Monday 31st December 2007

Once we were up and ready this morning, we had to check out and then walk round to the train station so that we could make our way back to the city for New Year. Our new hostel, Perth City YHA, isn't far from the train station so we didn't have far to walk. When we arrived they wouldn't let us check in, so we dumped our bags in the luggage store and then went out for the day.

As everything is gonna be shut tomorrow, we thought we'd spend the day around the centre so that Emma could buy any presents and things she wanted for the people at home. We did walk round to the Perth Mint to have a look round, but they wanted $15 entrance fee - and we're far too stingy for that, so we gave it a miss.

This evening, we got ready in our hostel and then walked up to Northbridge, to see in the New Year there. When we got there, there was some sort of street party in full swing - so we knew we were in the right place. As we'd not eaten all day, we decided that we'd go for a meal first and went into a posh looking Chinese place. Emma wasn't sure what she wanted, but settled on king prawns in a garlic butter. Me and Nikki ordered the banquet..! Our meals consisted of about 5 courses, and it was AMAZING! One of the courses was duck pancakes and they actually brought out half a duck, which they cut and prepared at our table. We were really proud of Emma - because she tried all the food, including the duck, some plum sauce and squid in a satay sauce.

When we settled the bill in the Chinese, we left the restaurant and went to a bar called Novaks, to get some drinks. There was a huge queue outside and inside was packed! We got in pretty quickly and there were no problems getting to the bar. In no time we were happily drinking and singing along with the live band that was playing. At midnight, everyone cheered inside Novaks, then we went outside to join in the celebrations out there and wandered about the street party, with the thousands of people in Northbridge.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!