JUNE 20 - BROOME

Arrived at Broome and set up at the Tarangau caravan park, then went for a drive to see the famous Cable Beach. We were prepared to be unimpressed by the hype and advertising. The approach to the beach is up a sloping path, and when you get to the railing – there it is! - a stretch of perfect white sand curving away into the distance in both directions and the blue-blue-blue calm ocean.
OK – yes, it's beautiful. Surprisingly – no waves, just a little surge or two close to the beach.
We had an ice cream at 'Zanders' on the beachfront, went back to the campground, and walked back in the evening for fish and chips on the grass while we watched the sun go down over that lovely view.

Next day, we did some food shopping, went to the library to do our emailing, blogging and e-book downloads. In the afternoon we took the kayaks down to the boat ramp near the jetty and spent a couple of hours paddling around and tangling up our fishing lines (:/). We are amazed at the calmness of the ocean. We expected that the Indian Ocean would roar in to the coast, but so far it has been like a millpond everywhere we've been.

On Sunday, we just had a 'day off' (if you can say that when you're a Grey Nomad travelling around Oz :) then went for a long walk to the beach in the evening with our wine, cheese and bikkies to watch the sunset once again. It is a communal event. So many people doing the same thing – sitting around on the grass, having 'drinkies', taking photos, just waiting together to see Nature turn on the show for us.

The following morning we had to move to another site in the campground.
After settling in once again, we drove out to a bird sanctuary. Lots of dirt road, tide was way out and birds minuscule in the distance. Watched a few finches splashing in a bird bath (duh!) and gave it up as a lost cause.

Tuesday morning, we did some packing up, then in the afternoon and evening, we went out on a whale-watching boat trip. Unfortunately, it is just the beginning of the season, and because we got the trip for half price, all we got to see was two dolphins. Never mind. Any day on the water is a good day, as far as we're concerned, and the sunset on the water was just stunning.

Cable Beach - we were prepared to be underwhelmed

...and then...yes, it IS beautiful!

Sunset at Cable Beach

How's this for a nifty craft? It took us out to
 our boat for the whale cruise.
The wheels fold up when the motor is engaged.

Sunset from our whale cruise boat.