Guest263228

Not really. Racism well known to be formed by ignorance in fear of the unknown, on top of already very conservative and somewhat conformist attitudes, it is hardly surprising. a gigantic reason I would not live in those parts.

The question being far too many migrants over a short frame time have entered thus lowering living standards, as infrastructure declines, housing market kept wildly over priced, educational faculties decline, wages stagnate etc, . It was/will be only a matter of time before the anti migrant sentiment becomes something less than desired and fringe movements benefit. While non white migrants, whom dominate the inflow, would most likely be the prime target, all migration would be targeted in some way. Far better leaving the housing market to the 'free market' and reduce migration by half but maintaining a non racial criteria. No return to the days when Brit's above all else were given preference, even 'paid' to come out. All on their merits, but far less of relying on immigration to keep the economy 'ticking' over. I'm afraid taking into population difference, UK numbers would be too great for Australia to handle, if a 'free movement' was put in place.

Hang in there and don't feel pressured . Australia's housing is quite a mess. It won't take much, to see some of the most over priced and over leveraged housing in the world to drop. The question is by how much and how much more tinkering is the government prepared to do to maintain the façade. Interest rates will have to rise at some stage with overseas nations beginning to do so. Australia usually follows America in that, but will likely try to differ knowing the pain that be inflicted, but will have little scope not to raise them, even if defers a time longer.

South Perth will be far better. Close to the ferry to the CBD and a very pleasant way to transverse to and forth.

I've had the UK' Indy', delivered to my cabin daily on one voyage but usually make do with the ships, minimal news sheet. It is usually tailored to suit the clientele. UK, NZ, OZ versions have all been available. Another thing worth remembering, if required, purchase $US prior to boarding. Ship rate being very bad.

Internet rather essential. As plan where to go and what to do in a port, if unfamiliar, days before arriving . Decide whether to do it ourselves or arrange a local tour. As mentioned what ship offers, often inferior, not to say over expensive. P & O while may be cheaper, do not tend to get a good rap. Yep. Certainly meet people from all over OZ. A lot of Kiwi's on last cruise as well. A large number of Poms living in OZ or NZ noticeable as well. Increasingly more Chinese though some resided in either of previous mentioned countries.

I agree the larger tables of 8 to 10 are preferable if unable to secure one as a couple. The latter are usually reserved and quickly taken up by the 'exclusive set', to which on the last Princess vessel was on consisted of well over half the passengers aboard. That also includes free internet and free washing /laundry services. It depends just to what degree one is prepared to put up with certain 'old school' opinions on a table. I prefer to try and diffuse a 'situation' by suggesting politics be left out. Same as I prefer mixed nationalities.

You did mention South Africa, otherwise I'd never had raised that particular country. I guess you have never been to what they call,' The Mother City', Cape Town, one of my all time favourite places, one I appear to regularly return to in more recent times, after a twenty year absence. I hate flying as well. Don't even understand why. Never was a problem in my younger days, but I feel the flying experience has deteriorated over time , with less space and I feel less recycled air or something akin to that. I can never sleep and must have an aisle seat and not get the feeling of being 'trapped' due to poor excess if others are sleeping etc. All a little odd.

Quite agree. My overall favourite 'destination' with still a lot of gaps to fill in. Although I called into many ports when working the West African coast, many decades back I only really saw the cities of the West Coast, with not a lot of insight really into any of those countries and have never been on The East Coast. I later years travelled in Senegal and Togo , but still want especially to do Benin. Really enjoy Namibia though and know South Africa rather well. Lived there in the seventies , shipped around there, cruised there twice and have driven over a good portion of it. Never been to Zambia nor Botswana , something I really need to rectify. I've done Morocco and Egypt as a traveller and again on a cruise. Ghana another country wanting to go and especially the island of Madagascar. Perhaps the latter never happens.

We enjoy the buffet. Less formal and freedom of seating and no set times. I personally wouldn't on reflection like to do a cruise alone. Travelling on shore not a problem though. In fact rather enjoy it. Travelling with another can make you self contained in the sense of harder for others to penetrate. Never vulnerable as a couple or group as when travelling alone, where things usually happen. Hopefully for the good.

