Rottnest Island.

One of the places I wanted to go while in Perth was Rottnest Island. I had read about it and seen the white beach-ed, bikini-clad pictures that offered adventurous bike rides and days filled with sunshine. It was the reason I met my first friend in Perth. But, even though there were many promises of trips,  summer came and went while I was at the winery, the price for a day trip seemed exuberant, I was waiting for a friend to go with me, and so, it never happened. Until mum came. And mum, of all people, who suffers from terrible bouts of motion sickness was the one to suggest it. Five days was enough to spend in and see all of Perth, so we needed an excursion. The weather had been spring-like and we booked our ticket for Tuesday, which as it turned out was the cheapest day of the week. We included the bikes in the deal and it didn't even cross my mind that the trip across could possibly be bumpy or bad. Mum, on the other hand, was nervous. And as it turned out, rightfully so.
The boat sprang into the air at every oncoming wave as the wind blew towards us. The boat lurched and swayed and rocked back and forth. The white foam of the sea splashed against the windows. If we had been in an airplane and such motions were being caused from turbulence, everyone would have been screaming. But, I suppose in some way, the proximity to the water was somewhat comforting. Except for mum whose white knuckles held onto the seat which barely contained her as she slid further and further down, trying desperately to find a comfortable position. Looking out the window was nauseating, closing your eyes was even worse, and staring straight ahead at the cheerful-welcoming yet vomit-inducing video on the tv showed all sorts of maritime-themed culinary prospects once set foot on the island. I felt horrible, but knew nothing I could say or do would make mum feel better. I thought of possible ways to get a helicopter back to the mainland and forced myself into believing the way back would be better because the wind would be propelling us in the same direction therefore shooing us faster across the way.

Perth in the distance

  We eventually docked on Rottnest Island, obviously, and followed what we thought were the right directions around the island. However, every way we went, the wind seemed to be blowing against us, making the physical exertion quite difficult, especially because the island is in no way flat. It was pretty though, and very quiet as though we had the island to ourselves - maybe because we went the wrong way? - but I would imagine it to be a completely different experience in the summertime.

We were not the fittest of visitors. We stopped every so often to "enjoy" the view, aka catch our breath and sit down. Mum to be fair wasn't feeling well from the trecherous boat trip over here so I took my time to capture some scenic shots. 

We saw a shipwreck. 

Mum was a trooper. But I wouldn't dare suggest anything that involved a boat or a bike again. At least for the rest of this trip! 

 Any beach to yourself. I think there are 160 beaches on the entire island. 

 Pretty blues and greens everywhere.

 Eventually the road came to a four way stop. We could have gone left or straight which was a loop road that brought you closer to the corner of the island's coast. But we went right which brought us inland and back to the dock.

Rottnest, as it is known in Dutch is Rat's Nest. When the explorers first came to the island they found little creatures that looked like rats, hence the name. These little creatures aren't rats, but are quokkas. As I was taking pictures of the wild forrest, mum of course spotted the little furry creatures. I have been known to go to Monkey Mia and see no dolphins, to go to Penguin Island and see no penguins, so I for sure was not looking to have any luck seeing quokkas on Rottnest Island. Hurray for mum! 

 Funny little things. 

Despite the ride over, seeing these guys made the trip worthwhile!

 We stopped along the way to have our picnic lunch on our own private beach. 

The island is 11 kilometres long and 4.5 kilometres at its widest. I think we must've rode a loop of about 8 kilometres, although there was more to the island we didn't see. But, bike riding is exhausting!! 

 The boat, waiting to take us back to the mainland, is a sign of heaven or hell. I'm not sure.

Perth in the distance, with a large rain cloud over it. Apparently, it never rains on Rottnest Island. 

 While we waited for the boat's departure, I ran over to check out the light house.

 And on the way back, I saw this little guy! He was just standing outside one of the guest houses as two men walked outside and right by him and he didn't even flinch.

 And then we spotted the massive tail of a whale coming to shore....

 Back on the ferry, all smiles, the 18 kilometres back wasn't smooth sailing, but wasn't so bad. 

 Even if mum may not come back to Perth again, she most definitely won't be going back to Rotto!

 On our way back from Freo, we stopped by Cottesloe Beach since it was actually a nice day and we could see Rottnest in the distance.

 Happy to be back in Perth....

 ....but it was my last day, and we left the next morning.

This was the sight of my first full day in Western Australia, and my last. 

Bye Bye Perth. 

When in Perth....

