23rd Jan
- Moved back home to the place I moved into when I first arrived, from the shit hole I'd previously been calling a shit hole.
Day's Verdict: Home, sweet, home.
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24th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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25th Jan
- With the next day off, a trip to my local, The Garden, was called for, to consume random solids of food and swallow random liquids of drink.
Day's Verdict: Was a good night.
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26th Jan
- Australia Day!
- Super hot week so far, with temperatures staying above 40C the last place you'd want to be for it is a rooftop bar.
- The Aviary was our venue of choice, a new bar in Downtown Perth, that's perched on a rooftop, underlooking the Perth highrises.
- Thankfully, we got in there early to enjoy the use of a near-by fan, awesome service (except for one rude prick) supplying us with more water than Niagara Falls could throw up and the most amazing BBQ.
- Most of the day was spent listening to the Australian Day tradition of listening to the Triple J (Australia's BBC Radio 1) Top 100, some song got number 1, it was as expected and a bit rubbish, so not worth me remembering it.
- As night fell and drinks still flowing, a lightning storm rolled in as people were getting ready for Perth's Australia Day Skyworks, which was sold to me as the same as Sydney's New Year's Fireworks...
- ...Well, what a load of bollocks that was, saw no fireworks or lightning as the buildings obscured the show. Worst. Display. Ever.
- Amazing pictures of the Perth's skyline did emerge with fireworks and lightning erupting at the same time. Here.
Day's Verdict: Long.
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27th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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28th Jan
- Amazing session of peddling and padding on bike and board, respectively.
- Cricket in the evening, the 20/20 Cricket Big Bash Final, Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers.
- Perth got destroyed.
Day's Verdict: It had its ups and downs.
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29th Jan
- Breakfast of fruit toast and peanut butter, reading the paper, people watching, drinking coffee and water, with the ambient sounds of loud frantic jazz.
- Watched the Melbourne Tennis final, I don't even like tennis, but this match where "Rafael Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in the longest Grand Slam singles final in the history of professional tennis on Sunday after 5 hours, 53 minutes." - from, Fox News Latino.
Day's Verdict: 40/love.
16th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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17th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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18th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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19th Jan
- After a fairly dull beginning of the week, I thought I'd treat myself to something new and having not seen one yet, I thought I may as well see what one tastes like.
- I head to Jus Burger, a fancy-pants burger joint, that do a wide array of burgers and not much else, as the name suggests, and order a Kangaroo burger
- Waiting for it to be lovingly made almost in front of me, with their open plan kitchen, it arrived on a wooden plate, and take a cautiously yet excited bite.
- Hmm, nothing special.
Day's Verdict: Disappointing.
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20th Jan
- Headed up north to a friend's house for a relaxed night of authentic Aussie bar-be, beers and biltong.
Day's Verdict: Meat heavy.
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21st Jan
- Morning spent down at the brilliant Trigg Beach as the waves were up, and without a board, body surfing was our only option.
- Surf competition ensued and coming a consistent second was all I could manage.
- Evening brought a thrilling game, the semi-final of the Big Bash Cup 20/20 cricket, amongst Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Stars
- Perth won!
- Went out for a Chinese afterwards, which was, a bit shit, but didn't ruin the high spirits.
Day's Verdict: Typically Australian (minus the Chinese).
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22nd Jan
- Relaxed breakfast
- Leisurely walk to Harbour Town, a discount shopping mall.
- Laid back session of swimming in friend's a pool
- End the day by taking a break and having some pizza
Day's Verdict: Tranquillized.
9th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
10th Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
11th Jan
- Another fantastical sleepless night.
- Up early for a morning beach run and swim, blow out some hatred towards my home.
- Evening brought a pleasant evening's stroll for 2 hours in and around Downtown Perth, taking in the sights and sounds of no one around
Day's Verdict: Ohh yes, that's nice.
12th Jan
- Tried a new restaurant for me, called Banzai in Leederville, great cheap food with and authentic rude service twist.
Day's Verdict: Tasty.
