Day 9 – Day 9 – Kings Park and then flying home

Looking out to Swan Water

It was very warm by the time we packed up and got ready to leave our accommodation. The hotel reluctantly agreed to store our bags until we were ready to head for the airport, although the receptionist wanted us to collect them by 3:30pm at the latest. I had thought that 4pm would be good but at least we had them looked after.

Sand sculpture

We called into the local patisserie and had a coffee with pain au raisin/friand before then taking the ferry across to Elizabeth Quay. We asked a woman at the Quay for directions to Kings Park but she was uncertain about how to get there as she had only driven or gone by bus. However, she did say to go up Mount Street. We could see why it was so named as the street was quite steep - not as steep as some of Wellington’s, but close. To get to the street we walked along a main thoroughfare that was obviously the business area of the city which was a hive of activity. There were some more interesting cafes and eateries than we had seen in other parts.

We reached our destination and found the park to be very large and rather beautiful. It has great views out over the CBD, Perth Water, and South Perth looking east and then as we wandered along a path toward the west we had good views of Melville Water which is where the Swan River meets the Canning River.

It was predicted to be a warm day and certainly by the time we arrived at the park it was. We took our time wandering up towards the top of the park coming across a viewing platform looking east toward the Swan Water, CBD and South Perth. A stunning view was to be had. Then it was getting near lunchtime so we thought escaping into some shade would be a good idea. However, finding the café and the Information Centre proved to be a bit of a challenge as the signs were related to paths that were blocked for pipe work (shades of Wellington).

Eventually we found the café and had a rather strange Quiche Lorraine; the French would have been aghast at it having that name. It had a pastry shell and some egg but that was the limit of similarity.

We called into the Information Centre and asked this really nice volunteer what they would recommend we do if pushed for time. He recommended a walk through the botanic garden which was nearby. It was most interesting, featuring plants from the various regions of Western Australia, including a 700 year old Baobab tree that had been transported from the Pilbara region in the far north of the state. It was moved to make way for a bridge which the local indigenous people were not impressed with but an agreement was reached for the tree to be relocated to the park. It is huge as you can see from photograph. It is over 2metres in diameter. It is a weird tree with very few leaves. I guess it is well adapted to the hot and dry climate of the Pilbara.

Baobab tree

Soon we had to depart the park. Fortunately, we found a bus to take us to the centre of the CBD and then it was a short walk to the ferry with us arriving at the apartments in time to get our bags.

We dragged our bags to the ferry and then it was quick walk to the Elizabeth Quay train station, one stop and a quick transfer to the airport line which took us to the International Terminal. It was so easy and stress free. The line to the airport had just been opened so I don’t think many people realise what an easy way it is to get to the terminal.

We changed at the airport into some clothes more appropriate for flying. It was a breeze going through security as they have scanners that don’t require you to take out your electronic gadgets. So much easier and quicker than when people are scrabbling to remove laptops etc.

Before long we were called to board our plane, an Airbus A330, which is operated by WAMOS Air a charter airline that Air New Zealand has to operate the Auckland to Perth route for about four months. We had a Spanish crew who provided a lovely service. I do like the A330. It has a 2-4-2 configuration so it is easy to get out if you are have a window seat. The only issue I had was the person in front of me decided to recline her seat into my face. The person in front of Bev did the same thing. They were uncooperative when we asked them to not recline being rather grumpy about it. When there is so little room it is rather an imposition. I do wish the airlines did not have reclining seats in Economy. The people in front of the two women, like us and most of the others in the plane, did not recline. It was an almost completely full flight.

Six hours after taking off we were in Auckland. Leaving a 7pm Perth time meant that it would have been 1pm Perth time but 6am NZ time when we arrived . I don’t sleep well on planes so there was going to be no chance of sleep for me that foreshortened night.

It was a bit of shock finishing what was a wonderful holiday. We liked the small bit of Western Australia that we saw. There were several impressions I was left with, one was that Western Australia felt like another country. Even Bev got the same sense. I was chatting to one of the winery people and he said that a referendum had been conducted on the matter in 1933 with 66% support for seceding. The petition to the British parliament at the time was unsuccessful. Secession is regularly brought up by MPs in West Australian parliament but so far nothing has come of it.

We found the people there very friendly and their accent was closer to the New Zealand accent than their compatriots in the east. English accents were noticeable with some being tourists but often they were residents. A fascinating place!