I arrived Sunday afternoon in time for the Zoo to be closed and my plans dashed. So in desperation for some other fun event I noticed on twitter Matt Preston recommended a food venue to Rove. I think 'why not' and I plug the name of the venue into my phone and off I trot to walk the 7km journey to check out the West End Deli. By the time I reach it, it is 18:35 on a Sunday evening. It closed at 12noon. I turn around and head back to my hotel room. I figure it provided me with a destination when I needed it and allowed me to experience a walking tour of the city. I also spotted the Museum and Art Gallery and noted locations for a lunch time visit.
On my way back I ventured into what I later discovered was Northbridge. Northbridge is the restaurant and club area where the young ones flock to on a Friday night. It's the location of lots of big but mediocre looking restaurants, I haven't seen one that looks posh in all my adventures since I arrived but I could just be looking in the wrong place. Northbridge also has a pool hall. It was outside this pool hall that I was threatened by a lady who seemed to be quite straight and not drug affected until she said "You will pay for what you have done, you and your family!" it was uttered like a curse. Then her and her male friend (accomplice) followed me along the street. When I stopped they stopped, when I crossed the road they crossed. It was quite unnerving. Actually I was scared and it was the first time that I stopped to think that I had no idea if there were areas that were not safe to walk of a night time in this City. I managed to get back to hotel unaccosted (boring I know!) and spent a lazy night in my king size bed.
Monday lunch hour was spent at Perth Museum and the Art Gallery. I didn't have much time so it was just a quick look through. A preferable way to spend a lunch break - I don't know why I don't do it more in Melbourne.
After work I decided to head out to Fremantle. It was about 20 mins on the train from the City. On the train line to Freo all the train stations look modern and clean. I think I perhaps was the only person on the train to think such a thing or be interseted in my surroundings. It is so easy to spot the tourist among the commuters. I had the spark of curiousity, surrounded by people whose souls had been sucked out of their eye sockets by the daily grind.
Fremantle had a lovely laid back relaxed feel to it. Lots of big sandstone buildings and very much a holiday harbour vibe.
A must visit was the Little Creatures Brewery along the pier. It was impressive and set up for atmosphere and fun. I wasn't too keen on the price of beer though. Not sure how the westerners can afford to go out drinking without taking out a personal loan or remortgaging their house. Insane prices!
Tuesday rocks around and another sun shiny day in Perth. For my lunch break I decided to hike up to Kings Park. And it was worth it. I was insanely jealous of all the people laying about in groups relaxing in the sun and portraying the life fantastic of the carefree.
The park contains the War Memorial and Eternal Flame, the Botanical Gardens and a structure called the DNA tower, which I didn't get to because I ran out of time :(
The park is very well looked after and has many lookout points to view the city and surrounds. Also thebest looking grass I have seen in my entire life!
To end my last full working day we had a team dinner at a cafe right on Trigg Beach. This is what greeted me when I arrived. A specatular sunset. My iphone camera does not do it justice, it was simply breathtaking.
I ate chilli prawns and soaked up the view of the Indian Ocean and my last WA sunset for some time.
