Pick up day: BRITZ campervan!

Here we are our first drive in the campervan. We picked up our home on wheels and did our longest drive all on the first day. We left Perth and drove down the Albany highway to the southern coast. The town of Albany was our first stop.

bush landscape

Nevi's perch in the back. Not so bad as there were stereo speakers right above her head and she could rock out along the way.

evening fun

Back in Perth and we had fish and chips at a local hang out and then hit a brewery for Devin to have some "real" beer! Nevi in the brewery trees!

Fish and Chips!

Exploring Perth some more...

the next beach

This is the next beach we took the free bus too on Rottnest. Tucked away and beautiful~

Rottnest Island

Our first full day in Perth we spent at Rottnest Island. Just a few ferry rides away from the city. The island has no cars- so lots of people rent bicycles or there is a bus that goes around and around. We bought a family pass and could get off and on the bus- going from beach to beach.

Devin and Nevi on their first snorkel together. We bought great gear in Perth and it was widely used all vacation. A good purchase for sure!

Not so easy to get in the water with flippers...but they made it:)

Kangaroo Park

Our first evening in Perth, we walked a bit to find a good location for the famous Fish and Chips dinner. On our way, we passed a dear little park with Kangaroo sculptures and a little stream. These are the finer details that make Perth a truly lovely city. And by the way, we found a great pub along the Swan River for some fish & chips....and some "real" beer for Devin! Oh yeah- the trip had begun.

For real

Ok-seriously. I was so excited to see a Target in Australia. Some people ask what do you miss being away and living in another culture? Some might say they miss a certain food or their friends. I do miss my friends, I deeply do...but people TARGET rules.

Australia 2009

We are home from the most wonderful 18 days in Western Australia. I have missed blogging...I am back and over the next few days will take you on a journey through our adventures. Beginning...NOW. Perth is a beautiful city. A city with an ocean and a river system. Beaches...history...modern...very progressive with sustainability...great food...and lovely people.

The first day we spent exploring King's Park.....and by the time we left Australia we had come to King's Park about four times. It is beautiful. I think this picture sums up how Nevi felt about arriving in Australia. A sense of freedom to run free that she does not have in Malaysia. I was so happy to see her sense of freedom return.

And our whole family felt a sense of freedom....to be relaxed, fun, easy going, silly, and HAPPY!