I took the ferry to Fremantle, Perth's largest Port Town today after a very late start (half 10 - at which Cherie seemed decidedly p*ssed off - she'd invited me to go with them down to the river in the morning, but I'd never actually agreed, and hey, it's my day off!).
Unfortunately, by the time I got to the Ferry Terminal there was only one more ferry going and I had to wait an hour and a half for it. Still, I browsed the rather run-down dockyards (mostly home to greasy spoon cafes) and ate a sandwich and some licquorice allsorts sitting in the blazing sunshine so, you know, could have been worse.
The ferry ride, when the ferry finally arrived, was really awesome. The guy doing the commentary had a fantastic dry wit, and something to say about almost every point along the coast. Fremantle, or 'Freo' as it's know to most Aussies, on the other hand, was a bit of a let down. It did have a great central markets - particularly where food was concerned (I ate a LOT, saw a few digeridoo displays, and just resisted buying a Aussie metal lizard and a platypus puppet...I might yet go back for them). I also sampled 'cobbers' from a 'lolly [aka sweet] shop' purely because I wanted to know what they were - though they turned out to be rather boring chocolate caramels - and some chocolate coated-pretzels, because I love them (remember 'Pretzel Flips'? I couldn't get enough of those things, esp the white ones. I've just looked them up on Wikipedia (font of all chocolate knowledge at least) and they sell them (and exciting new variations!) across the U.S still...next stop!).
Unfortunately, by the time I got to the Ferry Terminal there was only one more ferry going and I had to wait an hour and a half for it. Still, I browsed the rather run-down dockyards (mostly home to greasy spoon cafes) and ate a sandwich and some licquorice allsorts sitting in the blazing sunshine so, you know, could have been worse.
The ferry ride, when the ferry finally arrived, was really awesome. The guy doing the commentary had a fantastic dry wit, and something to say about almost every point along the coast. Fremantle, or 'Freo' as it's know to most Aussies, on the other hand, was a bit of a let down. It did have a great central markets - particularly where food was concerned (I ate a LOT, saw a few digeridoo displays, and just resisted buying a Aussie metal lizard and a platypus puppet...I might yet go back for them). I also sampled 'cobbers' from a 'lolly [aka sweet] shop' purely because I wanted to know what they were - though they turned out to be rather boring chocolate caramels - and some chocolate coated-pretzels, because I love them (remember 'Pretzel Flips'? I couldn't get enough of those things, esp the white ones. I've just looked them up on Wikipedia (font of all chocolate knowledge at least) and they sell them (and exciting new variations!) across the U.S still...next stop!).
Other than the markets - which weren't that different to Camden/Borough there didn't seem to be much more to Freo, although the lonely planet guide insists that it's a centre of cultural excellence. I suspect I'll have to go back to take in the museums/art galleries etc at some stage, and give it a more fair recce, given that a Sunday afternoon is probably not the best time to see somewhere in all its usual glory.
I did appreciate the free bus service that loops all around the area - that and the beauty of the sun setting over the looming dockworks. The trip to Freo, and subsequent walk back from Victoria Park train station took up most of my afternoon/evening, and before I knew it, another Sunday was over, and it's back to another week of infinite domesticity and Elmo sing-songs...
I did appreciate the free bus service that loops all around the area - that and the beauty of the sun setting over the looming dockworks. The trip to Freo, and subsequent walk back from Victoria Park train station took up most of my afternoon/evening, and before I knew it, another Sunday was over, and it's back to another week of infinite domesticity and Elmo sing-songs...
A xx
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