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Published: August 19th 2008
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First of all, let me say that I am rather disappointed that no one commented on the title of my previous post - namely “Having a Whale of a Time”. I was sure that at least a few of you would have a go at me over it! :-)
Am in Coral Bay for the night about 150kms or so south of Exmouth. Am still on Ningaloo Reef - however I have to say that I preferred Turquoise Bay - the water was a tad warmer, and the fish life was more varied, although I did see a Manta Ray in the water today. More on that in a little bit.
I awoke yesterday morning to a howling wind roaring around the Thunderbox, so I immediately thought my chances of snorkelling again were looking fairly slim! So I decided to make the most of the morning and do some washing so that I actually had something to wear - needless to say, with the wind howling and the sun in full shine, my washing did not take long to dry at all. So, having a full afternoon at my leisure, I decided to head up to the lighthouse again
to see if the Humpbacks were on show. Unfortunately the display I saw on my first afternoon in Exmouth was not repeated, so I continued into the Cape Range National Park again and ended up once more at Turquoise Bay. To my delight the water was extremely calm, with the Cape protecting the bay. So in I went again! The water was beautiful, and the fish were out in force yet again. I managed to spot a few more rays, but the real highlight came as I turned around to see a shark a few metres away from me. Needless to say, I hot footed back into shore, leaving (I dare say) a brown trail behind me!
Now for those of you who immediately say “It was a Reef Shark ... and Reef Sharks are not dangerous” - yes ... that is directed at you Cousin Sarah .... put yourself in my situation. Imagine yourself coming face to face with a shark (any kind) and check your pants too! My guess is that they would be in the same state of discolouration as mine were yesterday! I did manage to get a pic of him though, which is a
tad distant in the original pic, but I have cropped the photo and adjusted the contrast in order to make him clearer. Not the greatest pic - but I was happy to just get it as I can assure you there were many other things on my mind at the time .... namely “Get outta here!” And no, I did not return to the water after that encounter! :-)
This morning I drove the short distance to Coral Bay, and after setting up the Thunderbox, I immediately headed off to the beach for another snorkel - obviously believing that 150kms was about enough distance between me and Mr Shark. The water at Coral Bay is deeper than Turquoise Bay, and as I eluded to above, was definitely cooler! There was plenty of marine life, including the manta rays - which were only babies, but which were a highlight nonetheless. One thing which they did not enjoy though was being “chased” and they could definitely put on a spurt of speed when they wanted to. And yes ... I know that I was probably doing what Steve Irwin did when he died ... chasing rays (or at least swimming with
them), but this guy was only a lil fella ... and as far as I could tell, mum (or dad) were not around! :-)
Tomorrow morning I head for Monkey Mia where I will spend a couple of days before heading further south toward Perth.
Update : Arrived in Monkey Mia this afternoon after the 700 odd kilometre drive from Coral Bay. Dolphin Feeding is at 7.30am tomorrow morning, so I will sure to be there! The drive down from Coral Bay was again punctuated by seas of wildflowers in all different colours - reds, violets, yellows, oranges. I did manage to stop a few times for some more pics - I couldn’t resist! I must also say that the birds around the stretch of highway between Coral Bay and Monkey Mia are a little less adept at avoiding the JGG than other birds have been - I managed to hit at least one, and just miss many others (at least a dozen!) Unfortunately I also managed to hit a small thorny devil lizard which was basking in the afternoon sun on the road - first time I have ever seen one of these reptiles in the flesh
(well not in captivity anyways), and I kill him! Oh well!
Before I go, I need a question answered. Throughout this trip, along the many roads and highways I have travelled, there have been numerous instances (in fact many instances) where there has been a pink ribbon tied to a tree by the roadside, or a post, or even a clump of grass. What does it mean? Who puts them there? I know the pink ribbon is the symbol of breast cancer awareness - is the push for awareness this widespread? Is it designating something else? If anyone knows - please share, as curiosity is getting the better of me! Thanks!
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valerie
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pink ribbon
Hi Richard I remember well those pink ribbons I think it's due to the Pink Ribbon Motorcycle Ride but not 100% sure My husband during our trip killed a roo and I killed a rabbit I was feeling so bad after that ! Enjoy Monkey Mia Val