West Coast Adventures

I feel like I’ve been talking about my trip to Perth for ages! I did book it four months ago, but I can’t believe that it has come and gone in the blink of an eye.

Last summer when I met my first troupe of Aussies in London, I was introduced to Perth. I had honestly never heard of the city until I met my first Aussie friend (who I was visiting this past week), and I’ve always been interested to check out the second most isolated capital city in the world (Honolulu wins that title). In all honesty though, I wasn’t really aiming to hit many tourist-type attractions, more just have a relaxing weekend to catch up and re-group.

Although my flight was delayed thanks to the crazy dust storm up north, I was lucky to get out safely and not really miss any time. I was fortunate enough to stay with my friend, meet some more of his family that I hadn’t met in Melbourne, and just laze around with his best mates. It was not only the AFL Grand Final on Saturday, but Western Australia had a long weekend to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. Everyone was out, the sun was shining, and it was impossible not to have a good time.

Activities included a pub crawl along the coastline, including Hillary’s Boat Harbour and Cottlesloe Beach (Perth’s Bondi), a wander up the DNA staircase in Kings Park and around his neighbourhood Fremantle, and my first Grand Final in the comfort of a former Hawthorn Premiership winner and West Coast coach’s home overlooking the Freo Prision by the water.

We ended the weekend with candy from the Royal Perth Show (my first Bertie Beetle showbag experience, appartently I hadn’t lived before Sunday!) and a bite along the harbour at the Little Creatures Brewery.

I left Perth being dubbed a top bloke by his mates, with a desire to explore more of what WA has to offer (Margaret River, anyone?), and a keen interest to continue what has been nearly 14 months of travel.

Unfortunately, I also left without taking one single photo! I’m absolutely gutted, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re having too much fun to think about your camera. There’s always next trip out, which will hopefully happen before I leave Oz for good.

Although this weekend ultimately left me missing late-night catch-ups with my college friends, it also reminded me that no matter how much I travel and move around, the same people will be there when I get back. I am more anxious than ever to see what else is out there.

Time to plan my next adventure! Where to next?