One of the things I love about travelling is discovering new places; the history, the culture, the food. Then I get home and realise I don't actually know that much about the city I live in. So every now and then I like to pretend that I'm a tourist, and do a tour in my home state.
Today I did the Two Feet & A Heartbeat Convicts & Colonial tour in Fremantle. I was a little bit worried when I woke because rain clouds were heavy overhead, but aside from a short sprinkle, the day was lovely. We met our tour guide at the tourist bureau and began the entertaining and educational tour around the birthplace of Western Australia.
Our guide knew his stuff and was full of fascinating information. He told us not to forget to look up and around as we walked because you see so much more. And I did. I knew Fremantle was full of old buildings, but I hadn't realised just how many there are because the footpaths are covered overhead so you can't always see up.
We wandered all around, up to the Fremantle prison (now a heritage listed building), across to the markets (one of my favorite places to visit) and down to the ocean to see the roundhouse (the oldest building in Western Australia). We learnt about famous prison escapes, pioneering women, politicians and engineers who made a huge impact on the state that the Swan River Colony eventually became.
I came away with a few story ideas simmering in my head.
All in all it was a great morning, and we finished it having lunch at one of my favourite Vietnamese restaurants. I'm already checking which tour I should do next.
