Perth - Part 1

The unplanned side trip to Perth came about due to a number of factors. Firstly, Megan's cousin Amanda was about to get married, an event the whole family would reunite for; Megan hadn't been home in almost 3 years; I hadn't been to Australia before and it just so happens, I could get the 3 month visitor visa online instantly; the hostel we were staying at was getting very expensive as we hadn't gotten jobs yet and savings were dwindling fast after our little stint in Bermuda and so it dawned on us... if the cost of the flight to Australia was less than it would cost to live in Vancouver for 3 months and if we could save money on accommodation and food by staying with Megan's parents, then it was a no-brainer. We had to do it!

Here's our journey to the land of Oz....



Inflight Entertainment provided by Singapore Airlines...Best Airline I've been on! Perth, here we come for a surprise visit!!



Nice friendly welcome! 'G'Day Mate' would also have worked.



The patio/garden/carport/garage/poker table/breakfast table/bbq area at Megan's! Just above the trees at the back you can see a pure blue sky, everyday...the weather here makes you happy to be alive...everyday!



Seeing as though no-one knew we were arriving, we thought it best to offer a service in return for food & shelter, need anything painted?



Early one morning, breakfast outside...and there's that pure blue sky I was telling you about, over the fish pond.



One of the more common beers in Perth, a Carlton Midi and not Fosters as the advertisements would have you believe. Another one is Emu, both introduced to me by Megan's Uncle Ron, top bloke!



On our way into Perth City when I spotted the 50th jogger that day...exercising seems very common here, jogging, riding bikes to work, everyone does it. Maybe that's because it doesn't rain for 90% of the year! (cough...UK...cough cough) She's even jogging whilst pushing her baby in the pram infront, thats multi-tasking dedication!



A little snippet of the ride into Perth...note the palm trees and the weather. After Bermuda, and Perth, Miami etc...I've come to believe that any place that can grow palm trees is a nice place to be in my books!



A view out across at Perth city from the South Perth foreshore, just chillin'.



Yet another quality place where you can view the city skyline and have the water lap up onto the beach.



Me and Megan sat on the Jetty looking out at the gorgeous view (see previous pic)



Strictly no moonwalking..anywhere! These signs are everywhere, Michael Jackson must have messed up Perth pretty bad! ;)



Road leading to Kings Park, early morning, with Perth city to your left (as seen below) - breathtaking!



Great spot to soak in the city sights.



Little 360 degree lookout over Perth in Kings Park.



DNA-style tower in Kings Park. Great way to finish off your morning jog. Run to the top and get the view below while you catch your breath. Not that we did the jogging thing first.



Us up the DNA staircase.



Another view out at Perth City from Kings Park.



Mum, you're famous over here!



Just-a like-a my momma used ta make-a!



What, Burger Jacks??? Hungry King??? Down under it's known as Hungry Jacks, things like that mess with my head.



The booklet from the wedding of Megan's cousin Amanda & her now husband Christopher!



Megan all dressed up at the wedding, her uncle Ron and Auntie Noeline in the background.



After some hectic shopping, we bought some nice gear for the wedding, don't we look nice.



The blushing bride!! Megan's cousin Amanda. Seems as though it doesn't matter what day you get married in Perth, the weather is always spot on!



Sarah, Amanda's sister and one of the bridesmaids.



Ron & Noeline, parents of the bride.



Me and Megan in our ride over to the reception.



Waiting for the party to begin in a swanky hotel called The Vines!



Time for a quick pic.



All of the bridesmaids.



The grooms lads.



The happy couple!



On our way into 'Freo' (Fremantle). Let me explain something, you shorten words and stick an 'o' on the end, thats the way. Sambos (sandwiches), Rotto (Rottnest), Freo (Fremantle) you get the idea.



The train station at Fremantle.



This street is what's known as Cappucino strip, in Freo, with all the restaurants, wine bars and coffee shops.



