01.-04.04.2019 # to the sea

Of course, I'm anything but fit as we make our way to Yallingup. But with the right mixture of paracetamol and other stuff, I feel fit enough to drive. It's actually a shame that we have to leave this nice city again. But what must be must be. After all, I want to celebrate my birthday by the sea.

The first congratulations have already arrived despite the time difference. Thanks again to everyone who thought of me.

We make a stop in Fremantle, just below Perth. We want to visit the Cappuccino Strip, a well-known street of pubs and entertainment. Some street artists have become YouTube stars there. One of them, who is said to finance his life 'out of the hat'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-dtQ8jZ6IY

We find the filming location of this video, but it is unlikely that an artist is already there in the early morning But anyway, none is in sight, too bad.

Then we choose the fastest route to our destination and therefore mostly drive on highways. It's quite pleasant to drive. Since almost everyone obeys the speed limit, there are hardly any pushing and shoving etc.

Yallingup is about 260 km south of Perth, in the far southwestern corner of Australia. Originally, we wanted to do a small round trip down there with several overnight stays in different places. However, that would have meant spending several hours in the car every day. In the end, I'm glad we decided against it.

The Chandlers Smith Beach Villas are actually row bungalows. Not directly at the beach, as the name might suggest, but with a great view of the sea. We had confirmed our possible arrival in the morning by phone and so we are already expected. The bungalows are very spacious and nicely furnished. You can definitely stay here for a while. It's just a pity that you always have to go to the parking lot to smoke. When I go out onto the balcony for the first time, I see a herd of kangaroos on a meadow to the right. So to speak, my first ones in the wild (back then on the east coast I wasn't lucky). If that's not a good sign. Eventually, they even come right up to our balcony, completely without shyness. I never dreamed of that.

This area has a lot to offer for tourists. In addition to countless wineries and hiking trails, it is also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Actually, we wanted to go diving at the wreck of the HMS Swan in Busselton on the 2nd day. Fortunately, they have such high prices there that I had refrained from booking in advance via the Internet. Just in case, which has now happened. Instead of diving, we will now take a trip to the lighthouse at Cape Naturaliste. Of course, it is not visible right now, as a complete renovation is in progress and the tower looks as if Christo has just been there. As a consolation, there will be something tasty from the grill in the evening.

The next day we drive to Mammoth Cave, which is about 50 km away. For 22.50 AUD per person, you can take a guided tour through the huge cave with an audio guide. Although fossil bones have been found there, the cave owes its name solely to its dimensions. Otherwise, there were countless stalagmites, stalactites, and other formations to admire.

On the way back, we stop in Prevelly-Gnarabup at Surfers Point to eat something. The place seems to deserve its name, because several long-haired surfers can be found on the sometimes impressive waves.

All in all, time passed way too quickly here too. The area has something very attractive. The people are all very friendly and laid-back. It's really fun to be here. And yet we have to go again. Now the red desert is calling.

Since we have to return the car at 5:00 pm, we take our time on the way back to Perth. In Busselton, we make a stop so we can at least take a photo of the longest jetty under the southern sun. That's how it's advertised, anyway. Then we drive along the coast via Bunbury, Australind, Mandurah, and Rockingham, always following the Forrest Highway back to Fremantle (today, there is no artist to be seen either) to Perth. This route is much more varied than the one we chose for the outward journey.

We return the car without any problems and take a taxi to the airport. The plane doesn't leave until 10:50 pm, so the night before we had accepted an offer from Qantas and bought ourselves into the lounge for 49 AUD per person. At the latest, it had paid off when we could take a shower after the long day in the car, not to mention the food and drinks. And of course, it gives me the opportunity to write a few lines.

This flight wasn't supposed to exist for us originally. We had booked a direct flight from Perth to Alice Springs for the next day. However, when it was canceled by the airline without a replacement, the only option was to be in Alice on time for our appointment with the camper rental by taking a detour via Melbourne. So we fly a bit in a zigzag across Australia and switch through time zones.

I'm curious about what awaits us in the outback.