Australia Mission

Weekend in Perth.

Okay. So I don't seem to be able to limit my pictures. On Saturday we took a cruise to Rottnest Island, a favorite vacation spot for Western Australians. In fact it is so popular now you have to submit your name and it is decided by lottery who can get rooms on the Island. We travelled down the Swan River to Fremantle, then across the very rough Indian Ocean - 45 minutes. Upon arrival on the Island we took a bus tour which was included in our ticket and after that we had lunch at the Rottnest Lodge which was a buffet and very good. Jay had a headache after lunch so he rested in the lobby while I went in search of good bargains. There was not a lot. It was very hot and I wished I could have gotten in the water. The water surrounding the Island is unbelievably beautiful, shades of turquoise blue and green everywhere you look. These pictures try to do it justice and some do a good job.

Our boat.

Perth skyline from the Swan River.

One of the ferries going to Rottnest Island.

Maritime Museum at Fremantle.

Freighters waiting to get to the port at Fremantle.

Map of Island held by our bus driver and guide.

Lighthouse on Rottnest Island

Lots of boats in the harbors along with a dolphin.

Elizabeth and Jay on Rottnest Island.

Dolphin inside sharks net on the beach.

Tons of people on the beaches

Beautiful water.

Indian Ocean

Huge bird's nest.

Skink. Large lizard found all over Island.

Cove at Rottnest Island

Turquoise blue, green water with great waves.

Funny marsupials, Quokas, on the Island.

Lunch at the Rottnest Lodge around the pool.

Headache Jay.

Shopping. Obviously recovered from his headache.

At the anchor before boarding the boat for Perth.

Weekend in Perth.

Zone Conferences were held Wednesday and Thursday. We thought there would be a conference on Friday in Bunbery but that was changed at the last minute so we had Friday free. We rented a car, then drove to Wave Rock, near the town of Hyden, out in the desert almost four hours from Perth.
It was hot but worth the drive.

Lunch at Stumpy's.

Dog cemetary in Corrigin.

Wave Rock

Size Comparison.

Iron sculptures in Hyden depicting history of the town.

More Iron sculptures.

Perth Zone Conferences

We flew from Sydney to Perth nonstop. That is like flying from New York to Los Angeles. Upon our arrival we were met by the office couple, the Jensens from SLC. They took us to downtown Perth where we rode the giant Ferris Wheel, and went to the top of Swan Bells Tower, a landmark in the city. These bells ring on the hour and were a gift from Scotland, I believe. There are twelve bells. This day we were able to see how the bells ring and even practice ringing them. The view from the top is very good.
The Jensens took us to dinner in the ocean suburb of Scarbrough. We had fish and chips - not good for the diet. The beaches were beautiful. Then they delivered us to the mission home. We arrived about the the same time as President and Sister Maurer who had been at a zone conference in Bunbery.

Beaches at Scarbourgh

Perth Mission Home.

Perth Mission home. Family room

Perth Mission home. Swimming pool

Perth Mission Home. Family Room.

Perth Mission Home. Dining room.

Perth Mission Home. Living room.

Sister Maurer in the kitchen at the mission home.

The Maurer Family and Elizabeth and Jay at dinner at a very good Thai restaurant.

Sunrise over the Swan River. Perth.

Swan River Bridge, Kings Park in background.

A "kangaroo" drinking in downtown Perth. Picture taken on my early morning walk.

Swan Bell Tower. The Swan Bells is one of the world's largest musical instruments and includes the twelve bells of St.Martin-in-the fields which have been ringing there well before the 15th century.