This is Kailis, quality fish and chips here. In the UK it's cod everywhere, however a good choice of snapper is the order of the day for me.



Great place to chill and eat, checking out all of the million-dollar boats.



Another view of the harbour.



A very common sight here in Perth, nature...beauty!



Me n Meg enjoying the view.



Everyday, all day, need I say more.



Clouds in the sky and the sun is still shining on through. Were here at E shed in Freo, looking through the market stalls.



Ice cream!!!



More ice cream!!!



One of Megan's favourite thinking spots.



Sun bursting through the clouds...



Just had to take the shot. Perfection.



Driving up to a memorial area for a glimpse of the sun before it goes down.



Great lighting at magic hour.



There she goes, until tomorrow.



Amazing view.



On our way to AQWA (Aquarium of Western Australia, formally known as Underwater World, or so I'm told).



A venomous lionfish stops for a pose.



The playful seals steal the show.



Lookout! Shark!



This is as close as I ever want to get to a shark.



Stingray!



Duuuurrdur... Duuurrrdur... DurdurdurdurdurdurDURdur...



What out stingray, it's a shark!!



Has someone found Nemo yet, because I think I know where he could be?



Sorrento Quay at Hillary's Boat Harbour, near AQWA



Megan tests the water...



While I soak up some rays.



A snap of us looking out over the coast.



Port beach in time for sunset, in Fremantle, sorry Freo.



Admiring the sunset.



O'Neil surf advert!



Another quality sunset.



Cottesloe beach on my birthday!



Cabana shelter from the rays! Nice.



Megan planned a day of fun for my birthday, starting with some Red Rooster lunch on Cottesloe beach. Perfick! :)



Me on my birthday!



Megan booked us a table at C Restaurant, a revolving restaurant looking over perth, pianist playing, very classy. Happy Birthday to me!



I scrub up nice huh? :)



Megan looking out over Perth from the restaurant.



Quick pic in the dark oustide the Restaurant. Quite arty it turns out, in the big city lights.



Kings Park view of the city at night.



Back at Megan's and her Mum and Dad had bought me a birthday cake!!! Yeah! Thank you!



Making some birthday boy calls home!



Mothers day in Australia and I passed this sign. Jill's Jewells, remember mum! Eeerie!



Sleeping on the beach after getting up early and taking Megan's Mum n Dad to work so we could have the car, and do this!



Megan chillin' on the beach, cool pic.



Some essential reading for tonights game. Read 'em and Reap, poker tells.



Nice glass of....Ribena! on Rockingham beach, or Swinging Pig beach as Megan's Uncle Ron would say :)



Megan's street. Not Ramsey.



Video of Buddy! Megan's Pink and grey Galah...ya flamin Galah! Also known as the alarm system, he screeches at high volume when people arrive, the phone rings, or when he wants the light turned off at night...clever buddy! Also says a few words if he's in the mood, but mostly he likes to welcome you with a ring of his bells.



Megans street, Palm trees everywhere, a sign of greatness!



Video of us leaving Megans! Going for another drive out!



Ange, Tarquin, Jeff and yours truly, enjoying a round of drinks courtesy of Tarquin. A great night out!



Tarquin strutting his salsa stuff...shame the camera didn't record the music :) ... or maybe he was dancing to the music within :P



Mackenzie Street, we get around!



Invited for some great food, drinks and poker round at Chris' and Amandas'...Megan won that night....she insists I mention that.



BBQ, Aussie-style!



Our first Aussie rules footy game!



Woof bladdy woof! Fremantle Dockers V Melbourne Western Bulldogs..Fremantle lost, again. Great day though!



Megan doing a spot of fishing.



Me, not doing any fishing at all. It turns out fishing is not a spectator sport. Just enjoying the morning, we had butties, drinks, sun, sea, the works :)



There's me and Megan. Two for the price of one.



Cool shot of Megan baiting up.

Click on Part 2 to see what else we got up to in Perth...