Day 114. Coral Bay

Not much to report...


Scarlett's new umbrella

We were supposed to leave Coral Bay today and head to Exmouth. Due to our whale shark dive being postponed we have decided to stay a couple of extra days, to save travelling all the way back for the dive. Unfortunately our site was booked from today onwards, so we had to move across to an un-powered site for the next two days.

When we moved (not far, just to the end of our row), Scarlett found an old beach umbrella discarded at the garbage bin. She dragged it back and got Shane to fix it up so she could use it. What a good little recycler she is, it just needed a new screw and it was as good as new.

I helped Jo with her blog again today, it's really coming together. She now has a proper domain name http://www.piggosbiglapofoz.com/ I am so proud of her. The kids again did some more craft, and played barbie dolls; while mum snuck off to the shops for an ice-cream. 

Unfortunately the weather was a little overcast today, so we never got back down to the beach. It was a real shame being the last chance I probably will have, I should have made more effort. We did however drive over to the boat ramp to take the kids fishing. Maya caught two fish, and Jace one, all too small to keep though; what a pity! While we were there, a small black tip reef shark swam by. He was so close, I was spewing I didn't have my camera nearby.


Sunset from the boat ramp

A good time was had by all, even though dinner was still the boring snags on the barbie.

Day 113. Coral Bay

Underwater Wonderland...

This morning was a very relaxed affair. Scarlett finally called out at 7:30am to make sure everyone was awake, and she certainly made sure we were all up. Her singing gradually got louder and louder; right up to the point where we had to 'ask' her to turn it down a few decibels. I'm sure she woke all the caravans up to 4 doors away.

The weather was certainly better than what we experienced yesterday. There was still a stiff breeze, but it gradually lessened as the day progressed. By late afternoon it was barely present - so hopefully by Wednesday it will be fine for our Whale Shark snorkel.

The morning was spent lazing about and enjoying the sunshine. I did however (with a little bit of encouragement from Bec) make arrangements with this caravan park to extend our stay here by another 2 days (so we can do our Whale Shark snorkel here and not worry about driving the 260km round trip from Exmouth). Unfortunately we have to move to an unpowered site for our remaining 2 days stay here; but on the bonus side it is almost half price! Because of this extension, I had to cancel our first 2 days up at Exmouth; but you know, we are all loving it so much here at Coral Bay that it was never an issue.



Wendy 'cooling down' in the water


After lunch we all headed down to the beach to continue our exploration of this underwater wonderland. Our friend Jace suggested that we head about 500 mtrs south around a rocky outcrop to another beach called 'Paradise Beach', so we all grabbed our snorkeling gear and off we went.

Scarlett snorkeling

Unfortunately after about 10 minutes in the water, all the little kids (Scarlett, Jai, and Grace) had had enough and wanted out! Bugger! As we didn't have enough snorkeling gear for all 3 adults to swim in, Wendy took the kids back to our 'camp on the beach' to build sandcastles etc, while Bec and I continued exploring with Jace, Jo and Maya. Thanks Wendy! Tomorrow I promise to 'baby sit', while you go exploring with Rebecca.

I must say that it took until today for us all to fully understand and appreciate what Coral Bay has to offer. This place is truly breathtaking - especially underwater! If your willing to venture just that little further off the beach and move away from the crowds, you will be blown away from what you find. Bec loved it so much that she didn't want to return to the beach, but after almost 2 hours out in the water I finally convinced her that it was time to head in. All up, Bec took almost 200 underwater photographs today, as well as that much video that its impossible to choose what goes on the blog here today.

This evening was spent enjoying a BBQ dinner up at the free facilities provided here at the 'Peoples Caravan Park', and it was a great way to end the day!

Scarlett building sandcastles




 

Day 112. Coral Bay

"Red at night sailors delight, Red in the morning heed the warning"

We woke to a very windy and red sky this morning. The seas were up, and the whale shark dive was cancelled. There were nine very disappointed people in Coral Bay at 7:30am this morning. We re-booked for Thursday, hoping it will all be clear by then but now means we will have to travel back down from Exmouth for the day.

Everyone decided to grab a coffee at the bakery, as was too early to drown our sorrows with anything else yet. Scarlett didn't understand, and took some major talking to before she calmed down and stoped crying. Although disappointed it's for the best, no one would have had a good time out there today with the 5 metre swells.

We walked back to the van with all our gear, put on some warm clothes and discussed what we could do to salvage the day. Shane and Scarlett decided to watch a movie, while Nana and I read our books, and went for a walk to get some postcards to write.

