Perth

Perth

Saying goodbye to SE Asia was hard the great people I had met the cheap booze, great weather, crystal waters etc. My first port of call in Australia was Perth which is the largest city in the state of Western Australia (WA).

In brief WA is massive!! It would be the worlds 10th largest country if it stood on its own and with a population of only 1.8 million people it was certainly different vibe from the busy and bustling streets of Hanoi, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Upon my arrival the first thing I noticed was the cold and rain!!! Yes RAIN!!! Instantly feeling disappointed I had to really work at Perth before I started to enjoy the place. My first four nights I stayed in the CBD. The hostel was full of FIFO workers from the gold mines of which WA is famous for.... This made meeting like minded individuals hard but I did find a few drinking partners from the UK both on there one week break from the mine.

I then spent my remaining time in Perth in Mindarie at a family friends home who offered to put me up! This was brilliant...home cooked food, great bed, free use of the washing machine and fabric conditioner (by now most of my clothes are pretty shabby)!!  But best of all home made Staffordshire Oatcakes with a full English Breakfast amazing!! Once again a big thank you to Simon and Jane for your hospitality!

Daytime:

With the use of a car (thanks simon) I drove both to the North and South of Perth and explored its huge open beaches such as Cottesloe, Scaraborough and Mullaloo. All of these beaches are accessible from the Ocean Reef Highway.

I also explored Freemantle and visited the prison which was built by convicts and then used as high security prison right up to 1991. The prison was closed due to its lack of running water and wait for it... Foul drainage system. Prisoners had to "slop out" their toilet buckets into drains in the exercise yard which up until the early 1970s had no cover from the 40 degree heat whatsoever. It also performed executions by hanging. The tour was really good and very informative.

Saturday I visited whiteman park with simon and his family. I walked through the kangaroo enclosure and even managed to feed some before before looking other native animals along with a sheep shearing show which was actually really good and funny!

I even managed to squeeze in a game of golf although I wasn't up to much the municipal course was fantastic and complete with resident kangaroos and parakeets. Check out the video what a great swing!!!

I spent one Sunday watching the Western Force play the Waratahs at the Nib Stadium obviously complete with numerous beers. Thanks joe for your company!!

Nightime:

Most nights in Perth for me centered around the Northbridge area. The bars were not packed and the vibe was quite chilled the pick of the places had to be The Shed and Mustangs both sort of western themes places but rammed full of students. A good Irish pub was  also visited after watching my first live basketball game; Australia v China at the Perth Arena. Thanks again Simon for the tickets.

I had the pleasure of watching the Lions smash the Western Force at the Subiaco oval (most of the aussies left after 70mins ahhahaha) which was followed perfectly by a curry... Awesome.

Overall Perth was a massive shock to the system at first but Australia is a much more civilised country than any of the others I have previously traveled. I have basically been holidaying for the last two months and Australia is like the UK but with sun (in my opinion) therefore making my traveling experience of Aus more real life because SE Asia was just mental. I can 100% see why people move to Aus... Massive open beaches and parks great weather and I can't wait to start exploring the east coast and watching more lions games.

Peace and love pics FYI

Jack.