Saturday, 1 June 2013

Western Australia update

Kara showing the guys how it's done, Canning River

It's time for a bit of a recap on our latest adventures! We have been living quite contently in Australia's sunniest capital city, glorious Perth, now for almost seven months! 

We have absolutely adored the amazing sunsets, the raw natural beauty of the outback, this never ending summer and its accompanying sunshine. But what do we miss most? It would have to be the rain.




Just recently (keep in mind it's June) the weather has begun to slowly change. The nights are getting cooler and the day temperatures are waning down into something more bearable.

Enjoying a seafood platter at Kailis, Fremantle Docks 

Over the last few weeks we have been keeping ourselves busy during the weekends and resting during the week. Kara has been busy completing an online English course for some potential future employment and is the team’s main administrator. 

She also recently started working as a wine appreciator! – It’s true all that wine experience (cough, cough, drinking) has come in handy! Who would have thought she could sell wine? So perhaps another research trip to the Margaret river is in order soon?
Off to the ball we go @ the perth
convention and exhibition centre 


John's been running the ins and outs of full time work and we've been very fortunate to have been invited to several extravagant dinner parties! The first was a silent auction charity dinner for the AFL Eagles (one of Western Australia's premier Aussie Rules Football teams). There was music and plenty of dancing.  

A few weeks later we attended 1950's dress up event to celebrate Toyota's fiftieth anniversary in Western Australia. Held at the Fremantle prison it was quite out of the ordinary to dine between prison cells.

Heading off to a 1950's jailhouse rock dinner party at
the (recently closed) Fremantle Prison


The prison is one of the oldest in Australia and was built in 1851, stories about the murderous hangings that took place outside the galls only added to the excitement! 

Quite an upgrade from our normal ‘budget’ stay home meals during the week!


West Coast Eagles team mascot at the charity gala dinner         
We have also managed to continue with our exploring, driving out of the metropolitan area on the weekends to go tramping (in the outback!).  Alas no snakes yet! 

On the hunt for kangaroos
Looking for kangaroos! 





















Or heading north to Perth’s (turning greener) parks and beaches. One Saturday we drove to Joondalup on the hunt for Kangaroos. Here is a picture we took when we finally found the Kangaroos we had been hunting and chasing through the bush all day. Fortunately, as you can see here we've found the 'locals' are quite accommodating and like most West Australians they were just chilling out, enjoying the sun.

Chilling with the locals in Joondalup 
Gelato in the city centre
Exploring the suburb of Fremantle




















Taking a stroll in Mt Lawley 
Pelicans at the Perth zoo

Now with some nervous excitement, we would like to share that our time in Perth is shortly coming to an end and next month in July we're heading off to India! (You may note in the photos John's growing moustache in anticipation). 

So with only limited time left in Perth we are continuing to enjoy the autumn sunshine, the Australian way of life- too easy mate! and ofcourse the income! We will post one final blog before departing Australia. Stay tuned. 

Tot siens
John and Kara