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
Beaches at Scarbourgh
Perth Mission Home.
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.
Swan Bell Tower. Great view from the top.
Ringing the bells.
Swan Bells Tower.
Ferris wheel from Swan Bells Tower,
Elizabeth and Sister Jensen on the Ferris Wheel.
Giant Ferris Wheel in downtown Perth by the Swan River.
Perth skyline.

Saturday in Sydney

We saw a picture of an interesting boat on the television earlier in the week and decided to go see it. We had a hard time locating it but finally came upon it at Darling Harbour almost by mistake. It is very unique and looks like it should be in a James Bond movie. It holds 6 crew members taking shifts, 2 who drive and navigate and 4 who sleep. There is no room inside to do anything but sleep or drive or navigate. I would hate to spend 10 minutes inside this boat let alone 60 hours!!
Darling Harbour.

Monorail at Darling Harbour.
Earthrace power boat went around the world in 60 days, 23 hours, 49 minutes beating the world record. It is powered completely with biofeul.
Captain Pete. He had lyposuction as a stunt to promote the use of fat as the biodiesel (vegetable oil or the like) for this power boat.

Earthrace power boat, crew member sitting on side.
Earthrace power boat.
Earthrace power boat.
Classic picture of bridge and opera house taken from the Darling Harbour ferry.
All painted up and playing the didgeridoo.
Try getting into a box this size.
Sydney Opera House from Wharf 5 on Circular Quay.

We did not go downtown to watch the Sydney Fireworks this year. It is just too big of a hastle to get there. You have to stake out your spot by at least 4 pm and then wait in the heat until midnight for the show. We stayed at the flats, ate pot luck, played games and watched a movie before midnight. Then we watched the fireworks display on the TV. It was way better; the views were spectacular. I have downloaded some of the pictures and placed them on our blog. Enjoy!!
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