Most SUV’s in Western Australia sport kangaroo bumpers. Outsized metal frames whose purpose, I presume, is to protect the vehicle should it hit a kangaroo.
A number of vehicles have snorkels for the engine air intakes, assuring that the motor will not inhale too much dust, or water, or maybe both.
Most all intersections are traffic circles, which is not unusual. Pedestrians must yield to vehicles at every crossing, even in the town center, which Is. Particularly hard for those visitors used to driving on the right.
Every bar and restaurant we visited in Australia over the last two weeks is self service. Sometimes you must wait at the front door to be shown to a table. Other times you find a table yourself. The paucity of wait persons is noticeable. You get the menu and order and pay on your smartphone, or you go inside to order and pay at the counter. A wait person will bring your food and drink out to you when it is ready.
When you sit at a table, you are quickly brought, without asking or being charged, a bottle or pitcher of cold drinking water and drinking glasses. Very civilized.
There are signs regulating where you can drink in every eating establishment that serves alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is not allowed to be consumed in public spaces. Children are not allowed near alcohol. Not too different from parts of the USA, but a far cry from the relaxed attitude in Europe.
The historic two story buildings constructed in the latter half of the 19th century in most of Australia all look similar. They all feature intricate cast iron balconies facing the street.
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