Finding Fremantle

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Geo: -32.0531, 115.746

We left Adelaide yesterday and flew to Perth. Fortunately we were able to use our points to upgrade to Business so were in 1A and 1C. Had a very nice lunch on board with good wines and attentive service. Going back 2 and a half hours meant that we arrived before we left! We got a taxi from the airport to Freo. We had looked at other options but costs were similar and the convenience of not having to haul luggage on and off trains made this the better option.

The Esplanade Hotel is an older style place recently bought and done up by Rydges. It is conveniently located and comfortable though the air conditioning in our room was not very efficient. After checking in we went for a walk, even though the temperature was hovering in the high 30s. I love the fact that Freo, unlike Perth, has retained its heritage and there are some great old buildings still standing. The only other time I had been here we had gone to the Maritime Museum, but this time we strolled along Market St and checked out the shops, buying a couple of needed items along the way.

Very warm we returned to the hotel around 4pm and had a much needed G & T in the lounge. Then we relaxed in our room, watching the BBL on TV. It starts at 4-30pm here.

We left the hotel again about 6-30pm and walked up Essex St finding Nunzio;s Restauraant which I had checked out on Trip Advisor. It had excellent reviews so we decided to hav a good meal there. It was already booked out but there was a table on the verandah so we took that. This proved to be a good choice as we could watch the passing parade and there was a nice breeze. The food was fantastic. We both started with scallops in a puff pastry case which were delicious, then I had Veal while Fletcher opted for the Risotto, Seafood of course. A very crisp Shaw and Smith Sauv Blanc washed it down well. It was the best meal since our lunch in Papeete. Of course it came at a price but everything here is much more expensive than Adelaide.

This morning we walked up to the main street for breakfast at the Fremantle Bakehouse and then had another walk. This took us past the Markets and Fremantle Oval to the old prison. This has been made a World Heritage site as it was built by convicts in the 1850s. We spent some time looking round the courtyard but didn't pay to go in.

Back at the hotel we had to wait for about an hour and then we went to the Terminal by taxi. Our luggage was taken quickly but we had to wait for over two hours until our number was called and we could get our Cruise Card. Far too long. Eventually, about 3-15pm we made it onto the ship and found our cabin, Deck 10 Cabin B723. Our bags were there so we unpacked. The ship was two hours late in leaving but we went onto Deck 12 to watch the Sail Away about 6pm.

We were on our way at last.

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