Onward!

And then we were off to Perth. More Flickr photos are now up!

Perth was the first of our "Family Stops". Alex's step-sister Sarah (who I'd met before) lives there with her husband and two girls (none of whom I'd met). Lovely folks, one and all, and their house (which is actually in Fremantle, about 20km away from Perth itself) is great. The lounge has a massive peaked roof with floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to the yard area. The house really revolves around this massive old tree that dominates the property: what I might describe in a slightly romantic manner as its heart. In addition to Sarah and family, Alex's mum and step-father were in town having visited for Christmas. A proper family reunion!


I should also mention that the flight from Hong Kong to Perth was the absolute worst flight of the holiday. Turbulence the whole bloody trip. Seriously, we had maybe an hour and a half of calm air the entire time. So another lost night of sleep for Andrew. In fact, I had to crash out for a few hours after we arrived just to feel human again. And for "feel human", read "less inclined to rip the head from anyone who dared cross me". No kidding, I'm like Dr Salmond and Mr Fuckyouasswipe.

Anyway, Fremantle is a lovely town. Like all places in the area it's a little on the drought-stricken side. Serious water restrictions and brown verges as far as the eye can see. We had just missed a heatwave actually, so things had settled down to a pleasant 35 or so. My first holiday realisation (of many) that I'm just not equipped for the heat. But it has a good character, feeling like a town in it's own right rather than just suburban sprawl. Nice cafe culture going on, plus lots of bars and restaurants. Plenty of good beaches nearby as well. On the whole, recommended.


Would that I could say the same for Perth! Sorry Perth-ites, but as much as I appreciate your surrounds, the city itself is a big snore. Oh sure, the public transport is free. Free to carry you from one boring shopping mall to the next boring shopping mall down the boring roads, perhaps jumping off to take a drink in one of the boring pubs. No heart, no soul, no character. Arguments to the contrary can be written on the postcard and sent with the half a pack of no-doze you would need to stay awake an entire day in the place. Pass.


Fremantle was nice though!