Perth is a very pretty city.  Located on the Swan River, Perth is the capital of Western Australia, and has a population of about 2 million.  Our apartment is within the Central Business District of Perth, where so much is accessible within a 20 minutes walking radius.  Two large pedestrian malls run along Hay Street and Murray Street, and are lined with large and small shops.  Getting around the city is pretty easy, from train to bus to walking.  All the buses in the downtown core are free, regardless of route.  In addition there are “special buses  called the Red Cat, Blue Cat, Yellow Cat, and soon to be Green Cat, that make continuous circuits around the Central Business District (CBD) in various directions – so I have been busy exploring the city on foot and by free bus.

In the CBD street sculptures are found along the walkways –

  This one, in front of St. George’s Cathedral, looks like it is about to blow away.

This Kangaroo family is resting in front of Government House

And the scene outside my window keep changing.  A huge bike rally took place on Sunday with thousands of cyclists about to take off to raise funds for cancer research and awareness.

Perth is sunny in style and sunny in nature.  I love the continuously sunny days. With the exception of rain yesterday morning, I wake up every day to warm sunny skies.

And I am really struck by the warm and wonderful reception of the Australian people.  I am meeting lots of new friends, from Ted and Mary Pat inviting us to dinner in their lovely old home filled with art and antiques, to a yummy barbecue lunch at Katrina and Brandon’s       home, to a very warm and welcoming Weavers Guild, Australians are sharing their abundance with us.

I am settling in and feeling very at home here.