The cherry on top

One of the door handles of the light house.

Today we went to Rottnest Island by ferry. The crossing took about 20 minutes, and as we neared this island, the color of the water became turqouise, and we were amazed by the brilliance.

After an initial informative bus tour, we spent the whole day walking around and looking at the beauty of this place.

At 12h00, Lindy treated us to a lovely picnic lunch of cold meat, pickles, cheeses, patries, potato salad, olives, seed loaf packed before we left for Rottnest. She even took a flask of coffee which finished this beautiful meal.

All of this she cheerfully carried in a backpack!

Most amazing were the beautiful beaches, reefs, and the turquoise water.

The historic remnants of the old buildings and cottages, now mostly painted an ochre yellow, were fascinating and I tjought that I was in blippers' paradise ....

Apart from a few vehicles used for maintenance, there are no public motor vehicles on the island, but there are litterally 'thousands' of bicycles on which the tourist do all their exploring and moving about.

The island has become such a popular destination, that bookings for accommodation over the holiday seasons is already fully booked for years ahead ....
Should you require a mooring place for your private yact, you will have to wait 15 - 20 years.

A little about the island:

" Rottnest Island is located about 19km off the coast of Perth.It is home to some of the most crystal clear beaches and bays.

Swarming with over 360 species of fish and marine life, Rottnest is a tourist mecca for divers and snorklers alike with it's many reefs and numerous ship wrecks.

Rottnest Island was named in late 1696 by the Dutch explorer William de Vlaming who called it Rottnest - meaning rat's nest. He mistook the Quokkas for huge rats he saw on the Island.

Rottnest Island was initially used for farming, fishing and salt gathering until it became a prison for Aboriginal men in the late 1830's.

In 1903, the Aboriginal prison was closed and the island was open for recreation.

When war was declared, Rottnest Island was closed to the public and became the centre for coastal defence for Fremantle harbour and metropolitan Perth.

Today Rottnest Island is a popular and relaxing holiday destination.

The colourful history of Rottnest Island is reflected on Rottnest with some of the oldest buildings in Western Australia on Rottnest Island now used as accommodation on the island. "