Today I went to visit the small town Fremantle, just outside Perth, only a 25-minute train ride from the center. Freo, as the locals call Fremantle, is such a cozy town! As I walked down the street I wanted to find the Fremantle Markets. Everyone who goes to Freo, has to go to the Markets at least once. I found the Markets – they weren’t too hard to find – and wandered around a little bit. One part of the hall was mainly clothes, souvenirs, candles etc, and the other part was filled with food stands and fresh fruit everywhere! This is where I got a delicious strawberry lemonade with some fresh fruit on top. I needed some refreshment because it was 36 degrees: not something I’m used to.
Once I was done looking at the cozy stands, I continued my way onto the Fremantle Prison. A very famous prison appearantly, as it was the prison that held approximately 10,000 prisoners throughout all the years it existed. I did the Doing Time tour, during which I got a tour around the prison and the stories of its history. I was very impressed by the stories and especially by the way these prisoners were living: their cells were 1,2m by 2m, they stayed in there for 14 hours per day, with no toilet – they had their buckets which were emptied once a day – and in the hours they got to outside into the yard (10 hours) they had no shelter from the shade and believe me, with those high walls there was no cooling breeze. Only a couple years before the prison shut down did they decide to build an area to produce shade.
Alright so after the prison tour I wandered through the Markets once again, and walked through the main street again, looking for a place to have some lunch – it was 2PM so I was hungry. And thirsty for a cold beer. I found a hip restaurant called Monk, which brewed their own beers so of course I got curious. $5,20 for a 200ml beer. Yeah. $5,20. But oh well, I’m here now anyways, why not. I must say, Duvel is still my favorite. I had a fantastic burger and hung out a little bit, and then caught the train back to Perth.
Once back in the hostel I was actually quite exhausted. I don’t know why, maybe the heat? I decided to clean my room. It was very necessary. During this process I also cleaned my locker – for the 3rd time – and reorganize my entire backpack. I put my ranch clothes somewhere I could easily reach them, set apart the clothes I was gonna wear tomorrow and Monday, and put the rest of my clothes back in my backpack. I hope the rest of my laundry is going fit in. We shall see. Sadly enough I have decided to already get rid of one thing: my comfy neck pillow (sorry Rana!). It just takes up too much space and I would only use it once more: during my flight back to Amsterdam. So I put it in the ‘Free Stuff’ box in the hostel: some other backpacker might find it useful. Paying it forward.
Right now I’m sitting on my balcony, enjoying a cheaper beer, waiting for my laundry to finish after which I will make my dinner. I’ll try putting my laundry in my backpack tomorrow, my roommate is already sleeping and it’s too dark in my room.
Alright, I’m off.
Celestine in Australia 