Today’s tidbit: “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” ― Bill Bryson

Last week I shared Exmouth, the last stop on the road trip up north which was absolutely incredible. I wish it didn’t have to end. Perth… where to begin? It is such a hidden gem and wonderful balance of city + nature. The list goes on and on, but today I’m sharing making friends with kangaroo, meeting with design firms and enjoying a delicious 3 course meal by the beach with spectacular sunsets. Reliving it again with you makes me want to go back. Who wants to come?

Sneak peek image: This picture says it all, city + nature

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

 

It started out as a cooler cloudy morning and turned into a beautiful afternoon. WA winter… I can handle this! Below are a few pictures of the beautiful green space, trails and swan river steps away from the flat.

 

{Lorikeet} Australia is full of color, life and beauty. Walking along the Swan River, from the flat heading to Heirisson Island I spotted these bright colorful birds, Lorikeet. Aren’t they beautiful?

 

{Heirisson Island} Crossing the bridge, heading to the roos! It is all so beautiful. South Perth is straight in front, Perth is to the right, and the island and roos and to the left (first picture below).

As the website states, “Heirisson Island is an absolute gem in Perth and seems remarkably under-appreciated. It’s right on the doorstep of the main part of the city, in the middle of the Swan River, at the end of Riverside Drive. There’s a busy road (The Causeway), which connects the North and South of the city, and it crosses the island. Once there, it feels a million miles from city centre life. The island has its own population of kangaroos. You have to go through a gate on the western side of the island, where there’s a fence to stop them wandering onto the road. In the daytime in summer, they’re usually sleeping in the shade, but this week was cooler so they were out grazing. “

I totally agree. It’s hard to believe you are a short walk away from the city yet here, it is so quiet, peaceful and natural. Like Perth, it is a hidden gem.

Since it was winter in Australia when I was there it was cooler and the roos were out grazing more, but you had to search for them. Many were still snoozing, hiding in the landscape.

“Who dat?!” Hehe, I loved this guys little white spot on his head.

Picture below: This shows an island within a lake on the island in the river – strange. Note how there’s nobody else in the picture at all! Despite being in a city. Yes it was during the week but… it’s amazing!

Making friends! Kangaroo are so soft and cute.

Crossing back over the bridge and on the trails heading back to the flat, and city, again.

 

{meeting with design firms} That afternoon I was able to meet with 2 design firms, both in the city. Although they didn’t have any current openings (which was a bummer because they seem perfect), they were nice enough to meet with me and really spend time talking about the design market in Perth, future job openings and answer any questions. The owner of Imageseven was very understanding as he went through the whole moving/work visa thing as well (and met his wife in South Africa so we chatted about that for a while) so was able to give great advice and share his personal story. So grateful for this opportunity and have remained in touch with all the people I met with along my trip. It was a breath of fresh air and the motivation I needed. I am working hard to line something up so I can move to Perth in 2015.

Check these firms out: Imageseven and Crush.

 

{beach + dinner} After wonderful meetings with the firms I was feeling great and what better way to end a day than a drive through the city to Cottesloe Beach and up to Marmion Marine Park. I shared a little of Cottesloe Beach already, on my first AU blog post: Hello Australia.

Stretching from Trigg Island to Burns Beach, Marmion Marine Park is an aquatic sanctuary. Established in 1987, it was the first marine park in Western Australia. An abundance of seabirds and marine life inhabit a string of lagoons, reefs and small islands that are reasonably accessible. The Sunset Coast runs parallel to the park, with a combination of wonderful sweeping white sandy beaches and rugged rocky cliffs.

Perth has lots of local beaches, check them out: beach guide.

 

{Bay 33 cafe} DELICIOUS 3 course gluten free dinner and the nicest family owned place.

As the website states, “Overlooking Waterman’s Bay’s picturesque shoreline, Bay 33 is the perfect venue for a relaxed meal with friends, meetings with clients, or a quick coffee stop. Local restaurateurs have combined their industry experience with excellent customer service to create a vision for a fresh, one of a kind cafe on the coast. Simplicity is key at Bay 33, with a menu to suit all palates, a friendly team and a modern space to relax in.” Read more.

Incredible sunset! Look at those clouds.

Entrees (appetizers): started with mushroom bruschetta (toasted garlic bread topped with an assortment of sautéed mushrooms and spinach finished with Danish style feta & balsamic glaze) and salt & pepper calamari (dusted in the Chef’s special mix, then lightly fried and dressed with sweet chilli soy & aioli, accompanied with an Asian salad).

Mains: I decided to try something new and continue with my new seafood love and had thai seafood curry (a fragrant coconut curry with fresh fish, scallops, prawns & vegetables served with plain rice, poppadoms and topped with a fresh coriander salad).

To finish it off I had a delicious gluten free dessert special, orange vanilla spice cake.

Needless to say, it was an amazing day finished with delicious food (way too much but it was lunch + dinner), good company and spectacular views! Check back soon as I continue sharing Perth.