Welcoming 2014 in style!

31 December

For a little while, I hesitated about where to spend New Year.  Not just due to the expense (trust me! the flight over was NOT cheap nor was accommodation) but also due to the fact that I may be spending it alone.  I have got quite used to my own company but spending New Years Eve on my own just didn't seem right!  Thankfully, the latter didn't happen as I met up with Rach (friend from London via Charl) and her boyfriend Elliot.  

The morning was spent food shopping (yes that delightful task still has to be done even when you are a traveller); followed by exploring my new area.  I am staying just south of Sury Hills which is a great location.  It does involve a 30 min bus ride into the city, but actually I don't mind that!  

As soon as I arrived in the city centre, I just knew the night was going to be unforgettable.  There were street artists everywhere and people just wandering around Circular Quay, soaking up the sun.  Rach and Elliot had managed to secure a spot on Observatory Hill, which is on the south side of the bridge, just up the hill from The Rocks.  As previously advised, they had been sat there for hours securing the spot and it was perfect!  Right in front of the bridge, sadly no view of the opera house, but at least I had great company!

The evening went pretty quickly as it was broken up with small tasters of fireworks and absailing displays over the bridge.  Funnily enough, the longest part was waiting for food/drinks.  Although we experience a little downpour, thankfully it was nothing more than a mere shower.

As the countdown commenced, I didn't know what to expect.  Were the fireworks going to be a good as everyone makes out?  The simpler answer to that is...YES!  Our spot allowed us to look up and down the river watching the same display 4 times over - in the harbour, at the bridge and as far out as the north eastern suburbs.  Spectacular! It felt like they went on for hours with varying colours and shapes, even including a smiley face!

I have been lucky enough to welcome New Years in many places in the UK, including the home of Hogmanay, Scotland but the Aussie's truly know how to throw a good party.  Just walking down George Street makes you realise the magnitude of this event.  I will never ever forget the sea of people singing and chanting as they headed for home.  Instead of waking up with a hangover, I woke up with a huge smile on my face and memories that will last a lifetime and not many people can say that...

How was your New Years?  I hope it was as special as mine was?

Happy New Year everyone!

Video of fireworks from my iPhone:  http://instagram.com/p/imraezpoCt/

Last few days in Perth

27 December

My last few days in Perth were surreal to say the least.  I don't think it began to sink in that I was leaving until my bags were packed.  Georgia and I managed to catch up and I even got to meet her boyfriend, Chris.  We decided that we should go to the "Lucky Shag" for our last night our together.  It seemed somewhat fitting as we've been saying for the last 3 months that we wanted to go there!

It's a great bar on the Swan River as it provides beautiful views across Perth.  We then headed on to Clancy's followed by bad Apples, a suitably good ending to a great time here!

28 December

After finishing at the cafe, I just had chance to do some errands before the kids finally came home from Albany!  Their Christmas presents went down a treat!  In the evening, I managed to get most of the group together for some nibbles and drinks at mine.  It was the perfect way to say goodbye to some amazing people whom my stay would not have been the same without.

29 December

It's finally time to say farewell to the place I've called home for the last 3 months.  I have loved staying here and it wouldn't have been the same without the family, particularly Marcus and Bri who have put up with me.  The day started with a walk along the beach with Max followed by a farewell lunch with my friend Elvira and her daughter.  The afternoon was spent packing up and sorting out loose ends before dinner at a Japanese place, not far from home.  The hardest part was waiting around to leave.  It's at that point where my impatience comes through.  Standing at departures wasn't easy and yes I blubbed!  This is the first time that I've got upset since I left my mum way back in July.  I know I'll see them again soon though!

Next stop: Sydney

Christmas in the sunshine

22 December

Christmas wouldn't be the same without singing a few carols, so I managed to persuade Bri to come with me to the local carol service.  It wasn't quite what we expected but it was fun all the same...

25 December

It's finally Christmas Day!  I love this time of year, however it felt strange not having Sasha and Jai around.  In the morning, we took Max for a walk along the dog beach near Freo.  I still can't get over how many people were there at 7.30am. On the way back, we visited Suni's grave.  I'm glad I managed to go.  

