Fremantle

A slow start this morning as we’d had a few busy days. We went to the famous Fremantle Markets which were only slightly better than Paddies Markets I think – not that I’ve been to Paddies for a long, long time. However we did grab a delicious banh mi at a stall recommended by Ian – a big crunchy Vietnamese roll filled with salad, pate, mayo, chilli and crispy pork. We bought figs and grapes as we are really enjoying the fruit here. Wandered around and had a look at a few more shops: it was very busy in town this morning. Popped back to the apartment and then went to Cage Road for a refreshing ginger beer.

We then went next door to the Western Australian Maritime Museum ans saw a free 3D virtual presentation called ‘Josephine Bonaparte’s Garden’ which was about the voyages of the French to Australia and their collection and recording of flora and fauna from here. Also how Josephine Bonaparte was a great patron of botanic research, propagation and cultivation in France, including that from Australia, Asia and the Americas. Very interesting.

But the best part – which we didn’t know about – was the museum held the Australia 2 – the yacht that won the Americas cup back in the 1980s. Gosh I remembered that day so well. Whilst the hull and the winged keel were relatively small, the mast and sails were HUGE. I couldn’t even get it it into a wide angle setting on my phone for a photograph. It was way cool. I never, ever touch exhibits but I though a quick pat of the fibreglass winged keel wouldn’t hurt. It was awesome #proudaustralian. Plus we’ll send over a heap of the photos to das Germans and make the jealous (on that note we’ll try and get to the Fremantle Yacht Club for a drink and that’ll impress them even more 😊).

A quick drink and sardine tapas snacks at a very groovy bar about six doors from here and back to cook dinner in the apartment.Les mer