After lunch Nana and I took Scarlett for a walk back up the shops to post our post cards, and walked back via the beach. The weather had been cold and windy all morning, and finally it was starting to clear. Scarlett was keen to take to the water, I was sure she would pop in one toe and run screaming, so we went and got her swimmers on.

I took down a chair and magazine, and it turned out the water was quite pleasant. Before I knew it, Scarlett had me in up to my knees wading through the water chasing stingrays. We counted 5 x 'whiprays' and they let us get so close Scarlett was nearly able to touch them. After an hour or so Shane, Jace and the kids turned up. The kids all got straight into some serious sand castle building.

Jai, Scarlett and Grace with their cubby house

After hours on the beach, participating in the fish feeding, making a huge cubby out of old palm prongs, catching jellyfish, and making huge sandcastles we decided to call it a day. Nana had been busy making Shane his favourite - curried sausages, and we went back and ate with everyone up at the camp kitchen.

After dinner we all played a game of soccer, had a couple of drinks, and discussed how we could best spend Nana's last dinner tomorrow night together. We move to Exmouth Tuesday and Jace, Jo and kids wont be there till Friday after Nana flys out, so tomorrow night will be their last night with her.

It turned out to be a lovely day after all, and although we were all very disappointed, we are also still very excited and hopeful about Thursday.

Day 111. Coral Bay

...down at the beach 'in paradise'

This morning I had to move the van down two spots from where I parked it yesterday. We ended up coming to Coral Bay a day earlier than originally planned, and being peak season meant sites are very limited as everywhere is booked out. At least I didn't have to move far, so it was literally unhook services from one spot, move to new location and then reconnect all services. I guess the worst part was waiting for the people in the new spot to move on before being able to move myself.

Bec and Scarlett 'dashed' down to the beach at 8am to grab one of the few free covered gazebo's available on the beach. They were there early and were able to pick and choose at their leisure. Lucky they did head down early though as the beach filled up quick.





Bec and Scarlett with prime real estate on the beach

By the time I had moved the van and set up camp a second time (including setting up the satellite dish so I could watch the V8 Supercars and F1 racing later in the day/evening), the sun was blazing and I was looking fwd to having a refreshing swim myself. I headed down to the beach and found Bec on her way back to the caravan park. She was coming back to make lunches, so I did a quick U turn and helped her.

Lunch was fresh salad rolls on the beach, and it was a great healthy way to enjoy Coral Bay. It didn't take long and we all started heading into the water to enjoy the underwater scenery. Again we found the fish life amazing, and I still find it hard to believe that you can have coral right up at the edge of the beach here. It beats the Great Barrier Reef hands down.



Wendy hired a floating board with an underwater viewing window for Scarlett and she absolutely loved it. We would take turns snorkeling and towing Scarlett behind us. She certainly had it easy today. However it wasn't all that easy, as we made her come out snorkeling with us for a while to practice and build up her confidence.

Tomorrow we head out to sea in search of Whale Sharks, and as we have paid for Scarlett to join us out in the deep blue sea, I want her to be able to enjoy the experience rather than be terrified of it. Fingers crossed!

Scarlett and her amazing underwater viewing 'float'

Again we ensured we stayed around for the free fish feeding at the beach. Scarlett absolutely loved it and lives for it. We are only too pleased to accommodate her.

Fish feeding at the beach



"watch my toes nana"

It certainly was a long day spent down at the beach today. As previously stated, Bec and Scarlett were down there by 8am, and they didn't return to the van until after 4:30pm. Scarlett was a bit of a handful tonight at bedtime, but that's to be expected after such a big day.

However, Scarlett did go back down to the beach with me this evening to watch the sunset over the water.

It was magic!



"This is the life dad"



Day 110. Carnarvon to Coral Bay

Paradise Found

Shane dashed out the van at first light this morning, even before he had had his cuppa. He was keen to wash the van before we left this morning. He had done the car the previous afternoon to save time today. We are leaving Carnarvon and on our way to Coral Bay; the southern fringe of the Ningaloo Reef. It's here we will all be swimming with the whale sharks, and were all very excited.

It was a very uneventful drive. It took about 3 hours, and the landscape never changed except for the occasion termite mound on the horizon mingled with the low lying mallee shrub. Jace and Jo are also making the move today to Coral Bay too; although they will be here for a total of seven nights, while we will be staying for four.

Termite mound out of the car window

When you first drive into Coral Bay, it's like a little fishing village in another country. There are two caravan parks, a resort, and a handful of shops, and that is it. Everything is literally on the bay, only feet from it's crystal clear waters teaming with fish.