13th Jan
- Leaving drinks in the afternoon-stroke-evening-stroke-quite early morning
- Starting at the Royal in East Perth, we scooted along to a place called Queens an old converted rail station, only to finish up at another pub in, somewhereville, called Squires
Day's Verdict: I think it was fun.
14th Jan
- A day of Cricket, all day long. All. Day.
- I didn't really understand what was going on, but what I did get, that it was, Australia vs India in a something, for something, to do with something.
- Hesitant at first because quite frankly, cricket is utterly boring, I really enjoyed myself, chilling on the grass watching the 35 degree day go by as people played in front of you, like some sort of primitive TV, whilst having a picnic!
Day's Verdict: How very civilised.
15th Jan
- Having the bug from exploring, I took a 3 hour walk down and along the river. Inadvertently passing the best bit along the way Kings Park, but it was too late by then, so I just carried on avoiding it.
- I went on the most terrifying paddleboarding session I've ever had, with strong currents, winds, a very small board and fairly choppy waters, I was at high risk to falling in, which I really didn't want to do that day, why? Because there were swarms of jellyfish down there, hundreds of the buggers idly being all menacing looking.
- Turns out I had nothing to worry about, as they aren't poisonous, wasted energy it seems!
- Evening, had a heavy enjoyable Sunday session at the Garden (for a change!)
Day's Verdict: An awesome day.
- The previous night the fly screen was broken and needed repairing, the best tool for the job at the time was the ignition key for the campervan, as you can probably see where this is going, it broke, in half, our only key leaving us with no key to start the car and no way of getting home and we had to get home.
- Doing what all great people do, we left it and got breakfast. Ignored the problem for a while, getting back to the car we tried all manner of things, screwdrivers, punching, hope, but all with no avail.
- We had one solution left. A locksmith but it was a public holiday and stuck in an area that only has one locksmith, we were riding all our hopes on that.
- He was on holiday.
- We booked a coach back to Perth leaving the key breaker to go down with the ship as he wasn't in a rush to get home, we decided to spend the last few hours in Margaret River, swimming in the river and reading magazines (not at the same time)
- We got on the coach and began our long long journey home...
- All the while another locksmith made himself known, who had to kindly drive an hour with his kit down to us to see if it was even possible to fix the key.
- It was possible!
- We hopped off the coach halfway and met with key-breaker to have a sundowner drink and carry on the the rest of the journey back to Perth the way we started it.
Day's Verdict: Mild Panic.
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3rd Jan
Day's Verdict: Nothing of interest happened.
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4th Jan
- Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to temporarily move out of my bed, room, house, home I have been living in since I arrived in Perth, to go to somewhere new and exciting.
- Tonight's entertainment was packing.
Day's Verdict: Packed.
5th Jan
- Moving Day!
- I am with a... New key to a... New room with a... New mattress with a... nothing else, just a bed on a wooden floor
Day's Verdict: Awesome Hobo Chic.
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6th Jan
- My Night's Sleep:
- 21:45 - I head to bed for an early night at my new place so I can feel refreshed and positive in the morning.
- 21:55 - Sleeping is made difficult as it's more humid than a summer in Dubai.
- 22:30 - Landlord comes home with another housemate, they're both drunk and seem to be making the nosiest meal in the world.
- 23:15 - Mosquito enters the room and decides to dive-bomb my ear canals.
- 00:05 - With his window open, my next door neighbour decides to watch some Lucha Libre, loudly.
- 01:15 - After a long fought battle with the mosquito using a lonely bare bulb for lighting, I kill the offending mosquito.
- 03:00 - A housemate leaves the house for work using the tiny pitter-patter footsteps of Goliath.
- 04:50 - Radio alarm goes off at full blast and continues to play crappy hits with an annoyingly upbeat radio DJ, for 3 hours.
- 07:20 - My alarm goes off and I get the fuck out of the house and get to work as quickly as humanly possible.
- 08:05 - I'm tired, full of hate and I've never been happier to be at work - sickening.
- Thankfully the evening's entertainment brought some stark contrast to the night, through a leaving celebration.
