Perth, Australia

You'll have to forgive the long period of time since my last entry, but it's more tricky than you might think to type upside down...

Yes, I am in Australia, or "Straya" as the natives call it. I've just completed the first of five weeks in the country, which I have spent in and around Perth, in Western Australia. I'm staying with a family who moved out here from Reading last year, and thus am greatly enjoying such novelties as "home comforts". Such comforts will, I fear, be an island in a sea of youth hostels filled with snoring Indians and hockey-playing Egyptians. (That's not to say that I have anything against them, but... they're not quite my cup of tea.)

Having arrived on Friday and taken a somewhat circuitous route from the airport, looked around the Scott family's massive house (complete with swimming pool and ocean views!) and slept in a bed (makes a change from hard chairs in an airport) we left early on Saturday morning for Bunbury, a town 200km south to visit relatives of the family and to celebrate Australia Day - which commemorates the country's independence. As an ardent Brit, you'll understand that I had somewhat mixed feelings... that aside, however, it was an enjoyable weekend, with drives to and on the beach every day. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones enjoying the Indian Ocean that weekend: there were reports of a shark attack not too far from where we were (but 25km off the coast, so not a problem for us beach-bathers) and, more annoyingly, jellyfish were out in force to sting unwary swimmers. I got stung three times in the weekend, but thankfully the pain goes away quickly.

I'm currently in an internet café in the centre of Perth, on my second day exploring the city, courtesy of lifts here and back with Tony, who works in the centre of town. It's a nice place, with a surprisingly small centre for a city of 1.3 million people. You can walk across it in 10 minutes, although there's quite a lot of further commercial development before the suburbs begin, which stretch for 40km along the coast. The city is very clean and pleasant, even during rush hour thanks to the pedestrianised areas and parks dotted frequently around the place.

The biggest of these is King's Park (named after Edward VI (?), king at the time of Oz's independence) which overlooks the centre from the top of a cliff. Had I taken care to look at the map before going there, I might have avoided climbing 240 steps up "Jacob's Laddder" which left me so out of puff I had to head straight for the café - remember that it's hot here, which saps one's strength rather. The climb was worth it, however, as my pictures will testify when I eventually get them on here. You can see the whole centre of the city, plus the Swan River, which wraps around it like... a swan.

I've spent a while wandering around the centre with its malls and arcades linking the streets. There has also been opportunity to indulge in skyscraper-gazing, guaranteed to raise the heckles of the locals as I stand in the middle of the "sidewalk" gaping like an idiot.

For the next four hours I think I'll head to the museum, which I've heard is interesting. That will nearly exhaust Perth's tourist activities. Earlier today I hired a bike and cycled around the bay that fronts the city. The annoying hire bike aside (who invented those infernal pedal brakes anyway?) it was rather enjoyable, which will come as a surprise to anyone who knows my attitude to exercise. Yesterday afternoon I also took a brief trip to Fremantle, a small sister city to Perth a few miles (sorry, km) to the south where all the trendy surfer types hang out. All I found, however, was an old prison now turned into offices (!) and a fishing port. Maybe I looked in the wrong places...

I leave Perth on Sunday for Adelaide, taking the 42 hour train ride which cost only A$155 (about £65). In Adelaide I'll be back to hostelling, so wish me luck!