Sunday 18^th March, 2012

Already shortly after 8am we went with snorkel, diving mask and flippers into the sea. In Coral Bay the Ningaloo Reef is sometimes less than 500 m away from the beach. We saw many fishes, small and big ones, more and less colourful ones. After 45 minutes we made a rest as we got a bit cool. After we warmed up in the sun, we went out to the another time and observed the corals and the fishes. We lost the feeling for time as soon as we were in the water and stayed again until we got cool. We warmed us up again on the beach. We were already a bit tired, but still we wanted to do another short swim. That time we did not get that far and already saw the corals and the fishes. At one moment Sandra waved me as she found many different fishes. Funny was that we could watch them nibbling the corals. In the water this sounded like a file drawn over wood. Sometimes it sounded like someone is cutting his toe nails. I started again freezing and left the water. Sandra stayed for another while, but after it was enough for today and we returned the rented material. After a last view to the beach of Coral Bay we continued driving.

After a few kilometers we saw again many termite mounds. We drove about 100 km until there was no termite mound to see anymore. After 70 km there was a sign pointing to a termite mound. We think that must be Australian humour as they were all over since a while. Arrived in Exmouth we looked again for a camping and, already quite tired, spent there the rest of the day there.

Saturday 17^th March, 2012

Shortly before sunrise we awoke as I wanted to take pictures of the sunrise. But according to Sandra I was not allowed to get back inside of the camper. Already inside I heard the flies buzzing and when I went outside I was surrounded by some of them. Now I understood Sandra's warning. Soon we continued driving and enjoyed the morning atmosphere around us. Far ahead a kangaroo crossed the road. Our first destination was Carnavon, a seemingly nice town. Unfortunately the road was under construction in the center. We enjoyed a breakfast and went shopping and filling up fuel. Then we drove to the blowholes where a nice coast awaited us. The blowholes produce only small fountains as the tide was not yet in. We thus decided to drive to Lake Macleod, a salt lake. After we came back again to the blowholes, but now the fountains were gone. After the next fuel stop we drove to Coral Bay. While driving I saw some strange rocks and asked Sandra, if they might be termite mounds. With some distance, we did not know if these animals attack, we made a few pictures of them. Later we saw a emu crossing the road, good luck we did not need to slam on the brakes. In Coral Bay we were looking for a camping. Unfortunately we could not rent snorkel equipment for today anymore, thus we have to wait until tomorrow. Shortly before sunset we took a refreshing bath in the sea. For the sunset I was back at the shore, but Sandra stayed in the water. During dinner we go a show as a silly German remove this clothes and run from the kitchen. I did not really see it as it was behind my back, but Sandra had a VIP place.

Friday 16^th March, 2012

In the morning we went again to the beach of Monkey Mia. We watched the first dolphin feeding from the pier. We hopped for a second feeding, but until 10am the dolphins did not return to the bay. After we drove to Denham and did some sightseeing in the small fisher village. Here I learnt that pumping up tires is quite easy. The kind sir from the petrol station told us how much we need to fill them. I do not know what kind of dimension they use, but not bar. First we visited a pearl shop and I bought a black pearl pendant, then we went to the airport. Here we entered a propeller machine and made a scenic flight of 30 minutes from Denham to the Big Lagoon. I would not have stood it longer as I got a bit sick from the many air holes. We enjoyed a beautiful view over the lagoons and the Francois Peron National Park. The we drove to Eagle Buff, a lookout over Shark Bay. We could count many sharks swimming below. On the Shell Beach we walked many small shells to the beach. The beach consists of small white, beige and reddish shells. At 5pm we reached a Road House (Petrol Station with shop and usually with accommodations on a outback road) with a camping. We decided to drive to the next one and at 6:30pm we found a closed camping. We wanted to stay on the carpark as it was already getting dark. As soon as we stood there and opened the roof clamps, the owner came out and told us that we are not allowed to stay here over night. He did not want to hear my explanation that we did not know that the camping is closed. On request he finally explained that the next carpark is in 5 km and in 42 km we can stay for free. So we had to drive another 42 km. The sight got worse and worse. On the carpark we were not the only ones. As we did not have current here, it was very warm inside and we sweated. Tired from everything we went to bed early.

Thursday 15^th March, 2012

Recovered from the scare of yesterday we had also today to get up early as at 7:30am there is already the first feeding of the dolphins. At the beach we got told that it will not be before 8pm. First everyone went into the water and we waited for the dolphins. During this time the ranger told us about these animals. They only feed 5 dolphins. At the first round only one came. To start the feeding, we had to leave the water and 5 volunteers were chosen. Those could then give the fish to the dolphin. Unfortunately we were not chosen. After we booked a sailing tour and went back to the beach for the second feeding. Now there were less people and it proceeded in the same pattern. It was very interesting to see dolphins as close as one meter. This time about ten animals came to the beach, there was even a mother giving milk to her calf. Then we the sailing tour started. In the three hours we saw turtles, a tiger shark (they are quite big), a dugong and a few dolphins. The afternoon was again very warm and we spent it in the shadow. I used the time to write for my blog. In the moment I sometimes do not find the time for it. In the evening at the pier we saw two turtles swimming. With relaxing music and a fresh breeze in the face we sailed towards the sunset.

Wednesday 14^th March, 2012

We got up already at 6am as a long day was waiting for us. First I called my travel agency in Sydney to tell them about our problem with Apollo. Allegedly we were unfortunate. They look now how Apollo may compensate us for the lost time. We just passed Kalbarri as we had already booked the camping in Monkey Mia. We will come back later. We drove a never-ending road through the outback to the Hamelin Pool and visited the stromatoliths. At the rocks there was an emu accompanying us. As we watched the shore we observed tourists walking on these living rocks which is forbidden. I think they also do not like to be kicked in the face! On the way back to the camper I saw a kangaroo jumping away, but not without shortly stopping for a picture. It was 40° C in the shadow and the heat made us tired. So we decided to drive without stop to Monkey Mia. There arrived we made first a break and drunk litres of water. In the resort emus were walking around. Towards the later afternoon we drove to the Francois Peron National Park. Only 4WDs are allowed on this road and the it got more and more sandy. We got a bad feeling and turned. As soon as we had turned the car we became stuck in the sand. Luckily there are saving angels. Two kind Australians explained us, that we should have let off air from the tires. Somehow we did not consider a sign at the entrance. They helped us and then they followed us until the park entrance. Somehow we cannot do it without adventures.