We had a full day with an overnight and then a morning sail away from this port and town. The port, Fremantle was a pretty little town itself which has been gradually absorbed into the growing city of Perth, inland on the Swan River. Perth, one of the most isolated cities in the world, is actually closer (in distance) to some Indonesian cities than to any Australian city. We had an early arrival and Hanson and I got off the ship before breakfast to go to the information booth for maps and info about transport into town and free Wi-Fi sites.
Fremantle Sail In with Perth in Distance
After breakfast we went on an excursion to the Caversham Wildlife Park in the Swan River valley. We drove on the outskirts of Fremantle & Perth into the hills to the Park. We finally got to see and touch (with the back of our hands) Koalas…sooo cute and so sleepy!
Koalas
They say their diet of eucalyptus leaves does not give them much energy.
The guide gave us some pellets to feed the kangaroos.
Kangaroos
They were very gentle and looked sleepy too especially because their eyes are kind of slanted and slitted. There were small ones and large ones too and they like to dig holes to get down to cooler earth to rest in.
We saw a variety of birds, owls, falcons and cockatoos and emus, the national bird. We got to sit next to a wombat and see a Tasmanian Devil running around.
Wombat (The One Without a Hat)
Tasmanian Devil
We got back to the ship in time for a late lunch and then Hanson & I decided to take the train into Perth to see the half-timbered London Court and it’s clock with jousting knights on horses when it strikes the hour, and to walk about a bit but had to take a train back to Fremantle within 2 hours for our round trip ticket to be valid.
London Court
Walking back to the ship from the train station we stopped in a local grocery store for some Aussie beer and at a Backpackers to find out about possible free Wi-Fi sites in Fremantle. After a late dinner Hanson went off to find the Wi-Fi and I rested my sore feet and watched a Shanty Song show with singers originally from Scotland, Netherlands & England (so much for local talent I guess).
Shanty Singers
Hanson got this photo of our ship at night as he returned.
The ms Rotterdam at Night