Outdoor Activities in Perth

The first thing I noticed about Perth was all the green space. Despite having a population of over 1.5 million, the downtown area feels incredibly spacious, with a multitude of fields and biking/running trails along the river. The city has an amazing climate, so it comes as no surprise that people like to spend their time outdoors.

The day after I arrived, I participated in the "HBF Run for a Reason", which is a huge event with around 30,000 runners between the 4k and 12k distances. The race started downtown and was remarkably well-organized, considering the sheer volume of participants. I also found the atmosphere to be really uplifting, as the announcers shared fun stories, interviewed racers, and showed pictures on a huge screen that people were tweeting of themselves in the starting corrals. 

I was stuck in the middle of the pack to start the race, so the first kilometer was mainly spent weaving in and out of the slow runners. (One of my running pet peeves is when slow people insist on starting near the front and serve as roadblocks for the people that actually deserve to be in front). The first half of the course was along the highway and through a long tunnel, before meandering through the riverfront parks, and finishing at the horse track. 

Once the pack thinned out, I managed to catch my rhythm. My ankle hurt at the beginning, but I really pushed myself hard. I love these shorter races because I don't have to conserve my energy so much.

I managed to escape the crowds by the middle

The finish area at the racetrack was really unique (although, surprisingly, it was not the first time I ran through a horse track...Kentucky Derby half marathon in 2012 holds that honor). My finish time for the 12k race was just over 45 minutes and I was really proud of my overall placement.

Approaching the finish line at Gloucester Park

After the race, I hung around for a while to talk with other runners and watch the seemingly endless parade of race finishers. It's fun to see how much more crowded the finish line gets when the bulk of the runners reach the end (it almost felt like I was running in a completely different race).

Here's a shot of the finish line

Finish area of the HBF Run for a Reason

Even though I didn't have anyone cheering me on at the finish line, I always enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes at the end of the race. Most of my workouts during the week are at a more relaxed pace, so it's fulfilling to really push myself on race day. Here's a video compilation of the event, which was posted online a few days later:

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Aside from running, anyone visiting Perth should definitely rent a bicycle and explore the city and nearby suburbs via their extensive trail network along the river. The trails are extremely well maintained and offer tremendous views of the city.

One of the bike paths along the Swan River in Perth

I set off for my journey from the CBD and proceeded down the path without a particular destination in mind. As I continued towards the suburbs, the sky started getting really dark and rain began pouring down. I took cover under a tree, which was only marginally effective. By this point, I was about 5-6 miles away from where I had started, which left me dreading the ride back.

Where did the rain come from?!

The rain wasn't slowing down, so I decided to just ride as quickly as possible back to the city. Water was not only soaking me from above, but also all over my back and into my shoes. It's almost like the tires were purposely designed to funnel as much water as possible onto me. 

In a city known for its beautiful weather and outdoor activities, I had to redeem myself with another bike ride later in the week. Bicycle adventure 2.0 started at the same place and with the same views.

Preparing for bike ride #2 on this sunny day in Perth

I decided that my destination would be King's Park, which sits at the top of a hill overlooking the city. I was advised to enter at the furthest point from the city, which was a great idea because I was able to get beautiful, serene views from the University of Western Australia and the Royal Perth Yacht Club. 

Views of the city from Royal Perth Yacht Club

Even though it is now winter in Perth, the weather felt like a late-spring day for northern US standards! I have heard that summers can be very warm, so this must be one of the most pleasant times to do outdoor activities without working up a huge sweat. 

I cycled up the hill and entered the park for a really serene ride. The hills made for a nice workout and the trees kept the trails very secluded. Eventually, I got to a clearing and was treated with a beautiful view overlooking the city. 

Overlooking Perth from King's Park

Views of South Perth from King's Park

I continued biking through the park for a while longer, climbed the DNA tower (for yet another view of the city), and looked at some of the war memorials that also overlook the city from King's Park.

On my way back into the city, there was a small patch of rain that was just strong enough to feel refreshing. The added benefit of the rain were some rainbows that formed across the sky. I rode right through the end of this one shown below, but alas, there was no pot of gold.

