Monkey Mia - the Penguin Parade of WA?

Hi All,

We are both well and hope that this email find you all well too and that you have not frozen or washed away in the cold and wet winter you’ve had. We did pick the right winter to go on our extended trip. Although Owen and I have both put on long pants and windcheaters today (I can hear you all saying how sad - too bad) for the first time since leaving South Australia.

We are now at Denham - the westernmost town in Australia. A small town with the beach stretching the length of the main street. On a clear day the water is crystal clear. We arrived here yesterday from Carnarvon 350 kms away. There is not much to say about Carnarvon (everyone thought we were nuts staying 5 nights there). It had a couple of good things going for it. Fresh fruit and vegetables as it is the area that supplies most of Western Australia. And Quobba. At Quobba there is a huge blow hole. Standing on the cliff edge watching the waves crash into the rocks and a huge spurt of water making its way through the rocks that forms the blow hole. The day we were there the water rushed many metres upward.

Lunch on an almost deserted beach was remarkable. The beach was covered with beautiful little shells and big clam shells. Leaving the beach once again with pockets filled with shells. So many unusual shells that will remind me of our travels when we get back home.

Exmouth and Coral bay were a real highlight. Swimming and snorkelling in amongst the coral and tropical fish of the Ningaloo reef. It’s no wonder that it is a world renowned place to visit. Again crystal clear waters and white sands.

Along the way we have met some very interesting people. None more so than a French couple and their teenage children who have been travelling for 2 and a half years in their motorhome that they have brought over with them from France. Fascinated with this after seeing the motorhome in the carpark I had to ask. They have been able to transport their home on barges and boats from France

to Australia. They have spent 6 months touring part of the east coast and now the west making their way back down to Perth to put their motorhome on the ship as they continue their travels in Asia. And I thought travelling from PI over to the west was a long way.

To begin with the days in Denham were wet but improved greatly as the week went on. This was the first day here that we were able to go for a ride so we headed off along the world heritage drive. A road following the coast line for kilometres. Returning back to town for coffee and cake at the local bakery. I knew I took up cycling for a reason. (Unfortunately have not found anywhere in the west that can make a decent coffee). We spent the rest of our anniversary visiting Eagle Bluff and a picnic lunch on a secluded beach covered with thousands of pipi shells. Passing the rest of the afternoon lying in the sun as we watched a school of fish about 2 feet long (which Owen and I believed to be gummy sharks) happily swimming around. It was so peaceful. And to end our anniversary celebrations we had a beautiful dinner in a little restaurant in town. A little quaint place made from shell blocks. Millions of tiny white shells pressed together to form blocks like the cement blocks used in building. There are only two buildings of this kind in Denham. The restaurant and the church.

Monkey Mia was our early morning visit to see the dolphins being fed. Almost like the penguin parade. Everyone gathering on the beach to see a few dolphins been fed. A bit overrated.

After a couple more days here it’s off to Kalbarri for the national park and the wildflowers.

More photos will be on the blog and facebook for those who are interested. The url is http://caravantrip2010.blogspot.com/

Until next time stay safe and well.

Love, Elisa and Owen.

Some photos of the trip so far

Gorgeous Gorges

Hi again,

Our extended stay in Broome didn't disappoint. The sunset lugger sailing on the Indian ocean was fantastic. Turquoise blue water and sun shining all catered for by our crew. The afternoon sailing took in whale watching. Our skipper followed a mother and her calf where we watched them swim and frolic metres from our boat. We even saw a big turtle poke its head out of the water. Then as we sailed back into shore with the backdrop of the sunset the full moon made its appearance. The moonlight across the water gave us a preview of the staircase to the moon. What an amazing sight. Sunset and moon rising.

The following evening we headed to the Mangrove pub with Pip & Steve to see what all the locals said was a must do. To the resonant sound of the didgeridoo the moon started to make its way upwards. Last night we saw the staircase in monocolor tonight the beam of the moon shone in color. The reds and golds made its path over the mudflats towards the moon. Taking on the appearance of a staircase. So pleased we stayed the extra time. For our final evening at Broome we headed to Point Gantheaume. A last game of bocce in the sand with Pip and Steve as we waited for the sun to set. Once it had set our thoughts turned to dinner. Prawns wrapped in prosciutto cooked in garlic all cooked by Steve on the beach and washed down with a nice glass of red. Happy memories of Broome.

As we started to make our way down the coast southward bound accommodation started to pose a problem so some of our planned stops were abandoned. So many people travelling resulting in now having to book ahead. Something O & I have not done much of as we prefer to take pot luck. If we like the look of a place we then proceed to find somewhere to stay.

Plan B was to drive on to Tom Price. The mining town of Rio Tinto. Not for the mining but Karijini national park. Everyone had told us the gorges and national park were amazing. Hamersley gorge was our first stop. 76kms away 50 of it on a red dirt road but not to be missed. Amazing. Climbing down then up along the water's edge saw the demise of my camera. Slipping out of my pocket into a small pool of water below. Retrieving it again taking another 3 photos before it died completely. It's true what they say - water and cameras don't mix. Never mind could have been worse.

These gorges are huge with massive drops to the water below. The red rocks with the sun shining on them and the crystal clear water below. Back to Tom Price to buy a new camera and wash away some of that red dust that we collected on our drive.

A full day trip to Dales gorge and the surrounding gorges the next day covered what we had come to see at Tom Price. They did not disappoint either. Huge gorges beautiful swimming pools and a class 5 climb and walk along rock faces and through crisp water was our afternoons excursion. Back into Tom Price at 6pm after a long and exhilarating day.

A visit to Rio Tinto's mine the following morning before a quiet afternion.

That is apart from a 30km ride. Fantastic riding outward bound taking in the sights of the ragged edges of mountain range. We could have ridden for miles only we had to ride back into a strong head wind. And was that hard going (and yes Malcolm the wind is your friend but by the end I was well and truly over it).

On the move again this time on to Exmouth and Coral Bay to take in some snorkelling and swimming at Ningaloo reef. A drive of 650 kms of grey bitumen surrounded by red rocky dirt covered with low growing scrubs and mountain ranges covered with spinifex. Nothing else but the odd car and caravan and a few roadhouses. We drove for hours with little change to the outlook. As I take the wheel to break the monotony I have to keep a sharp eye on the stray cattle, the odd emu and of course the crows and eagles which are dining out on road kill. The eagles are amazing creatures. Big and slow on takeoff. But once in full flight their wing span is impressive.

Hope this email finds you all well. Missing our kids and friends back home but this experience will be with us always. Lots of love to you all.

Elisa and Owen Bentley

10 Hotham Close

Cowes Vic 3922

T: 0359521256

M: 0418354197

F: 0359521256

e: benson@waterfront.net.au

Fortius Quo Fidelius