Well repositioning trips it was possible to find 'good' deals, but increasingly less, as more older Australians seem to have replaced the 'grey nomad' around Australia thing, with cruising. No joke, some appear constantly to be doing cruise after cruise. Not something I'd like to do and many appear oblivious to an extent to the port they are visiting. Some use it as a form of aged care as well. Then there's the dinner table arrangements. It can be very 'trying', sitting at the same table with some without taking on certain opinions head on, which in turn can result in 'friction'. But hard for me to let pass some of the racist and 'old school' comments that pass as acceptable dining table banter . But the food is generally great. We almost always do our own thing, not doing the ship's over priced tours, apart from the odd country, where a dangerous, likely shore situation would not warrant the risk. Or somewhere very far, where getting back to the ship in time before departure could be challenging. We tend to use it as a means to get to a particular place then do it alone with a hire car. South Africa being a classic example and great country to travel in. Same in Chile. It would be a shame to only rely on the ship as a means of covering the local terrain. Next long trip will be back to Namibia, with a combination of driving to Botswana and Zambia. We are both quite Africa fans. We covered South America this year, by ship (three) and overland in Chile and another ship to The Falklands, Uruguay to Argentina. Then flights across various cities in Brazil to Colombia , then another ship to Caribbean, Panama Canal (first time) Costa Rico, Ecuador and Peru. Stayed on in Peru and really enjoyed it. I would only do another ship if ports are of interest. Most appear to go to ports already been. Iceland (I know very over done these days) and Greenland along with the Norwegian fjords is one area of interest. There is a possible Princess Line cruise coming up in 19, so claimed, around Africa, which could be of interest.... Never been to any of the places you mention. Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, never even been to California. Back to your Perth stay. Uber is pretty cheap so I suppose it doesn't much matter . Applecross is hardly an outer burb, but I found myself heading more for Freo than Perth when lived there. Who knows. If your friend does decide and is able to move to Perth, you'll follow her over. Stranger things have happened. Me living in Perth for example doesn't get too much stranger.

There are some cheap fares these days so wondered. I've done Sydney twice, to date this year. I like the SA stop over as well. Air Mauritius is another airline that'll stop over in South Africa and Mauritius, but besides the speaking of French, not a lot to interest me on that island these days. Also do a number of cruise travels over the years. Repositioning of vessels can often mean a cheap fare (relatively) Took Athena from Fremantle to Portsmouth in 2010. Was going to live in UK anyway, so the ship worked out well.Great trip with a lot of ports en route. Found a great deal from Bangkok, back in 2004 to South Africa. Again a lot of ports with Reunion being a favourite. Other trips from Venice to South Africa, Sydney to Chile. (including Easter Island) New Zealand and Tonga was another..... Back to Applecross. Are you sure you really need to lodge in that area? As another peep said, it is somewhat bland. Fremantle or Perth areas would be better. Especially if your friend is staying elsewhere. Applecross will mean you will need to travel most everywhere to get anywhere. Your call of course. But you and friend could spend more time in the bright lights, if one of you are staying there. I suspect Perth is marginally better night life than Adelaide. Although the centre had a bit of stuff going on when I've been there on three occasions. Nothing of too much note though. Good luck with the leave approval. You should get it.

I recall the days when ate out three/four times a week in Perth back in the nineties. Those times have not entirely ceased, but way cut back. I would certainly recommend getting out of Perth. The real features in WA are not really Perth, but down south and The Kimberly. Just returned a few weeks ago from another trip to Albany. Very pleasant. Rottnest will be another of course must. Even stay a night. I'm personally not a great Maggie River fan, the hype and expense doesn't quite cut the mustard in my book, by for a short stay visitor of course. You would call in at Bunbury and some of the places en route. I recall the name Travel Mates, but don't recall passing it. Almost forgot. That Hostel is at the end of the Free Zone, so while you'd pay to continue the short distance to Leederville, it is free to there from the city. Great new bus station where it arrives from and goes as well. My question to you would be, why so long between shouts? You write highly of your 'Perth Time' , and it obviously made a lasting impression, so why so long to revisit. I know we are kind of the end of the world, but not that difficult from Sydney to reach surely?

1/3 the size and the buzz phases out far earlier. I do find My Hawthorn has been recolonised by very young families. Kids everywhere. The demographics have certainly changed from 2000.