A rainbow forms over Perth CBD

The city of Perth places a high value on the well-being of its residents. It is clear that major investments are made to keep the parks and bike paths well maintained. The parks even have fitness equipment stationed in select areas for people to do a circuit workout. 

Athletic events like the HBF Run for a Reason receive such great publicity - from banners around the city, to results being published in the newspaper. The local news station even did a 30-minute recap segment the following week. 

If every city made such concerted efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, the world would be a much happier place. 

Sydney vs Melbourne

Everyone loves a great rivalry:

- Real Madrid vs F.C. Barcelona 
- Red Sox vs Yankees
- Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson
- Oxford vs Cambridge
  
Sydney vs Melbourne

It's easy to determine the superior side in athletics, but much more subjective when evaluating cities. Certain cities are clearly superior to their 'rivals' (Boston over New York, for example), but others are not so evident.

In Australia, Sydney and Melbourne are constantly in competition with each other. Several articles have been written on this topic, but in the end, the "better" city really comes down to personal preference. Over the past six weeks, I have subconsciously compared them. Here are my thoughts:

1) Weather: My time in Sydney was nearly perfect from a weather perspective, whereas Melbourne was generally colder and more gloomy. Based on my experience, Sydney was more pleasant, but I checked the stats for a less biased evaluation. 

Sydney has more sunshine hours, fewer rainy days, and higher average annual temperature. Sydney oddly has a higher overall accumulation of rain throughout the year, but I love sunny days so Sydney still gets the edge. 

2) People: This one is tough because my industry is very international, but I did manage to interact with some locals in both Sydney and Melbourne. Honestly, Australians (as a whole) are among the most friendly people I have ever met. 

The work environment is fun and people love joking around with each other (even at their own expense). They work reasonable hours and are unapologetic about leaving on time to enjoy their personal lives. 

Between Sydney and Melbourne, I barely noticed any personality differences.  Anyone who tells you otherwise is probably biased. This category is a draw. 

3) Architecture: Sydney has the benefit of the Opera House, which lives up to the hype. Actually, the entire harbor is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. The Harbour bridge is a photo op in itself, while also providing the perfect vantage point for viewing the skyline. I also love The Rocks district, which has retained the quaint architecture from Sydney's earliest settlement. 

Sydney Harbour Bridge and cityscape

Melbourne is also just another city with modern architecture, but some of its buildings are downright ugly. I like when cities have a few ultra-modern buildings as a conversation piece (Dusseldorf, for example), but I think Melbourne goes a little too far. The skyline looks almost cartoonish to me.

Melbourne skyline from a bridge on the Yarra river

Examples of the strange architecture in Melbourne CBD

My personal aesthetic is more sophisticated than it is fun, so I will applaud Sydney as the more visually stunning city to walk through. That said, anyone visiting Australia to look at beautiful historic buildings will be disappointed. Go to Europe for that stuff!

4) Public Transportation: Both cities have pretty great public transport. Sydney has an underground subway, which loops around the CBD, but my favorite were the ferries that connect various points along the harbor. I would love commuting to work every day on a boat (although it's also nice to have a 10-second elevator ride).

Melbourne has an extensive tram system that meanders down almost every street in the CBD and they also have a cute historic trolley that people can ride for free. 

One of the free trolleys in Melbourne CBD

Despite my love for the Sydney ferries, I have to give Melbourne the overall edge for its extensive network and the free trolley (which I actually never rode, but enjoyed looking at).   

5) Entertainment: I rarely go to bars and never once went to a nightclub, so my assessment is based on a very limited sample. Overall, Melbourne felt much younger (almost like a college town around the CBD), and there were a ton of drunk people meandering around the streets and eating fast food late at night. Not my scene. 

However, Melbourne does have a really fun casino and lots of great restaurants/bars in the Docklands. There is even a bar called Ponyfish Island that literally sits under a bridge. Between the riverfront dining and the bar that is basically in the river, Melbourne wins back a lot of points. 