...go to Efe's 

 order a pizza. order a kebab. order a drink. it's the place to be late night when every other place is closed. order another pizza to go. just don't throw leftover food in his face. 

(ps these are two rare pictures: one is efe's in the day time, closed. the second is sober and empty.)

Perth Highlights

I was so excited that mum was coming to Perth. The last couple weeks, and up to the very last days, I was taking mental notes of places I wanted to show her in order to paint a picture of what my life was like in this little city so far away from home, so far away from anywhere. I was desperate for her to see what I so much liked about it and had written about it's potential and why I had stayed there probably longer than I should have. But at the same time, while showing her around all my favourite and local spots, it was for me, a bit of closure as we went around as she said hello, and I said goodbye. 

We went to Beaufort Street Merchant for breakfast - a typical Aussie toastie with avo

We walked (of course walked) to downtown Perth to where all the art museums are.

Remember making these?? 

Stopped by the open air theatre outside the state library and had a drink at my favourite Pica Bar, just to the left here.

HAD to show mum The Cure, the infamous Irish pub.

Downtown Northbridge.

London Court. 

Showed her my favourite secret in Perth - where I found Wally.

And of course to the one tourist sight...The Swan Bell Towers. 

Downtown Perth....it's pretty.

The English clock.

Palm trees along the water....

...just make everyone happy.

I do like Perth.

The Swan River. The Swan Bell Towers. 

LEN!?

Urban Paradise.

By the train station, the Urban Garden.

Olive Tree. "you could survive the Hunger Games."

Recycle-able. 

so many different architectural sights. 

just look up. and around. 

my most and least"favourite" morning sight. 

Mum just had to capture what my commute looks like. Usually I'm not smiling... :)

Aussie pride on the way to King's Park.

Looking back on Swan Bells along the river. 

Walking up to Kings Park.

The view of the city from up Mt Eliza. 

mum :)

Even though mum kept saying, "but it's just so far away" I think she did actually like Perth and I am so glad that she did. I was ready to leave and see what else Australia had to offer. After all, everyone always wondered why I liked Perth so much, so I had to see what the rest was like!

I'll miss you Perth. maybe. 

The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.

DUNE, FRANK HERBERT

Mum, meet Fremantle

What do you do when you have your first visitor?? 

Unfortunately, I had to work a double shift the Friday that Mum arrived in August. I wasn't very happy about it and asked for the lunch shift off to meet her at the airport, but we had a booking for a party of 40 so as a compromise, I had the entire Saturday off. I kept looking out for her the entire day, wondering when she would walk into the restaurant I was working at. I would go over to clear the tables by the bar, taking "extra care" to wipe them down as I stared out the window, inspecting every pedestrian that looked familiar, or more so lost. When she did arrive eventually, I cried. It had been eight months since I last saw her in Ireland and I was given a measly, cruel half-hour break between shifts after she had traveled twenty-eight hours to see me. So, I came back forty-five minutes later and no one said anything. To make up for it, the next day we had the entire day to ourselves and I took mum to Freemantle, or Freo, as she so quickly picked up upon that Western Australians love to add an -o to the end of everything. 

First stop on a Saturday morning: The Fremantle Markets.
First photo: Mum eating.

I thought that mum might not be so impressed with the Fremantle markets after the ones she's seen in New York and around the rest of the world, but she said she liked it. It is a happenin' spot, filled with locals and tourists looking and sorting through the various things for sale - some more unique to Perth than others. Out of all the food stalls offering corn on the cob, sausages in buns, seafood paellas, meat jerky, spun sugar, sushi, and fresh fruits and vegetable samples, we got a donut for our post-breakfast pre-lunch snack. 

It was, as the sign noted, "healthy." cholesterol free, high in antioxidants, low in saturated fats, no trans fat, no GMO's, omega-3's AND 6!!

 The huge donut was sugary-crispy on the outside and moist-doughy on the inside. I'd like to say guilt-free as well, although I'm sure at the bottom of the sign it said "just kidding, you morons, it's a donut."

We wondered throughout he streets of Fremantle, admiring the architecture and stopping to read the little historical signs along the way until we crossed the Esplanade to Little Creatures - the quintessential go-to spot. I took mum here for her first taste of Australia: kangaroo and locally brewed cider. 

Mum loved the trees in Fremantle, especially the Christmasy ones that had their own star on top.

Mum's first view of the Indian Ocean. No feet in...this time.

Downtown Freo. 

"worry is like a rocking chair it keeps you busy but gets you nowhere" Hayden Classen


brisbane, sydney, melbourne...
london? dublin?