Australia Day 2012, Perth

A day off all across Australia, reason enough for another 'Safe Event' with picknick and concerts along the Swan River. 'Safe Event' means: Drinks (1 six pack per person or 1 bottle of wine) only in designated areas between 6.30-8pm, Drinks allein in abgesperrten Gebiet zwischen 18.30-20 Uhr (1 six pack Bier oder 1 Flasche Wein). Thats how it is here in Western Australia, Alcohol and Smoke Free event. The State forces on you what you can (not!) drink, where, how much and at what time...Welcome to Nanny State Western Australia!

O.K., we still enjoyed ourselfs since it was 40 degrees outside and alcohol the last thing we needed. We decided to go to the Aborigines and Torres Strait islanders Concert at Supreme Court Gardens. Das Aborigines Rockkonzert war das beste ueberhaupt, wir haben bis dahin nie so viele Ureinwohner auf einem Platz gesehen und die Stimmung war gut.

The Fireworks (see video)were the big Highlight of the day or rather the night! Everybody lined up along the Swan River to wait for the Fireworks to start at 8pm. Well, it was a great night with actual natural fireworks happening at the same time. Thunder and lightning mixed with the Fireworks, it rained, but the Palm trees kept us semi-dry.

On Australia Day there's also a celebration for the new Australian Citizens at special ceremonies in town halls where people from all over the world declare to respect to Australia and its constitution. We would be already happy to become just permanent residents, that changes a lot in terms of health care insurance and mortgage conditions. We could finally buy our first little house in Australia. Let's see what the future brings. Talking about houses, next time we might just have some great news regarding a new apartment with a courtyard. Nachste mal melden wir uber unser neues wohnung mit kleine garten am forder site. Bis dann.