Il fait soleil, I'm off to Rottenest

There's an island 20km or so off the coast of Perth called Rottenest, named as early explorers discovered hundreds of wee animals (quokka) there that they mistook for rats and therefore named it 'Rats Nest' Island. This has been corrupted to Rottenest Island. They obviously weren't thinking ahead for future tourism. Like 99% of all fury things in Oz, quokkas are marsupials meaning they are generally slow, stupid and don't get abroad much.

I took the train to Freemantle and the early ferry over to the island, which I have to say is bloody lovely.


Me on Cam's bike. I think my poor grasp of the handle bars is more to do with taking the pic whilst on the move than the fact I couldn't reach them as the bike was too big. Snorkelling gear in the netting bag.

The lighthouse on Rottenest. Impressive I think you will agree and undeniably white.

A typical beachy cove on the west of the island. Larrrverrrly.

Here's one of those quokka critters. It hopped across the road and just sat there staring at me. Fortunately, other than the occasional bus, there's no traffic on the island. There'd be far fewer quokka around otherwise.

OK, not the most gripping of posts but hey, sometimes that's the way it goes. I could have made up some bobbins about how a gang of crystal meth crazed quokka held me at gun point in a remote spot on the island and stole my wine gums and flip-flops...but that didn't happen.