Thursday 5^th April, 2012

I made a short walk along the Wilson Inlet when the rain stopped for a moment. At the river mouth a couple of pelicans where sitting there. After we continued our journey of discovery. First stop was Swiss Annie's fine Chocolate Lounge. We ordered a hot chocolate and got milk and pieces of chocolate. With a stirrer to we could prepare it by ourselves. The owner asked us where we come from and then told us that his wife is also Swiss. She then joined us and let us test her pralines. She told us how she had came here and that she is glad that it is finally raining. We learnt that there are a few Swiss living in the region of Denmark. Then we went to the William Bay National Park. Here we first watched the Green Pool. The sea is separated through rocks and it looks like a pool. We could observe a kite surfer. Then we walked to Elephant Cove were the sea water flows through an opening in the rocks. Then we drove past Albany into the Torndirrup National Park. We just started to walk to the Natural Bridge when we turn back as it started to rain heavily and we had not put on the waterproof clothes. After the lunch break and with less rain and waterproof clothes we went to see rock formations. The sea was heavy and hit the rocks strongly. That was interesting to watch. We were soaking wet as we were back. It was colder than in the last few days. Then we drove to the blow holes. From 33m distance we tried to see if the spray came from the blow holes or from the surf. It was not distinguishable. We continued to a lookout and looked over to Albany. Shortly after we were in Albany. The town has some charm due to the old buildings. First we bought food, but we were not the only ones. As I wanted to do some sightseeing we departed so I could peacefully watch the old buildings and churches. After we decided to to stay in the proximity. We drove to a camping and paid the Easter tariff of 43 dollars!

Monday 26^th March, 2012

Punctually at 8:45am we sat at a pelican feeding. Unfortunately only one pelican came. First all children could throw a fish to the animal. Then the ranger asked who else would also like to do it. I wanted and thus held out a fish. It is interesting how fast they can snap. After we drove to the Rainbow Jungle Bird Park. Here we could see many different parrots and cockatoos. There were many beautiful ones. From the bird park we changed to the cliffs of the Kalbarri National Park. First we drove to Red Bluff and got an impression of the cliffs. After we drove to Mushroom Rock, here we hiked down to the sea. The cliffs look here like mushrooms. Further we went to the Island Rock, a rock standing in the sea. Then we continued driving to the Natural Bride which was eroded into the rocks by the sea. With this view we left the National Park and continued southwards. We followed partially the same road as at the beginning our our trip. We left out the minute's silence at the place of the breakdown. In Northhamption we wanted to get some cash, but the ATMs did not want to. The first one did not know about Swiss cards and second one was out of order. So we continued and could withdraw some cash a bit outside of Geraldton. With a few stops to photographically capture the landscape we drove to Eneabba. Our map told that there should be a camping, but that was not true. So we switched on the navi and were looking for the next one. There should be one in Leeman which is 31 km away. As it was already 5:30pm we had to rush as they usually close reception at 6pm. We passed Lake Loque National Park and the Beekeepers Nature Reserve. Here a huge salt lake was sparkling in the evening sun. As we did not have time to stop we will return tomorrow. A bit after 6pm we reached Leeman and found a place to stay. We parked the camper and went to the sea to watch the sunset. In the evening we walked again to the sea and enjoyed an enchanting sky full of stars.

