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As you fly over the terrain of Western Australia all you can see is red dust tracks and large open spaces, dotted with buildings and then nothing for miles. Its pretty surreal, having spent a lot of time in the built up and bustling east coast and it was exactly the image of what we thought the outback and bush would be like.
We booked in to the Kimberley Klub, YHA. Geen and Paul fell in love with the feel of this hostel, whilst I was less enthralled owing to the fact that I am an old fogey who, as well as a good jukebox, also appreciates a bit of peace and quiet too. However, we met some fantastic people who made up for the misgivings I had about the hostel.
Broome is a small town, population only 14,400. It was deceptive because, initially, just walking about the town, it seems like there is very little to do there and we wondered how on earth we were going to occupy our 10 days that we had there. It was only when we hired a car that we really saw exactly what Broome had to offer and it was much more impressive
than we thought.
We got a 4 wheel drive and (against advice) set off for Cape Leveque, which we were informed was an area of beauty and magnificant beaches. We wondered what the woman at the car rental company was on about, as we bimbled along leisurely on the tarmaced road. Who needs one of those massive jeep type vehicles? We were doing nicely with our little put-put, thankyou very much. Then we hit the unsealed roads . . 2 hours later, we emerged with cricked necks, white knuckles and lips that were stuck to our gums . . and poor ole Bloomy, who, for once, not said a word owing to an egg developing on the top of his head through hitting the roof countless times so that he made a dent. But was it worth it!
The beach at Cape Leveque was completely deserted and we threw ourselves with abandon into the beautiful clear water, lapping up the fact that we were the only ones there! Its impossible to describe how beautiful it was there, as I have found this with many beaches we've been to, and the photos can never do it justice but you'll just have
to take my word for it. We agreed that one day just wasn't enough but sadly, needing to get the motor back for the next morning, we gritted our teeth and set off for the bumpy ride home, stopping off to treat ourselves to fish and chips (22 dollars!! yes, treating ourselves and then some!) on the way.
And another beautiful beach is Cable Beach in Broome. Lovely powdery sand and azure blue water, it felt almost like the Caribbean, with no surf to knock you sideways every time you tried to swim. At dusk they have a camel train, but unfortunately we didn't get to see them. Luckily for us, we also missed the stingers that had apparently collared one poor bugger - the first sting recorded on the beach since last year. Phew.
Having enjoyed our first day out and about, we decided to hire the car again and with helmets and elbow and knee pads and gum shields at the ready, we ventured out to Willie Creek Pearl Farm, where the rich and famous come to buy their pearls. Good job we did our research too, because even though the lagoons at the farm looked very inviting,
we were earlier informed that they are home to a resident croc.
We drove to a couple of places- Quondong Beach and James Price Point, getting photos of the amazing red rocks that form part of the beach and taking a lovely dip before heading home to dine in Blooms Restaurant. Well, it had to be done.
One of the best things about Broome is the Sun Pictures Cinema -the oldest outdoor cinema in the world, est in 1916. It was fantastic to watch a film, sitting on a deckchair, with the stars and moon twinkling above you. And talking of moon, we also got to see the famous Staircase to the Moon, a phenomenon that occurs only a couple times a month whereby the moon is so full it shines on the mudflaps below creating the illusion of a staircase. It seemed like the whole population of Broome came out to watch this event and again, its impossible to capture how outstanding it is in a photograph.
In contrast to all this natural beauty, we found ourselves on a night out which is apparently the most popular in Broome. Wet t-shirt anyone? Having thought that such outdated events were
relegated to bachelor parties in magaluf, I was surprised to see that in Broome at least this competition appears to be the heighth of fashion and draws a football size crowd, with the girls positively clamouring to 'get em out for the lads' in order to win 500 dollars! Well really. Having said that the Oasis/ Roey Bar is a good laugh for a night out and we had a great time with our new friends, Suzanne, Paul, Ryan, Cameron and Terri, whose company made for some very fond memories of Broome. . erm, even though we only left it 3 days ago . . Anyway, our last night was spent with this crowd, monopolising the jukebox as always before we caught a flight to our final destination in Oz before we leave for New Zealand . . Perth.
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Vicki Colwill, Nesbitt that was!
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Next post please!!!
Have just spent a very enjoyable evening reading your entire blog! I've laughed, cried, oohed and aahed!!! You should take up journalism!!! What a blast you are having!!! Keep on living the dream you lucky buggers!!! xxx