AQWA - Aquarium of Western Australia

Fantastic aquarium of sea life of Australia.  Just a few miles from where I live.  I got a ride from my host family because they were going to Hillary's Harbor beach anyway which is right next to AQWA.  After 3 beach days, my skin and eyes needed a break from the sun, so AQWA was the perfect choice!

I bought a discount "four pack" because I figured Rick would come here with me when he arrives in April.  (You'll love it Rick!)

This was a mini-crock.  Only a few inches long

Patio at AQWA

These are fish although they look like rocks!

Mullaloo beach.

My third beach outing already.  It was about 100 degrees at the peak.  Go swimming, get wet, no goosebumps!  The sand was hot on the feet!  We had a pleasant picnic when we found some shade at 1:00 on the hill up from the beach with a little ocean breeze.

This has to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

This sign is near the entrance to the beach.

The ten most poisonous snakes in the world are in Australia.  Seven of them are in Western Australia.  No one has died from a snake bite since the 70's.  Joyce has not even seen a snake in her ten years here.  If you leave them alone they will leave you alone.  Local advise - if you get bit, kill the snake and bring it with you to the hospital so they know what treatment to give.

The cyclone dissipated and so there will be no big storm here.  Just a cloudy day and a little rain which is unusual.  High temp today will be 84 degree.  It's much cooler than the last few days.

I love the fresh fruit here!

Yesterday, fresh mangos and figs - the best I've ever had!  The fruit stands here are beautiful.

It's gonna be a really bad hair day!

Sunday morning is calm and sunny and hot so far, but the storm is coming!

Cyclone Bianca is coming!

The media reports are making much of the cylone, but it is weakening.  This may cool things off a bit which would be nice for a day or two!

The story:

Severe storms roll in as Cyclone Bianca lurks offshore

Liam Phillips

January 29, 2011 - 7:44PM

The latest modelling of the path of Cyclone Bianca, as at 5.45pm on Saturday, which shows it likely to cross the coast between Perth and Bunbury.

Luckily, I am staying in a cyclone proof house!  (Deltec)

Perth and several regional centres have been lashed by storms, but worse is still to come as Cyclone Bianca bears down on South-West WA.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned the cyclone, which earlier this week menaced the Pilbara region before heading out to sea, will impact on communities between Jurien Bay and Cape Naturaliste, including the Perth metropolitan area.

Bianca has been downgraded to a category two cyclone, and latest modelling by the Bureau predicts it will further weaken to a severe low pressure system when it crosses the coast about 8pm on Sunday.

It is now estimated to make landfall between Perth and Bunbury, possibly over Mandurah.

Australia Day! Face painting and then fireworks at Kings Park.

The plane spelled 'Lotto'

Perth at night from King's Park

"Skyworks" is similar to "Rhythm and Booms" in Madison.  Thousands of people attend.  We had a great spot for viewing because we parked and walked a long distance.  We could see the fireworks coming off of the platforms on the Swan river below.  It was a perfect night for fireworks!

Beach videos. More Australia Day fun.

People are running in from the water like there is a shark or something, but no, the thong (flop-flop) world record challenge event has just finished and people are coming in from that.

Australia Day at the beach!!!

Gavin and Hazel

Australia Day is a national holiday similar to the USA 4th of July.

Rescue boats close by

The Cottesloe Beach House

Lifesaving team

We sat in the shade here because it was about 90 degrees and because sunburn happens quickly here!

A very windy day!

Nice of them to warn us that there is water!!??

Joyce was out there for the world record attempt.

 

Many cars display the Australian flag