wrong side of the bed turns into perfection

The Definition of waking up on the wrong side of the bed is: when you turn your alarm off at 4am, fall back asleep, miss your shuttle to the airport, take a $90 cab ride (should be a $30 airport shuttle fee), think your 5 hour flight is really 3 hours, and have a very bumpy LONG plane ride.

My trip to Perth started out as a nightmare, but as soon as I landed that all changed. I took a city bus to the center of Perth City, where I walked for 10 mins to Nick’s apartment. He had just moved in on Tues, and this was Sunday. His roommate moved in the night before, and there were two Danish girls also staying there. The cozy 2 bedroom 5 people apartment was sure to be an interesting week.

As soon as I got to Nick’s apt, we immediately headed to the beach. Cottelstoe. BEAUTIFUL beach. Ocean was so clear, gorgeous turquoise color, white sand, and the water was a perfect temperature on such a hot day. After a glutton fest of fish and chips (a standard beach meal) and hours of soccer, catch, soaking in the sun, swimming and relaxation we headed to the Ocean Beach Hotel for a Sunday Session. This can be compared to what I used to know as Sunday Funday. At about 5 o’clock the bar fills up with beach goers and everyone sits, chats, watches the sun go down, and relaxes in the shade of the bar. My nightmare of a morning quickly turned to magnificence and set the pace for the rest of my time in Perth.

Monday I got my bearings for the city of Perth. To my surprise the city is actually quite small. The CBD (city business district) is actually quite small in comparison to most of the other Capitol cities. Easy to walk around, except for this wicked heat that is following me around Australia. Monday afternoon the Danish, Chris (nick’s roommate who doesn’t have a job yet) 3 of Chris’s friends, and myself went to the park to play some soccer, and just lay in the shade. Like I said wicked heat here. The view from the park overlooks the city, and was spectacular.

On Tuesday, Chris, the Danes, and I took a ferry to Rottness Island. We rented bikes and snorkels once on the islan and rode around a very hilly island where around every corner was another postcard beach where we would stop, cool off with a swim, and a snorkel. Awesome day, yet very tiring.

Wednesday I was told that I was going to be “dragged” sailing. Shoot- twist my arm. I HAVE to go sailing. Dammit, I really don’t want to go on a sunset sail, with Champagne, sushi, chocolate, good company and the breeze at my back. It was remarkable!! Every Wednesday night the yacht club in Perth has a “social race” involving, sailing casually, drinking champagne, and eating yummy food while on the boat. Anyone can go, and because some boats need extra crew to raise the sails, everyone gets a boat to go on. Nick and his friend Jenna have been on the same boat for the last few weeks, and we were lucky enough to be back on it this week. It was all mid 50 year old’s and it was awesome. I had a great time chatting to the various Aussies on the boat, and I think they were glad to have a young American on board snapping her camera wildly with excitement.

I head off for South East Asia on Saturday morning, and I am super stoked. I booked my hostel in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and I will meet up with Heidi and her friend on the night of the 15th where we are staying in a proper hotel before we head off to the airport early in the morning to fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

As a side note, I have been very very, very lucky to have not been affected by the horrible, and devastating fires in Australia. This is the country’s biggest “natural” disaster of all time. Unfortunately people have started most of the fires intentionally. The death toll climbs every day, and it is horrifyingly sad to read the paper and see the type of destruction that has been caused, and the families that have suffered. I am glad to say that I am 100% okay, and the fires are not where I am, but regardless it is quite sad to be here during this sad time for the nation.