Overall, Sydney felt more "white-collar" (at least around my hotel), and I had a great time drinking outside at Opera Bar on Easter Sunday. Looking directly at Sydney Opera House with a drink in hand is pretty great. 

Both cities have a thriving arts scene, with lots of theaters, concerts and even talented street performers. Plus, is there any other city besides Paris and Sydney where the Opera House is a tourist destination in itself? (None that I can think of...)

Even though I had a better time going out in Sydney, I feel like most people would find Melbourne to be more fun because of the diversity of entertainment options. 

6) City Escapes: Sydney has the Blue Mountains. Melbourne has Great Ocean Road. I prefer hiking over driving, but both are awesome and worth seeing.

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It is no surprise why the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne remains strong. Both cities have an incredible quality of life, friendly people, and access to fun weekend adventures.

So, which is my preference?  Sydney...but not by much!

Celebrating a birthday away from home

When I was a kid, birthdays were a big deal.  I always had at least two parties (one with friends and one with family).  My parents took me out to dinner at the restaurant of my choosing and were very generous with gifts. It was fun to feel like the entire world revolved around me for just a day. 

My first birthday...celebrating with all my mom's friend's kids

As I grew up, my birthday gradually became less relevant. 

The first time I celebrated my birthday away from home was the year I studied in London during undergrad. I went out with friends from my dorm, but there was no need to mark my legal drinking age because I had been free to drink ever since I arrived in Europe nine months earlier.  Even though I was away from family during this time, it was still nice to have friends around. 

Little did I know, this marked the first of many years that I was unable to celebrate with family on my actual birthday. I usually went out with friends to mark the occasion (and to distract me from the reality of getting older). One year, I even took a trip to Florida with some of my best friends, but we all got so sunburnt that we barely made it through dinner on my actual birthday. 

2008 was the first time I had to travel for work on my birthday. I was alone throughout the work day, but I was lucky enough to be in the New York metro area where I met up with friends for dinner. As an added perk, my boss even allowed me to get a room at the Ritz-Carlton Central Park. 

The next year wasn't nearly as glamorous. I was working in Birmingham, Alabama and the view from my office window was this: 

Birthday shopping in Birmingham?

I remember spending an hour researching restaurants so I could at least treat myself to the perfect meal. After searching through menus, I decided on a trendy seafood restaurant called Ocean. Was the food great? Absolutely.  Was it depressing to eat dinner alone on my birthday? A little.  On the bright side, I had plans to go out with friends just a couple nights later (once I returned home to Washington, DC). 

2010 was the year of the MBA in Barcelona. It should have been an incredible place to ring in yet another year of my life. Unfortunately, a few conflicts during the semester caused classes to be rescheduled, and my birthday was the one and only time that we had a triple session of classes.  For nine hours, I sat behind my computer and listened to lectures.  By the end of this learning marathon, everyone quietly filtered out of the lecture hall and went straight home. Myself included.  

The following year, I had just moved to Chicago and I had about 2 friends. My friend Thom took me out for drinks and we closed out the night at a country-western bar. Even though I was technically "home", it didn't feel like home at all. 

2012 was a year of birthday redemption. I was traveling in Europe with a team from my office and my boss loves having an excuse to do nice things. My day actually started in Luxembourg, where I had been the night before for an awesome half-marathon. I spent the morning admiring the city and taking some photos, before catching a train to Paris. 

In Paris, I was fortunate enough to be staying at a super exclusive hotel and my first ride in the elevator was shared with someone who "seemed famous" (although I had no idea who he was). As we were heading out to dinner, the same guy was sitting in the lounge and I pointed him out to a colleague.  Turns out, the entire Vampire Diaries cast was staying at the hotel, and the guy I rode the elevator with earlier was Paul Wesley. Rubbing shoulders with celebrities was just the start of a fun evening. We enjoyed a dinner cruise along the Seine River and spent some time walking around the city. Strolling through Le Jardin des Tuileries reminded me that business trip birthdays can be fun, too.

