11 March 2000
Had a very pleasant day exploring Perth and surrounds. Went back into the city this morning and had another look round in areas we didn't see yesterday. Much less traffic and people (almost dead, in fact - not like Sydney on a Saturday morning). Went to see St Marys Cathedral (ours). Very disappointing. Outside unprepossessing - a mish-mash of architectural styles, with additions being done in a completely different style and finish from original parts. Inside worse - peeling paint, etc - looked totally uncared for. However beautiful stained glass windows and pipe organ. And contains bell donated to Benedictine Monastery in Spain and brought to Australia by Don Salvado (New Norcia) and subsequently donated by him to St Mary's Cathedral. Was in use until fairly recently, when it was replaced by a carillon of 11 (I think) bells. C of E cathedral glorious (getting us back for Geraldton).
From there went down to ferry wharf and had a look round. Not much doing. Not like Circular quay, with ferries coming and going everywhere. Very small and quiet. Then went looking for King's Park and Botanical Gardens. Took some finding, but we eventually got there and spent a very pleasant few hours wandering around. The lawns and gardens here are superb. The park and gardens are set on a high hill above the city and the views extend about 270 degrees over Perth, the Swan river and some of the suburbs. Magnificent. Went back there late this afternoon and took some more photographs in the (marginally) better afternoon light.
After leaving King's Park headed out for the northern beaches, going up to Scarborough and working our way back down the coast to Cottesloe and North Fremantle. Although beaches were nice with clear blue water, white sand, etc. there is no surf. Not as we know it, anyway. The waves do not come straight on to the beaches, but in at an angle. And there is just a small shorebreak, pretty well right at the water's edge. This indicates there is no sand bank further out for the waves to break on and then roll in, but the waves arriving from the Indian Ocean did not seem to have much power anyway. Maybe it's not always like this, but that's what we saw. Despite this there was plenty happening on the water. Sailing boats, surfboards, bellyboards, wind surfing, etc. Even saw one guy on a single water ski and hanging on to what looked like a small airborne parachute and being pulled along by the wind in the parachute. Might go and have a dip tomorrow - weather permitting. While on the coast followed road round as far as possible to the lighthouse at Rouse Head. Plenty of people fishing out there. Didn't see anyone catch anything worth mentioning though.
As mentioned above, returned to King's Park to take advantage of the better light than was there in the morning.
Probably go down and see Fremantle tomorrow, and may also go to Perth Zoo.