Arrived in Broome yesterday after our West Coast Safari.... we have a confession to make about the camping situation. The trip was basically 5 nights in hostels and then 3 nights in SWAGS (like a bivva bag for those ex boy scouts) which were basically a sleeping bag and a matress for those who weren't. No tent to protect us from the bugs.

First day we met our group and hit the road to Kalbarri where we stopped at the Pinnacles dessert which was a bit eery and really really hot. Most of this day was spent travelling on our little bus (we did a lot of that to cover the 3000 km in total!) we got to know everyone on the trip of which there were only 4 of us poms and a total of 6 yes 6 accountants.

Had a traditional Auzzie Barbie and went to the Sleezy Listening night at the local pub. Jesus, what an experience. It was basically everyone with a drink problem within a 300 mile radius.. and a man with a keyboard. all good fun.

The next day we went to Kalibarri National Park and did a couple of walks and then two absails. well me and Lu and a couple of others did, the rest chickened out. It was wicked, Mr Lynch would be proud of us both. When you see the pictures of Lucy, don't worry she did not go the wrong way, she opted for the front descent which looked scary as hell to me!!

Next stop was Shell Beach where it was a 10 minute walk in the sea until you could actually swim it was that shallow, a really beautiful spot.

That night we stayed at Monkey Mia which was a little resort and we went for a swim to cool off when we arrived, only to be met by the friendly dolphins which swam right up to the shore and we watched them being fed in the morning, it was really cool to see.

The next day we headed for Coral Bay which is famous for the Reef there. On the way we stopped at Eagle Bluff and Shark's Bay and the Stromatolites (the living rocks or the talking rocks as I kept calling them by mistake!)

The next day we lazed on the beach at Coral Bay and took advantage of not having to get on the bus!! late afternoon we set off on the long drive to Exmouth and we were chatting to one of the older German guys who had inappropriatley tight shorts on, me and Lu were hysterical most of the journey and I think he thought we were real giddy kippers. They did not leave anything to the imagination.

Arrived in Exmouth for 2 nights and the following day went to Yardy Creek in Cape Range National Park and went to Turquoise Bay for snorkiling where there were loads of fish and a friendly turtle.

As we left Exmouth disaster almost struck when Lucy almost forgot her toothbrush, we were hundreds of miles from a shop and the worst thing was what was in store accomodation wise for the next couple of nights.....

The trip was supposed to go to Karinjini National Park but it was on fire as it was so hot (Rumoured to be 46 some days) so we had to go to Millstream National Park and our tour guide had not been before so he was a bit aprehensive. The tyre for the trailer with all our bags in blew on the way as well which did not help matters, but he was really cool guy and sorted it all out.

Arrived in what can only be described as a car park with a beautiful pool at the bottom and were told that this was our accomodation for the night!! Some of the people on the trip were less than impressed including a Danish guy who basically did not like camping, sharing with people, hot weather, helping out with cooking or talking... his choice of Adventure Camping Trip was not the best decision he had ever made. We named him Sour Puss and even though the trip ended a day ago, we still can't get rid of him!!

Anway, that was our place for the night, right under the stars and it didn't cool down at all, it was late 20 degrees all night! In the morning we moved to another campsite after been woken by the flies in your face at 5 am. I also managed to develop a cold over night in the heat, lucky me. (Fanta pants that is)

The other site was fab, there was a river where a pythin was spotted hanging out. By 12 noon we didn't care about the snake anymore and swam in the river every 20 minutes cause it was so bloody hot and the worst thing was we didn't have any cold water! Everything was boiling hot so we went for drive with the tour leader to take full advantage of the air conditioning on the bus.

The rest of the day was spent playing cards and drinking warm beer (yummy) and trying to learn an irish card game called 31. It was the most radiculous game in the world where the rules were made up by whoever was playing at the time! Had food and an early night seen as we were up at 5 the following morning.

On the last part of the trip, headed towards Broome and dropped half the group off on the way. Camped at 80 mile beach and arrived just in time for wander on the desserted beach... and to see the giant turtles coming out of the water to lay their eggs. It was amazing after seeing in on the telly so many times, we got right up close and it was really special.

The night was finished off with a few games of Uno before bedding down one last time in our SWAGS. Packed up in the morning and spent the day travelling to Broome.

Our hostel here is cool, there is a little pool and we went out for dinner with the people who were left here from the trip last night. We head another 1800 miles over the next few days to Darwin where we are informed that it is HOTTER than here. Wish us luck.

Charlotte and Lucy x