Back in Perth
Back at the Underground Backpackers, Northbridge, Perth, I found Tony (Crip) back in plaster (apparently he stepped off of a bench onto his bad leg and aggravated it.) His next check up is May 7th. Tom flew off to Sydney while I was away to see his girlfriend who was flying in. By the time I got back, he'd decided to cut short the rest of his trip and head straight back home. I guess long term travelling isn't for everybody, especially with a hot girlfriend (so he tells me) back home.
Coming back to the Underground, I made a joke that it felt like coming home. It was Easter Weekend so everywhere was shut, leaving us not much to do but, well, sit around drinking. On ANZAC Day, traditionally a bigger party in Oz than New Years Eve, I figured I'd have a productive day and go and see the parades in town. Possibly even get up early enough to see the dawn service on ANZAC hill in Kings Park. As it was I don't remember where I was the night before, but in hindsight, if I didn't come back the hostel I probably would've been just in time for the dawn service. I started playing cards when I rolled out of bed about 11am. I then somehow managed to still be playing cards in the same spot when then sun went down. I guess I'll have to see ANZAC day another year.
By the Tuesday, everything was back to normal, I went to the Air New Zealand office to sort my flights. I was supposed to be flying out of Cairns on June 6th. Trouble is, I've only got a 3 month visa, they want $180 to extend my current one another 3 weeks and I also have to get to the opposite side of the country!
Plan A was to rush the East coast (to get there for June 6th) then get banned from the Nation of Australia for staying longer than my visa allowed - a major stumbling block for if I ever decided to emmigrate here. Plan B was to go (north) to Cairns via Darwin and move my flight forwards to within my visa expiry date. As even Plan B would be a rush I chose plan C. Come back to Perth and see if I can transfer my flight from Cairns to here. Unfortunately, as the tickets need to be re-issued, this had to be done in the Air New Zealand office in Perth.
This was accomplished and even worked out $60 (and a whole load of hassle) cheaper than Plan D, which was fly to Cairns from Perth.
Anyway, one night I had the uber-backpacker friend making experience. I came into room 100 (my 12 person dorm) a couple of people in there who I'd chatted to briefly were there, as were a couple of people I didn't know. Everyone was half-introducing themselves/half chatting and I jokingly said, "With this many people, we should have a party. - Somebody put some music on." It turned out to be one of the bloke's (Ian - who I didn't know at the time) birthday, he went to the bottleshop down the road and bought a big bottle of vodka and some coke and lemonade. Lee (who I'd only spoken to a couple of times, put some of her music on... and suddenly we had a party.... More people from the dorm turned up and joined in and by about 9pm it was in full swing.
We moved out onto one of the benches by the pool so a couple of people could smoke. Me and Gayle headed out to get some more vodka. I worked out we got through 4 litres in 4 hours which is pretty good going really! Next morning we all woke up (still drunk) and went "what the hell just happened?" As the blanks were filled in by whoever could remember them, (and I certainly remembered some bits) I thought 'Good' more stuff for XXXthatluckybastard... Anyway. One night, a room full of strangers, next night a room full of friends. I love it.
Still drunk, we went to the Sunday Session at Cottesloe. 'The Sesh' is an afternoon drinking spree where everyone turns up in their coolest clothes and shades, listens to the coolest music and reckons they're the coolest cat in town. Cottesloe is a gorgeous little beachside town which, if it was in England would be insanely chic and madly expensive. The Sunday Sesh and Cott are great though as everyone knows that its really full of backpackers who wouldn't put up with anyone with an actual pompous moneyed/chic attitude.
Next day, we went to Rottnest Island.
Quoting my Littlest Hobo rule, I decided to live out the rest of my couple of weeks in Oz between the beach resorts of Scarborough and Cottesloe.