To view the photos of this leg of our trip, click here.
Day Seventy Six, Tuesday 7th September 2004: Today was a social day for us with a visit to Sally's Aunty for the later part of the morning and then a quick stop over to pick up our photos that were being printed off. We were not back at the Caravan Park for very long when Bruce, Maree and Andrew arrived at 3.00pm. It was a bit like long lost friendships were renewed and before long we were ready to cook the BBQ for our evening meal. Tomorrow we start the tourist bit around Perth if the weather is as good as it has been forecasted.
Day Seventy Seven, Wednesday 8th September 2004: After light rain and then fog during the early part of the morning, it turned out to be a mixed bag today with the weather. Bruce & Maree finally got their caravan onto their site by mid morning and then we headed off to Kings Park. The roads have changed since our map had been printed so we arrived at Kings Park via the scenic route. The sun was shining allowing us to get some nice photos from the Park.
After we had finished at the Park, it was off to the Perth Zoo for the afternoon arriving there just before lunch time. It was a surprise to find out that it was half price day to enter the Zoo with it only costing us $8.00 per head to enter. Dodging some light rain showers while we were there, we had a good time and were able to look at all of the exhibits. When visiting any major city, Sally and I always spend some time at it's zoo. More rain has been forecasted for Perth tomorrow with some possible hail.
Day Seventy Eight, Thursday 9th September 2004: The rain managed to hang around until late morning before it cleared to be a reasonable afternoon. It was 9.00am when we left for the Aquarium of Western Australia at Hillarys Boat Harbour where there was a $22.00 entry fee per adult. The large tunnel under the aquarium is the main highlight of this display. We were lucky enough to be there today during the feeding of the sharks, turtles and rays, all of which are fed by a diver swimming inside of the aquarium with the sharks.
From here we went to Fremantle for traditional fish and chips for lunch. After a quick look around the main shopping area, we returned to the Caravan Park via the Belomt Shopping Centre to collect Maree photos that had been developed. It was nice to be able to sit in the sunshine for a while once back at the caravans before the cold air started to set in for the night.
Day Seventy Nine, Friday 10th September 2004: As we have planned to use the Public Transport System tomorrow where the one ticket will last us for the full day, we decided to have today as a relaxation day here at the Caravan Park after first doing our grocery shopping ready for the next few day when we leave Perth.
It was very nice to see and feel the warmth of the sun as it shone brightly all afternoon. This was the first time that we have seen the sun for several days now. Time soon flew as we sat around the Park watching the overflow areas start filling with caravans and campers alike. The Park was now full to capacity and starting to overflow.
Bruce, Maree and Andrew left late afternoon to visit some relatives that they had not seen for many years while Sally and I stopped back at the Park to enjoy a free sausage sizzle which was put on by the Caravan Park. Here we caught up with some fellow Caravanners that we had not seen since leaving Batchelor on 22nd July.
Day Eighty, Saturday 11th September 2004: After boarding the bus at 8.00am, we purchased our $7.50 Family Rider ticket which allowed us to use all of Perth's public transport for the entire day. With this we went into the City where we went to the Perth Mint which is the oldest operating mint in Australia. The cost of the Mint per person was $8.80. We had the small guided tour of the Mint before watching the gold pouring display. It was a real challenge to be able to lift the $200,00.00 gold bar from the display floor within the vault.
From here we went to the Swan Bells at a cost of $6.00 per person which is one of the world's largest musical instruments. Some of the bells here were in existence before the 14th century. Then it was into Hay Street which is the main shopping precinct of Perth for a quick look around and some lunch. Then it was out to Fremantle via train to have a look through the markets. Back on the train into the city where we caught the bus back to the Caravan Park. It was amazing that it only cost us $7.50 for the two of us to travel all day. It is a credit to Perth and it's public transport system.
Happy Birthday Ashley Williams.
For Diary notes of the entire trip, click here . To view all of our photos from our trip, click here.
