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Published: February 1st 2009
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A short entry this time. I've had a relaxing 10 days in Perth doing next to nothing. After 4 months of peering at computer screens, copying numbers and directions into my notebook; buying tickets in a foreign language; booking flights and bus tickets - and I have done all this without making
one mistake with my credit card; reading the guidebook and trying to come up with what to do today... after all of this I am a little tired. Any long journey's going to have these lulls and I can't be adventurous backpacker-man
every day. So once I got here, I'm afraid I slumped into the care of Cameron and his friends and took a rest from it all. I've sunbathed down at Cottisloe beach in Freemantle. I've wandered around central Perth, I've met people for lunch or beers in the evening - but not a lot else. I'm conscious it's a bit of a poor show on my part, and I'm sure Perth has much more to offer. We even went to see Quantum of Solace at the cinema one night. I dislike going to the cinema on holiday as I can do that anytime at home.
But I wanted to pay to be entertained for once, rather than pore over a guidebook thinking up my own.
So I feel I haven't done the place justice - I apologise, Perth. It means I need to come back however, so maybe it isn't a bad thing. I can certainly handle a few more days wine-tasting. I don't think I'll do the Nullabor again; It's better to have done, than to do. I was here for Australia Day though. It is a national holiday and the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet in 1700, raising of the flag and proclamation of British territory. So it was a barbeque at Cameron's with his friends Harvey, Jo and Diane (another Kenny's girl), though we couldn't find any Australians to join us. 'Roo-burgers and lots of drinking of course, with the sideshow of a partial solar eclipse. Then in the evening we went down to James Mitchell Park for fireworks over the city skyline, accompanied by hordes of drunken Aussie kids. Unfortunately there were a few scuffles broken up by the mounted police, so some things never change.
Just before I leave, three questions:
1. Why aren't there
solar panels on the rooftops right across Australia?
2. And is there a beach anywhere that isn't windy? The brochures don't say anything about the wind. I've been walking around looking like something from
Dune there's so much sand getting blown around. I think its because the heat inland rises so much it creates a pressure drop, which pulls in a strong breeze from the sea. Cameron said it was windier in the afternoons than mornings. This happened at Bondi and Manly beaches in Sydney as well, so its not just Perth.
Fate Amenable to Change
3rd question. I'm up to the bit of the trip where I have a decision to make - I'm just off to KL in Malaysia, but after that I can't decide where to go next. So I've picked up the South East Asia guidebook and have decided to throw it open to a vote. I have 3 possible destinations: Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. I'd rather visit one country for 2 weeks than do all three too quickly. So if anyone has a preference, please hit the blue 'Add a Comment' button at the top-left of the screen and tell me what
it is - that way you can all see if I've cheated and gone somewhere else. If you're not keen on the idea of your name being up, pick a pseudonym, but if it's not self-explanatory you might need to send a private message as well, since I only want to accept votes from people I know.
I will check the results at midnight (my time) Tuesday night, which will be about 7 hours ahead of GMT so that should be 5pm end of the working day for you Aberdeen people. I'll announce the winner - then whilst in KL I'll try to get a visa if one's required.
Our phone lines are now open...
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Sarah
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go to Cambodia
to see the temple at AngKor Wat. I was dying to go on to there in December when I was over in Hong Kong but stupid work made me come home, so please go for me! sarah x