Cable Beach, Camels and Crocodiles

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I've just got back from 6 incredible days in Broome so I've got lots to write about today.

We arrived in Broome on Thursday and the first thing we noticed as we stepped off the plane was the change in temperature. Having come from a wet and windy Perth the average temperature of 30 degrees in Broome was very much welcomed and gave me the opportunity to crack out my summer clothes for the first time since being in Oz!

Broome is completely different to Perth (for a start there are no traffic lights?!) but exactly how I envisaged Australia to be. It's a small, laid back place, with beautiful weather, pristine beaches and lots of dusty red earth! I definitely felt like I was on holiday here.

Our first day was spent getting our bearings and planning what we were going to see and do. We had planned the trip to coincide with the Staircase to the Moon, so there was a lot to cram in in a short number of days. Thankfully we were staying with family who knew the area well and were happy to chauffer us around, and also take us to places that were not well known to tourists. One of these places was an organic farm on 12 mile road, which had a small restaurant in the grounds with beautiful views - including from the toilet block, which had a massive hole cut into the wall so that you could sit on the toilet and look out!

Staircase to the Moon

On Friday evening we followed the hoards of locals and tourists down to Town Beach to watch the moon rise. Because it was a full moon and a low tide, the bright orangey red moon reflects on the mud flats creating an illusion of steps rising up to meet it. It was magical. Apparantly it wasn't as good as it can be as Broome has had a lot of bush fires recently and the lingering smoke affects the illusion. Having said that, if I hadn't of been told, I would never have known! I'm really pleased that I got one decent photo which gives you an idea of what it looked like, however it's one of those things that you really have to see for yourself.

China Town

On Saturday morning we went to the courthouse markets which really was just like any other tourist market, lots of stalls selling jewellery and bags etc. From here we decided to walk into the town centre - China Town. Despite the name, China Town has nothing to do with the Chinese. During the height of the pearling industry it was where all the Japense divers lived and the area was called Jap Town. Following the war (during which time Australia was bombed by Japan) the Japanese were sent home and the area was renamed China Town. Today the area is very touristy. There are two main streets; one of which is lined with pearl jewellery showrooms and the other is full of souvenir and funky clothing shops.

Cable Beach and Camels

We had booked a sunset camel ride along the beach for Saturday night, so after exporing China Town we caught the bus to Cable beach. Cable beach is the nicest in Broome and the best beach I've been to since being in Australia (and I've been to a few). Although it was the height of the tourist season for Broome the beach did not feel crowded as you often find with European beaches due to the expanse of it.

Our camel ride was to last an hour and set off just before sunset. I have never been on a camel so I didn't know if I would like it. Typically I was one of the first to mount which meant I had to sit and wait for everyone else to get on before we could go anywhere. Now I know that I'm impatient, but I was slightly worried that my camel was too by the way it kept shuffling from side to side. I had visions of being thrown off before we even went anywhere, and my knuckles were white from clinging on so tightly! As it turned out I loved it. The sunset was spectular and to get to watch it on the beach whilst riding a camel was an experience - even if it did mean that my photos came out wonky and a bit blurred because the camel wouldn't stay still!

Geike Gorge

On Sunday we went on a coach trip to Geike Gorge which is part of The Kimberleys. It was a Looooonnnnggg day. We were picked up at 7:30 in the morning and arrived at the gorge at 1. Along the way there was nothing to see except for a roadhouse we stopped off at for a morning caffeine fix, boab trees (one of which was 1,000 years old) and lots and lots of bush.

At the gorge we went on a 2 hour boat trip with an aboriginal guide called Bill who pointed out the local wildlife, including lots of fresh water crocodiles. Half way through the cruise we left the boat and made our way to a clearing where Bill made tea in a billy can and told us about aboriginie beliefs. It was really interesting to listen to stories about the traditions and family structure as the aboriginies have a completely different way of life.

The gorge itself is stunning, lots of different colours and textures which were reflected in the water so clearly it was like looking in a mirror. Bill made sure we didn't miss anything and filled our heads with so much information about the gorge, its history and his family who lived there.

