Final Days in Perth

We’re back in Japan. We welcomed the New Year from 40,000 feet above Malaysia, flying through the night. We filled our last few Australian summer days in and around Perth.

At The Maze, we first tackled the timber maze. We made it to the end, the tree house. The gunny sac ride through the tunnel slide didn't attract Roo, so we moved on.

After two pine mazes and watching kangaroos & koalas, I was ready for a break. Ryan and Roo moved on to rounds of frisbee golf and mini golf. We visited Cottesloe beach where Roo enjoyed floating in the "big waves", buoyancy provided by his life vest. We drove to Swan Valley, only to be disappointed by the lack of open eating options. The area was packed with tourists and the establishments that were open weren't prepared for the volume of hungry wine tasters. Some were ending their trading hours early because they had "run out of food". We stopped at Whiteman Park, a spacious outdoor play space for families. Despite the go carts not running because it wasn't a weekend, we managed a successful trip to the park's old fashioned candy store called "The Lolly Shop". So much of want I thought wasn't made anymore IS still being made and this shop has it. I passed the temptation to buy the stick you dip in flavored sugars and instead opted for some peanut brittle. Ryan choose an assortment and Roo Jelly Beans in a truck/bank combo. He didn't like the Jelly Beans, but the truck provided entertainment for a surprising amount of time. Ryan and Roo made it to Kings Park. Overlooking the city central area of Perth, it offered plenty of green for some exercise.
Before going to the airport to catch our late afternoon flight, we stopped at the Fremantle Prison for a tour. Built by prisoners, this 19th century facility remained operational until 1991. One of the factors contributing to it's closure was the lack of "facilities" available in the cells. Seriously, the prisoners used, rather two shared, a bucket. Our guide James conducted an interesting tour with bits of the serious and not so serious intertwined. Shortly after walking through the gates to enter the prison, Roo whispered "You know what I'm thinking Mommy? I'm thinking this doesn't look anything like my jail in my Playmobil police station".

We had a lovely family vacation. The reoccurring theme of interest for this travel was open green space, and we discovered Western Australia has plenty of it to offer. Not to mention fabulous fish and chips, yummy fruit mince pies, and bizarre bush foods.