Birthday evening in Paris, 2012

Over the course of the week in Paris, the hotel was filled with celebrities and the back of my head even had a youtube cameo at 1:02, when I entered the hotel with a colleague while fans were screaming over Ian Somerhalder. This was also the week of the French Open and I shared an elevator ride with the Federer family one morning on my way to breakfast.  Birthday week win! 

I expected 2013 to be a quiet birthday. I was alone in Casablanca and I arrived at the office just like any other day. A couple of the local managers suggested having lunch at the hotel's fine dining restaurant, which was a perfect coincidence for me. Then, out of nowhere, I heard the General Manager singing happy birthday and walking out with a cake and champagne! Somehow, the staff discovered that it was my birthday and I couldn't have been more surprised.

My Mom sent 8 birthday cards to my hotel in Casablanca

This year in Melbourne, I was working alone in my room and wondering whether anyone would discover it was my birthday. At lunch with some of the staff, we were discussing a new hire named "Kate" who joined several existing members of the sales team with the same name. This reminded the table that the majority of the Finance team was born during the month of October. Out of pure coincidence, they asked about my birthday and I admitted that it is today. They all offered an obligatory "Happy Birthday!", but it just wasn't feeling so happy to me since this was practically my only human interaction throughout the entire day. 

For dinner, I went down to the hotel restaurant and was told that it was closed for a private event. They offered room service as an alternative, but the only thing more pathetic than eating alone is eating alone in my room. I went back upstairs, grabbed a Kit Kat out of the minibar and rented a movie that ended up being a heartbreaking documentary. By 9pm, I was depleted of energy and opted to go to sleep early.

Fortunately, the next morning brought a fresh mind and renewed enthusiasm. I received several messages from friends who discovered it was my birthday via the Facebook reminder while I was asleep. I chatted with a friend in Hong Kong, received a call in my hotel from friends in New York and DC, and even received a birthday cake from the hotel.  

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One interesting thing about this blog is that the recollection of events sometimes helps to change my perception of them. I was initially going to write about how difficult it is to be away from home on your birthday.  But then I realized that I have enjoyed a few excellent birthdays on the road. I have also experienced some birthdays at home that have not lived up to my lofty expectations. 

A birthday is just another day except that it holds special meaning to one person.  The celebration should be about what makes that person happy. I love spending time with family and friends on my birthday, but I also love to explore the world.  Some years, those two desires are in conflict with each other. This was one of those years.  

Instead of complaining about one boring night, I will focus on the countless ways my life has been enriched as a result of my global travels. My lifestyle requires me to make a number of personal sacrifices, but it also affords me with opportunities that few people get to experience. This year, I just had to wait a little longer to eat my cake.  

Great Ocean Road Marathon

How can anyone come all the way to Australia without running "Australia's Most Stunning Marathon"? I certainly can't be that person, so I rented a car and drove down the coast for a weekend of sightseeing and athletics. 

I will admit that I was a little hesitant to drive on the left side of the road, but it seems to be the only way to get from Melbourne to Apollo Bay. Renting a car in Australia was a breeze. Automatic cars are readily available and they don't even require an international license. With a few quick signatures, I was handed the keys to a brand new SUV. Here we go. 

I looked at the map and was surprised to discover that the city of Melbourne actually sits on the ocean. How did I not realize this until just now? (I thought Melbourne only had access to a river)

Before leaving the city, I drove down to the beach for a little exploring. I parked near St. Kilda's pier and strolled along the boardwalk. The views were spectacular and the whole atmosphere was so much more relaxed than in the business district. It actually reminded me a little of my old neighborhood in Chicago, which was adjacent to the lakefront but still offered easy access to downtown. However, (unlike Chicago) the weather is actually tolerable throughout the entire year. I could totally live in a place like this. 

View of Melbourne from St Kilda's Pier

There were lots of couples and families out that evening, which reminded me of my perpetually single status. I try not to dwell on the fact that I am always alone, but it does change the experience a lot. Without anyone else to help share the experience, it can feel like I am just going through the motions. 

