Perth

Perth is a lovely city – at least those are my impressions so far. Domhnall lives close to the city centre (10 min walk) in an incredible flat. I so should have done medicine! Even has a whirlpool spa in his bathroom.

So our tour started with a quick look around the CBD before heading out to a place called Freemantle which was an old prison colony (I think). Full of cafe’s and eateries set against the ocean.

We went to a microbrewery for lunch (after what must be my 154th ice-cream of the holiday to date). After that it was of to the excellent free shipwreck museum there. Most of the exhibits centre around the wreck of the batavia (which then turned into mutiny, torture and murder). Interestingly, the ship was carrying what was going to become the Gateway to Jakarta.

Which they managed to reassemble when the wreck was eventually discovered. Short story – Pelseart the captain wrecked the ship on a reef and took off with the officers to try to bring help. They got everyone to an island only to discover there was no fresh water. Bloke wot was called Cornelisz convinced the soldiers to head off to a nearby island to look for water, and left them stranded there.

Cornelisz then started his reign of terror – killing the women, children and the sick. Nice guy.

The captain Pelseart came back a month later with a rescue, and the stranded officers and the mutineers were in a race to tell their side of the story. The officers got there first…

And, as you can see from this pic, the mutineers (who were all – except for 4 hanged) had their hands cut off.

After the museum we browsed some of the shops. I thought this was a truly excellent sign. One wonders what happens when someone with a bikini goes in?

A walk along the beach – which Mad Domhnall went for a swim in

took us to an eaterie. The interesting thing was that it is run by the chef of Jacques Cousteau. We got spaghetti bologneise. And it was utterly delicious.

Drinks with friends of Domhnalls and Mhairis brought an end to a really fun day.