Suzanne and Carol chatted for a bit whilst Antoni went for a power nap - all that fresh sea air (not to mention the cycling) took it out of us.
We walked up through the CBD, had a look in a few shops but as they all close at 17:00 we went to get the train back to Bassendean. On returning back to the house we just chilled out, Suzanne and Carol chatted for a bit whilst Antoni went for a power nap - all that fresh sea air (not to mention the cycling) took it out of us.
For the evening Suzanne and Padraic had made plans for us to go for an Italian at a place for dinner called 'Ciao Italian' with their friend Sheldon (if you're visiting Perth it's a must). We had both our standard favourite of lasagna (which was the size of a house brick!) and the others' food looked and tasted really nice. We all shared the classic Tiramisu for dessert - so full!
After dinner we went to see the view of Perth CBD by night from Sir James Mitchell park in South Perth over the Swan River - amazing CBD viewpoint!
After dinner we went to see the view of Perth CBD by night from Sir James Mitchell park in South Perth over the Swan River - amazing CBD viewpoint!
The following day (Friday 25/07/2014) we both had a well needed lie in and spent some time chilling out a little. We'd not stopped on our travels so far! We spent time backing up our photos using Suzanne and Padraic's computer. It was good looking through all our photos so far - we've done so much already and we're having a great time. We also received an email from Marek (Antoni's younger brother) with a link to his professional wedding photos so we both enjoyed looking through them and reminiscing about Marek and Taryns' fabulous wedding day we attended just before we left. We also finished writing the Dubai blog and posted it along with some pictures - it was a difficult to choose a select few pictures as we've so many good ones but can't post them all.
Antoni and I then decided to jump on the train into the nearby town of Freemantle, or 'Freo' as people seem to call it, to have a 'walk about' (Aussie lingo creeping in there). We headed to the Freemantle Market to look at all the random stuff there - we discovered that Freemantle is a quite a quirky / hippy kind of place. The heavens had opened once again, this time it was pretty heavy so we found a place called 'Dolce Vita' selling waffles ........ you know what's coming next ....... we shared waffles and ice cream and ................. had a cup of tea ;)
We sat and watched the rain for a while (remembering the Manchester weather) and wrote some of the notes for this blog. We headed to 'Coles' (which is the equivalent of a Tesco back at home) to check out the Aussie food. We found a section called Manchester which is apparently bedding and towels etc. What's that about? Antoni thinks has something to do with Manchester historically previously being a place of textiles. We basically found pretty much everything we have at home! We bought a couple of bits then headed to find a bar and ended up in a place called the National Hotel bar on the high street (it looked pretty busy in comparison to the rest and had live music) where we sat on the outside balcony (only seats available) with the patio heaters keeping warm watching the rain. Suzanne and Padraic met us there a little later once they were back from work and we had a beer and cider or two. They'd had a power cut at the house while we were out so they had to get ready by candlelight! - they thought it was due to someone crashing into a nearby telegraph pole due to the poor weather and Aussies not knowing how to drive when the road gets wet!
After a couple of drinks there we decided to go for some dinner and afterwards Padraic took us in the car around the city for a bit of a night tour and we went to River Vale, the Sticks and Kings Park where we got out and saw the view of Perth CBD from above. We then went down by the Esplanade before returning home, unfortunately there was no power still so we went to bed by candlelight .......... romantic ;)
The next morning (Saturday 26/07/2014) the power was still out - it made us all realise how much we rely on power and technology these days. We were using our battery pack to charge our phones. Luckily we still had hot water so was able to have warm showers!
As Padraic was helping a friend move house, we went out for the day with Suzanne, we went for a drive around Guildford first and ended up in Morley - the rain was relentless so we visited a shopping centre and had breakfast / brunch at a place called 'Dome'.
Suzanne took us through to the Swan Valley to start a wine tasting tour - great shout by Suzanne! Our first stop was 'Houghton' vineyard in the Swan Valley where Suzanne and Padraic's friend Sheldon (the guy we went to dinner with) normally works. The vineyards here were huge and we got to sample some wine and look at the artwork. 'Oakover wines' vineyard was our next visit where we had more wine and as many samples as we wanted. We then continued on to 'Jarrah Ridge' winery where we tasted more wine, olives and cheeses which tasted great combined with the wine. Here we saw some amazing brightly coloured parrots just chilling in the vines.
