Day 4 – Thurs 4th April

Different sort of day today!

Early start to get to quay to pick up ferry to Rottnest Island. Marcus gave us our tickets, which we soon found out, according to the ferry company, included neither an island tour or lunch. However,an email to Marcus sorted it out and we were assured on board that we would have a tour then lunch.

Left Perth and headed downriver via Freemantle to the ocean. That’s when things got rough, and you found the Indian Ocean is not as calm as the Swan River! Ferry going at 30 knots through waves and over them, whilst rolling from side to side. Several times I was left in mid air while the seat disappeared below me, and I came crashing down a second later! Eventually got to the island (only 30mins but felt longer!). 40mins later we were on the coach for a described tour of the island, which, I must say was well designed and well commentated by local guide, Yvette. Made a couple of photo stops en route, then back to near the docking point for lunch. Got multiple photos of the little quockas – a marsupial related to the kangaroo and about the size of a domestic cat – only breeding in the wild on this island. Very tame and friendly!

• 

Back on the 5pm ferry. Not as violent in terms of rolling, either due to the fact that we were used to it, but, more possibly, that we were travelling with the wind as opposed to into it!

Landed, and got the Rottnest Express coach back to the hotel to dump stuff and 15min later to head out to the same pub as last night for some food and wine!

Sorry, photos not uploading – will keep trying!