Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Furthering north not only is there significant temperature rises but the distances between the towns and a felling of isolation is ever increasing.I somehow find it fascinating that people live in these areas, their nearest neighbours 100 km away and still only slight signs of mental illness.
The drive again was very long over vast amounts of bush and outback but nearing coral bay, out of the ground stood gigantic termite mounds.So it's little wonder people don't build houses around here.
We arrived in Coral Bay, home to a small part of Ningaloo Reef.The reef is a hard coral reef predominantly lime store about 200km long and about 2-7km wide.It has taken thousands of years to form and is quite amazing it is dubbed the great barrier reef without the barrier due to its easy access from most beaches along the coast.
First thing in the morning we booked ourselves onto a glass bottom boat tour on which there were a few snorkel stops it was quite fascinating seeing all the different types of coral, our skipper giving is information so we knew what we were looking at.Went for a swim and tried out a disposable underwater camera (seeing as our last one decided to take a s*** on us) Not imagining the camera will quite capture the majesty.
I got lost in the place, every where you looked something new and intriguing greeted you.I did at one point find myself singing the song from Bedknobs and Broomsticks "Bobbing along" but soon stopped in case the fish thought I was uncool or something! Back onto the boat and around to another snorkel stop where all the Big Snapper fish hang out.As you got in, the Snapper would swim up to you giving you the eye obviously use to visitors bringing them food.Back onto the boat and there was 2 ½ hours gone.
We ventured into town for lunch seeking an air conditioned café but no luck, just a seat outside in the shade would have to do.Gem, suffering in the heat, voted to go and sit inn the shallows of the water so we plastered ourselves in sunscreen and off we went.It was very relaxing but after a while my restlessness kicked in and I went back into the water for a snorkel while Gem went for a nap.
The beaches naturally occurring current makes snorkeling very relaxing here.Just walk up the beach a few hundred meters, plonk yourself in the water, face down and before you know it you're back in the bay (if you do find yourself doing this look up every now and again because if you find yourself in the boating channel or the shark nursery a little further north you could be in a spot of bother.)
The showers here are horrible.They use artesian bore water and this leaves a film over your skin making you feel worse than before you got in.So, for those of you getting a little jealous its not all blue waters and sandy beaches (just mostly).For food that evening, due to the fact it was about 40c I cooked Gem and I a curry and after the first mouthful realized it wasn't the best move.
Gem's Note: Coral Bay was hot, seriously hot. I moaned my way through the entire two days despite Rich's please to 'Aussie Up Princess!'...hmmmm
- comments