Geraldton
I caught the TransWA bus from Kalbarri to Geraldton. I was probably the youngest person on the bus by about a decade. It is possible to age considerably waiting for this bus, they so infrequently.
First impressions of Geraldton were not good. The bus stopped at the railway station. It has ceased to operate as a railway station ages ago. The walk to the Foreshore Backpackers took me past the Law Courts and Police station. A number of people hanging about looked like customers of both, with the next stop being gaol.
I checked into the Backpackers. It turned out to be a surprisingly good place. I was an old hotel – a bit run down but clean and a bit quirky. My room was small, but with all the facilities you need.
I headed off for a walk around the town. The ‘city centre’ is a rather strange place with a mixture of closed shops, a very large vacant tower, a brand shopping centre not far from the main street, some interesting little shops and cafes.
Really Good Museum
I walked along the beach to the Museum. This is really good.
I got into a conversation with the staff. I know one of the Managers at the WA Museum. He has responsibility for the regional museums including this one. I mentioned his name. He is obviously a highly regarded and liked Manager.
The Museum has a really good exhibit on HMAS Sydney II. This warship was sunk by the German ship, the Kormoran in rather strange circumstances in WWII. The wrecks of the ships were discovered in 2008. Check out the link below.
Monument
There is also a Memorial commemorating the loss of the HMAS Sydney II on the hill overlooking Geraldton. It has an interesting dome. It is however, an appropriately somber place.
Cathedral
There is also a major cathedral in the town – St Francis Xavier Cathedral. It is places like this that highlight the population decline in these country towns and the decline in religious observance.
Chat About LA
I had a look chat to the middle aged couple that owned the hostel. They were interested in my travels and had recently been to Los Angeles and elsewhere on the west coast of the USA.
I was interested to hear their views on LA. They were amazed “how dirty it was and the apparent absence of any decent public space”. They thought Venice Beach was “third world”. In short, the only place they “thought was any good was the Getty Center”.
Good Meals and Funny Banter between Musos
I had a couple of good meals in Geraldton. One was at a Wine Bar place opposite the hostel.
On the night I was there a Kiwi girl was singing a playing the guitar. She was quite good. At one point a young pommie bloke asked if he could join her. He chatted with her for a bit and they started playing the the Stones – ‘You Can’t Always Get What Want’. He was really good. After they had finished she told him the he was fantastic and would he like to join her on the road. He replied, “sorry no”. She replied that’s disappointing. He replied ‘You Can’t Always Get What Want’. Everyone in the crowd thought that was very funny.
Not a Bad Place
I left thinking Geraldton is not a bad place.
Flickr Link
About HMAS Sydney II
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