Litchfield National Park, second day

by Petra Bucheli
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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.

The long drive to Tom Price

by Petra Bucheli
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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.

Fishes nibble at the Ningaloo Reef

by Petra Bucheli
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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.

An unusual birthday

by Petra Bucheli
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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.