I arrived back in Perth on 24th February. I came back a day earlier than originally planned as I had been give a ticket for A O Lang Pho – a production by Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam which was part of the Perth International Arts Festival. It was at the Regal Theatre, a lovely old theatre in Subiaco.

It is circus show, of the same quality as Cirque du Soleil, but very different. It has been very successful and is touring globally. If you gate a chance to see it, I strongly recommend you do. I have borrowed the publicity shot below.

The following day I met up with Stephen and Mel Lupi (who I hadn’t seen since Stephen emigrated in 2003) and their family. I stayed with them for the rest of my time in Perth. They were very generous hosts and I hope to be able to do the same for them when they visit the UK next year.

Perth is a very modern city with on the banks of the Swan River.

Located on a hill above the city is Kings Park. It is one if the largest inner city parks in the world – even larger than Central Park in New York. It has great views over the city.

The city itself is very modern but it retains some of the older government buildings, such as the old Treasury Building (Now restaurants and a boutique hotel),

the Town Hall,

and the Supreme Court.

Some of the older buildings have also been retained in the shopping district.

Unfortunately, there have been some additions that are not quite so classy such as London Court – the mock Tudor shopping arcade.

Perth has one of the two His Majesty’s Theatres. The other is in Aberdeen, Scotland. (There are many more Her Majesty’s Theatres). Now finally listed as a state heritage icon it is the home to the West Australian Ballet and Opera. You can get a personal tour around it for $2 AUD.

When it opened in 1904 it was named after King Edward VII.

The Perth water front is currently going through a major regeneration. One of the new buildings is the Bell Tower which houses a large collection of bells, including those from St Martins in the Fields, London.

Stephen and I drove  out to Freemantle on the coast and visited the Western Australia Ship Wrecks museum. It explains how Western Australia was discovered by the Dutch spice ships over shooting Indonesia and wrecking off the West Australian coast.

The following day I took a trip to Rottnest Island which is 18km off the Freemantle Coast. The island is best known for its population of Quokkas.

They are only found on a few islands (predominantly Rottnest) having been predated by Foxes, Cats and Dogs on the mainland. The island also has many lovely bays and beaches.

During my visit, I also managed to fit in the Claisebrook Cove Parkrun. Another very hot 8am start.

I will remember Perth for my visit with the Lupi family and the amazing weather. On the 28th February I departed for the east coast of Australia.