We weren't sure it was a good night to get sunset photos with all the clouds, but we thought Hillary's would be a good place to try. Even if the sunset wasn't a great one, there are other things to do at Hillary's Boat Harbor. Been here a few times and never noticed that little lighthouse. There started to be a little color in spite of the thick clouds. Loved the color on the wet sand. Then it got ... Read More

We went off to look at what looked like it could be a nice sunset. To the beach in a hurry and we barely arrived in time. It was a lovely sunset and as we were walking towards it, we looked back to the houses that were perched there and were so curious as to how people could build a house right by the ocean and not stop each day and appreciate the sun setting, all balconies were empty. But finally, ... Read More

Last weekend we booked a ferry to Rottnest Island and I have to admit, I was very excited about going. To get to the island, one option is the ferry. We chose to leave from Perth. The ferry ride takes 90 minutes. We got there early, and we got a chance to get a good look at the ferry we would be taking while waiting to board. Almost 30 minutes waiting after boarding, I am still smiling and very excited still ... Read More

Carrying on from the bus tour part 1 :) One of the fun things of John taking me places in Perth is his ability to point out, "See that sign? I had a hand in making that." This is just one example, and I asked him to let me get a photo in front of it as the bus went past. A look back at Perth Crossing the river to Burswood It wasn't until it was almost over that we were ... Read More

After a fun wait So this was a trip around Perth with the Hop on Hop Off Option... and... This was the bus. :) ...We finally made our way on our tour passing by Kings Park's Lemon Scented Gum trees... and past a view of Perth. Desborough House Illustrations House, 885 Wellington Street, Perth, WABuilt: 1903 The architectural inspiration comes from "Eternity", a highly complicated puzzle – with a 2 million euro award for who can solve it – and from the ... Read More

Our backyard has a lemon tree. I went out there with the intention of getting some lemons for my tea. There were many to choose from. It occurred to me that I really don't know when one is ready to be picked. I soon deducted if it comes off easy with just a tug, it's ready. Our wedding photos wall grouping is now complete. If it makes anyone feel better, even professional printers have issues with their in home ... Read More

We got to Bold Park a bit late, but it was a cooler day and I think we both just wanted to walk somewhere. Bold Park is a 437-hectare (1,080-acre) urban bushland area in the suburb of City Beach, in Perth, Western Australia. It is located 8 km directly west of the central business district, its western border less than one kilometre from the Indian ocean. To the east, Perry Lakes reserve is directly adjacent to the park. The hilly topography ... Read More

According to Wikipedia, A poker run is an organized event where participants, usually using motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, horses, or other means of transportation must visit five to seven checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The event has a time limit, however the participants are not timed—winning is purely a matter of chance. Over the years, every February, John has shared with me ... Read More

So even though John and I will be married a year next month, I don't think he realized what a fireworks nut I am. I was getting more excited as the time came near for the fireworks. Announcements in the sky didn't help me be less enthusiastic. John captures me all excited and camera ready for the event. He had to ask a few times while waiting, "Serious, how old are you?" :) The it began, the event I had been ... Read More

This was to be my first Australia Day, and I was quite excited. I had already seen many of John's photos of the event in years past and knew as much as I love fireworks, I was in for a real treat. We went into Perth way before the fireworks however. The first thing I learned is that Australians love their flag. :) Flags on poles is to be expected, but they were everywhere for Australia Day. On boats... as a body ... Read More

Here, making each day of the year Changing my life with a wave of her hand Nobody can deny that there's something there ~ The Beatles My husband is learning that as a general rule, women are nesters, and I am no exception. I guess with a wave of my hand, I am making some changes, some are practical... ...like the whimsical dolphins now at the bottom of the tub. Unfortunately I slipped and fell last week, and Georgie donated them! Up ... Read More

God’s beauty is displayed in every sunset, His renown blazes brighter than every star, His grace is sweeter than honey. The world that surrounds us declares the glory of God! As a painting dimly captures the beauty of nature, so does nature itself dimly capture His splendor. The sky is a mirror reflecting the wonder that is our God.   Even before we were married, I asked John to get me to as many sunsets over the Indian Ocean as possible. ... Read More

It was time for tearful good-byes. My heart was never going to be ready for it, but I wasn't mentally prepared either. The day to leave came so fast. This is going to be my life. 5 More hours and the total travel time give or take was 38 hours. I slept nearly the whole next day! I am thankful for a boring  and uneventful trip...for loved ones around the world...and to my husband who is patient and does all he can to make ... Read More

Ever fill out those surveys that ask mountains or beach when asking your vacation preference? I guess I always select mountains, but something about the sunsets of  Western Australia that lures me to the beach. After our long day at the zoo, we went to North Beach to watch the sunset. I even saw the sunset  reflected in the houses' windows across the street. ... Read More

For those who don't know, (and I don't pretend to know a lot) Holden cars are made in Australia. They seem to be a big deal to John and his brother Graham. From Wikipedia: GM Holden Ltd is an automaker that operates in Australia, based in Port Melbourne, Victoria. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer. In 1908 it moved into the automotive field, before becoming a subsidiary of the U.S.-based General Motors (GM) in 1931. After becoming a ... Read More

After Whiteman Park and part of the morning at the WA Birds of Prey Center, we went to Lake Monger for a second time, this time with the intention of walking completely around the lake. There were more birds waiting for their photos to be taken. After a walk around Lake Monger, we went to Hyde Park. We had tried to go there a few days before that, but there was a festival going on and hardly any parking or access. Today ... Read More

