Friday
15th June, 2012
Our
journey went back to the Wangi Falls. Here we hiked around the
waterfall and enjoyed the view. But for a refreshing bath it was
still too early for us and thus we decided to continue. Tolmer Falls
we watched from above from a viewing platform as they were very high.
Then
we went to the Tabletop Swamp. Here a short hike lead to a small pond
with trees in the water. We did not go too close as there could be
crocodiles.
At
Florence Falls we put on the swimming suits and packed a pick-nick.
We first hiked along a creek to the waterfall basin. We enjoyed a
refreshing bath and I tried to swim to one of the two falls, but the
drift was too strong and I did not reach it. After we had a nice
pick-nick and let us dry by the sun.
Our
last stop was at the termite mounds. On a field there are many mounds
build like a slim wall in north-south direction. Thus they get in the
morning and in the evening the full power of the sun, but not during
noon when it is the hottest. On the other side of the carpark were
other termite mounds of the more common round type. One was much
taller than Konrad.
With
this experiences we drove to a camping and found there a place for
the night.
Today
we saw from time to time some wallabies, but they always jumped away
before I got a picture. In the evening we saw a few grazing in the
pasture just next to the camping.
Wednesday
21st March, 2012
Already
very early in the morning I got waken by the parrots. They started to
make big noise shortly after 3am. In between I could sleep again, but
it was not very recreative. At 5:45am the alarm rung as there is a
long day awaiting us. We enjoyed a bit the morning atmosphere and
started just before sunrise.
Our
first stop was a termite mound to which a sign pointed. Here we
watched it from close. Then we continued driving and had to care that
we did not hit any sheep as they were grazing at the side of the
road. Our journey was accompanied also by emus and a few cows. We
also made a few picture stops in the outback. I realized that
Australia is not really flat as we were passing a wonderful hill
landscape. The area got greener and greener and yellow and red shades
made it very interesting. A cyclone had passed last week and there
has been a lot of rain. The last 70 km to Tom Price are gravel road.
After we passed the 50 km the sound of our vehicle changed
immediately. We immediately found our problem: in the back the left
tire was completely broken. We were looking for the spare tire and
prepared for a long waiting as we did not have mobile phone
reception. But very soon two friendly Australians passed and stopped.
They helped us to change the tire and we were very thankful. They
told us that they are checking the road for damage made by the
cyclone. With the spare tire we drove to Tom Price and looked there
for a mechanic. He explained that a new one will be 300 dollars. Or
he could look if he has an used one. We called Apollo and they wanted
a new one which we should have to pay. Sandra explained that we also
did not have new tires on the camper. The answer as always: the car
was checked for damage. We know this saying already too good. As the
mechanic talked to Apollo, he demanded them to pay. Let's see how
this resolves, but first we enjoy our vacation.
During
dinner preparation we talked to an Australian who told us that all
gravel roads in the Karijini National Park are closed. The main road
is tarred and can be used. We should go to the visitor center and
inform us about the road situation. We will do that and hope to see
something from the National Park. She told us also that the parrots
are so noisy because they feed their chicks and this all around the
clock. I just hope they do this not anymore beside our camper.
Sunday
18th 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
17th 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.