Got to Broome... Stayed there in a popular and very crowded backpacker's hostel (what a strange sub-world). Relaxed and enjoyed a look around Broome....a very popular place it seems. On the last night we all went for a sunset camel ride... Great fun! Our camel was called Kadesh but for the duration of the ride I called him Billy-Boy as a tribute to my dad, William who, when he hears of this, will be flattered (I think). From what I've seen so far, spectacular sunsets seem to be the norm over here in Western Australia...however, the sunsets in Broome are even more impressive - a view shared by others judging by all the cars lining the beachfront (and even down on the sands) on Cable Beach and the crowds that gather to wait for the sun to set.
Next morning, we met our new fellow travellers and tour guide and off we set at 6.30am.
Well, the traveling was (slightly) less exhausting - we had traveled just over 4,000 kilometres in ten days but now we would be travelling around 2,500 kilometres over a similar number of days. This part of the tour was even more hands-on however, as we stopped every evening on our way to set up camp to search for deadwood by the side of the very dusty roads so that we could make our campfire that night - notable on the first evening of doing so (for me) when I dropped a big piece of deadwood onto my big toe....I did not want to do that! The walking, climbing and clambering over rocks was just as intense - as was the heat. There was a noticeable difference in the weather almost as soon as we left Broome and headed north....the sun was now very hot from early in the morning through to late in the evening, the nights being much warmer as well.
As far as the walking and clambering goes... There were still gorges and waterfalls galore and there were still wonderful views everywhere but this time we got to wade through underground waterpools...I suppose the clue for the one we visited was in the title of the place (Tunnel Creek).
The heat really was intense which made the travelling more uncomfortable as well. The routine once we got into it, was: visiting places (ie. walking, clambering, wading); get to the campsite; set up our mozzie pods...small fine-meshed, two-man tents that keep the Mosquitos out but allows you to gaze up at the crystal-clear, star-studded skies at night; set up the campfire; have our evening meal and gaze hypnotically into the flames over a beer before wriggling into sleeping/swagbags. Usually, we get up around 5.30am...have brekkie then at 7am off we jolly well go on our rambles!
Everything now really was out there out here in the outback...nothing is easy to get to.....its all dirt tracks and gravel roads - a good example of which is the long, dusty and deserted Gibson River Road where the all-terrain bus at times had to slowly ford it's way over stretches of water such as the Penetecost River. Around halfway through this part of the trip we stayed over for two nights at El Questro - a huge oasis of a place which offered every amenity (at a price) - also known as a 'Station Township'. Because we camped there over a weekend we were able to enjoy music in the evening from a live band in the very busy bar area. Not far from there we enjoyed a short break (at 7am) bathing in the thermal waters of Zebedee Springs located in the middle of some woodlands - very healing....then we went for another hike.
Travelling out of El Questro we briefly stopped at the 'Doon Doon Roadhouse'..... apparently there's a similar establishment further along the highway run by a Scottish couple who are big Status Quo fans, I believe it's called the 'Doon Doon Deeper n' Doon Roadhouse'.
Approaching Purnalulu National Park... Talk about a long and winding (and very bumpy) road...! It Took around two hours to cover 56 kilometres.....
I'm now into the camping/hiking crack o'dawn groove..... Whilst the daily routine is broadly similar, each day throws up a new and challenging experience....today (I think it's Monday) was no different...... but was equally amazing - if not more so. We visited the Bungle Bungles - huge, bee-hive shaped natural rock formations that are part of the Kimberley Mountain Range......it was an outstanding experience walking along narrow paths and dried-up river beds looking up at them. I also got the chance to look down on them - and the Kimberley Mountain Range - from the air as part of a half-hour helicopter ride. This too, was a pretty terrific experience... It was also very unnerving sitting in the front with the pilot to my right and only a car-type seat-belt keeping me secure next to the completely open-sided 'copter about six inches to my left with the Bungle Bungles and Kimberley Mountains all around (and immediately below) us!!!
....camped overnight at Lake Argyle (beautiful place)...awoke at just after 5am to the start of a stunning sunrise...leaned forward in my sleeping bag, reached for my camera and, sitting in my little mozzie pod, took some photos of the tour bus and trees silhouetted against the skies...
Getting a little nearer to Darwin now.... but before travelling on to our final destination we are camping overnight again at Katherine. On our way there, we crossed the State line from Western Australia into the Northern Territories and lost an hour and a half in doing so because of the different time zones!
Headed along Stuart Highway on way up to Darwin (the 'Top End', Down Under)....about to arrive there anytime. I've shared the experience with a great bunch of people over both parts of the tour.
Now, it's time to prepare for the next stage of the journey...........