The feeling of loneliness passed when I saw that St. Kilda's is home to penguins and another animal called rakali (which I have never heard of in my life). Rakali look a little like an otter with a long tail. Australia definitely has some crazy wildlife!  

As the sun began to set, the penguins started waking up and climbing along the rocks. It was hilarious to watch them walk around clumsily. Whenever someone would spot a penguin moving around, a crowd of people instantly formed to take photos and admire the sight. We were so close to the penguins that I could have literally reached out and grabbed one. (I was tempted, but they're hard to transport). 

This little guy was hopping along the rocks

Another penguin sleeps in-between the rocks

Walking along the beach at sunset was a wonderful start to another weekend adventure. It's amazing how sand, water, and boats can elicit such strong feelings of relaxation. 

Driving from Melbourne to Lorne was straightforward, but I was a little uneasy about all the technology on the roads. From speed and red light cameras to automatic toll collection systems, it is clear that Australia knows how to monitor its drivers. Even the parking spots have sensors that will alert meter maids if cars have been parked for too long. I was careful to follow all the road rules, because there's nothing worse than a speeding ticket when you aren't even in a rush to get anywhere. 

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Race morning started very early because the entire Great Ocean Road was closed to traffic and all runners were required to take a shuttle bus to their respective starting line. At this point, I had still not seen the coastline in daylight, so the anticipation was starting to build.  

Before I even begin to comment on the race, I need to give mad props to Australians for their luxurious portable toilets. Unlike rows of plastic huts that I typically see at starting lines, these toilets are on huge trucks; complete with lights, water-flush systems, and even sinks to wash your hands. It's basically the opposite of the Florence marathon, where I literally peed in the middle of the street before starting the race.

Luxurious portable toilets

After taking care of business, I still had over an hour of down-time before the race began. I usually don't have much spare time before the race, but I took advantage of the people-watching opportunities. The serious nerds were jogging to warm up their legs, while the fun people enjoyed a coffee in the tiny cafe. I saw all types of runners, including one guy who wore a pink bathrobe to stay warm. What a baller. 

Excellent warm-up gear

When it was finally time to start the race, people were in no rush whatsoever. Twelve minutes later, they were still filtering slowly into the starting corrals. Seriously? I know Australians are laid-back but this was just comical. 

Finally, at 8:16, we were ready to go.

Right from the start, the road was filled with twists and turns, rolling hills, and the most beautiful views I have seen in a long time. I couldn't help but smile.  

It was one of the most interesting courses I have run in a while because I never knew what was up ahead. Sometimes, I would turn a corner to see a long and arduous hill. Other times, I would enjoy a steady descent where gravity did most of the work. Regardless of the vertical direction, each hill gave me the internal motivation to pass one or two people (I just wanted to get them over with as quickly as possible). 

The weather for this race was absolutely perfect for running. Mostly cloudy, temperatures in the mid-60's, and a steady breeze off the water to keep me dry. As the miles passed, I found myself gaining more and more energy. It was such a great feeling. 

I finally started seeing spectators around kilometer 18, as we descended into Apollo Bay and returned to signs of civilization. It seemed like the entire community was out to cheer on the runners. For such a small town, the support was impressive. 

The final stretch of the race was through the main commercial district of Apollo Bay, where people were lining the streets and cheering.  

Spectators line the street near the finish line in Apollo Bay

My favorite memory from the race is all the kids that held out their hands for "high 5's" from any runner who would pay attention to them. I got caught up in the excitement and tried to tap as many little hands as possible. One thing was abundantly clear: these are country folks.

This kid clearly didn't grow up in the city. 

Two girls compete for high fives

After I received my medal, I decided to walk over to the nearby beach. I sat on the sand and listened to the waves crashing in front of me. This truly was a stunning marathon and I am so glad I decided to participate.  

Paradise

Proud to have another distance race in the books

The shuttle ride back to my car in Lorne was fun for two reasons: 1) We got to see the slowest runners struggle through the final miles of the course, and 2) We could re-live the course without the distraction of the competition.

