Days 13-17 Perth: Friends, Parks, and a City That Sleeps Before Sunset

Ah, Perth. The most “isolated capital city in the world,” and boy does it wear that crown proudly. With its mining-boom money, perfect weather, and early closing hours (because who needs nightlife when you can be tucked in by 8:59 p.m. sharp?), Perth is a city that’s equal parts charming and infuriating.

We were lucky though — great friends make any city sparkle brighter. We are forever grateful to Terri and Margaret for hosting us like royalty (the kind of royalty that gets fed well), and to Cameila, Nick, and others for their beautiful hospitality. This trip somehow expanded our Perth friend-circle too — which is both wonderful and dangerous, because it means we now have even more people encouraging us to come back.

And what did we do in Perth? Oh, just the usual: we danced (of course), we checked ourselves into Fremantle Prison for a tour (thankfully they let us back out), and then rewarded our survival with a wander through Fremantle Market, where the smells alone make you want to move in permanently. After that, we climbed aboard Fremantle’s hilariously tiny ferris wheel (yes, it exists, and yes, it’s exactly as awkward as you think), and then we danced some more because, well, tango doesn’t schedule itself. We also wandered King’s Park, because apparently Perth’s trees are as famous as its mines, and we gazed at Perth from every angle — day Perth, night Perth, probably even “oh look, it’s Perth again” Perth.

All in all, Perth is a gem. But gems are heavy, and it’s time to keep moving. The road back awaits, and with it, new adventures, new towns, and probably new opportunities to wonder why Australia has so many big things (Big Banana, Big Lobster… still waiting for the Big Tango Shoe).