We then came home to prepare our contribution towards dinner before setting off to Cheryl and Nick's.  As always, it was great to see everyone and from the moment we stepped through the door to the moment we left, we never stopped laughing.  I had such a good day.  It did feel weird having turkey with cold dishes and I definitely missed my Auntie Shelly's roasted veg but it was still great.  We even had Christmas pudding with Brandy Cream and Santa even made a guest appearance!  

Still, it was really great having everyone together and it's certainly one I will never forget...

A trip back down memory lane to Claremont

19 December

It's hard to believe that it's 8 years ago that Iain lived in Perth.  Crazy how time flies by!  So I felt it was only right that I paid a trip to his old school.  Claremont itself is a quiet suburb just north of the river in WA.  It has a quaint train station and a fairly small town centre equipped with 2 large shopping centres.  I particularly liked Old Theatre Lane which is a small alley with little cafés and book shops.

Iain's school certainly has changed since he was last there.  It's now extremely modern with new buildings being built around the campus on an almost daily basis.  It felt quite strange wandering around the campus taking photos, I even managed to find Iain's old house, also known as the "crap shack".

Here are some of the photos of the school:

Who knew the Taj Mahal was in Perth...

9 December

Met up with my lovely friend Elvira today.  Always great to see her!  We met in Garden City for a smoothie and chewed the fat.  During a random discussion, Elvira asked whether I'd seen the Taj Mahal yet?  "In India" I asked?" "No! Here in Perth". I thought she was pulling my leg, so in order to prove me wrong, she took me there and told me the story of this gigantic home...

Nicknamed "The Taj-on-the-Swan" as it's located just off the Swan River, this mansion is owned by an Indian multi-millionaire who bought the land in a very elite area of Peppermint Grove in Mosmon Park.  The guy bought 8 plots of land to build this house but suddenly got into serious debt and did a runner back to India.  The skeleton of the house was already built and just awaiting the decor, plastering etc.  The debt is rising by the day after the owner's company went into liquidation but what truly amazed me was the grandeur of the building and the similarities to the Taj Mahal.  The house is reported to be up for sale for 70 million dollars!  Insane!  

Not my personal taste though...

More information: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/clouds-gather-over-perths-shining-light-pankaj-oswal/story-e6frg8zx-1225843005263

http://news.domain.com.au/domain/real-estate-news/curtain-falls-on-tajmahalontheswan-mansion-20110117-19tts.html

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

6 December

I was invited to gatecrash Marcus' Work Christmas do.  It was great to get out and meet new people.  We were even invited to the Rockpool bar which was an elite, upmarket bar in the Casino in Perth.  We were treated to cocktails by one of Marcus' friends who had won on the machines.  Yummy it was too.  We then went to the Mayflower for dinner which was huge but delicious but most of the evening was spent taking the mick out of Marcus and his new specs!

7 December

After working in the cafe, Bri and I headed into Perth CBD to watch the Chrisfmas parade.  We had decided to take the train from canning bridge but pop down to Hans Cafe for dinner.  Forgetting the time, we chatted away not realising that was 7.20pm and the parade started st 7.30pm!  We therefore opted to drive and luckily found a great spot on the Esplanade meaning we could watch the parade as it was ending.  Finally, I began to feel slightly festive!  The floats were great and the turn out was fantastic.  Great to see so many kids there and such a diverse selection of groups.

*apologies for the blurry photos, my iPhone doesn't take photos well in the dark!

Kyle's 18th, MUSE and fish & chips by the seaside in Freo!

30 November

Today is Kyle's 18th birthday!  We headed over to Nick and Cheryl's house for a birthday breakfast...on the barbie.  Nice to see the family all together and witness such a special birthday for him.

In the evening, I got invited to watch MUSE with Georgia and her friend Kate.  As per usual that put on a light show as well as a great performance.  Really enjoyed the gig and great to see MUSE play live again.

3 December

As it's finally December, you can't have Christmas without an Advent Calendar, so i bought one for me, Sasha and Jai.  Today was Georgia's day off so we met up in Freo for traditional fish and chips by the sea, just like home...but a little warmer!