Follow our Tracks: September 2010

Broome-Pearling

To me there is a lot of sadness attached to this industry, so many lives were exploited & lost, just tragic! It is also a huge part of Broomes history, the danger, fortune & the adventure.

Broome- Sun Picture Theatre

This old outdoor cinema just oozes character, it is just gorgeous…unfortunately we didn’t get the chance to see a movie here, that is something left for next time.

We were so excited about heading to the coast, we were really missing the beaches & guess what…when we get to Broome it is raining & very windy! We stayed at Roebuck Bay which as its name suggests is right on the water. Ludwig has also joined us & we meet Mel & Kay, our neighbours here in the park & have wonderful “sundowners” as Kay calls them, share happy times , drinks, laughs & nibbles!

Broome to me is a little like Byron meets Noosa, you have your hippies in their tie-dye & vans then your up market white, gold & coral lip-stick set …then all of us travellers in between. I like the feel of the town, lots of arty people, wonderful markets, brilliant photography, different clothing, jewellery & of course the pearls.

Horizontal Falls

We did the overnight luxury tour of the Horizontal Falls, I was very disappointed with the tour as it cost us $745each,we were picked up @ 2.15pm & were back @ 8.30am the following day) we got to experience the falls for no more than 30 minutes as they were too full/high, we had booked this tour months in advance after being assured these were the best time to experience the falls so I felt very ripped off & let down, also I didn’t feel that we were overly welcomed, food was average & I felt very rushed in & rushed out. To rub salt into the wound when we came back I saw in the travel agents -Return flights & 8 days accommodation in Bali for the same price…..

Anyway that being said we had a wonderful group of people, beautiful views from the sea-plane as we flew in & out of Talbot Bay, met the Wobbegong sharks & did at least see the Horizontal Falls!

Purnululu -The Bungle Bungle Mini Palms

Purnululu -The Bungle Bungle

Derby

Derby was the first town settled in the Kimberley, it has a large aboriginal population(speaking 5 different languages, an amazing indigenous art centre Mowanjum where also ceremonial dances are performed at certain times of the year, sadly we missed this as it would be spectacular to see & to be part of the festival. The old Derby Gaol which is very sad to see & read the history of the treatment of the aboriginal people, it is cruel & barbaric! The Old Prison Tree, a beautiful old boab tree with so many stories to tell, also Wharfinger House Museum which is full of stories & memorabilia of times past, and of course the Derby Jetty where you can watch the amazing 12m tide rise & fall or the gorgeous sunset.

also went out & saw a band at the Boab Inn- The Phat Monkeys,we had a great night ,met alot of the locals & had fun!

in this day as people left to go in the following day & were turned back by helicopter as it had rained overnight & the road was closed.