Australia Literally: Back in Perth .... King's Park, Perth Zoo, North Cott

Back in Perth now. We hired a car .... Australians don't say rent, and headed off for stop #1, King's Park. Dad just now "King's Park was the highlight of the day". "Beautiful Place". So much easier than writing my own stuff. "Must be so beautiful when the flowers are in bloom" says mom. Dad replies, "So clean, and nobody there". Ok, now there are digital camera battery issues. The conversation has changed.

Today was extremely hot, and may have been the hottest I've felt in Perth. It got really muggy in the early afternoon after we got to the zoo. It was so hot, the area that usually holds 20 kangaroos bouncing around you was deserted. Mom and Dad didn't even realize we were IN the kangaroo pen. Then you could start spotting them in the bushes or under the trees. The only one we saw moving was one that got up, dug a bit of a hole, and then collapsed inside. If the kangaroos weren't active, I didn't hold much hope for the koalas. Koalas usually spend over 20 hours sleeping. On a day like today, I reckon that increases to 25 hours. Other highlights from the zoo were an orangutan with a little baby hanging from it's stomach, and much like the Tortoises in Taronga, we saw some Madagascaran Turtles going at it. At least somewhat. It looked like 2 of them were trying to mount 2 others that didn't want them to mount. So it just turned into a never ending circle. "What are they doing Daddy?" asks a little girl. "I think they are playing the Merry Go Round Game".

As it was so hot, we headed to North Cottesloe beach for a dip in the ocean. Usually in the evenings the sea breeze kicks in, and it's too windy, too wavey, and just not fun to be at the beach. Not tonight. It was calm as. Unfortunately the sunset left more to be desired. But still a fun day.

Some photos below ......