Today's first activity is something I really enjoy; flying around in small aircraft. I've booked a helicopter flight around Perth. Today's weather is just perfect for flying; almost no wind and no clouds with clear visibility to the horizon. I've never been in a helicopter before and I'm giddy with excitement as it flies into Burwood park. It's a Bell 206 and the pilot puts it down gently on the helipad.
Joining me are two other joyriders; Bernie and Sue. It's Sue's 60th birthday and she's never been in a helicopter before either. However whereas I'm barely able to stop hopping up and down, Sue looks a bit nervous. The young man who took our credit card details and gave us the safety brief doesn't help when he tells a story that involves a helicopter crash. He quickly realises his mistake but too late! It would be funny if it wasn't so cringeworthy.
The heli flight is the ducks guts. I think it's the best way to see a city. The pilot has a well-honed banter to go along with the flight and the entire cabin feels relaxed. When it's over Sue can't wipe the grin off her face and I'm sure I look the same. It's a magic start to the day.
I don't particularly feel like being in the Perth CBD today - too many people - so I get on the bike and head for the coast. The bike is free of baggage and it roars with delight. I head up to North Beach where there is a scenic road. The drive winds gently along the coastline, always in view of the beaches and ocean, with perfectly maintained roads. I feel relaxed already.
After lunch in Fremantle I decide I need something a bit more challenging. I've heard Toodyay Road is popular with the locals. It's a high speed ride through hills to the northeast of Perth. There are motorcycles everywhere... but it's a weekday, why aren't these people at work? I lean into a corner, going far too fast, feeling pretty pleased with myself, when a Duke hurtles past me like I'm standing still. Now I feel inadequate. I need a bigger bike.
I reach Toodyay all too quickly and it's getting dark so I head back to Perth. I picked the return perfectly; it's 5pm and the Perth streets are chockers with people returning home. The streets are three lanes wide, cars disappearing into the distance, and everybody is crawling along at 40kph. Oddly it's kind of relaxing. Unlike the feeling I get in Sydney and Melbourne (ohmigodimgoingtodie) this is far more sedate. It's a comforting end to the day.
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