To Broome

Our drive from Fitzroy Crossing took us along the Great Northern Highway to Broome, where our first stop was the Visitor Centre.  We managed to get ourselves a few nights in the campground up at Cape Leveque next week and plenty of information about other campsites on the Dampier Peninsula.   More importantly we got ourselves a place to camp here in Broome, given that the town is packed (school holidays).

Bruny's about as far from his island home as he could possibly be ... and not a word of complaint!

After two months of being inland, we're now adjusting to 'tropical' life in Broome - but at least the dirt's still red.  And there are camels;)   We had no idea what to expect here and at first it was a bit hard to get our bearings.  However after two days we're finding our way around quite well. Cable Beach is just beautiful and even though this morning was overcast we went for a walk.  It wasn't cold and the water was turquoise.

Beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean off Cable Beach

We bumped into a couple we met a week ago at Windjana, they're in Broome for a week so we'll catch up tomorrow night and hopefully see the 'staircase to the moon' phenomenon (depends on the cloud cover).  It only occurs with a full moon in the dry season, over 2-3 nights.

The setting sun created its own staircase effect off Cable Beach last night

Phil and I then went for a look on the other side of the peninsula, to Roebuck Bay.  The clouds here were amazing, a really unusual pattern and the sky looked 'pearly' believe it or not.  There was a lot of pink and mauve on the horizon and it was only lunchtime.  As usual the photo doesn't really capture it.  What I love most here is the red dirt and the contrast it creates with the blue sky, turquoise water and green mangroves.  Even some of the sand dunes are red.

the sky over Roebuck Bay

We booked to do a whale watching cruise on Monday but got a phone call today to say their boat's broken down (!) so will have to try and organise another one.  It's something we really want to do. Perhaps we can do it when we return from up north (Cape Leveque etc.)  We'll keep you posted!