Following the cruise it was straight back onto the coach for another long ride back to Broome. After watching another amazing sunset over the bush from the comfort of the coach we made a stop to look at the stars before the moon rose. As there was no light pollution the stars were so bright and clear, the sky was filled with them; it was easy to pick out the southern cross which can only be seen from the southern hemisphere and is also the constellation that can be found on the Australian flag.

Geike Gorge was definitely worth a visit, however it would probably have been better if we'd visited it whilst travelling around the Kimberelys as it was such a long trip from Broome.

Pearls, cinema under the stars and the Kimberely Tasting Plate

Monday was probably my favourite day of the trip. In the morning we visited the Pearl Luggers museum where we learnt about Broome's history and the Pearl Lugging industry. It's incredible to think of some of the things the Divers had to endure, from the gear they had to wear (twice their body weight) to the living conditions out at sea and I think it makes you see Broome in a slightly different light.

We were transferred from the museum out to Willie Creek, which is an actual working pearl farm. Here we learnt everything there is to know about pearl cultivation, including how marine bioligists perform operations on the Oysters, including inserting stitches. Seeing the lengths people have to go to and the time involved in the cultivation gave me a new found appreciation of pearls (although I still didn't buy any).

After we had finished our educational afternoon we headed back to China town and Sunset Pictures, which is the oldest outdoor cinema in the world. We saw "The Proposal" which in itself was a very funny film, but watching it whilst sitting on stripped deckchairs with a blanket over our legs and being able to star gaze made it an unforgettable experience.

Dinner was next on the agenda so we went to The Old Zoo Cafe at Cable Beach, which believe it or not used to be the site of a zoo (built by Lord McAlpine). The menu here had an animal theme so naturally we had to go for the Tree Hugger wine. One of my ambitions since coming to Oz has been to try Kangaroo, so I was thrilled to see that one of the dishes "the Kimberely Tasting Plate" had not only Kangaroo, but Crocodile, Emu, Barramundi and Pearl Meat! I quite liked the Kangaroo, it was like steak, but had quite a strong taste to it that was a bit like kidney. The Emu was also like steak, but very very tough and I wouldn't order it again. I wasn't overly impressed with the Crocodile, it tasted like a cross between fish and chicken but quite chewy. Barramundi I've had before (although usually battered with chips!) and I really like it. The pearl meat didn't really have much flavour and all you could really taste was the lemon and garlic it had been marinated in. All in all, I probably wouldn't order most of them again, but at least I can now cross them off my list!

Gantheaume Point

Tuesday was our final day and our flight was scheduled for 13:00, which gave us just enough time to go and see the dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point. Usually if you want to see the footprints you have to go really early in the morning at very low tide, however we decided to do it in style and booked a trip on the hovercraft.

I've never been on a hovercraft before so was very excited. It was a lot smaller than I imagined; holding only 14 people. I was expecting it to be quite a bumpy ride, but it's a great feeling as the base inflates and you just drift across the land and sea.

The Dinosaur footprints were a bit of a let down; I was expecting them to be bigger and claw shaped (I'm blaming jurrasic park) The prints are round and if we didn't have a guide with us I think I would have thought they were just rock pools and walked passed them! I'm glad we went to see them though as it was worth if just for the hovercraft ride and seeing the amazing coastline. The contrast between the real red rocks and turqoise ocean is breath-taking.

Once back on dry land, we just had time to squeeze in a late breakfast of banana pancakes at a cafe over looking town beach before we had to head back to the airport for our flight back to Perth.

The airport itself is an experience. Although classed as an international airport it is very very small. I hadn't been expecting much as when we arrived we had been shepperded to the baggage reclaim which was in a room which also doubled as the arrivals lounge! The departures wasn't much bigger. There were only two gates and it was all open air! It was definitley the smallest airport I have ever been to.

I would definitely recommend Broome to anyone; it's simply beautiful. But now I'm back in cold Perth looking forward to my next trip in 5 weeks time - road trip in a winnebago!

Lots of Love

Lou. xx

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Comments

[Rachel]

wooooooooowwwwwwww
AMAZING blog and photos, looks like you had a blast!! I knew you would love Broom - who wouldn't!! Wish i was there with you.....!! Well have funa nd i look forward to your next blog where I can get even MORE jealous. love ya xx