Saturday, 11 June 2011
Last Days of our Trip
Monday 6th – Saturday 11th June
Have been off line for a few days – exhaustion took over.!!
Oceanic Adventurer moored off Broome for the night and sailed into the harbour at first light. Another sunrise!!! Disembarkation began at 8AM and was a precision event, so well planned, as was everything on the trip. As we left the ship, all the crew lined the dock and shook hands with us. It was quite a sad event as we all established new friendships as the tour progressed.
All passengers were all bussed to their accommodation. We were able to move into the accommodation when we arrived so that was a big plus. We hired a car so were able to drive around Broome. Jo had visited Broome last year so knew where to go. Jan had visited Broome in 1984 and could not recognise anything!!!! It is a boom town and supposedly the fastest growing town in Australia.
Our first trip was up to Willie Creek Pearl Farm and although the journey up was interesting – we decided not to do the boat cruise around the small bay to view the oyster operation. We then went back to Broome and had a look at the dinosaur footprints on the point and then around to the Port. We finished the day with a spot of shopping. Of course over the week each of us were able to find some things to purchase!!!
Jo needed to have a rest to give her back some recovery time so the Pat and Von decided to accompany Jan to the Broome Bird Sanctuary to do the Shore Birds Tour. In one flock we saw about 800 birds. They migrate here as Roebuck Bay is one of the richest sites for shore birds in the world.
Jan booked in for the Mangrove Tour as well but the others opted out. Think all were pleased after seeing the mud that Jan had to negotiate but she saw and photographed a rare Dusty Gerygone, and the Sacred Kingfisher.
Each night, we went to Cable Beach to see the sunsets. What sunsets!!!!!!! We thought we had seen some magnificent sunsets on the ship but these topped those especially when the camels were silhouetted against the setting sun. We kept meeting people for the cruise who were riding on the camels.
Our time in Broome was memorable and once again the weather was perfect – warm days (no humidity) and cool nights.
On Friday we flew to Perth and have been staying with Pat’s daughter Amanda and partner Greg. Her other daughter Peta and partner Craig joined us for a BBQ on Friday night. We had a lovely day walking through the markets and shops at Freemantle. The day concluded with a visit to King’s Park. - again a number of photo opportunities for Jan.
Tomorrow we fly home. Our journey concludes but we have had a great time. We all need to diet and dry out!!!!!!!!!!!
Have been off line for a few days – exhaustion took over.!!
Oceanic Adventurer moored off Broome for the night and sailed into the harbour at first light. Another sunrise!!! Disembarkation began at 8AM and was a precision event, so well planned, as was everything on the trip. As we left the ship, all the crew lined the dock and shook hands with us. It was quite a sad event as we all established new friendships as the tour progressed.
All passengers were all bussed to their accommodation. We were able to move into the accommodation when we arrived so that was a big plus. We hired a car so were able to drive around Broome. Jo had visited Broome last year so knew where to go. Jan had visited Broome in 1984 and could not recognise anything!!!! It is a boom town and supposedly the fastest growing town in Australia.
Our first trip was up to Willie Creek Pearl Farm and although the journey up was interesting – we decided not to do the boat cruise around the small bay to view the oyster operation. We then went back to Broome and had a look at the dinosaur footprints on the point and then around to the Port. We finished the day with a spot of shopping. Of course over the week each of us were able to find some things to purchase!!!
Jo needed to have a rest to give her back some recovery time so the Pat and Von decided to accompany Jan to the Broome Bird Sanctuary to do the Shore Birds Tour. In one flock we saw about 800 birds. They migrate here as Roebuck Bay is one of the richest sites for shore birds in the world.
Jan booked in for the Mangrove Tour as well but the others opted out. Think all were pleased after seeing the mud that Jan had to negotiate but she saw and photographed a rare Dusty Gerygone, and the Sacred Kingfisher.
Each night, we went to Cable Beach to see the sunsets. What sunsets!!!!!!! We thought we had seen some magnificent sunsets on the ship but these topped those especially when the camels were silhouetted against the setting sun. We kept meeting people for the cruise who were riding on the camels.
Our time in Broome was memorable and once again the weather was perfect – warm days (no humidity) and cool nights.
On Friday we flew to Perth and have been staying with Pat’s daughter Amanda and partner Greg. Her other daughter Peta and partner Craig joined us for a BBQ on Friday night. We had a lovely day walking through the markets and shops at Freemantle. The day concluded with a visit to King’s Park. - again a number of photo opportunities for Jan.
Tomorrow we fly home. Our journey concludes but we have had a great time. We all need to diet and dry out!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Sunday 5 th June Lacepede Islands
Sunday 5th June 2011
Our last day and the cruise has been everything we wanted it to be! We left the Kimberley during the night as Oceanic Discoverer made its way into the Dampier Peninsula.
