nearby Perth, Western Australia; happy feet, happy me.

I am in Fremantle, Western Australia. Whoever called this a slice of the Mediterranean has obviously never gone. I've isolated myself to my hotel, the 4½ star Esplanade Hotel Fremantle, that claims to be Fremantle's finest. Highly debatable... I am questioning my decision to vacation in this place as I'm listening to a B- singer singing classic hits alongside her husband pianist, playing a baby grand. Remember the song "Fire" from the Pointer Sisters? "I'm riding in my car, When we kiss it's like Fire, Cause when we kiss... Ooooh..." Lucky me; I'm listening to that right now. At least my Greek salad, corn soup and Stella on draft are pretty good.

I had a great day. To start, I'm grateful for soft water. Long, hot showers with soft water. I even treated myself to a long and luxurious grapefruit scented bubble bath soak, a deep cleansing mask and deep conditioning treatment last night. South Australia had this horribly hard water that made me feel dirty immediately after showering. Evidently, water quality is so poor that incoming ships decline to fill up with water in Adelaide.

short interruption... I stood up to plug in my computer as my battery is running low. Some random man just came up to me. "That's a long chord." C'mon, if you are going to hit on me(or any woman for that matter) we'd appreciate an attempt at being witty. ;)

I treated myself today to a day of relaxation and free from studying wine. I love wine. I'm obsessed with wine. But after two concurrent vintages and a non-stop schedule of visiting wineries, I need a few days off. Plus, I have a week of visits in the Margaret River next week. I started my day with a visit to the Fremantle market, filled with beautiful organic and biodynamic produce. I purchased some biodynamic oatmeal, organic yogurt, and goji berries. I checked out some aboriginal artwork at Japingka Gallery. I'm seriously considering buying a piece from artist Kathleen Petyarre. There's a beautiful energy about her work and I am completely driven by my emotions when buying art. I'd love your input.














In the afternoon, I perused the bookstore. I walked alongside the beach and experienced the Indian Ocean for the first time. I ate a damn good fish n'chips at the legendary Cicerellos‎. I had a relaxing foot massage, hence the photo of my feet above. Disclaimer: photo was taken from my bedroom in New York City. In the late afternoon, I took a long hatha yoga class. The poses were deep and intense. I needed that class. I've taken countless yoga classes and it's really refreshing that I can still learn something new with each new instructor, each class. Today we used props to help us get deeper into our poses. My instructor was kind and patient.

I miss New York City but I'm gonna go to Margaret River next week and then a liveaboard scuba trip in the Great Barrier Reef before I head home. Lucky me...

Still listening to bad music. Update: I am now listening to Donna Lewis' "I Love You Always Forever". "Soft spoken words.. I love you always forever". (help!)

Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
44-54 Marine Tce
Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
08 9432 4000

Japingka Gallery
47 High Street, Fremantle
Western Australia, 6160
(618) 9335 8265

Fremantle Yoga Centre
Door 2, E-Shed, on the harbors edge, Victoria Quay
Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia‎
1300 881 046

Cicerellos‎
Fishingboat Harbour, 44 Mews Road
Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia‎
(08)9335 1911