From the tranquility of the southafrican westcoast into the vibrating city life of australian Perth - overnight

Tuesday march 18 and Wednesday march 19 are travel days, including a time shift of 6 hours forward. We start early from Oyster Catcher Lodge, after a friendly good by from Sue, our host (whose husband Luc from Bern, Switzerland was absent at that moment).

Without any problems and no traffic jam, as expected, around Capetown, we have a relaxed time in the SAA lounge, starting on time from Capetown, arriving on time in Joburg, landing on time the next day, Wednesday, in Perth. Arriving early afternoon, Australia welcomes us with nice warm weather (30 degree) and vibrant city life. From our nice B & B with the hosts Sandra and Bill, who give us good recommendations for the afternoon, we go on foot to Beaufort Street, with lots of very individual coffees, restaurants, shops, boutiques, wine bars. Many young people from different nations crowd the street, later, after 5 o'clock, business men and women (to be recognized by there formal dresses, very British!) join for an after work drink. Dinner in a beer garden, mini burger, beer, and fries, great! Maximal tired from flight, jet lag and first Aussie impressions we fall into the bed early.

Getting up next morning is extremely difficult, because we couldn't sleep for 2 hours and felt quite fuzzy when coming to breakfast. By tram (extremely well organized!) we go to CBD meaning central business district, stroll down to the exciting Swan river, a huge saltwater river going through the whole city. It reminds us of Hamburg, with the Alster etc. Pretty, pretty!

And then we decide to go on a swan river lunch cruise! A new and funny and exciting experience. We enter a river boat, with us about 40 other people, many couples, most of them at our age, only some little younger, some older or much older. Looks like we represent the average. The crew consists of three young ladies, and off it goes. Stunning views of the city of Perth from the water, good food and wine, and finally, half an hour before return, one of the young ladies starts singing, with playback music, but very good. And then she begins charmingly to invite people to dance. 

The rest of the day we spend in kings park and botanical gardens. That's amazing, as we realize, that everything in Australia is different and big compared to Europe. The trees, the plants, the flowers, and, by the way, also the food portions, a bit like America. Then, following the advice of some funny friendly ladies from the boat, we stay in the park until sun set, which presents us great views of the city, see below.

The day ends, tired and full of new impressions, with pizza and beer.

The next morning we feel totally jet lagged, but we get up and take a tram to

Fremantle, which takes us about half an hour. We notice how fuzzy we are, when Fried notices that he forgot his pullover and when I want to put on my pullover, I recognize that I took my black nightgown instead of the pullover!!! I:) 

In Freemantle, the first settlement on the west coast in 1629?? by Dutch sailors, we decide to go and see the famous prison, established by the British government, some years later. Almost the whole city, the port, bridges and streets were built by convicts. The prison was in use up to 198...? It looks horrifying we think and are happy to leave after some time, having coffee in a stylish coffee shop for young people. 

Oh, before we tried to feel like a real prisoner and his/ her visitor! 

Later we come across a tunnel to the beach, where I found this instrument and played a children's song, but had to disinfect my hands afterwards.

In the afternoon we go to the famous Cottesloe beach, where there is an art exhibition, which was also visited by the one and only Mick Jagger, just the day before. It is called sculptures on the beach.

The day ends with a beautiful sunset again, it is quite warm and we have a wonderful night in a beach restaurant, excellent dinner. We meet interesting people from Sydney and Perth, one of the ladies coming from Denmark. 

We are so sorry that we have to leave so soon, would have loved to stay longer. We just managed to deal with the jet lag. 

On Saturday morning we have to get up early to go to the airport, flying to Melbourne, where we arrive in the late afternoon, as the time shifts for another three hours. So we have dinner and try to sleep again, which is not easy.