Perth is a big sprawling city with just a clump of tall buildings constituting it’s downtown area. I think of the high rise office buildings downtown as a part of the city that if the city had a say it would do with out ,but it has a downtown because convention states that it should, after all Perth is the capitol city of W.A (Western Australia). The communities that make up the metropolitan area are very unique as the surrounding terrain varies greatly, you have the ocean side communities and the flat land inter city stuff, if you go East a bit you get into the hill communities, and beyond those are the valleys where they raise horses and have orchards of all kinds of fruits. Honestly think of L.A and the lay out is similar but converted into Australian. The people fortunately are nothing like those in L.A. No Perth has the mindset more so of Denver, very outdoorsy people, very laid back. Weekends are spent in the parks or at the beach, walking the dogs, or sitting outside at the pub.
There is much to do and see in and around Perth, oddly enough what I have seen the least of is the actual downtown area, all this may soon change as I have an urge to wander around downtown and may indulge that urge within the next week. Close to the city center of Perth the Swan River meanders through in no real rush to the Indian Ocean and it is beautiful to drive along, they have a nice large expanse of grassy park on each side which seems real inviting to walk along or jog as many people do. Out here they have a real fondness of Parks and open spaces which I greatly respect.
12 miles south of Perth is the small port city of Freemantle, which was the first place people settled in the 1800 when’s they arrived in Western Australia. It is also the place I enjoy going the most on a Saturday or Sunday. It is about 45 minutes on the train from the Hills to Freemantle (The train portion of the public transportation system in Perth is another thing I enjoy about this place.) There is just something about Freo as it is affectionately nicknamed, it’s artsy and hip (not always a good thing but here it works well) they have a large indoor-outdoor market where you can find every thing from clothes, exotic coffee or even a Reese’s peanut butter cup at the international sweets booth. They do not have Reese’s cups here which is one of the things I miss about the good ole U.S of A, we have great candy. But back to Freo, it’s a great place to wander along back alleys taking photographs, they also have a lovely harbor side area with fishing boats docked and restaurants to sit and enjoy a sunset at. My favorite places to frequent are the two good breweries, the only place I feel like I am not being ripped off by paying 9.50 for a pint of beer.
It is here in Perth that I have fortunately found a job (even more fortunate that it doesn’t start till October) as an assistant / second photographer for a photography firm that handles everything from commercial shoots to weddings. I am very excited to see an Australian wedding, I have heard they are very interesting, and am sure I will have lots to blog about once I get started with those. Tomorrow (9-15-10) I am going camping down south in the Margaret River area which I have heard nothing but good things about and am looking forward to it, I might actually get to surf down there and shoot some great photos, so expect a post on that trip in about a week. It feels different being here on the other side of the world not as a constant traveler like I was through Asia but as a semi permanent resident, I do truly feel at home in Perth. I dig it!
As always thank you for your interest and please check out the photos at Flickr
Cheers - Bryan Brough
1 comments:
Sounds like amazing fun. I'm glad Perth is your perfect fit. Hope you score some great moments and even some good surf down in the Margaret River area. Thanks for blogging. Later!
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