George on Rotto

The US Navy is coming to Rotto: WA Today reports the "sailors, flyboys and flygirls" of the nuke-powered aircraft carrier George Washington will be scuba diving at the beautiful island.

Imagine watching the huge warship drift across the horizon as you're sinking a pint at the hotel. We've been avidly scouring the ship's website for details and specs.

This pic shows the mail being sorted in a hanger. Of course you can't get mail if you're on Rotto.

The beautiful island has a windmill, but the GW has "two nuclear reactors that permit the ship to steam for almost 18 years before refueling".

And the 97,000 tonne ship even has a media office - just like Rotto - and it's paper is The Guardian.

Where will the sailors and naval aviators be snorkelling? Tip offs welcome.

feed back

We filled out a feedback card at the pub (officially called Hotel Rottnest now) when we were there earlier this month. We are grateful to be added to the database and get Rotto news from yest another source - but the first communication has been surprising.

'Champagne and Oysters July Sat 4th and Sun 5th Oyster shucked fresh to order enjoy with a bottle of French champagne.'

How many oysters? What type of sparkling?

You can also stay for a night in the courtside rooms for $370: you get a $60 hotel dinner voucher, two return ferry tickets, and continental breakfast for two.

If the hotel had read out feedback card it would have wondered if we'd be keen to have diner there. We went on our last night and it wasn't a success: watery linguine that was over-cooked, and a pizza that was too doughy and had too much cheese in the middle.

Maybe that's going to be acknowledged in the second email?

Jacko Rotto

Of course Michael Jackson came to Perth. But did he ever make it to Rotto?

He won the swim-thru, of course, but other evidence is scant. We'll keep searching.

This story had Rottnest up there with the King of Pop: read about Jacko's demise putting Google under the pump. The interest in The Gloved One was "volcanic". But:

'New trains and trams for Melbourne pipped Jackson's death at The Age and dodgy weather on Rottnest Island causing ferry cancellations was more popular in WA.'

Good to know Sandgropers have their priorities right.

my praps

In the past we've criticised ordinary writing about Rottnest, but this is beyond the pale...

She rose with The young lady in his rottnest island his stout stick go anywhere to. it is to. rottnest island I did not frightened any rottnest island creetur to an early grave all three dined together off a beefsteak pie sky rottnest island be instant and said good things for husband to looking at my praps and my face We when all of well by rottnest island miscellaneous taste of source of satisfaction The rugged eloquence with which he spoke was not devoid the shop.

'Beefsteak pie sky Rottnest Island'? 'My praps'? 'Devoid the shop'? Is it a subtle satire on the bakery? Is the site some sort of blogging spam? Now we've seen everything.

If you're on a boat to the beautiful island today you might well be screaming out for your praps. On Wednesday we heard about the ferry cancellations and filed something for the Post. The news dribbled out yesterday - see this WA Today report, for example. It says Oceanic will send one ferry today.

'He could not recall such an extended cancellation of ferry services in his 20 years on the island,' WAT writes about a bloke.

Our information is it's happened twice in recent memory: in 1992 (cyclone) and 1996 (bad weather but not quite cyclonic).

Have a prappy weekend.

poopalot

More travel writing on the beautiful island: Charlene dropped in on Anzac Day and had a blast.

The early start wasn't ideal (“woke up at freaking 6am just to catch the ferry”) and there were complications before she reached the safety of Thomson Bay (“changed to another ferry to rottenest, which btw was rather torturous”).

The motion of the ocean was a concern: “even people like me who never get motion sickness, couldn’t really breathe properly.”

But once safely on firm sandstone the insights began to flow: “i honestly think it’s a place meant for cycling, everywhere you see cyclists around”.

She even snapped a pic of the Wadjemup tour bus: “haha this is not our bus, but took a picture of it cause it looks nice”.

What is the cutest thing about Rotto? Charlene has a good idea: “QUOKKAS! sooooooo freaking cute! i want want want one, even though they poop alot!”

Riding around the island meant more unforgettable sights: “an actual sunken ship from a century ago”.

The summary? “a Saturday well-spent!”.

drips

A Rotto Bloggo reader asked about the forthcoming film and comedy festival on the beautiful island - blow us down if this isn't in tomorrow's Post:

'A film and comedy festival is set for Rottnest Island, but authorities are being tardy with details.
'The Rottnest Island Authority announced the event on its Twitter feed this week.
'"We're getting ready for our brand new film and comedy festival! Detail soon," it said.
'But the authority said information would be "drip drip", to keep people in suspense.'

What's up with this bloke? He strikes the same pose in many of his photos, some of which are on the beautiful island. He reminds us of The Tourist Guy.

Much more soothing is this underwater video of watery Rotto delights. It was taken in January and you can see "...buff bream, wobbegong shark, massive bull stingrays, western blue devil, juvenile jewfish, talma, scalyfin being cleaned, a crayfish being bagged, the skipper freediving and much more."

Rotto Bloggo had to drive to Freo today to transact some business. On the way there the island was peeking through the weather. But on the way back the weather was wilder than Patti Chong's hair, and Rottnest was obscured by rain.

ferry fine

You know you’re on Rottnest when you can set your clock by the ferry.

We’d be gazing at Thomson Bay each morning – thinking about what to do that day, musing on how marvellous Rotto is, pondering whether Kevin Rudd would sound more credible if her impersonated Claire Werbeloff instead of Barry McKenzie – and the Rottnest Express ferry would arrive on the dot of eight AM.

Rottnest Express is the ferry of choice for Rotto Bloggo. Mrs RB wouldn’t entrust Kevin, her pistachio Pathfinder, to anyone else.

Rottnest Express delivered our papers every morning and got us to and from the gorgeous holiday island.

The staff are excellent: we were able to change our return trip with no worries, and we’ve even included here a pic of the safety demonstration on board.

They have the best-looking craft, and provide a very comfortable trip.

AND the company supports Canteen.

Here are some pics of the RE ferry and staff in action today, plus a bonus shot of one of their coaches.

Rottnest Express provided our ferry tix for free. We’re grateful!