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Published: January 9th 2007
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After leaving the drunken debauchery of the East Coast behind, I flew over the great expanse of the red centre, finding myself 5 hours later after falling victim to an outburst of air rage in sunny Perth, Western Australia to be welcomed at the airport by a sign "Neil, Welcome to Perth," oh and my two friends, Una and Amelia! My Australian Christmas Adventure began....
I spent the first week of my stay with the Fitzhardinge's in Como, South Perth. Unfortunately, I picked up an eye infection en route to Perth, so sightseeing took on a whole new meaning! Amelia, however, very kindly took me (with only one eye open) on a whistle stop tour of the city allowing me to get my bearings and settle into my new surroundings. That evening, found us at the Ernst & Young Office Christmas Party in Subiaco (don't suppose many backpackers can lay claim to that) before heading down to the OBH (Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe) for some fun in the evening sun.
The lead up to Christmas saw us enjoying a few drinks and dinner at the famous Little Creatures Brewery in Freemantle (or Freo as the locals like to call
it). Didn't think it appropriate to leave the brewery without sampling all three of its beers - the Pale Ale was pretty good, the Pilsner not too bad but the top spot goes to the new kid on the block, the Bright Ale. It comes highly recommended.
Christmas Eve saw us down at the Leftbank in Freo, for a "super" sunday sesh (something of a Sunday tradition in Perth). This was no ordinary sunday session though as Santa came to visit with his scantily clad elves and treated us all too a dance ... extravaganza?!? In the evening, Una's family very kindly invited me along to dinner in North Bridge and a fantastic Chinese meal was enjoyed by all.
Christmas Day was kick started by an enjoyable run along the Swan River bank before returning to Amelia's house to spend Christmas morning with her family. After opening our presents and enjoying a crepe and fresh fruit breakfast, we headed down to Cottesloe Beach for Champagne and Strawberries. I then headed across the city to Morley to have Christmas lunch with my family friends, Willie & Karen et al. A BBQ was a very welcome alternative to the usual
'turkey and all its trimmings.' A few drinks later (including two very welcome Morgans & Coke brought all the way from Scotland), it was to Una's house I went to wish her family a merry christmas. Finally, it was to Amelia's aunt's house for some further Christmas Celebrations in the form of a garden party, with a live band (her cousins) thrown in for good measure. I did end up 'slightly' drunk but that's always a good sign of a successful Christmas Day! I did 'admire' the bathroom, which I believe has featured in 'House and Garden' no less!
Boxing Day was a day to recover, relax and enjoy the Australian sunshine down by the pool. We did make it down to the beach to take Essy, the dog, for a walk. Some of Amelia's family came round for dinner that evening, and a fantastic meal was enjoyed, particularly the home-made Ice Cream Cake.
In between Christmas and New Year, I enjoyed a day out on Amelia's cousin's boat taking in the crystal clear waters surrounding Rottnest Island. Here we enjoyed a day of snorkelling and, of course, the sunshine! I went to another aussie BBQ but this
Christmas Day, 25.12.06
Cottesloe Beach - Champagne, Strawberries, Sun, Sea and Sand! time it was fancy dress so Amelia, Una and I thought it appropriate to dress up as "Canada" given that is where we met! I also went back to Morley to spend the night with my family friend's and enjoyed playing with their granddaughter, McKenzie and their dog, Bonnie. I also enjoyed a night out at the infamous 'Clubba' in Claremont ... think Garibaldi's (for those of you in Edinburgh or those that have had the pleasure) on a grander scale! By 3am, we were the only 'losers' left in the place and we were thrown out! I also moved house, to Una's family home in the suburb of NEDlands...a far cry from the meaning many Scots would attach to it. There were no burbery clad youths hanging around these street corners.
And that bring's me to New Year's Eve (I did try and educate the aussies into the use of Hogmanay but without much success)...
We kicked started the evening with dinner and drink's at Una's house before heading down to Cottesloe to catch the sunsetting on 2006. We brought the New Year in at The Cott, a hotel overlooking the beach, and good fun was had
Christmas Day, 25.12.06
Cottesloe Beach - Champagne, Strawberries, Sun, Sea and Sand! by all! After the 'bells' we headed down to the beach where we chilled out and enjoyed the stiff sea breeze.
New Year's Day was again a day to chill out and relax by the pool before attending another BBQ at night.
Una's parents kindly treated us to a gorgeous meal at Fraser's, a restaurant in King's Park overlooking Perth's skyline.
On the 4th January, a crowd of us headed down the coast (or "down south" as the locals say) to the Margaret River region. Here we stayed in a house, "Bonnie Doon" (note the reference to perhaps Australia's most famous movie, "The Castle") in Prevelly Park and the good times rolled...It really was all about the serenity and the vibe!
Our first night turned into an impromptu cocktail party with requests for Mojitos all round.
Our first full day saw us take in a couple of wineries, Brookland Valley & Woody Nook, picking up a few bottles to enjoy later in the day. We also visited the cheese factory to pick up some cheese, funnily enough, to complement the wine we had already purchased. We had a fantastic lunch at the Bootleg Brewery before
returning to our house to kick-start our cheese & wine night!
The highlight of my time 'down south' was most definitely the Southbound Music Festival in Bussleton. Here, we enjoyed a day of fantastic music in the glorious Australian sun. Matt Costa, Blue King Brown, Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio were all brilliant but the show was most definitely stolen by Michael Franti and Basement Jaxx.
Our last day in Prevelly was spent chiling out on the beach before enjoying fish & chips 'near' the beach whilst watching the sunset and of course this was all washed down by a couple of glasses of Margaret River's finest wines and a glass or two of 'Nooky Delight' Port!
The trip 'down south' was fantastic so thanks to all that made it so special:
Una-Marie "Greggs is a bakery not a sandwich shop" Lim
Amelia "their house is a size of a boat" Fitzhardinge
Alana "you cheeky little monkey" Ravi
Sam "let's just be silent friends" Kenny
Tasha "I swear that Kangaroo was staring right at me" Liddell
Anita "Una I like all your friends, but one in particular" Calalesina...my fellow nocturnal possum!?
And special guests...Matt, Zoe
Christmas Day
Cottesloe Beach and Paul.
The following day we returned safely to Perth which is where I am now, preparing myself for the next leg of my journey. I fly to Singapore tomorrow for an 8 week South East Asian Adventure with the Tip Town girls in tow! Bring it on....
But before I leave Perth, I would like to thank both Amelia and Una and their families for all their kindness and warm hospitality. I have had a great stay in Perth and thanks for making it such a success.
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NJWS
Neil Sargent
Beats the weather back home
The sunset looked really beautiful - think it must have been quite magical. Hope the new year brings you all you wish for yourself and a safe return home. Your missed.