This Time Last Week, Photos From Down Under

A clear indication that you are still not over holiday mode is when you keep using the phrase “this time last week…”. It felt so unsettling – almost unreal – when we touched down at Pudong International Airport. At 6am Shanghai was just waking up and a thick fog hung over the city. Fifteen hours before and we were saying goodbye to a cloudless Perth and Lezil’s family.

As we opened the door to our apartment everything inside was unchanged, exactly how we left it a month ago. That was that, our incredible holiday experience over. There was clothes washing to do, a supermarket run, pay the outstanding water and electricity bills and get my mind zoned in for my first day back at work on Monday. Thank goodness it was only a Saturday and I had those two days to settle down a bit.

In the meantime, Lezil and I started to look back over the last four weeks allowing the memories and photos to imprint themselves permanently into our minds. I soon realised there were a number of images I didn’t put up. So instead of my usually meaty blog, I will allow the photos and captions to tell some of the additional stories from our unforgettable time down under. And I’m pretty sure we will be casting our thoughts back quite a bit over the coming weeks. To the Hendricks family (Lezil’s side) – thank you! To some of the additional friends met along the way: Brook, Joe, Jeff, Lenor, Cheryl, Wayne, Luke – thank you! And all the other random once-only people we came across – thank you! To Western Australia (our home for the month) – you truly are blessed with some of the best beaches and lifestyle culture anywhere on earth. We will be back!

(And, what was I doing this time last week? Well, it was so hot that I was in the back garden catching some sun when the sprinklers suddenly came on. What a refreshing feeling sitting in the midst of all those falling droplets!)

(For the photos below, click on them to enlarge.)

Busselton Jetty

The longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere at 1.8km located in Georgraphe Bay, Western Australia.

The lighthouse at the start of the jetty.

Getting ready for the long walk to the end.

View of the shoreline from the start of the jetty.

The jetty's full length which bends to the right in the far distance.

And so, the walk commences!

Lezil takes her time, enjoying the awesome views and weather.

Poems and sayings can be found all along the jetty.

There was a train you could catch but we opted to go on foot instead.

Dad and daughter.

Finally reaching the end, with Brook (Lezil's brother Jesse's girlfriend).

Back by the beach in Busselton. Great water for swimming - so clear and lots of fishes!

Tucking into a yummy portion of fish & chips!

Leighton Beach, Perth

Just north of Fremantle in Perth, runs a line of beaches literally one going into the other. This particular one we went to was Leighton Beach. Clean, great for swimming and popular with dog owners.

Soaking in the sun and sea on our last week in Perth.

Look at Lezil the beach babe! LOL.

Nothing like going for a run along the sea!

Lezil feeling so laid back as the waters gently lap the shore.

A couple of doggies go for a paddle.

Lezil at home by the beach.

Beatty Park Leisure Centre, Perth

In an area called Vincent north of central Perth, you can find an excellent swimming complex - Beatty Park. First opened in 1962, there are two outdoor pools and two indoor pools, a gym and a spectactor's seating area. Just $5.70 gets you in. Well maintained and brilliant to be able to swim outdoors.

The impressive outdoor 50m pool.

Getting a few laps in!

Kings Park, Perth

Just over 4 square kilometres in size, Kings Park is one of the largest city parks in the world. With a number of walkways, spectacular views of the city, botanical gardens and grass which you can picnic on, it was inspiring place to spend a morning at.

Lezil and I at one of the view points with Perth central in the background.

An outdoor concert venue at Kings Park.

More awe-inspiring views of the city and Swan River.

A map detailing points of interest around the Swan River.

Walking over one of the elevated bridges.

Final Night BBQ, Perth

Our very last night in Perth and we decided to do an evening BBQ with some family friends over to join us. It was a full on South African affair and the night ended with a intensely contested game of charades! Fun times.

These free BBQs can be found all around the neighbourhood. Just one push of the 'on' button and you are ready to cook!

I do the honours of putting on the first sausages (beef of course, I don't eat pork!).

Family friend Jeff and I at the grill.

Darkness quickly falls and the cooking continues - Dad H and Lezil.

Waiting for the food, Jesse and his girlfriend Brook.

Family friend Cheryl (Right) with Mom H.

(left to right) Jeff, his wife Lenor, myself and Lezil.

South Africans (with an Australian/Ecuadorian/British thrown in) all ready to feast on the BBQ food!

The street lights haven't come on yet, so we use a couple of tablets for light!

And The Final Goodbye...

The holiday started as it ended - with the family and with unbroken sunshine, both of which was making it very hard to tear ourselves away from Perth.

Arriving at Perth International Airport to check in for our return flight.

Waiting to check in (left to right) Mom H, Lezil and me!

Final pose - (left to right) Dad H, me, Mom H and Lezil.

The family together for our last lunch before we go through to boarding.

Our Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 getting ready for the 4hrs 45min flight to Singapore.

Can't believe it's all over! :(

Several hours later, we arrive the next day in cold and overcast Shanghai.