20 - 21 December 2018 - Cervantes and The Pinnacles

20 December 2018 - Thursday

Cervantes and The Pinnacles, Western Australia

Gino's is our breakfast place today, an Italian Cafe discovered by Phil --- delicious.

Today we hire a car and a driver, Sergio, who picks us up at 9:30am.    Sergio, a true international citizen, is of Italian descent, brought up in Brazil, lived in London where he met his wife who is of Irish descent -- they moved to Australia to raise their two boys.   

Our itinerary includes a quick tour through Perth to Whiteman Park, where Colette and Marc visit the Caversham Wildlife Park and Phil and I wander around the village area.   In the village, I pop into the Village Art Gallery where I meet Ian and his wife, Sam -- artists volunteering in the gallery.  Sam grew up not in the area  -- they recently retired here after raising their family in Brisbane.  Sam is full of tips on things to see and do around Perth.

Phil at the Lobster Shack, Cervantes, Western, Australia

Colette, Marc and Sergio emerge from the Wildlife Park just after Noon when we drive north to Cervantes for lunch at the Lobster Shack.    The Thompson family started this eatery about ten years ago but the family has been in the lobster wholesale business since the mid 1960's.    The lobster was good but tasted just like the lobster we have on Cape Cod -- at three times the price.   By the time we arrive at 2:30 pm -- the place is crowded -- so it is popular with tourists visiting this area.  The setting is right on the beach with crystal clear water.    

Seagulls at Lobster Shack checking out Leftovers

Our next stop is Namburg National Park to view the Pinnacles Desert Discovery -- a unique and mysterious group of thousands of structures rising out of the sand dunes.   These limestone pillars are all different -- some are jagged -- some are sharp-edged -- some resemble tombstones.    It is known that the basic material of the pinnacles comes from seashells of a much earlier era.   The debate begins when the discussion turns to how the pinnacles were formed.    All theories are most technical -- and beyond my comprehension.    So basically -- nobody knows how the Pinnacles got their various shapes.

Pinacles Namburg National Park

 The Pinnacles became known in 1967 when Namburg National Park was established -- their Discovery Center with all theories discussed opened in 2008.    According to a 2011 statistic, 150,000 visitors come every year to the Park -- it might be more in 2018.  

Tourists Playing among the Pinnacles

By the time we return to the hotel it is 7:30 pm -- we are all so exhausted, we don't bother with dinner.  We enjoyed exploring an area outside the city giving us another perspective on Western Australia.

 

Close up of a Pinnacle

21 December 2018 - Friday

Fremantle, Western Australia

Today is market day -- the Fremantle Market opens Friday through Sunday at 9am.   But -- the Yard area with all the food stalls opens at 8am.   Our breakfast in the Yard consists of a large fresh fruit salad, a ham & cheese croissant and the delicious coffee we've come to love in Australia.      By the time we finish, the market is open with lots    of stalls selling hand-made items from local artists -- delightful to see but nothing we can't live without.   It has already been determined that we need to purchase another suitcase since we are overloaded.

It is very warm in Fremantle today -- close to 90 degrees so after the Fremantle Market, Phil heads to the waterfront to check-out the "e-Shed Market" but reports back that it is pretty much the same but on a smaller scale.

We have lunch at the Millennium Pub where Phil gets a sirloin steak for $15AUD -- my BLT is $17AUD -- go figure.   After lunch we head to "Red Dot" to investigate another suitcase.  We settle on a small black number with four wheels on sale for $31AUD.   It is perfect for a carry-on allowing me to check the bag I am currently using as a carry-on.

So -- the packing begins since we board the Azamara Quest around Noon tomorrow.

But --- first the four of us have a 6:30 pm dinner reservation at LaSosta, an Italian restaurant recommended by Sergio.    It is a lovely evening so we opt to eat on the balcony with a view of the Fremantle rooftops -- our table is in a private corner surrounded by plants.   This evening is most pleasant -- a suitable ending to our week in Fremantle, Western Australia.

Marc, Colette, Pat and Phil at LaSosta in Fremantle Western Australia

Thanks for Reading.

Pat