10. As an American it’s expensive here.  For example, a BLT Sandwich averages around $10-$13. Tipping is not expected, and servers make between $18-$25 an hour.

9.  Driving on the opposite side of the road doesn’t take long to get used to about a week.  It takes 2 weeks to get used to the area and drive on the opposite side of the road.  Everyone drives slow and relaxed just like…

8. ….No Worries, really means something to Australians.  They care about spending lots of time with their friends and families.

7.  People are extremely friendly, but they’re usually thrown off by American accents, so add a little twang to your vernacular.

6.  Internet here is expensive and slow.  There are no unlimited services.

5.  The food is very good when you find the right place.  Bookings aka Reservations are essential…I say essential because if you show up randomly they look at you funny. My favorite meal is kangaroo steak.

4.  People love the outdoors, bush walks, and camping are huge activities!

3.  Drinking local wine is extremely popular and their wine selection is incredible!

2.  Movies don’t come out here like in the States, they’re anywhere from a week behind to 3 months behind (obviously depends on the movie, ie. The Dark Knight…Heath Ledger…)

1.  The El Camino is coming back!  You watch!

And Sunday, I went to the great Avon Decent in the Swan Valley River very close to where I live.  This is a very popular two day Kayak race where about a thousand kayakers race down the river.  From what I hear it was very challenging this year because the river was much higher than previous years which caused lots of rapids to form.  There are a number of large rocks that one usually has to navigate around but this wasn’t so much the case this year.  The river was raging strong in some areas and kayakers were injured from slaming into the biggest rocks that were above the water line.  The area where we were was the roughest water and lots of kayakers tipped over and holding onto their kayak so it wouldn’t wash away.  It was incredible how some people were making it through the rapids and other were not so fortunate.  If you lost your kayak you had to be a strong swimmer and try to catch up with it, along with hoping it would slow down.  I saw a few Kayaks that were really banged up.  Most of the kayaks were the really long ones with a rudder and pedals.

After the Kayak race is the motor boat race where these 5 feet aluminum boats with out board motors race over these rocks with one man in the front checking for rocks and the other steering.  They sped by so the photos aren’t great.

The best part of this adventure was the bush walk!  When you go hiking in Australia it’s a bush walk, and boy did we go through some hairy areas!  It was incredible the trees and small streams we crossed to get where we needed to go.  It was awesome and I wish any of my good friends could have gone with me!  It was a beautiful hike and a beautiful day.  I was really fortunate to partake in this Aussie tradition.

Avon Decent

This past Saturday I went to Fremantle Prison, something I’ve heard good and bad things about.  I took the regular tour and was blown away by how old the prison was, and how recently (1991) it closed!  I took a number of pictures.  And there’s a lot to talk about.  There was a fire that was planned by the prisoners which started a riot and lasted 72 hours, while in negotiations they wanted some baked beans to release the last hostage guard.  It was really interesting to see how small some of the cells where at one time and where they hung prisoners.  Along with where solitary confinement was.  The most interesting part was where they would punish inmates with the “Cat o Nine Tails“.

The tour was really worth it, and I’d highly recommend it.  I might even go back to go the under ground tour of the riverways, and the ‘Great Escape’ tour where they show you how 260 inmates tried to escape!  Enjoy the photos.  I again tried to add as many comments as I could in the pictures.

Fremantle Prison

Margaret River

Note: Pictures were taken with an iPhone.

As I head to Margaret River on my 3 1/2 hour voyage, the beautiful country side was like any other with the exception of the Harvey District, known as ‘The Heart of Diary Country’, which I would only assume also it’s steak.  The number of cattle around was incredible, and it wasn’t the plain black and brown cows, it was the black and white spotty ones.  About mid way on my trip is where I stopped at Harvey Moo Shoppe / Visitor Centre, built in the 1800′s.  A quaint little store with a stable for a restroom in the back, and Stirling’s Restaurant Cottaqge situated on the picturesque banks of the Harvey River.  After my rest stop, I continued to my first destination in Margaret River, Cape Lavender for Breakfast.

First, let me describe the Margaret River area.  It has 2 major roads that run north to south on either side of the city.  Each road is surrounded with farm land for cattle, sheep, or grapes.  There are hundreds of wineries around.  It’s like you’re in the middle of no where but in reality you’re in very populated farm country.  The wineries, lodging, and restaurants are anywhere between 7-30 minutes apart.  The roads at night are dark and desolate, you might see a car every 15 minutes, (everyone drives around with their brights on).  There is only one area that’s heavily populated with stores and that’s the shopping centre.  The rest is mildly lit signs on the side of the road for lodging, wineries, and restaurants.

I wanted to arrive for breakfast at Cape Lavender, which is known for making consumables (soap, shampoo, fudge, wine, etc) out of Lavender trees and their breakfast. I had Green Eggs and Bacon with home made Vienna on top of Basil, which was absolutely delicious.  The 17 dollar meal was worth every penny and the lake side view was very peaceful.  After breakfast I went to their gift shoppe where they make EVERYTHING out of Lavender.  While shopping I found out they have 3 Labradors, 2 yellow and 1 chocolate lab and even make their own lavender dog shampoo and well of course…I can’t wait to use it on Hannah and Marle (Big Girl and Bubba)!
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