Coral Bay

We set up the van, moved across the road to the beach, and were snorkeling on the reef (which was only meters off the beach) in record time. It was amazing to be able to literally walk out to the reef with Scarlett in tow and see amazing fish straight away. The water was a little cloudy, but we were able to see so many different types of fish. There were huge pink snapper swimming between our legs, parrot fish, bat fish, old wives and many more.

Scarlett Snorkeling

We spent hours floating over the reef exploring it's wonders. Scarlett loved the giant clams the most, and again amazed me with her snorkeling ability. Within minutes Scarlett had let go of my hand and was swimming off on her own. After our snorkel we were laying on the beach enjoying the sun when there was a commotion down near one of the tourist operators boats. We moved down and were lucky to be able to participate in the free fish feeding held here everyday at 3:30pm. The huge snapper were eating out of the kids hands, and there were so many of them. This was more hands on and exciting than the dolphins interaction at Monkey Mia.

Snapper

Shane and I went for a lovely walk along the beach after dinner, and again spotted the International Space Station and space shuttle Endeavour. We can't believe our luck, without even looking we have seen it now three nights in a row. It was drinks at Jace and Jo's van this evening spent discussing Broome and the decision to book where and when. We have decided to book for seven nights at the next full moon, to experience the "stairway to the moon". Some places are already booked out, so time is now of the essence.

Day 109. Carnarvon

Food..... and rest.....

Today was another quiet day on our ongoing journey of discovery across Australia.

It's been great having not to worry about having to be somewhere or do something. We have just been sitting back and relaxing.

This morning was spent doing some basic daily chores (i.e. washing, cleaning etc), reading books/magazines, and doing craft or playing games with Scarlett.

We organised to meet up with our friends the Piggott's for lunch at the 'River Gums Cafe',but turned up early to enjoy fresh Mango and Banana Smoothies. As everything is grown on the premises; the fruit couldn't be any fresher, and I must say you can certainly taste the difference. They were absolutely beautiful, and Bec wanted to go back for seconds. If it wasn't for the arrival of our friends, I'm sure she would've ordered another.

The kids playing and collecting flowers at the Cafe



Scarlett down at the 'Gasgoyne River'

We grown-ups ended up having 3 x "River Burgers" for lunch, and Scarlett had a yummy toasted ham and cheese sandwich. Like the smoothies; they were fantastically fresh and 'lite'. Yummy! We devoured our burgers in no time at all, and ended up ordering 'dessert'. Bec had a sticky date pudding with both cream and ice-cream, and I savoured the delights of a local banana split! Wendy was on her best behaviour and didn't order anything else, but I see from the look on her face (and the drool on her chin), that she was having second thoughts.

After lunch we dropped Wendy and Scarlett off back at the caravan, while Bec dragged me kicking and screaming back into Carnarvon to do some last minute shopping. Tomorrow we head further north and leave for Coral Bay - our next destination, so Bec wanted to 'top up' our supplies.

That white dot above the dish is the 'Endeavour'





 I then washed the Pajero while Bec cooked dinner - a chicken stir fry! To say it was great just doesn't do it justice. During dinner (that we enjoyed outside watching another great Western Australian sunset), one of our caravan neighbours pointed to the sky and called out "There it is!" He was pointing out to the east, and there it was; the space shuttle 'Endeavour". I can't believe we were lucky enough to see the space shuttle pass overhead again. I think Bec got a great photo of it as it passed over the OTC dish.

Afterwards I discovered that she also baked a zucchini slice in the caravans' oven and it was cooked to perfection! Bec has certainly got cooking in the van down to a fine art. (I'm so spoilt).

Today has definitely been about food and rest. These two things would have to up there with my favourite past-times right now. Food....... and rest.......

Day 108. Carnarvon

The Water Fight

Shane and Scarlett doing craft

Another relaxing day here in Carnarvon. I had banana on toast for breakfast, a luxury till now as we have not been able to afford. This area is one of the biggest banana exporters in the whole of W.A. so at $6 - $8 a kg we are really lucky.  

Mum and I then went for a drive up the street to grab some stuff for dinner, drop off mail at the post office, and paid a visit to  Country Target. I grabbed some new pajamas, as I'm finding that I'm spending so much time in mine that I'm wearing them out.

When we returned we had some lunch and Scarlett was asked over to a van across from us for a birthday party. One of the little girls she had been playing with is turning 3 today and her mum was throwing her a birthday party. Maya, Grace, and Jai were also there, and together they all had a ball. We even manage to throw together a small present for her.

With the kids entertained most of the day with party games, face painting and water balloons, Jo and I worked on her blog. I'm showing her how to keep a blog like the one we have. We sat around watching the kids while working on her blog, and drinking vodka for most of the afternoon.

