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Published: September 26th 2010
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Camel Sunset Safari
Broome sunset on Cable Beach Mon 13th September
I was right, no communication at all whilst at sea so, I keep writing until Darwin. Had another amazing day in Broome yesterday- filling in time until getting picked up for the cruise. We booked in to the Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour which took 4 hrs. One hour was spent driving over red dirt road to get there, 2 hrs of tour which included lectures, a boat ride out to the oyster shells and time to buy - yes BUY a beautiful single pearl which will connect to my gold chain. As you can imagine, it took a little “manipulating” as after all, it IS our 45th wedding anniversary year AND … my 70th!! It really is quite beautiful as it is a champagne colour. (Incidentally, in case you are thinking it, I DON’T feel like a spoilt child!) We learnt a tremendous amount about cultured pearls, how long they take to make and work that goes into the making of them.
Following our last, very hot day in Broome, we made it to the Coral Princess. The Dawn Princess was in dock - a HUGE cruise ship and along side it, the tiny Coral Princess
Crocodile Creek
Don contemplating a swim in Croc Creek. (CP). It looked as big (small) as the Sydney cruise ship we went on with Bob & Joan! I was very pleasantly surprised when we boarded. Lovely spacious room, well appointed. Nice, friendly atmosphere and very attentive staff. Magnificent seafood buffet dinner on the first night, but alas, many people missing due to sea sickness. We took our Avomine so enjoyed every mouthful!!
Tues 14th Sept.
First and foremost I have been temporarily “sacked” as Tour Director whilst on the Coral Princess. Wonderful, as I have no responsibility for the others for ten days! Today, we slept in until 8am breakfast. We sat through an all encompassing presentation about the Kimberley before lunch but in the afternoon, we boarded the Explorer in which we were taken to Croc Creek! Yes, Croc Creek!! The guides took a dive to check that there were no crocs around before I (and several others) ventured into the beautiful warm lagoon. Don & John headed out to the waterfall cascading down the rocks and splashed around like kids under a hose! Before sunset, we were all taken to a little deserted beach for pre dinner drinks whilst we sat on deck chairs looking
Coral Princess
John relaxing on board. at a big log fire, until the sun set over the water. Magic!
Wed 15th
Highlight today was a hair raising ride at high speed through the Horizontal Waterfalls in a rubber ducky! Holding on for dear life, we raced over whirlpools of water ready to suck anyone in if they fell overboard! With loud “Whoopees” and “Yahoos” we went through two lots of falls before returning back to hoarse to the Explorer. Plenty of amazing rock formations in a variety of colours surrounded the many beautiful water inlets and islands. Once back on board the CP, we opened a personal invite to dine with the Captain! Naturally, an RSVP ( in rhyme ) was delivered to the Purser and so Don, Jody, Judy, John and I dined in style with Capt. Craig - a nice youngish man from Cairns. Unfortunately, a large swell sent Jody to her boudoir before the dinner ended. I think some Avomine will be in order tonight! So endeth todays blog!
Thur 16th
So far, perfect weather, not too hot and reasonably smooth sailing. Jody her normal, happy self this morning. Excursions off the CP have all been great for photos
Seafood on Cullen
Seafood restaurant in Darwin and the commentaries all very informative. We visited Montgomery Reef today and because of the huge tides, were able to walk over the top of the reef with our walking sticks (for balance) and view some of the live and dead coral plus, for some, the odd octopus and turtle. Tonight we dined on another little sheltered beach on Wailgwin Island and tasted BBQ croc (quite nice), kangaroo (just OK for me but loved by others) nice beef and good ol’ Aussie sausages. A tranquil and very relaxed experience.
Fri 17th
More off the boat excursions viewing all sorts of picturesque inlets and waterways and learning about bird life, aboriginal rock art and viewing grave sights of failed settlements at Cambden Harbour. We’ll be a font of all knowledge by the time we get home! Trudged over a heap of treacherous rocks this afternoon in the roaring heat to view a couple of Aboriginal drawings in sandstone! Not good for Winnie!
Sat. 18th
Much better today- boarded the Explorer and went out to King Cascade Falls- absolutely beautiful although associated with a tragic accident of a young woman taken by a crocodile whilst washing her hair under
Seafood on Cullen 3
Oysters and prawns in Darwin. Yummo! the falls. Check out the pics and you’ll see what an awesome sight this was. We’re off to Careening Bay this afternoon so I’ll have to wait and see what we learn on that excursion! We’ve been told it’s a ‘wet landing’ so … water shoes come out again. Tomorrow, we go on a helicopter ride out to Mitchell Falls. Very excited about that! We have to wear our swimmers - ooh- aah! Can’t possibly imagine what is going on at home!! We are so cut off from the rest of the world. You are all so much in my thoughts and prayers!
Wed 22nd
Well … it’s been too rough to get anywhere near my computer. Talk about fun on the open seas! John and I have been OK because we took Avomine tabs but most of the other passengers had things like Quell, Travelcalm, wrist bands and strapped toes together (much to John’s disgust!!) which of course didn’t work at all. We’ve rocked and rolled and watched people being sick- loverley! However, when anchored in calm bays, we were able o go out on the Explorer and see King George Falls, visit some picturesque beaches and lagoons and take lots of beautiful photos.
Today is our last day on the CP. Am quite anxious to make contact with home as soon as we can pick up some service which we are told, will be tonight sometime. We have to be up for breakfast by 6.30am and disembark promptly at 8am. It’s been a wonderful trip, despite some incredibly rolling seas across the Bonaparte Gulf but we are all looking forward to getting to Darwin where our feet will be on solid ground. Do hope all is well at home! Lindy will be packed ready to leave for China, Sal & Mand- working hard and … ???
Thur 26th
Now in Darwin. Very hot, like a continual sauna. Darwin a beautiful city. Much larger than we expected. Beautifully laid out with landscaped parks and highways. Lots of wonderful eating places and interesting historical events. Visited Patti Richards last night. Had a BBQ at her lovely little house. Two little boys now- Cooper 6yrs and Luka 3yrs. Lots of emotional memories for both of us. Men went fishing today whilst Jody and I had a "girls day out". Wonderful! Had a beautiful fish dinner tonight in our lovely apartment. Seeing Patti and family again tomorrow. Very pleased to have access to internet after so long. Bought a Telstra Turbo broadband device which will work anywhere, anytime! Fantastic! One more day here then an early flight Tuesday to Cairns. will see Erica and Tony in Cairns. Heard from Lind. safely in China. says very different to anything she has ever seen before. Beautiful landscapes. Over and out for now. Missing everyone heaps! Love to all.
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