Perth Day 1

As per usual, not a good night sleep for the first night, but up bright and early for a 7.20am pick to take us on our half day Perth and Fremantle city experience tour. Forecast of 30 degrees and sunny today so we are in for a Gorgeous day. Breakfast was good and lots of choices. My kittens were all ready for our pickup but the coach was 20 minutes late so hopefully that doesn't encourage them to be late tomorrow! Hans was our coach driver and explained excellent commentary throughout but was hard to hear at times because the air conditioning drowned him out for those sitting in the back half of the coach, which I was. Anyway a good orientation drive through the city and lots of million dollar properties to see. So much building and general development everywhere. So many high-rises of both business offices and apartments. Not sure how much if it will end up occupied though with such a huge slump in mining. However the Perth community just seem to have their heads down and bum up, or possibly have their heads in the sand, and keep going on as though there will not be any significant change to their economy. First stop at Kings Park which was just beautiful. Wild flowers are out and the whole site is magnificently maintained. Did you know that Kings Park is the biggest natural park in the world, even bigger than Central Park New York? It is 404 hectares. These sand eaters are very proud of doing every thing big! Taking up 1/3 of the Australian continent (or is it island) they can fit Texas in its boundaries three times, the UK more than ten, Germany 7 and Switzerland where Hans is from, 61 times.
But now, back to the tour. We had almost an hour in Kings Park so a few of our little group chose to do the walk through the tree canopies on the Tree Top glass walkway.
It isn't a fraction as good as the walks and bridges in Capilano (don't think I've spelt that correctly) in Vancouver. However was still really nice. Excellent views of the Perty city skyline. Saw a fabulous 750 year old Boab tree that somehow managed a 3200km move to transplant it in Kings Park. Then back on the coach for a scenic drive to Cottesloe beach (I reckon that even our Semaphore beach has a nice sand and swimming area) and then to Freo(as the locals call Fremantle). Had an hour there so time for a wander and light lunch at a lovely little bakery Hans recommended. Just enough time then to have a look at the Stunned Emu Designs gallery next door where I stumbled upon a delightful little framed print that I simply had to have! Back on the coach with 2 minutes to spare, and Hans was already doing a head count!!!! Not sure if any of my little gaggle would have actually spoken up if I hadn't been onboard and he started to drive off,,,,, hmmmmm.
Anyway, time now to head back to the city and a running commentary on the history of settlement in Perth. Dropped off at our hotel just before 1pm and we all feel like we've fitted in a full days touring already.
One of our ladies had been booked to do a tour on her own to Wave Rck on Friday when the rest of us have a free day. I told her that I would confirm the booking for her when we got back from our morning tour. One of the other ladies overheard this and decided that she would like to go to Wave Rock too. As the gossip grapevine gained momentum I ended up having 4 of them wanting to do this trip. Please keep in mind that there are only 6 of them and 1 is already booked, so only 1 remains sticking with our original itinerary. So I tell them to be back in the hotel foyer in 10 minutes with their credit card, and I will attempt to get them booked on Fridays Wave Rock tour. MS who can't cope with being left out of anything, had indicated she wanted to come, but didn't show up in the foyer at the 10 minute mark. She did come down later so say she now wasn't feeling well so wouldn't be going. The fact that it is two days away and she is likely to feel better then was probably her way of excusing herself from the tour, after finding out that the cost for the full day tour is just under $200.  Little M hadn't said a word about coming but was in the foyer with credit card in hand. So, I get on the phone to the tour company, confirm 1 already booked and then spend the next 40 minutes getting 3 more booked. What a to-do. Initially they wouldn't accept a debit card and then one of the ladies tells me she doesn't have a credit card but can pay cash. I did ask her how she expected me to pay cash over the phone, in the nicest possible way of course, and she just stared at me blankly. After some very deep breaths in and out, one of the other ladies offered to pay for her on her credit card and she would accept the cash. So with much effort and trying of the little patience I possess  at the best of times, all is sorted and they are booked for Friday. This now means I only have MS and another lady to find things to do for Friday. MS sticks to you like a second skin so I can't see myself having a day to myself any time soon.
So all sorted now, 3 very satisfied travellers and way past time for a much needed cuppa for me.... And it is only 2 pm.....