Kalbarri National Park surrounds the lower reaches of the Murchison River, which has cut through the red and white banded sandstone to create formations such as scenic gorges, soaring sea cliffs, and sandstone buffs that plunge more than 100 metres to the ocean. One afternoon, we explored Rainbow Jungle, a parrot breeding center. A local told us that another Canadian teacher was on exchange here. Too bad we didn't know otherwise we would have possibly met up with them. If we had chosen this placement instead of Wangaratta, John stated that he would have happily volunteered at this parrot breeding center every day.

We wondered why the flies went for our eyes, mouth and John's open wound. How did they know we were around? Our body heat couldn't have been hotter than the surroundings. Were they going for the moisture or the salt on our skin? In general, they didn't bite but were sure annoying. Later, we discovered that the female flies needed the protein in our saliva and mucus to lay her eggs. Buying fly nets was the best investment ever! The hand motion of swatting flies is jokingly referred to as Australia's national salute.