Where are John and Kara?: Perth, Western Australia

Merry Christmas from Melbourne

Happy New Year!!

We hope that where ever you are or where ever you have been that you had a fabulous adventure, we are sure this will be an exciting year!

So where are we now? After spending a happy Christmas period and an amazing birthday celebration with family in Melbourne we flew on to Perth, in remote Western Australia.

Birthday yum-cha!

Right from exiting our cramped tiger air flight at the international airport the heat has suppressed us! Adelaide was warm, but Perth is so much drier and it just seems so much hotter. The weather is unbelievably warm… and in the last two weeks it's felt like what a real summer should be!

The problem with the summer weather, which we had never even considered is that most days we’re forced to remain indoors for the heat is so intense. Early in the mornings, after breakfast under the patio, Mila and Kara will take a dip in her paddling pool but then it's inside time as the ferocious sun bares down!

An evening on Cottosloe Beacg

However, I guess in every situation there's an upside.... its so hot that there aren't the onslaught of flies like in South Australia!

So over the last couple of weeks we have been inside relaxing on Ilija and Judiet's couch, eating healthy out on the patio and getting in plenty of evening exercise! We prefer walking as the neighbourhood is very flat! We are very fortunate to have bunked up with some friendly locals, who are just as excited as us to explore Perth!

Admiring the city view from Kings Park, Central Perth

Last weekend we all jumped in the car taking off to Cottosloe city beach for a swim and ice cream, and the following day to Kings Park. Kings Park a national park on the west side of Perth business district and is spread over Mount Eliza. It was opened in 1895 and later in 1901 renamed as dedication to the King Edward VII ascending the throne. It's unique is the fact that it's one of the biggest inner city parks in the world but also it's perhaps the only hill in Perth. From the park edge there is a fantastic panoramic view out over the city, Swan river and as far as the Darling ranges. Although it was hot, we can already appreciate the well

maintained green grass that runs down over hills!

First day of work- what a handsome man!

We also have been spirited off on a half day tour of Perth's IKEA- our first experience at this gigantic, buy everything you want and more that you don't need, superstore but certainly not our last visit! Being privy to all the small day to day things are quite exciting, like how all the supermarkets seem to be self-check out and people just tap and pay everywhere!

John was super fortunate to have nailed down a new job within days of our arrival and started last week. With everything going well hopefully Kara will have some work soon too (the interviews haven’t been successful just yet…). In order to move around and get John to work, we also have brought a new little maroon car! The whole buying process was a little stressful and in hindsight we probably didn't get the best bang for our buck.