Jace getting Jai, with Maya sneaking up behind.

This afternoon, the kids had the biggest water bomb fight ever! Poor Jace soon found himself right in the middle of it, with all the kids chasing and targeting him. Pay back was good, as Jace grabbed a bucket of water and drenched them all. This went on for an hour, and I have never heard so much screaming and laughing in all my life.

Lucky for me, mum and Shane were cooking dinner tonight. They are doing a roast beef and vegetables on the BBQ . It was soooo delicious, mum even had white sauce for the cauliflower. Thanks mum and Shane for a great meal, it was the best one we have made in the van since we left.



Jace using Grace as cover from Scarlett




Scarlett buggered after the huge water fight



Day 107. Carnarvon

This is the life...

This morning we woke to a greyish day, and by mid morning the heavens had opened up, and the rain came down. It didn't last long, but it was heavy.

I dropped off the Pajero to get serviced, as we had a bit of a scare the other day driving here. The front of the car was vibrating heavily, and whining like there was no tomorrow whenever I put the foot down for a bit of extra power. I really needed to get this checked out before we ventured further into the harsh Australian outback, so I took the opportunity today to get it checked out and serviced at the same time.

As we didn't have the car for the day, it was a rest day at the van. I took the opportunity to mount and install the awning beam/strut to help support the actual awning during inclement weather. Bec has been on me to do this since we left Sydney, so I thought Carnarvon in Western Australia was as good as any place to finally get around to doing it. I think being almost drowned by cascading water when I went to pack it away after some recent rain in Monkey Mia finally brought me around. I had only just finished the job when the rain came down, so it was tested straight away. Luckily for me it held out, and the water fell off the awning in the back corner - just as I had hoped it would.

Wendy made cup cakes today, and she promised Scarlett and the kids (Maya, Grace and Jai) that they could decorate their own. They were frothing at the mouth, brought on by the smell of the baking alone. So when it was time to decorate their cup cakes; they all jumped in at the first chance to do so. It was a mad house for a while there, but the kids all had fun, and did a great job with their decorating. Scarlett devoured hers without even looking up, but Maya kindly shared hers with the rest of us. Thanks mate!

We finished the day having a BBQ at the 'Camp Kitchen'; sharing a dinner with our mates the Piggott's. During dinner, a full moon rose above the distant horizon; and it truly was a beautiful site. It looked so large, the photo's don't do it justice.

I also spied what looked like a satellite passing overhead; and now that I think about it (as it was very bright), I bet it was the space shuttle 'Endeavour'. The last space shuttle ever to be launched into space is presently orbiting Earth, and I think I was lucky enough to see it tonight. It caused quite a buzz around the camp kitchen.

Today wasn't a big day on the news front (sorry), a day doing absolutely nothing was exactly what we needed. I did some small jobs around the van, the car finally got serviced, and Scarlett had a day where she didn't have to worry about being dragged around doing the touristy 'family' thing.

We have seen a big improvement in the last day or so with Scarlett. I think she was getting overwhelmed having to do things all the time. We think the rest is doing her the world of good, and as such have decided to spend another 2 x days in Carnarvon doing zip - that's right... nothing.

This is the life....

Day 106. Carnarvon

One Long Mile

What a lovely park, it's so nice to be able to sit outside without a million flies trying to carry you away, or be blown off your feet. The Wintersun Caravan Park here in Carnarvon is immaculate; you wouldn't know they were still recovering from a major flood last December. The grounds are beautiful with good amenities, and it's very peaceful and quite.

Caravan Park

We went to see the 'One Mile Jetty' this morning, and rode the coffee pot train all the way out to it's end. The jetty was built in 1897 to export wool and livestock bound for Fremantle. Carnarvon was the first port in the world to load livestock on to ships for transport to markets. Unfortunately the jetty outlived it usefulness when road-trains came into the region, and is now being slowly restored for tourism. It's the longest jetty in northern W.A., and the fishing off her is apparently great.

One Mile Jetty

Coffee Pot Train

HSK Kormoran Life Boat

I decided to try and work off this mornings pancakes by walking the mile back. Scarlett decided it was a race with her, Shane and mum riding the coffee pot train; and I would like to boast, I WON!

Also here is the 'Precinct Museum' which holds the fully restored Kimberley steam train that operated from the jetty into town in the 1950's. It's also the resting place of one of the HSK Kormoran life boats which had German survivors in her after it's battle with the HMAS Sydney II off the waters of Carnarvon. This battle was the greatest single Australian maritime loss of lives during the Second World War.



