Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Barely slept at all last night - even with the doors and windows open, I now know how a roast chicken feels . Charlotte has arranged for us to stay with a couchsurfing host for the next two nights so hopefully will be able to sleep! Anyway, Charlotte drove to the visitor centre whilst I was still asleep in the back (thanks for that) and she went to meet her tour guide. I was then left to my own devices, the most urgent of which was to find a toilet (stupid petrol station had no customer toilets). Ended up driving round Broome a couple of times before deciding to drive back to Cable Beach and wait for them to open at 7am. Thankfully when I went back there the gate had been unlocked and I saw that they opened at 6am not 7 - RELIEF. Showered and had breakfast then perused the internet and our many guide books trying to decide what to do with my day, whilst conversing with Dave about how ugly my jellyfish sting was looking.
Decided to embark on the Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour so I rang the customer desk to find out the timings and luckily there was one leaving in about an hour and a half. Went to the store in town (Luggy's) to purchase my ticket ($105) then to the shopping centre to indulge in a proper breakfast of eggs benedict (which seemed to be becoming a staple breakfast along with biscuits) and a coffee. Headed back to the store in town and got picked up by the bus driver, Steve, and got chatting to him about my desire to go to NZ. We promptly discovered our mutual love for LotR and he then told me about lost of places I should visit there.
We began picking people up from their many luxurious resorts, me getting greener with envy at every stop, and after collecting everybody Steve drove through Broome given us little nuggets of knowledge about the local area (which believe it or not I actually took notes of). Next was the hair-raising, slightly alarming off road track which was reminiscent of the journey through Chobe hurtling along at lightning speed, clinging on for dear life so as not to get thrown from the truck. Steve said they called it 'the Kimberley massage'... Suffice to say that the elder generation exited the bus slightly worse for wear than when they got on.
On arriving at the farm we passed a 'Beware of Crocodiles' sign which perked me up instantly. We were greeted by our tour guide, Megan, who was particularly enthusiastic and engaging which boded well for me as I really wasn't sure what to expect. We were directed towards a gazebo where Megan proceeded to tell us all about oysters, pearls and the process from which pearls are created. It was actually really interesting, so much so that I really began to fill up this piece of paper with more notes... So not me. I surmised it was for mother's benefit as well as mine. After the talk it was refreshment time - I settled on traditional Damper (a delicious cake/bready thing soaked in beer) and a scary looking luminous green juice, which I think was watermelon. Sugary filled and cavity inducing nonetheless.
We were then instructed to make our way across the sand and into the boat. Our skipper Dave drove us out talking about Norman No Mates the resident crocodile (which sadly we didn't catch a glimpse of) and then ferried us around the bay showing us what Megan had informed us happened out on the boat. We were shown the paddles and some diseased oyster shells. Then there was a touch and feel session, thankfully just of the oysters, and a trip to the showroom where some lucky visitors were permitted to try on some of the more exquisite pieces, and with our now expert knowledge we had to guess the prices of each.
I decided it would be a fabulous idea to spend $80 on a 10 minute helicopter ride. Flashpacking at its finest. My reasoning: 1.) I had never done it before. 2.) How often does the opportunity arise? 3.) No-one was able to tell me it was a stupid idea and a waste of money (note - lack of adult supervision meant I was free to make foolish decisions to my heart's content) . So off I went with another lass who had only been in a helicopter and was quite fearful of doing so again. So on we boarded, both slighlty quivering with fear. It was very rickety as it was such a small and thin helicopter but it was amazing - the views were absolutely magnificent and well worth the money! After a juddery and bumpy landing (and splashing out on a $10 bracelet) we returned to the bus and everyone got dropped off. I had decided that I was in such a good mood from the day's excursion to not be petty and just act as though everything was fine with Charlotte.
I picked her up back at the visitor centre and we discussed our tours and we had both been informed about Broome's brewery, Matso's, where we shared a seafood platter. I had to temporarily disregard my no food with faces rule as I was ravenous. I didn't end up getting very far as I was just too upset about the poor shrimp that was staring up at me from the plate with betrayal in its eyes. Anway Charlotte mentioned that she had miraculously found someone in Margaret River that she knew back home and informed me that she may be leaving me earlier than expected...
The couchsurfing hosts, Tom and his girlfriend Joanna, came and met us at the brewery and we drove back to their house. It was a lovely place and even had a swimming pool outside. Walking inside and, oh sweet lord, air conditioning. Heavenly, wonderful cold air. Never really appreciated the aircon until that moment. Astrid, Tom's mother, was there as well and we all got chatting. We then took the dogs, Skabenga and Shonalola (African names) to this lookout platform so we could all watch the sunset. Went back and had a mango, papaya and banana smoothie and it felt oh so good to actually ingest some fruit, despite finishing it in about 3 seconds. Dinner of chicken and veg, shower then bed.
- comments