A day time flight to Perth sure beats the red eye midnight flights that seemed to be the only option available when we last travelled this route. We left Brisbane at a very civilised 9am and arrived just after midday, giving us plenty of time to check in to our hotel and explore the city centre.
We paid a few visits to Perth during our time in the Great Sandy Desert 24 years ago. We always loved the leisurely pace of this city. Turns out we still do. Perth is a lot like Brisbane in that it is city with a very country spirit. People stroll through the streets rather than speed, look at their surroundings rather than at their mobile phones, smile at passersby rather than scowl at the thoughts of their day ahead. Perth has a lovely, laid back, friendly feel.
The beer is expensive though. $9 for a schooner in a pub is a bit rich anywhere in the world. I've been in top class restaurants that charge less than that. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.
Anyway, man does not live by beer alone, so we shall have to learn to live with the cost or without the beer.
Perth is full of parks and lovely old buildings, but at the moment it is undergoing massive construction works and beautifying projects. This has caused a bit of disruption to transport and the skyline, however, I imagine the place is going to look amazing in a couple of years.
We awoke to perfect blue skies on our second day, so I headed off early for a brisk walk before the city came to life. Our hotel is nestled below Mount Eliza on which King's Park sits. I decided to ascend Jacob's Ladder as, on the map, that looked the shortest way to get there. Mmm. Big mistake.
In the Bible, Jacob's ladder ascends to heaven. Locals here say if you own a house or apartment on Mt Eliza you have reached heaven, so the name given to the steep, zig-zagging staircase seems apt. I feel pretty certain that those property owners drive their expensive cars up steep roads to their heavenly homes. If you actually climb the 242 steps, then it feels like hell.
Perhaps I exaggerate. I huffed and puffed my way to the top at a gentle pace (as fit people with heavenly bodies ran up and down past me) and knew the view was going to be worth it. It was. The morning sun lit the stately rows of gum trees and tinged the cool air with a hint of the heat to follow. The views over the city skyline and wide meandering river were breathtaking. (Or was that still the after-effects of climbing Jacob's Ladder?) No matter - I enjoyed walking through the park and drinking in the views. And the walk back down the stairs was a piece if cake.
With clear blue skies and mild summer temperature we spent the rest of the day in Fremantle which is a tale for next time.