Hello Everyone

Getting myself sorted in Perth - have an Ozzy number and a bank account so I am all ready to rock and roll with the job hunting...well after a bit more travelling.

Last week I had a few doubts over whether Perth was going to be big enough for me but then I went up to King's Park which over looks the city and for some reason that really changed my mind. I think there is a lot more here than I am giving it credit. The park was lovely with amazing views and a memorial to those who had died in the Bali bombings a few years ago.

Over the weekend I headed to Freemantle which is about 30 min on a local train away from Perth. The weather unfortunately was not good to me and it pretty much rained the entire time. Freemantle or Freo as its known locally is just really a place to wonder around and stop to have coffee etc now and again. Quite a lot of old historical buildings to look at and some really good markets. They also have a really good Maritime Museum which got my old work hat back on and I wondered why the Solent didn't have something similar? (maybe a job for me when I get back?!) I spent quite a while looking at the all the displays, which is not normally me as I whip though them normally. Anyway by Sunday I had had enough of the rain and the people in my hostel and headed back to Perth early. Was so glad to be back here ...sort of felt like home already.

Yesterday and today I was on the Island Rottnest which is 19km of the coast of Perth/ Freo. I caught the express ferry and well it was like being on a rollercoaster for 30 min. Not sure if I just sat in the wrong place but I seriously was rough trip. The 4 toilets on board were constantly occupied by people being ill as we got trashed around in the waves. Luckily I was ok...which even I was surprised about considering my hideous dolphin research boat trip last year where it was so rough even the trainers themselves where 'feeding the fish' as they say! I stayed over night in the old army barrack, which was rather strange. The island is very quiet right now as we are heading into the winter and therefore off peak. The ferry lands in Thomson Bay and outside of this little settlement you can't get food or water other than one little cafe. The island is only 11 km long and 4.5km at the widest point and the best way to get around is to cycle. I had a bike hire included in my package....then I realised it had been about 12 years since I had ridden a bike! Been on lots in the gym but balance isn't really an issue there. However, like the say you never forget how to ride a bike although I think I scared a few kids initially until I got my balance. Which was not easy with my over night bag on my back. Also since when did bikes have so many gears? I took me a while to remember how they worked especially when la ady pushing a pram managed to overtake me on one of the hills. Reminded me on an old sunday school trip to Oakwood (a theme park in Wales) where family friends (naming and shaming Jill and Claire West) were on the toboggan ride and managed to stop half way up a big hill and had to get out if I remember correctly- so funny but guess with all good stories you had to be there!). I cycled majority of the island, stopping now and again...or maybe a bit more often than that (steep hills especially) to look at the very empty beaches along the way. I have decided I am definitely not a cyclist as quite frankly I can just about sit down today after riding around yesterday. I could walk for miles but cycling just ain't my thing! The island is covered in Quokkas - they are about the size of a domestic cat but hops around like a Kangaroo. So funny to watch them as they crawl under tables and hop into all the restaurants looking for food.

Leave on Thursday to start another tour north . Only jumping on a tour in order to get to Monkey Mia where I will be doing my volunteering for the week with the local wild dolphins. Flights up there were crazy prices so by jumping on a tour I save money and get to see everything in between which is good. Also looking forward to some warmer weather as well :)

Bye for now

Rhian