Views along the Great Ocean Road

The road is full of twists and turns

Driving back to Melbourne, I wanted to stop at every turn to take a photo. Fortunately (for my own safety), I did not act upon all of these impulses.

Shallow water creates a perfect swimming bay

The drive back to Melbourne is much more beautiful during the day

Great Ocean Road Marathon is one of those races that leaves people feeling completely fulfilled.  The constant hills present a challenge, but the amazing views help to lessen the pain.  Without many spectators throughout most of the course, runners are forced to motivate themselves. Fortunately, the support near the finish line makes the entire effort feel worthwhile. 

Melbourne

When I arrived in Melbourne, the weather was dark and rainy.  It remained this way throughout the entire weekend.  I must admit that my first impressions of the city were not overwhelmingly positive. There was nothing wrong with the city, but it just failed to draw me in. 

The Central Business District (where my hotel is located) contains a lot of modern office buildings, restaurants, and a shopping mall the spans several city blocks.  Walking around, I strangely felt like I was in Toronto.  Everything seemed very "live-able" and clean, but also somewhat generic.

The view from my hotel was equally as uninspiring.  All I could see were railroad tracks, some green space, and an under-developed river. 

Good morning Melbourne!  Look at railroad tracks and a deserted river!

Gradually, Melbourne grew on me.  I went out a couple nights and appreciated the "buzz" of the downtown area.  Even on the weekends, people were enjoying the restaurants and bars, which is more than can be said about many cities in Midwest USA.  

The arts scene is thriving, with several large theaters and art galleries downtown.  One evening, the cast of "Wicked" was out on the streets in full costume, performing snippets from the show.  I doubt you would ever see that in Manhattan!

One of several theatres in Melbourne CBD

As the days passed, I started noticing the interesting mix of 'old' and 'new' in Melbourne. Beautiful historic buildings like you would see in Europe intermingle with modern architecture.  Gothic-style cathedrals are dwarfed by neighboring skyscrapers that have grown up around them.  The result is a city that appears modern in every panorama but has pockets of history that can be appreciated by anyone who is willing to look deeper. 

Historic Hotel Windsor juxtaposes with the ultra-modern Sheraton

The spires of St. Patrick's Cathedral no longer dominate the skyline

Interior of St. Patrick's Cathedral rivals any in Europe

Many photograph opportunities in the cathedral

Interior of St. Patrick's Cathedral

One of my friends lived in Melbourne for a year and he described it as "England mixed with Baltimore".  Phrases like "How ya goin?", "good on you", and "no worries, mate" reflect an amazingly relaxed lifestyle that mixes perfectly with the old English sophistication. Everyone loves to talk and - more importantly - they love to have a good laugh.  

One morning, I captured these unique personalities on the street

I prefer the marshmallow peeps to anything advertised here!

On Mother's Day, I was invited to join the local staff on an 8k run, which was a surprisingly huge event.  Thousands of people packed the course to raise money for breast cancer.  The Mother's Day Classic is a national event and I love how Australians embrace the spirit of charity in conjunction with a day to celebrate Mom.   

Photos from the Mother's Day Classic in Melbourne

On my way back to the hotel, I discovered an alley that is filled with graffiti.  Normally, I detest this form of self-expression but Melbourne has found a way to show off its artistic value. Fortunately, the graffiti is confined to just a few streets, while the rest of the city is impeccably clean. 

Graffiti has transformed this alley in a surprisingly aesthetic way

I felt very "hipster" in this part of the city.

The more I explored Melbourne, the more I discovered its fun side. Hidden in the seemingly boring business district are musicians, parks for relaxing, and buildings with unconventional character. Just like Sydney, Melbourne is filled with hidden gems.

A street performer entertains people in the CBD

People enjoy the beautiful weather in front of this building

I am happy that I have four weeks to explore Melbourne because it is a city that requires a little extra time to really appreciate. Tourists have even fewer sites to visit than in Sydney, but lifestyle is what really makes the difference here.