Airport security is very tight – sniffer dogs all over the place & I got asked many questions by the customs guy, who ended up our conversation by saying "Well, welcome to paradise!!"

Today is my first – do nothing day. Its nice to get down to some laundry and writing. Tomorrow I’ll be off for a tour of the Pinnacles on a 4-wheel drive trip heading north. Should be a great day!

In Perth I’m staying in Mount Hawthorn with a family named the Caddy’s. They’ve been so great and are fun to be around.

Freemantle is a cute little market-town, not far from the city. Narelle & I had a great time there yesterday, eating Chili Mussels on the pier. When I get home I promise to have a "seafood party" and invite everyone over for all the good recipe ideas I’m seeing here. Chili mussels are just a big stainless steal bowl full of mussels, with tomatoey sauce on the bottom for dipping, served with garlic bread. Yummy & very fun to sit and eat by the water! Afterwards, went for a swim at Cottesloe beach in the evening – my first swim in Australia. Water was beautiful!

Weather in Perth was very unusual for the first couple days – lightning & thunder storms, so everyone blames the "Vancouver girl" for bringing her weather. Narelle & the Caddies try to keep me from taking photos cause they don’t want Canada to think that the weather here is dark & stormy!

I promised the Caddy’s 2-year old son, Tom, I’d write a note in my travel log about him – he’s so cute and has the biggest, blue eyes I’ve ever seen!

Australia Day is on Wednesday (National Holiday), so Narelle & I plan to take a trip out to Rottnest Island (swimming & snorkeling) and then back to town to see the evening fireworks.