We then stopped at a honey place and tried lots of honey followed by 'Mondo Nougat - World of Nougat'. Next stop was 'Providore' where we tried some amazing mango and passion fruit jams then right next door was the 'Margaret River Chocolate Co.' Factory where we got lots of free samples of chocolate Mmmmmmmmm. Our last stop was 'Sandalford Wines' where we made it just in time for our final wine tasting.
We then stopped at a honey place and tried lots of honey followed by 'Mondo Nougat - World of Nougat'. Next stop was 'Providore' where we tried some amazing mango and passion fruit jams then right next door was the 'Margaret River Chocolate Co.' Factory where we got lots of free samples of chocolate Mmmmmmmmm. Our last stop was 'Sandalford Wines' where we made it just in time for our final wine tasting.
If you remember from our Singapore blog (previously) the boys found some terrible jackets they very kindly modelled ......... well, here we actually saw someone wearing one of them! Perfect non discreet photo opportunity! ;) Antoni also nearly convinced a chauffeur into letting him drive his stretch limousine just outside here - I think the driver thought Antoni was joking until he got in and then I think the chauffeur panicked a little ;)
Upon our return home the power was back so we chilled out and Suzanne cooked us an amazing Shepherds pie. After dinner we headed out to the Casino and had a look around. It was such a popular place to go for a Saturday night out - the place was packed! We all just took in the atmosphere and watched people lose - we were tempted to have a flutter but decided to spend our money at the bar :) We walked around this amazing complex enjoying a few beverages before meeting with Sheldon ............... it ended up being quite a late night.
The following day (Sunday 27/07/2014) Suzanne was in work but Padriac had planned to take us out for the day. He popped out to pick up some stuff to cook breakfast but the shops don't open until later on a Sunday so he picked up some breakfast sandwiches from the bakery instead - what a guy - legend - thank you!
After breakfast Padraic drove to Cottoslow Beach. On the way we went past Ascot race course, the Crown Casino we went to last night and the Italian from the night before (Ciao Italia) Gloucester park and the WACA Cricket ground. Once we arrived at Cottoslow Beach it was really sunny but as we walked along the breakwater it started raining a little - as soon as Carol went back to the car to grab her waterproof the sun came out again! (N.B. when you next see Carol if she's wearing shorts etc - bring your coat and umbrella but if she's wrapped up from head to toe - you can bring your shorts).
As the sun decided to come out again we decided as we were by the beach it would be wrong to not get an ice cream so we indulged - it'd be rude not to right!?! We headed back to the beach a little further up and watched the surfers and kite surfers. We went past Lake Claremont and through into Kings Park and Botanic gardens to have a look about the synergy parkland and go over the Boodja Gnaring tree top city walk. We saw some amazing views of Perth and it's skyline from here especially with the appearance again of some gorgeous sunshine.
We then stopped on Kings street and saw there was a penthouse apartment for sale overlooking the Swan River ONLY $3million dollars - bargain - we did contemplate it for a minute but we wanted one each and there was only the one for sale so we didn't pursue this any further ;)
Just down from there was the boat house - apparently one of the most photographed places in Perth. This blue boat house is one of Perth / Western Australia's icons sitting at the foot of Kings Park on the Swan River.
Heading home we went through Mount Lawley - there are some beautiful properties here. Once back and whilst we were researching the next leg of our trip Padraic cooked us up a steak dinner on the BBQ - a proper Aussie style Sunday dinner on the Barbie! This was washed down by a lovely glass of red wine from Houghton Winery that we had visited with Suzanne.
Following dinner and lots of chatting we eventually booked our accommodation for our two night stay in Adelaide along with a camper-van to pick up on the Wednesday (30/07/14) to take to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. (can't wait!) We spent the last part of the night chilling with Suzanne and Padraic before heading to pack the rest of our stuff followed by bed .........
We were up early doors (Monday 28/07/2014) had a quick shower and sorted out a few last bits before Padraic took us to airport on his way to work (thanks again!) for the next leg of our trip ....... our flight to Adelaide.
There was minimal security at Perth airport domestics terminal which we were surprised about - we were even allowed to take bottles of drink or water through unlike in the UK and most other airports we've been through - we only realised this after we both downed our 600ml bottles of drink though! Our flight was delayed by 20 mins so it gave us a little bit more time to chill and write some of this blog!
Another big THANK YOU to both Suzanne and Padraic for being so accommodating and showing us Perth/Western Australia! It's been a fab few days and we really appreciate your generosity and for opening up your home to us and showing us what WA is all about! We definitely wouldn't have seen half of the things we did if it wasn't for you guys ............ Thanks again! We hope to see you guys again soon, take care Xx
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