Arrived in Perth Sunday night and headed to my hotel. Yesterday I woke up and poked around a bit before heading to Perth’s neighbor Fremantle (“Freo,” as locals affectionately call it), said by many to be the coolest town in Australia. That would be saying a lot, but it’s true, and I’ve seen a ton of cool towns on this trip.

Perth, early Monday morning. Really nice architecture and skyline, but cities are cities in many ways to me, so I was soon off to the beach. Itchin’ for some coastline again…

Cottesloe Beach, ten minutes from downtown Perth. A big storm moved through yesterday with 12′ swells. Today, the wind changed to offshore, things calmed down a bit and lots of surfers were out there with big grins.

Contemplating life. And the next ride…

This dude was hands down the coolest guy I’ve met in a while. He had a shower with hot water in his SUV, so after ripping it up out there he rinsed off, changed into natty threads and headed to work. Brilliant, mate.

Talk about a target-rich environment for photographing – Freo just blew me away. First stop was Fremantle Prison, opened in 1860 and closed in 1991. Yes – this medieval place stayed open until that recently. It was fascinating and chilling at the same time to visit the place, knowing how central to Australia’s history prisoners, convicts and their stories have always been. We had a terrific guide, whose knowledge of the place and story telling were totally enthralling.

Convict Church. Funny how the Church of England tortured and tormented the Crown’s prisoners throughout the world for centuries, including extracting slave labor from them, yet always provided the balm of religion and its message that you are loved and God will always be beside you.

Solitary confinement cell. Not a lot of room for stretching out here…

Inside the cell of an artist convict, who was allowed to ply his trade in his new home. I assume that he bribed the guards or played their girlfriend…

Death row cellblock. This cell was the last one you ever entered, for only two hours, the morning you met your maker at 8:00 am sharp in the gallows (don’t be late – it’s so impolite). The bucket beside the stool was for doing your (last) business. This cell’s starkness and raw power were absolutely chilling.

More artwork, in an outside recreation area where the notorious 1988 prison riot was hatched.

The gallows. No prisoner ever walked out of here. They were carried out in body bags after a shot of rum and the tightening of the noose sealed their fate. Wow – talk about focusing the mind…

Back in town, out and about. This little girl was wailing seconds before, but was just adorable when I locked my lens on her.

Totally tricked-out 1980 BMW R100S. Sweet ride. Chatted bikes with its owner for a while.

Native art. Galleries in town are fantastic.

Sidewalk marker.

Architectural whimsy in the process of being born beside stately neighbors.

Fremantle Battery and its original prison, overlooking the harbor. Man, these guys just loved locking people up.

Slipping into the zeitgeist… Definitely not an enjoyable feeling.

Say this three times fast. And I thought German was hard to pronounce.

Mens’ Room at the Battery. Magnificent.

Of what? Getting hit by a train?

A professor and his students chillin’ at an outdoor cafe close to Notre Dame, a local university that gives Freo a terrific, youthful vibe.

Peering inside a building on campus.

Monument to Portugese explorers who helped found Fremantle. Didn’t know they were part of its story.

The grand ferris wheel in Esplanade Park. This was big – each car held ten people.

More native art. I felt as though she was calling out to me.

Mark, the owner of a truly fantastic vinyl record store in town. Had to stop in and chat with him for a bit after hearing the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack album blasting from inside as we strolled by. Super guy.

Lots of bikes in Freo.

Little Creatures Brewing on Freo’s Esplanade. This VW pick up parked at the entrance really grabbed my attention, reminding me of Burning Girl, my 1978 VW Westy camper.

Chris, our bartender. Fun guy.

Freo folks just wanna have fun… Wish we were here for the fest. Wait – maybe we’ll just stay and wait a couple of weeks for it…

View from Little Creatures’ rear patio.

Two really fun local characters we chatted up for a bit. Both worked on the sea.

Just loved that Vee Dub.

Another fantastic day in a place I’ll definitely come back to. Make sure you see Fremantle if your travels take you down under. It truly rocks. Talk mañana…