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.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Friday, 3 June 2011
Horizontal Waterfalls & The Iron Islands
Friday 3rd June.
The horizontal waterfalls did not disappoint. On our way back yesterday afternoon from Talbot Creek we were given a ride in the outer inlet of the horizontal falls. It was like going through a washing machine. Even on the falling tide, the volume of water rushing through the gaps and created a funnel effect at an incredible pace.
The falls are basically two gaps which cut through the Pentecost sandstone escarpments. Both the incoming and outgoing tides have to force their way through the gaps into embayments (flooded valleys). The inner gap is much smaller then the outer gap and so whilst the tide rushes through you have a situation where the tide at the inner gap is much higher then the outer valley.
We transferred from Explorer into the zodiacs and surfed the fast running tide, eddies and whirl pools. We were able to ride the zodiacs a number of times and the guys driving the zodiacs made sure the thrill was greater by doing donuts, fast circles around Explorer.
When we started the tide in the inner gap was some 8 metres higher than the outer valley and the water rushes through to the second much larger gap in the cliffs. By the time we left some two hours later the tide difference between the inner and outer valley was some 2 metres.
Two hours later we returned to the Oceanic Explorer and Jan and I rode back to the ship in one of the zodiacs. We up anchored and departed for the Iron Islands. As the name suggests the area is the richest deposit of iron ore and on Koolan Island we saw an Iron Ore Mine face at close quarters. The splash of colour on the islands and geology of the area is spectacular.
Tonight we enjoyed pre dinner drinks on the sundeck anchored in Nares Point which over looks the Iron Islands, Cockatoo Island and the iron ore Mine. The sunset was absolutely glorious. Sunsets have been fantastic all along the trip but this one out-did the rest.
Food is still very sumptuous – we don’t even bother about fighting the afternoon tea and morning tea goodies. The group on the ship is really an interesting bunch and we are having a great time joining different groups and sharing a yarn and the day’s activities.
The horizontal waterfalls did not disappoint. On our way back yesterday afternoon from Talbot Creek we were given a ride in the outer inlet of the horizontal falls. It was like going through a washing machine. Even on the falling tide, the volume of water rushing through the gaps and created a funnel effect at an incredible pace.
The falls are basically two gaps which cut through the Pentecost sandstone escarpments. Both the incoming and outgoing tides have to force their way through the gaps into embayments (flooded valleys). The inner gap is much smaller then the outer gap and so whilst the tide rushes through you have a situation where the tide at the inner gap is much higher then the outer valley.
We transferred from Explorer into the zodiacs and surfed the fast running tide, eddies and whirl pools. We were able to ride the zodiacs a number of times and the guys driving the zodiacs made sure the thrill was greater by doing donuts, fast circles around Explorer.
When we started the tide in the inner gap was some 8 metres higher than the outer valley and the water rushes through to the second much larger gap in the cliffs. By the time we left some two hours later the tide difference between the inner and outer valley was some 2 metres.
Two hours later we returned to the Oceanic Explorer and Jan and I rode back to the ship in one of the zodiacs. We up anchored and departed for the Iron Islands. As the name suggests the area is the richest deposit of iron ore and on Koolan Island we saw an Iron Ore Mine face at close quarters. The splash of colour on the islands and geology of the area is spectacular.
Tonight we enjoyed pre dinner drinks on the sundeck anchored in Nares Point which over looks the Iron Islands, Cockatoo Island and the iron ore Mine. The sunset was absolutely glorious. Sunsets have been fantastic all along the trip but this one out-did the rest.
Food is still very sumptuous – we don’t even bother about fighting the afternoon tea and morning tea goodies. The group on the ship is really an interesting bunch and we are having a great time joining different groups and sharing a yarn and the day’s activities.
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