Friday morning the 20th of March we walked early to the little Port of Perth where they have the local ferries along the Swan River to the Indian Ocean as well as ferries to Rottnest Island. By 10:30 we had landed on the little island after a stop at Fremantle to pick up passengers. Two more cruise ships were docked and unloading passengers and seemed totally empty already. Spreading more virus’? The Australians were soon to close the entire country to any incoming foreigners.
On our way down the Swan River to Rottnest Island we had a running commentary by one of our hosts on the ferry. The day was gorgeous after a little sprinkle on the way there. We saw the typical on the water multi million dollar homes with docks. This home owner below just wanted a little dock. The powers that be said “no dock” and he said, its not a dock its a yacht club. …and voila here’s a yacht club!
There were a couple of 25 million dollar homes. One the new owners after spending tens of millions just wanted to tear the house down. Their prerogative however that person might just have way too much money!
Our first stop was a walk to the second lighthouse on the island.They built a second one to help ships navigate and not run aground since the first one didn’t always get the job done. The first one is on the west side of the island and this one is on the northeast side.
Dutch sailors landed on the island on several occasions during the 17th century and Willem de Vlamingh in 1696 named it Rats Nest Island after the quokka population which reminded him of rats. They are however a marsupial! The island has been a penal colony, military installations and internment camps. It is now a quarantine island for Covid-19 for Aussies sailing in on cruise ships that have been infected.
The Noongar people called it Wadjemup. We love their “up” words here. We are now near Gnarabup Beach. Boranup is a local forest. Cowaramup, Metricup and Wilyabrup are towns just north of here. You’ll hear about more “ups” from us on this adventure.
This island is full of vacationers who love the outdoors, cabins, tents, tent cabins and definitely bicycles or push bikes as they call them. Your luggage will show up at your cabin delivered by the locals. If Gail and Russell had joined us instead of flying that Friday, they had ordered the Rottnest Express little red bikes. If we go back, push bikes it will be! The average age of the tourist here must be around 35 and the average number of children about two per family. Everyone riding bikes. One hardly noticed the virus fear but distance in restaurants and stores was always observed.
well hello there! 
Definitely a marsupial 
what a nose! 
my nose again 
cute profile 
time for a nap
It was a warm and beautiful day. You are not suppose to touch or feed the quokkas. The little guy checking out Michael’s water bottle in the first set of quokka photo’s had the tendency to walk into the little restaurant and the local waitress would have to pick him up and put him out. They are soft and she let us touch him. We were afraid we wouldn’t see any but they tended to hang around seated areas with people. Our lunch on the island was delicious wood fired pizzas. The quokkas during the heat of the day would snuggle up, bury their head between their legs, look like a ball and take a nap. It actually looks comfortable.
If you look close beneath the sign about not feeding the quokkas, you’ll see a couple guys snoozing away. They feel protected in these little areas around the trees and there are plenty of seats to sit and watch them. We love the fact Rottnest is shortened to Rotto and we love their Rotto too!
Another fine day around the Perth area with dinner at The Blue Rock across from our hotel. Nice Asian food and a great blue iced tea alcoholic drink. Next up the Pinnacles and Cervantes Beach and the Stromatolites.
THE TRAVELING MARTINI'S 
WE love the updates!
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Great pics……!!!!! The Quokkas are adorable……and are a bit trainable…..
Good fun!!!!!!! Janie
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