- Chinese Banquet, set menu where everything was made in front of you, annoyingly the only thing they didn't do was chew for me.
- Afterwards, we head to a gay bar called The Court, with drag show performance going on, quite the eye-opener and surprisingly good fun.
Day's Verdict: Zombie.
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7th Jan
- Leaving the house early (a common theme not to spend anytime in there whatsoever) I head to Greens & Co. coffee shop for a relaxed morning of eating fruit toast and reading the paper, like a right ol' chap that I am.
- The day brought nothing much and the evening was drinks at the Garden and further drinks at my old home.
Day's Verdict: Somewhat chilled, what what!.
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8th Jan
- Leaving the house early (a common theme not to spend anytime in there whatsoever) I head to Greens & Co. coffee shop for a relaxed morning of eating fruit toast and reading the paper, like a right ol' local that I am.
- The day brought a windy beach trip to Scarborough and some afternoon seafood delight before watching an amazing film '50/50'
Day's Verdict: Sunday, bloody Sunday!
26th Dec
- Boxing Day
- Morning walk on the beach with a borrowed dog.
- Watched the sun go down on Perth City from Kings park whilst enjoying picnic.
Day's Verdict: Waggy Tail.
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27th Dec
- Sunday drive around the suburbs of Perth south of the river down to Coogee, passing Point Walter (A family orientated area along the river) along the river down to East Fremantle (Barracks and bars) in Coogee at John Graham Recreation Reserve (a pleasant clean beach, filled with energetic families)
Day's Verdict: Vroom Vroom.
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28th Dec
Day's Verdict: Urgh.
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29th Dec
- Headed up north to Hillarys, which sounds more upper class than it actually is, boat harbour is a great place filled with a bit of beach, many restaurants with a lively atmosphere, grabbing a leisurely lunch at some trendy place.
- Evening, rental film night many chips and cola watching the incredible B-movie 'Hobo with a Shotgun'
Day's Verdict: Grand.
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30th Dec
- Day at the beach enjoying a bit of body surfing.
- Evening, spent relaxing before a weekend away...
Day's Verdict: Calm.
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31st Dec
- New Year's Eve
- Picked up a camper van and drove down to Margaret River, saw my first ever Kangaroo (dead on the side of the road.)
- 3 and half hours later arrived into Margaret River and check into the campsite, grabbed some late lunch at Corners (Standard pub on a corner.)
- Driving around Margaret river going to Edwards vineyard for a few tasters of their red wine.
- Evening party celebrations saw us at the fairly-sleazy venue, Settlers, as was said, sleazy and cheesy.
- Successfully missed out on the New Year's countdown when the band was so into singing a shit rendition of Mr. Brightside by The Killers that, at 00:05 they counted down from 3, with much lacklustre said "Happy New Year!" and went into an equally shit rendition of some shitty Abba song.
- Thankfully this sour note did last the rest of the night as we returned to the campsite and everyone passed out, I got to having a few drinks with this travelling couple, and have been all around the globe and listening to their stories brought me back from a fairly average night.
Day's Verdict: Yeah... Nah... Yeah.
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1st Dec
- New Year's Day.
- The world, it's brother and extended family had the same idea to go out for breakfast, the long long wait was worth it when my shabby breakfast burrito was plonked down in front of me, too hungry to care.
- Drove around the area, through these impressive some impressive forests and down into Hamelin Bay a quiet calm beach with stingrays coming up to the water's edge for feeding and interesting rock formations within the cliffs, my highlight.
- Next was a blitz down to Augustus lighthouse, it was a lighthouse.
- Driving back north to Prevlin Bay being awed by the fire damage the area endured a few weeks back, bare exposed rocks where forests once existed, further inland burnt out trees with fresh bright pink foliage coming through was an amazing sight.
- Evening drinks games followed by food, where we waited for ages for take away to be ready (the world, it's brother and extended family had the same idea) I grabbed a drink with a German couple that were fanatic about kitesurfing.
Day's Verdict: Visual treat.
