Ok, so after nearly a 4 month break we are now well and truly back on the road. most of our time spent in Perth has been working, hence the absence of any blogs. Not that we write loads anyway, but at least this time we had an excuse.
Despite spending most of the time working, we did do a few blog-worthy things while in WA (it would be a shame not to given its the size of Western Europe). Before we got jobs we took a little road trip down to the south west of the state. In four days we managed to cover Albany (and old fishing town, not much going on there. Free cake in the hostel though so its got something going for it), Denmark (nothing at all there, except, apparently, the World's Biggest Barometer), Walpole (home of a big national park with Tree-top walkway and guide with moustache, who, when asked by a child, struggled to explain why he had one), Pemberton (where there is a big tree which you can climb), and finally (for the first day at least), Margaret River (where there is wine, lots and lots of wine). Also at Margaret river
there are some caves and a chocolate company which goes by the name of Margaret River Chocolate Company (very inventive), which has some very good chocolate, as can be attested by Neil's uncle who lives in Perth and is a regular patron of their other branch nearer to Perth. The next day, after sampling a few more wines (but not the driver mind), we headed to Bunury (where dolphins are supposed to make a daily appearance, but didn't this time), and Bussleton (where the second longest wooden pier in the world lives).
After our trip to the south we made a few day trips to other areas around Perth. Rottnest Island (where the Quokkas live and where good snorkelling can be done), Yanchep National Park (where Kangaroos come out to watch you cook their relatives on the barbie), and the Swan Valley (where, like Margaret River, lots of wine free can be drunk, and lots of free chocolate can be eaten. In fact, for some, so much free chocolate can be eaten that you might throw up).
As well as around Perth, there were some quite cool things to do in Perth. Obviously, the beaches for one are
amazing, probably better than the east coast ones, especially when you get the sun setting into the Indian ocean. Then there is Kings Park (apparently the World's largest city centre park), at which we watched moonlight cinema. Also, while we were in Perth, the Perth International Arts Festival was on, and with us being very cultured types we had to attend at least one show. So we chose "Laurence Leung Learns to Breakdance", not particularly arty, but very funny.
After all this excitement, and the excitement (and extravagant spending) of the past 6 months, it was time to settle down and get jobs, a very easy task in Perth, both of us getting jobs within days of starting to apply. Skip forward three months (ignoring a few nights out, an Aussie Rules game, lots of bank holiday weekends and a wedding) and we were once again back on the road.
This time heading north from Perth in the direction of Exmouth and the biggest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark. This was five days away though and we had to get through a few other places of interest first (for some of which the term 'of interest'
is tenuously applied). This time, rather than hiring a car as we had done to go down south, we opted for an all inclusive bus tour so as to meet other traveller types and not have to drive for 7 days solid.
On the first day we went to "The Pinnacles" (which are large rock formations, apparently caused by tides and erosion and geology type stuff), lots of fun can be had here trying to find ones that look like animals. After this we stopped for lunch at a wildlife park where we fed Kangaroos, Camels and goats, we also got to play with a snake and hold a joey. Day 2 was spent mostly at Kalbarri National Park where there is a gorge and many interesting rock formations (which were more interesting than they sound, honest). In the evening we arrived a Monkey Mia, where, like Bunbury, Dolphins are supposed to appear daily. The next moring we rose before dawn in anticipation, and this time we were graced with their presence, Rosie even having the opportunity to feed one of them. After spending a few hours with the dolphins we hit the road, this time in the direction
of Coral Bay, before we got there we saw the most exciting thing on this tour (an possibly on any tour), Stromatolites!!! What are they you might ask? Only the oldest living thing on Earth, responsibe for all other life, and looking exactly like some rocks in the water. At Coral Bay the girls went for a night time swim in the sea, whilst the boys stayed at the bar. The girls soon returned however, after being scared by a "massive" splash which was most probably a Great White Shark, or a cod. The next day we all went snorkelling and saw a turtle, and a stingray as well as some other brightly coloured fishies. Later that day we travelled up to Exmouth, only a couple of hours away. Here we had a quiet night and attempted to play ring of fire. A complicated enough game at the best of times, but when you throw in 7 nationalities it becomes near enough impossible. Much to the amusement of us, particularly amusing was the anger it caused the Canadian in the Group, who obviously takes his drinking games seriously. Day 5 of the tour was our Whale shark watching day, after
a lot of nerves in the morning about not seeing any (which would have been annoying after paying a lot of money for the trip), we were lucky enough to see four different ones and swim with each of them many times. Seeing these creatures was definitely worth the money and is thoroughly reccomended to anyone else thinking of seeing them. Day 6 was the start of our return journey to Perth and consisted of mainly driving (or for us, sleeping in the bus), that night we stayed on a farm and experienced the outdoors. Our final day was the one of the highlights of the tour, we got to meet H.R.H Prince Leonard of Hutt River Province and his wife Princess Shirley. The tour was finished off with a spot of sandboarding, followed by a swim in the ocean. A great way to finish off a great tour and a great State.
Next stop Alice Springs swiftly followed by Queensland.
more soon (ish)
Neil and Rosie
xx
p.s. Pictures of Whale Sharks are on a different camera and will be added shortly
QuokkaMarsupials, a bit like small wallabies. The first settlers thought they were big rats, hence the name of the island.
AFLFreemantle Dockers vs. Geelong on Anzac Day
Australia's Flag
Map of Australia