Yep, walk or bus pass it regularly. Used to be Red Backs from memory and some other name before that, but now another name that escapes. No back packer hostel is very good in Perth, just some more durable than others. I lived in Riverside Drive for three years beside the river. As I said very swanky, but to my mind rather boring. I took the bus mostly in those days as fat too risky driving after drinking. These days with uber, I'd suggest use it rather than car, especially at night. Buses I found a bit of a pain. As I said I usually sought entertainment outside of Applecross. Very limited offerings there. The equivalent suburbs in Perth to those mentioned in Sydney would be Peppermint Grove and Dalkeith. Applecross would likely fit into the next tier. None to a great deal for me. But those are the 'blue ribbon' burbs, and more often than not snobbishness to suit the price. Yes like collie suggested, Leederville is a lower key Newtown. It's changed loads since I moved here, but lost a bit of what passes in Perth for 'edginess', in the process. There's The Leederville Hotel, but gone off in recent years, but next to that is The Garden okay but expensive. Across the road is an Irish pub , which we used to frequent. Don't forget Siena's in Oxford Street, the main drag has cheap nights/days Mon to Weds. A Perth favourite. By all means give me a call. Speaking of that, am meeting a fellow tomorrow not seen for well over forty years. Discovered recently that he lives not too far away in the same city.

I've a European friend that found it very hard to 'break the ice' in Sydney when she arrived there a decade or so ago. Bush walking turned out to be her saviour, as met like minded people. Her experience on the dating scene was in her words 'diabolical' . But I think she'd agree not too dissimilar from London from that angle, but inferior compared to her European home experience where friendships with the opposite gender more easier conducted. No one I know living in Sydney, has a particularly ' chilled out' life. Family life more akin to modern London, expensive but at least there is the sun. Saying that I enjoy Sydney every time I visit. Love the hurley burley and street life not so apparent in Perth.

Everyone will do what will appeal individually of course at the end of the day. But devoting a day, if only that limited time possible, nice though it is, would, IMO. detract from an overall view of Perth Metro. Must admit, personally, I'd be at a bit of a loss to see why Hillary's would be included unless a fleeting visit. A day is hardly long, considering the ground required to cover.

So a long awaited return to Perth on the cards? Applecross the suburb I lived for three years before moving to the inner city. A very swanky locality. There are cafes and a few decent nosh houses in the vicinity, but too long ago for any advise on where best to wine and dine. I only went to The Raffles a few times. There has been protests from nearby residents recently with regards noise levels. That hotel has changed out of all recognition and never returned since the refurbishment. I found I was generally outside the area when living there. Perth or Fremantle. Applecross is sort of between the both. I doubt if you'll find much in the cheap range in that area, but you've done research so you'll be aware of the potential available. As for similar areas to Surry Hills, (I was there in The Hills, last January, both pub and area) the area I live, Leederville would be the closet Perth has and a great area for numerous cafe's, pubs, Italian food, one stop by train to city, easy bus run, walkability measurement very high. Beats Applecross for what I'm looking for every time. Make sure you get over here anyway. I don't mention meeting up's on this forum, as they seldom amount to anything so will leave that in your court. There is a Back packers at Cottesloe Beach. I went past it just a few days back. Yes Newcastle street still has possibly the same site, but with numerous name changes and renovations in the proceeding period. I guess it must be rather exciting returning to a place, held in high regard, from your youth. You'll see a few changes.

Obviously they care to up hold the law but not always easy to prove. I have known one though that was deported for a fake marriage but his Mrs put him in. More usually both partners are fully aware of what they are under taking, and often money exchanges hands. Hardly confined to Australia. I have known a few cases in UK as well as USA.

Throwing mud around? I do realise it is a wasted effort to state the actualities on a thread as this but the reality remains as such. Instead of branding the messenger a little research on own back will reveal the true situation. I have in earlier posts produced the outcomes to reviews under taken of the immigration system and the chaos around it. You may refer to those posts if want, but likely have own axe to grind.

A good example of what I refer to has just been broadcast on the ABC news. A fellow living on own land, in the WA shire of Menzies , is being find $50 a day for being in breach of the building code. He lives remote. Has connected to electricity but is being persecuted. Anyone that thinks this a land of boundless plains and just waiting for imaginative scope should look into the trials and tribulations of this fellow. As I said the onus is on conformity and control.

Ain't the White Cliffs of Dover.....

Thornton Heath illuminated? Never seen it sans clouds. A definite Kodak moment.

Hope those dark clouds over Croydon don't completely disallow visibility.

Last one in Australia was in 67. A shame as a great community get together at least when I was a kid. We had a community one in Central London. Good value as well. Lets not ban things as there will be little left at one stage.