A transcontinental trip by rail with interesting companions, great food, stunning scenery, and all the beer and Bundy one cares to consume is rather difficult to top. The journey on the Indian Pacific was one of the high points of our travel experiences, and it was somewhat of a letdown once we unloaded in Perth. From now on, our adventures would be self directed and planned, and the truth is I am no better at picking out excursions than the Indian Pacific was in picking wineries to patronize.
A short cab ride from the station to our hotel brought us to the first beds in three nights that we could enjoy without constant movement, and the hotel room also featured a small range and microwave. Thinking to save a few dollars on dinner, we made our way to the Murray Street pedestrian mall where we eventually found a "Woollies" for groceries. Alas, a warmed up curry from the frozen food section is a poor substitute for a railway chef's offerings, but we soldiered on until bedtime. This quiet evening at home also allowed us the luxury of checking email, writing in this blog, and all other things internet for the first time since Sydney. (There is no wifi on the train, as it should be.)
Sunday morning we went to King's Park and Botanical Gardens. Larger than New York's Central Park (as the locals are continually pointing out) Kings is situated on a hillside overlooking the Swan River and Perth's CBD. We had a difficult time navigating since the place is poorly mapped and signed, and efforts to enter the interior of the reserve were continually met with failure. In this aspect the park reflects the geography of Australia itself with the developed areas around the fringes near water and the interior a more or less abandoned expanse of bush. At the Botanical Garden we went along for a nature walk led by a very nice old chap named Hamish who gave a great explanation of many of the plants and wildlife we encountered. Although it is mid winter, many of the flowers and trees bore blossoms, and the day was sunny and comfortably warm.
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