We had only one visit off the boat today – to the Lacepede Islands. Once again luck, weather and tides were on our side. The Lacepede Islands are a group of low, sandy islands, which are situated some 25 nautical miles west of Beagle Bay, on the Dampier Peninsula.
The islands have a long and interesting history around the pearling and guano industries. The islands and sea around them teem with life and have the largest colony of Lesser Frigate birds in the Indian Ocean. They are also the largest nesting site of the Brown Booby in the world. We were able to walk ashore to view the nesting Booby birds and their chicks. A close up look at the lagoon showed a vast array of rays, large crabs, sharks and turtles.
This area is also where female whales calf and rear their young. Unfortunately we are just a touch early for any sittings.
Jan of course is walking on air with the many bird photos she took today.
Our last sunset tonight with the Captain shouting us drinks. We have absolutely enjoyed ourselves and are all extremely elated with the cruise. The staff have been excellent and most friendly and eager to please. The service has been great and our cabins just perfect.
Our next words will be from Cable Beach, Broome
Our last day and the cruise has been everything we wanted it to be! We left the Kimberley during the night as Oceanic Discoverer made its way into the Dampier Peninsula.
We had only one visit off the boat today – to the Lacepede Islands. Once again luck, weather and tides were on our side. The Lacepede Islands are a group of low, sandy islands, which are situated some 25 nautical miles west of Beagle Bay, on the Dampier Peninsula.
The islands have a long and interesting history around the pearling and guano industries. The islands and sea around them teem with life and have the largest colony of Lesser Frigate birds in the Indian Ocean. They are also the largest nesting site of the Brown Booby in the world. We were able to walk ashore to view the nesting Booby birds and their chicks. A close up look at the lagoon showed a vast array of rays, large crabs, sharks and turtles.
This area is also where female whales calf and rear their young. Unfortunately we are just a touch early for any sittings.
Jan of course is walking on air with the many bird photos she took today.
Our last sunset tonight with the Captain shouting us drinks. We have absolutely enjoyed ourselves and are all extremely elated with the cruise. The staff have been excellent and most friendly and eager to please. The service has been great and our cabins just perfect.
Our next words will be from Cable Beach, Broome
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Whirlpool, Silica Beach, Edeline Island
We had a sleep in – yeah!!!.
Our first morning activity started at 8.30 am and Xplorer departed our vessel for a cruise through Whirlpool Pass. Once again there are significant tide differences between 2 metres at low tide and some 9.7 metres at high tide. The tides move extremely quickly and create quite a number of whirlpools, which have been problematic for many a ship.
Unfortunately this morning the whirlpools did not whirl too much up Whirlpool Pass so it was a very sedate trip in Explorer. We were however, treated to another reef exposed at low tide and the rock formations and landscape was very beautiful. There are some 800 islands in the Kimberley coast and another 800 in the Dampier area before Broome.
We had a quick dip in the Indian Ocean with our guides posted on croc watch!!
Back to the boat ….lunch….then a lecture on Birds of the Kimberley Coast. You of course can opt to not attend the lectures and have a time of reading or a nap. We have discovered 10 laps of the boat equals 1 kilometre – so we are attempting to fight the effects of the food.
The Oceanic Discoverer got underway as we enjoyed our lunch. The whirlpools were pretty strong and we did almost a couple of a 180 degree turns.
This afternoon we off again in Explorer– this time to Edeline Island. A remote island where we will have a beach walk and viewing of rock formations.
Of course there is the mandatory drinks at sunset and then food. Each night there is a movie on offer – but some how we have not made one yet as our beds call.
Our first morning activity started at 8.30 am and Xplorer departed our vessel for a cruise through Whirlpool Pass. Once again there are significant tide differences between 2 metres at low tide and some 9.7 metres at high tide. The tides move extremely quickly and create quite a number of whirlpools, which have been problematic for many a ship.
Unfortunately this morning the whirlpools did not whirl too much up Whirlpool Pass so it was a very sedate trip in Explorer. We were however, treated to another reef exposed at low tide and the rock formations and landscape was very beautiful. There are some 800 islands in the Kimberley coast and another 800 in the Dampier area before Broome.
We had a quick dip in the Indian Ocean with our guides posted on croc watch!!
Back to the boat ….lunch….then a lecture on Birds of the Kimberley Coast. You of course can opt to not attend the lectures and have a time of reading or a nap. We have discovered 10 laps of the boat equals 1 kilometre – so we are attempting to fight the effects of the food.
The Oceanic Discoverer got underway as we enjoyed our lunch. The whirlpools were pretty strong and we did almost a couple of a 180 degree turns.
This afternoon we off again in Explorer– this time to Edeline Island. A remote island where we will have a beach walk and viewing of rock formations.
Of course there is the mandatory drinks at sunset and then food. Each night there is a movie on offer – but some how we have not made one yet as our beds call.
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