23rd & 24th January 2016

After an enjoyable though hectic 6 weeks back home in Gotham City we return, Business Class and relaxed, to Perth . From the airport we use our Uber app for the first time, Uber virgins us, and now converts after a prompt pickup and chatty driver taking us to the CBD. We (Evi) did screw up our return by arriving on a Saturday when we cannot collect the Patrol and Lotus Inn till Monday, but this gives us the opportunity to check into a Perth Hotel for a few nights and see what it is that Perth can offer.

Staying at the Mantra Hotel on Murray St, no more than 100 metres from the main Pedestrian Mall of the CBD, we have chosen well. A generous studio-apartment allows us to spread out the luggage, hastily packed, so we can dig for appropriate "city clothing". We nomads are slightly casual in our attire, might not go down well among the "suits"!

Though a small city, Perth has a wide offering of shopping, dining, pubs, parks and landscapes. Sitting astride the junction of the Swan and Canning Rivers which form the large inland Swan Bay which sweeps south east to the ocean mouth with Fremantle on the south and the iconic Perth beaches to the north. The waterways are busy with ferry and pleasure craft on the rivers and a large commercial shipping at fishing port at the mouth.

Exploring the CBD we discover so many hidden cafés, restaurants and bars in arcades, nooks and old buildings. A bar/restaurant, Petition, takes our fancy on that first afternoon walk and we return in the evening for a drink or two. In a 1900's brick building with very high rough timber ceilings, 200mm wide Jarrah floorboards and rough painted brick walls, Petition provides the perfect setting for a robust crowd of city dwellers celebrating a Saturday night. More like a brewery than a bar and offering a range of about 15 craft beers and ciders on tap, we sit at a window with a few pints and watch and listen to the crowd. Roscoe notes that, like so many of our choice of venues, he is the oldest in the room (and possibly the most immature)!

On Sunday evening friends from our Odyssey Kimberly cruise planned a get together at the Subiaco Park where a free concert was happening. Ross and Jan who live in Perth were the organising force, and we were joined by John and Judy from Mandurah. Armed with eskies of drinks, some wonderful nibbles and picnic dinner provided by Ross and Jan, we sat back in camp chairs and enjoyed the Country Blues music provided by a trio group. The night was warm, music good and company excellent. Just love WA!