Saturday 3^rd March, 2012

In the morning we went to the Shoalwater Bay. Here we boarded the boat and the safari started. Only about 5 minutes out in the sea we already saw a few dolphins. The next hour we followed and watched them. For me it is the first time I saw dolphins swimming in the sea, but not for Konrad. As I had taken my pills against motion sickness I could stand in the front of the boat and take pictures. Konrad could not believe it as he remembered of the opposite in Island were the pills had not helped and I had been very sick. Our ride was not yet over. The boat went to Bird Island were there are cormorants and pelicans nesting. Then we met again a dolphin which was playing with a ray. Next was Seal Island with its seal colony. As it was very warm, they liked more to sunbath than to move around. We often saw flying pelicans. At the end of the tour we left the boat at Penguin Island. Here every hour a ferry goes back to the mainland. First we enjoyed our pick-nick as there is no shop here. We also observed a few of the local lizards. One just walked over the pick-nick area. Then we went onto the two kilometre long path around the island. First we saw a decayed tractor stand in the middle of the nature. Passing nesting pelicans we went to the beach. We enjoyed the refreshing bath and the waves and then we let us dry by the sun. Back at the start we went to see the feeding of the penguins. A few of them live in the visitor centre. They are not able anymore to live in the wild. Four times a day they get fresh fish. After the feeding we went back to the mainland and from there back to the motel next to the airport. As there was still some time left we went to the centre of Perth and walked a bit in the Kings Park. We heard some parrots in the trees and saw them flying away. The evening we closed with a dinner with sight to the city.

Friday 2^nd March, 2012

We soon left Perth and followed the highway towards the south. We wanted to go to the sea. After passing big industrial facilities we came to Rockingham. A bit ahead of the town we stopped and enjoyed a walk along the sea. From there we could see a grain terminal where grain was pumped into big cargo vessels. In Rockingham we soon went to the tourist information to find out about accommodation possibilities. We got a list and the information that it might be a bit difficult as in Western Australia there is a long weekend due to Labour Day. First we walked to a nearby Motel and asked, but without success. We called different places, all booked out. But the first Bed&Breakfast we called had still some free accommodation. With the certainty of having a bed in Rockingham we went to the quay of the ferry to Penguin Island. Here we booked a tour for tomorrow. More I do not want to tell yet. As it was only early afternoon, we walked around Lake Richmond. It look a bit far, but after 40 minutes we were around. In the lake there were many pelicans, some were also flying. At the lake there were also thromolites. They are algae and bacteria which together grow to kind of rock (living rocks). At one point at the shore there were many information panels explaining the landscape and its formation. Also the animals living here were introduced. I realised that the snakes here can get up to two metres long. As we checked-in to the B&B we saw the same white parrots as yesterday. I was astonished that they also could raise their head feathers like cockatoos. We drove to Peron Point to watch the sunset. Unfortunately there were clouds hiding the sun, so we thought that there is no sunset, but just before it touched the sea, there was a hole in the clouds and so we still got to see a nice sunset.

Monday 20^th February, 2012

Today I wanted to lie in, but my inner clock woke me up already at 8am. After I moved all my stuff to the car again, I started. To Coles Bay there is just one road and thus the way was the same as two days ago. On the way there was someone with a camera standing beside the road and shortly after an emu. So I made a U-turn and came back. The emu did not bother. A few days ago I told Konrad, I could fly home as I now have a picture of most animals. Konrad replied the emu is missing. There I am. Still I would like to stay a bit longer as I like it here. Only the weather might get a bit warmer. The only road to the west goes through the interior. I drove along wines and olive trees, saw flocks of sheep which had nearly the same colour as the ground. As I had plenty of time, I drove to the Nine Mile Beach and walked a bit on it. This beach is just opposite to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park. Beside some sea birds I saw again a pelican swimming in the watter. Then I drove on to Swansea. Here I visited the Bark Mill Museum. It show how crop was milled in earlier times. It was the only mill where everybody could mill his crop. In the village Swansea I walked along the beach and had again a full view to the Freycinet National Park. There was a strong wind and a few drops here and there. My trip continued to Spiky Bridge which was constructed in 1840 and is still in use. Short after 14pm I arrived in Triabunna. In the tourist office I reserved a got a ticket for the boat going every morning to the island. Then I was looking for the camping, as I reserved a room there. The owner showed me my room and explained that for the same price I could stay in a caravan, this would be more comfortable. I had a look and decided to stay in the caravan. Here I can train already for the west coast where I will be on the road with a friend in a camper. At it was only afternoon I walked along the sea. Not far from the shore is Dead Island. You make walk to this small island if there is low tide. A bit later there was a sign that there are pelicans to see here. I had no luck, there was none. After a short sightseeing in Triabunna I went back to the camping and passed the rest of the afternoon reading.