John remembered that our last visit to Perth, one of my favorite parts was the WA Birds of Prey show held inside Whiteman Park on weekends. However, for awhile now these shows weren't being held, but as luck would have it, for the month of April, precisely while I am here, Yvonne is able to have some weekends at Whiteman Park, so we were sure to go. If you haven't seen this yet in the Perth area, I would encourage ... Read More

We made it one month. So, we celebrated. We decided to do something we had done before, go to Perth from King's Park and take city at night photos. John and I both grabbed our camera gear and his tripod, found a place to eat, then we were ready.   Then soon night came upon us, and besides taking the usual long shutter photos of the city, we decided to take some of us in front of the city lights using John's timer ... Read More

  Sunday, we were invited to Cathy and Graham's to an early Easter Egg Hunt. (Given that they will be very busy on Easter) :) It was our job to pick up Dad and Iris, and because we had a party at the zoo that night, I didn't bring my camera. So, John allowed me to use his this day, with his fish-eye lens no less, which is very different for me.           And out of deep respect for Graham, and to be fair, I ... Read More

Saturday, John and I were unsure what to do. Since he lives close to Whiteman Park, we decided to go there.     Magpies make me nervous, as I know they can be very aggressive. I  knew it wasn't their aggressive time of year, but I was leery just the same. John also seemed respectful of the bird as well. I do love the sounds they make.   ... Read More

Yesterday Georgie, Iris, and I went on a girls day out shopping. We first though, surprised John at his work. I wanted to see where it was he earned a living and meet his co-workers. He was indeed surprised but gave me a quick grand tour. Georgie, after dealing with some traffic, got us safely to the shopping center. I suppose shopping is shopping, but of course, all the store names were different. I did recognize a few, Target, K-Mart, Payless, ... Read More

Lake Monger is a large urban wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain in suburban Perth, Western Australia nestled between the suburbs of Leederville, Wembley and Glendalough.The lake is presently used extensively for recreation as well as being a major tourist attraction with up to 12,000 visitors per week (Middle, 1988). Activities include bird watching and exercise. A 3.5 km paved walking/cycling track encircles the lake which takes about 30 minutes to traverse by foot. After going to church on Sunday, and a ... Read More

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After settling in after our honeymoon, we decided to go into Perth.   St. Georges     ... Read More

I loved the quote, "Now that I've been to WA, I know so much more what it is to be Australian." Luke Webb & Desmond Neysmith's musical journey inspired by Australia ... Read More

I've posted photos on my gallery of our two visits to Perth Zoo. Click Here, there are two pages to see! Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

Just a quick movie to let you know I have uploaded a good many photos from the Kings Park Flower Festival. To see all the photos, click here, there are two pages. These are amazing flowers, so different than anything we have here in Maryland. Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com. ... Read More

Kings Park is a 4.06-square-kilometre (1,003-acre) park located on the western edge of Perth, Western Australia central business district. The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland. With panoramic views of the Swan River and Darling Range, it is home to over 300 native plant varieties and 80 bird species. It overlooks the city as well as Perth Water ... Read More

“It's weird...you know the end of something great is coming, but you want to hold on, just for one more second...just so it can hurt a little more.” After a day waking up early taking fog photos, then shopping at the mall, going to Hillary's, we met Jamie, Kaymer, and Jeff to be together one more time. John took us all out to eat at The Jetty's for a smorgasbord dinner. Seafood, desserts, everything was so good. It was fun ... Read More

While in Perth, Australia, Rodney offered to give us a tour of the Radio Station 98.5 Sonshine FM. They have a standard for music that I can appreciate. We believe the media influences community values, and we have a responsibility to present positive values and offer hope. 98.5 Sonshine FM is unashamedly a Christian-based radio station. After reading Rodney's blog for many years, and visiting his church and meeting his family at the Perth ... Read More

After a very chill day at the chocolate factory, and later some shopping at Hillary's, John and I went out to photograph Perth at night. ... Read More

Fremantle is a port city in Western Australia, located 19 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of Perth, the state capital, at the mouth of the Swan River on Australia's western coast. It was the first settlement of the Swan River colonists in 1828. It was declared a city in 1929, and has a population of approximately 38,000. The city is named after Captain Charles Fremantle, the English naval officer who had pronounced possession of Western Australia and who established a camp at the ... Read More

Every September Kings Park in Perth holds a wildflower festival. This is one of the reasons I wanted to come to Australia in September. I started to post one of each of the varieties I saw there, but there are SO MANY. So here are a few of the amazing wildflowers from our visit to Kings Park: No one takes a photo of a pink fairy orchid like John does, he captured one and sent it to me years ago, and I fell ... Read More

Continuing from the theme of our visit to Caversham Wildlife Park yesterday, here I will show you the animals they have there as well as the kangaroos and koalas I posted yesterday! Our visit to the wildlife park was amazing, seeing Laura pet a kangaroo and koalas was worth the price of the ticket! On the plane, the lady next to me said  I had to try an Australian meat pie, that they were delicious. And Jamie said that tomato (pronounced ... Read More

Today with the threat of rain, we went to an indoor activity, Western Australia's Aquarium, Aqwa, located at Hillarys Boat Harbour. It was a great day for harbor photos, the clouds were perfect. More Photos on my gallery now » HERE After a walk around the harbor, we reached the aquarium. John, Laura, and I snapped photos all morning... Aqwa has a pool of fish that gives the visitors a chance to touch them. I got to touch a sting ray. Different from Baltimore's aquarium, ... Read More