One of my first visits down under was to Western Australia and, more specifically to the city of Perth. I traveled from England by way of Singapore and had a wonderful opportunity to experience the best of Singapore Airlines, the city state’s flag carrier. From London Heathrow, the airline operates from Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, along with the other Star Alliance carriers. Singapore Airlines check in desks were located in Zone A and First Suite passengers were entitled to the Fast Track Security lanes. Border Force is responsible, on behalf of the Home Office, for passport control checks at all UK airports, including Heathrow and the entire process was speedy and well organized. After a very long walk, I found the Silver Kris Lounge near Gate B36, which welcomed Suites, First Class, and Business Class customers. The 10,689 square foot lounge comprised an exclusive First Class Lounge and a separate one for Business Class passengers. I think the First Class section was designed to offer a sense of home by providing distinct personal spaces as well as more customized service. It also offered a selection of warm food including signature Singapore foods and light snacks. What set this section apart though was the ability to choose from à la carte dining and made-to-order dishes, as well as a full buffet and top-notch bar service. The lounge staff were very warm and welcoming and offered a pleasing respite from the busy terminal. It was a real pleasure to spend some quality time here before my long flights.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of flying Singapore Airlines up front appreciates the extra special treatment. There’s nothing quite like seeing multiple boarding doors, marked Economy, Business and then Suites, and choosing the latter where no one else is in sight. Cabin crew actually walked off the plane and onto the jet bridge to welcome me and assist me with my luggage. By the way, there are no overhead bins to fight over. Your
luggage fits neatly under the ottoman and can be accessed with ease at all times. Our flight attendant offered a choice between Dom Pérignon or Krug Champagne as a pre-departure beverage, which set the tone for this 13-hour flight and before too long, the Airbus A380-800 was reaching for the sky. I settled in for what turned out to be a wonderful flight. I was able to “Book the Cook” in advance of travel, choosing from an extensive, 25+ dish menu with everything from Lobster Thermidor to Filet Mignon. After the attentive meal service, my bed was made and I drifted off for several hours of peaceful slumber.
Our arrival into Singapore's Changi Airport took place on time at 7:30 the following morning and I was happy to have a few hours to spare before connecting to Perth. I spent most of it in The Private Room, reserved for First Class passengers at the carrier's flagship SilverKris Lounge. It was great to grab a shower between flights and easy to appreciate the luxurious decor and restaurant quality dining available in this exclusive space. My next flight was aboard another A380 and it proved to be as wonderful as the first, although somewhat shorter as it clocked in at seven hours and 10 minutes, putting us into Perth at 2:40 that afternoon. Perth is one of the most isolated cities on the globe, as it’s completely surrounded by the Australian Outback on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. In fact, it’s closer to Jakarta, Indonesia than it is to Sydney, Brisbane or Canberra.
It only took about 20 minutes to cover the seven-mile distance from the airport to the Parmelia Hilton Hotel in central Perth. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, it’s a short walk to the Swan River, and Kings Park. Constructed in 1968, this 10-story hotel has seen extensive renovations to its 308 guest rooms and suites. I checked into a King Executive Room on the eighth floor with a 50-inch LED Smart TV, Crabtree & Evelyn bath amenities, free Wi-fi, daily housekeeping and access to the Executive Lounge, which included daily continental breakfast and evening canapé service. Hotel guests were welcome to enjoy the outdoor pool and well-equipped fitness center. As for dining, the Samuels on Mill Restaurant & Bar featured Steaks and Seafood in a relaxed atmosphere as well as burgers, snacks, salads and small plates.
I’d heard so much about the Swan Bells prior to my visit and was pleased to be in the city on a Thursday as the bells are only rung from Noon to 1:00 PM on that day and on Sundays at the same time. The Swan Bells are a set of 18 bells that hang in a specially built 271 foot copper and glass tower commonly known simply as the Bell Tower or the Swan Bell Tower. The bells sound after each other in regular and even intervals, making a steady, pleasant and mesmerizing uninterrupted rhythm. One of the most historical and fascinating attractions in the City of Perth, it also draws the largest crowds. My 30-minute guided tour included a visit to the Sixth Floor Observation Deck offering stunning views of the river and the city. I learned that twelve of the historic bells are from St. Martin-in-the Fields Church in Trafalgar Square in London. The remaining six were cast in recent times by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, most notable for being the original manufacturer of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, the famous symbol of our American Independence.
The Hilton concierge also recommended I visit the Perth Mint. Trusted globally for its precious metal refining and investment products and services, it’s also known as a premier tourist destination and renowned for its luxury jewelry. The Perth Mint is one of the oldest working mints still standing on its original location, and is wholly owned by the Government of Western Australia. America was not the only country to see its share of gold rushes in the Nineteenth Century. In the late 1800’s, large gold deposits were discovered in several areas of Western Australia. The population there was also growing rapidly, and it was soon decided that the area would need its own mint branch, and the City of Perth provided the perfect location. Up until the year 2000, the Perth Mint’s gold output totaled around 3.25% of the total weight of gold produced in the world. In 2003 a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to further gold advancements was opened. The mint later created the world’s heaviest and most valuable gold coin on record with a face value of A$1 million comprising 99.99 % pure gold. The Guided Heritage Talk took us through the gold exhibition, including the mint’s collection of gold nuggets and specimens and we also witnessed a traditional gold pour in the mint’s original melting. house. My visit ended at the Perth Mint Shop, which featured gold, silver and platinum coins, natural gold nuggets, unique jewelry, precious stones and an exclusive range of giftware.
For a bit of exercise and relaxation on the afternoon of my departure, I took a two-minute walk over to explore Kings Park and Botanic Garden. The name was bestowed on the area back in 1901 to commemorate King Edward VII’s ascension to the British throne. For thousands of years prior, local Aboriginal people had used the area for ceremonies, cultural activities and hunting grounds. It’s now home to the spectacular Western Australia Botanic Garden, which displays over 3,000 species of the state’s unique flora. Finding an immense native park studded with some trees that live for 2,000 years, a suspended bridge and dense wildflower carpets in the middle of a capital city is as unexpected as it is engaging. Although it would have been impossible for me to take it all in, I did manage to spend a few peaceful hours here in the park and gardens. I noticed folks having a picnic on the grass surrounding the State War Memorial and families enjoying a respite from the busy city. And the park is huge. At 990 acres, it’s actually some 148 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. It was an excellent way in which to bring my visit to Western Australia to a close.
That evening I began another marathon air travel adventure flying home through Singapore and then London and onward to Washington, DC. But it was all worth it having the chance to experience Western Australia’s capital city.
Until next time, safe travels.
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