Perth

Have been here for the last 3 days with Wei Yih and we managed to plough the streets quite a fair bit including all the way to Fremantle, Serpentine and Mandurah.

Fremantle on the coast provided some carnival sort of atmosphere where street performers engaged the audience just outside the markets and people just strolled in the markets enjoying the various offering of food, groceries, skin care and more. The cafe and eateries strip is swamped with people savouring all kinds of cuisines.

Mandurah is a small town that offers sun, sea and water sports. The sailing museum, dolphin marina, restaurants and markets by the beach offer a different kind of relaxation.

Serpertine is the place where Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery resides. Both Wei Yih and I were blessed to be able to offer dana to Ajahn Brahm and his sangha and received blessings before lunch. The temple ground exudes tranquility with lush greens and quiet lake. The meditation in the shrine hall was peaceful. The positive energy that I felt and garnered was comforting and invigorating to a certain extent. Is this the place for my practice? Perhaps. Taking that first step to participate is more critical than thinking. More on this bit for sure.

And after a lapse of more than 10 years, Perth itself does not seem to have changed much - the pace is still pretty much slow and strangely, people are still pretty much absent from the streets. Do they have a relaxing life outside the city centre or do they simply disappear into their little haven whenever possible?

Quite amazing but after another day, we are heading home. Home is where we feel most comfortable and cosy after all.