View of birds from 'Coffee Pot' train


After coming back for lunch Shane and I went off on our own to follow some of the Gascoyne Food Trail. We visited some of the local growers and purchased some banana's ($8 a kilo here!), beetroot relish, and dried mango. The farmers are still struggling to overcome the devastation of the floods; a feeling we know only too well. We were more than happy to purchase some yummy fresh produce to hopefully help in some small way.

Purchasing some local produce

On the way back to the van we took a detour and checked out the OTC dish (Overseas Tele-Communications satellite dish) that dominates Carnarvon's skyline. The dish was opened in 1966, and although no longer used, it stands as a reminder of days gone by when Carnarvon participated in the space race and helped put man on the moon in 1969. Australia received it's first satellite television broadcast from the dish, and it finally closed after assisting in the tracking of Halley's Comet in 1987.

OTC Dish

Nana and Scarlett have again spent the afternoon painting seashells, and playing in the park. They are both down at the parks pool as I write this, swimming and playing with other kids. It has been so good to have Nana here; we will miss her greatly when she goes back.

Scarlett and Nana painting shells

Day 105. Monkey Mia to Carnarvon

Finally....

After a wet and windy night, we woke to a still and mostly clear morning. The clouds were scattered, but there was definitely patches of sunshine and blue skies. Fingers crossed the weather stays like this and doesn't return to yesterdays misery!

We started packing the van ready for our days journey north to Carnarvon. Bec took Scarlett down to the beach again in the hope of maybe getting picked to feed the dolphins, while Wendy and I continued packing the van.

The photo Bec got of the dolphin feeding

Just as I was finishing with the last checks on the van before leaving the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, Bec and Scarlett returned with huge smiles on their faces. It turns out that Bec and Scarlett found Jace, Jo, Maya, Grace and Jai down at the beach; also waiting for the chance to feed the dolphins.

The dolphins soon came into the beach, and Maya, Grace and Scarlett (with one other little girl) were chosen from the crowded throngs of tourists to feed the dolphins. All 4 x girls had to hold one single solitary little fish and feed a single dolphin. It wasn't exactly what I had hoped for for Scarlett, but it was definately better than nothing at all. Unfortunately Bec didn't get any decent photo's of Scarlett feeding the dolphin, as she was stuck in the crowd behind the 4 x girls as they fed them, but I'm sure their memories will last a lifetime.

Rumour has it  that Maya and Grace took some photo's of the feeding, so I'll try and get a copy or two of their photo's if I can.

Finally - Scarlett got to feed a wild dolphin, and she left it till the very last morning in Monkey Mia to do it!

We then piled into the Pajero and said farewell to Monkey Mia. If I had the chance to return here in the future, I think I would choose to stay in Denham next time. Obviously the location of the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort, is second to none, as its literally located where the dolphins come in, but for what you pay I think the toilet blocks and laundry were a little run down. Maybe if they spent some money upgrading the basic amenities here it would be worth it. There was only basic bore water and desalinated water for drinking, so if you didn't bring your own, you were in for a sorry time. Lucky for us I turned up with full water tanks, and we did bring bottled water that we purchased back in Geraldton.

Hamelin Pool

Scarlett 'learning' about Stromatolites

Next was 'Hamelin Pool', where we found more Stromatolites. This is the only other place in the world that you can view these prehistoric lifeforms other than back in Cervantes - where we viewed them earlier on our trip. We also saw an old 'Seashell Brick Quarry' where they literally cut bricks straight out of the beach/earth. It was very interesting reading all the placards on the history of this place.

The 'girls' and the seashell stone quarry

It was then another two and half hours drive north to Carnarvon. Wendy jumped in the hot seat up front with me, while Scarlett and Bec jumped in the back and each watched their own movies on the car DVD players. 

It was another long day on the road, and Scarlett was over it by the time we made it into Carnarvon. Luckily the caravan park we are staying at; the 'Wintersun Caravan Park' - a Top Tourist Park, has a pool and Wendy took Scarlett over to the pool while Bec and I unpacked the van and prepared to set it up again. Scarlett and Wendy also painted sea shells that Scarlett has collected along the way on our travels; and I must say that I am very impressed with what they have done so far. Maybe tomorrow when they finish painting them, I'll take a photo and share their work with everyone.

Tonight, Bec found a small tree frog climbing on our caravan as she returned from the showers. Scarlett was out the door in a flash, and was soon spotlighting with 'Nana'. They found another frog or two before deciding enough was enough for one night, and then hit the sack for the night.

Good night!

Scarlett and a seashell butterfly

posted by Shane