Well Raymo the weatherman was awake bright and early, conscious of an impending storm, and had me out walking by 7am! Bit of a role reversal but so glad! Was an amazing morning.
Little did we know our apartment was so nearby to the well know "Jacob's Ladder" ....we managed to jostle the early morning fitness fanatics and braved the 242 steps to the top which brought us to Mount Street and the start of Kings Park. Walked through a decent area, with brilliant views of the city, Swan River , South Perth, and beyond .....though hardly scratched the surface of the great expanses of grassed areas, picnic grounds, monuments , Botanical gardens etc. The war memorial area is particularly poignant . Proved a superb spot for our morning coffee. Walked back down , past the Bali Memorial in remembrance of the West Australians lost in the Bali Bombing, through an area of quite prestigious homes and apartments.
After brekkie, showers and packing.....Raym was right...dragged our luggage to Reception in the start of light rain.
Had a few hours to fill in so cabbed it into town as rain much heavier. From William street we hopped on a Blue route CAT (Central Area Transit) bus - four FREE bus routes operate within the city environs. Got off in Northbridge and spent some quality time wandering through the Western Australian Museum and the nearby Art Gallery of Western Australia. After coffee in the gallery cafe, tried to dodge the rain meandering through shopping malls purchasing our train tickets to Fremantle at the railway station enroute. Back in William Street grabbed a cab back to our apartment to collect our luggage then continued back to the railway station in time for a 1.15 pm train to Fremantle. Was initially busy with commuters though most disembarked for a local footy match at Subiaco. Journey was less than 30 minutes, quite interesting through suburbia.
Initial impressions of Fremantle certainly weren't overwhelming in the dreary rain around the dock area.....pulled our bags across the railway to BShed and checked in for the Rottnest Express. With less than an hour to spare before departure walked across to EShed markets for a wander and snack.
Ferry left about 3.30pm and trip was only about half hour - seas were incredibly rough but thankfully journey was quite bearable. Unfortunately was really pouring when we arrived at Thomson Bay on Rottnest but thankfully we didn't need to worry about our luggage as was delivered to our apartment at Longreach Bay - our home for the next three nights. After gathering our thoughts and making plans, realised being Sunday businesses were closing for the day and the last shuttle bus runs at 8pm.....hence purchased a few groceries and headed to Pub for a quiet drink. Alas "quiet" just wasn't on the agenda as "Rottofest", a massive festival weekend of comedy and music, was just coming to an end so the pub was still pumping! Managed to fine a lovely spot at the Lodge by a fire for a relaxing drink.......then braved the rain again and moved to Gov's bar....much noisier but stayed for a drink and pizza before catching the 7pm bus to Gordies and Longreach Bay. It's only 1.4 km but fortunately a young couple helped us located our apartment in the dark.....just amazing! We are right on the beach....waves almost lapping our doorstep! Our waiting luggage a tad damp but so glad to be dry and warm!