Coming home - the last entry

Another holiday comes to an end, now it’s time to get back home for all of us to finish all those projects we put off because ‘we’ll be going away soon so I better not leave anything here half done’. No excuses now!!

Waiting at the Broome International Airport for our flight home – direct flight to Brisbane this time so a much more relaxed return.

I’d love to recap every day and every gorge and every swimming hole we visited, but I’ve only got a couple of hours.  Just loved this holiday, lots of bonuses – spending so much time with Jen and Douglas, great travel companions; having Mum come over for the Broome leg of our trip and joining in the busy schedule in Broome, lots of fun and laughter, good food, wine and beer.

Most importantly – spending so much time with Luke, loved watching him work.  He is so passionate about this country and its’ people.  He knows so much about the history of the Aboriginals, the early settlers and the more recent developments in the area.  All the people on the tour commented to us about what a fine young man he is and how lucky they were to have him as their guide.  Esther was invaluable as the host and does so much around the camp.  She really took a load off Luke, a load he carried last year on our Perth to Broome trip.  She is a great girl (even if she is a Pom…from Cornwall I think???), Australia would be lucky if she could stay past her September deadline to return to the mother country.
The group was also very good to be with, lots of laughs and great times to be remenbered.  Only 18 people on the tour and all of them were very easy to get on with and joined in to help out whenever the work need to be done.

We are very relaxed, maybe just a bit exhausted.  Already thinking about where to travel in this country next time, so many possibilities and so many places to see.   Even now we can think of a stack of things we have to do in Broome and the surrounding area.  Maybe next time.   Till then, I suppose I’ll have to stop blogging for a while, thanks for all the texts, emails and comments.  Hope it has inspired you to travel lots!!!

Love Pam and Vernon

One last drive around Broome before we leave, here at the Port of Broome.

Broome International Airport and heading home

Broome markets and Horizontal Falls

Mum and I were up early at 5am to get the float plane to the Horizontal Falls.  Jen and Douglas did it Thursday and we did it today.  The photos are a bit mixed up because I've taken them from Thursday and Saturday.  I'm sure you'll work it out.  We got picked up at the unit and taken to the airport where the float plane (with the wheels down) took off north.  Fair bit of smoke from the burning off along Cape Leveque Road but didn't distract from the experience.   Landed safely in the bay and pulled in to the pontoon, that's as busy as the Broome airport, there are helicopter, fixed wings, float planes, big boats, little boats and lots of staff.
The Falls are formed due to the narrow gaps (one 7 metres and one 20 metres) in the mouth of the bays and when the tides run in and out through the gaps the water backs up and pours through, causing whirlpools and severe currents.  Incredible site and when the power boat goes through at speed, it bucks and turns in the water, sometimes almost colliding with the bank.  Lots of fun, not sure why Pam was reluctant to go.
Great views of the islands of Buccaneer Archipelago then over Cape Leveque towards Broome, saw some whales then flew over Cable Beach to land safely.
Got back about lunch time, Jen, Pam and Douglas had lots of fun at the markets and art galleries in town.  Lazy lunch and a lazy afternoon.
Off to Cable Beach for the sunset - best in Australia according to the locals - not far wrong either!

The only 'markets' photo we have today

Leaving Broome

Cape Lleveque

Buccaneer Archipelago

One of the falls

Feeding the sharks

Yes thank you - Douglas was delicious!!!

Ready to drive through

Smokey sky

Both the falls

The pontoon

Cyclone Bay - where they keep the pontoons and other equipment during the cyclone season.

More of Cyclone Bay and looking up Cyclone Creek

The pontoon

The first falls

Going through

Home over the islands

Cable Beach

Back to Broome

Pam, Jen and Gloria at sunset

Those three again

Cable Beach and a movie

Sleep in this morning – Pam and I went for a very short walk this morning, thought we’d make it to the beach – no such luck, too many mangroves.  Leisurely breakfast then met Luke at Cable Beach for a coffee and swim.  Hired a couple of umbrellas and lounges and relaxed.  Luke went and hired a paddle board – he fell off a couple of times, we laughed and laughed!!!  I jumped on and fell off about a hundred times, not so much laughing this time! 

 Stayed there till about 1 then came back to the unit for a bar-b-que lunch and a little drink.  Didn’t do much this afternoon till about 4 when we went in to town, had a beer then went to the open air movie.  Right in the centre of town and at the end of the airport runway.  It’s very noisy when planes come in to land and you can see the whites of the eyes of the pilots!!!  Watched the Woman in Gold, very good movie and we would all recommend you watch it.

Met Luke for tea at the the kebab shop, he had been loading his truck for his next trip which leaves in the morning.  Very sad to see him go, had a great couple of weeks with him.  Home and a cup of tea…or maybe a red.  Early start tomorrow with Mum and I doing the Horizontal Falls.   

Overlooking Cable Beach

Our little camp

Luke and Pam

Away he goes

Our camp from the waters edge

Waiting for the movie to start

Waiting for the movie to start

Broome

Recovery day in Broome today, we have had a big 12 days and Mum has had a big day flying to Broome, tea at Matso’s then bed.  Sleep in this morning, met Luke for breakfast at about 9am, Luke went home, we stayed in town and wandered around until about 3.  Jen and Douglas went on the Horizontal Waterfalls flight/boat trip, had a fabulous time. (photos later) We went to the Japanese cemetery – which holds lots of the early pearl divers, then to the Chinese cemetery.  Lots of history from the multicultural days in early Broome.  At about 5pm we went out to Gantheaume Point and watched the sun set, back home, quick shower then we all went to the Italian restaurant for tea, some went to bed earlier than others.  Great night had by all of course!!!

Not sure what is planned tomorrow – tune in same time, same channel and you’ll find out too!!!

Japanese cemetery

Some beautiful headstones - many on eroded beach rocks

Waiting for a sunset

Almost there