Murph and Crowey: Broome - 18-07.2012 to 29.07.2012

It was before we left Melbourne that my best friend Brenda and her husband Mike asked us when we thought we would be in Broome WA. Our thoughts or guestimate at the time was mid to late July, not really knowing for sure if we would be there by that time or not. Brenda and Mike booked a holiday for this time in Broome, hoping that we would be there at this time, but if not then at least their holiday destination was in a warm and highly desirable spot. I remember Brenda sending me messages via facebook with the countdown of eight weeks to go and at the time we were staying in Mandurah, south of Perth. Then it got down to four weeks until it was only two weeks until they were in Broome. At this stage we didn’t think that we would make it around this time, being in Exmouth and then changing our plans to go to Tom Price and thought we had better say that we may not make it, worse case scenario. However we did end getting into Broome about four days after Brenda and Mike arrived, which probably turned out for the best as it also gave them time to explore Broome without me wanting to take every moment I could with my best friend.

The day we arrived in Broome we only had one nights accommodation booked, not because that was all we wanted to book, but more due to the fact that not only was it peak season in Broome but also the second week of the school holidays. Accomodation was a little bit scarce but upon arrival we ended up booking another 7 nights at the same caravan park in their overflow section, which happened to be the site with the most grass and was shaded all day. Perfect for the Broome weather which never ventures far from 30 degrees every day, no clouds in the sky, a little breeze to keep the sun manageable. And they say Queensland is sunny one day, perfect the next! It wasn’t long after arrival that we headed over the Brenda and Mike’s accommodation to meet up with them. You know I always thought that I was fairly fair skinned (Melbourne office weather will do that) but when my eyes saw how pale Brenda and Mike were (vampire white came to mind) I couldn’t believe it. I guess we tend to hang around these aussie travellers now, who all have some sort of colour. I now now understand why my Mum and Dad tell me how white I am when I visit them in Queendsland. After getting over their office tan glow, it was just wonderful to see them both again.

A quick dip at Cable Beach

My BFF

The next seven days was spent mostly with them, looking at all sorts of tourist like things. Of course one of the main attractions for me was .......................... yes girls you guessed it, PEARLS! OMG, the pearl shops were one after the other, each different with their own designs. A pearl is something that I have always wanted to get and Brenda, Mike and I decided to venture out on the Willie Creek Pearl tour to learn about these gorgeous gems (Crowey was not interested) and what a great day we had. So not only do I know I love pearls, but I know what I am looking for when I purchase one. Dangerous. Anyway I didn’t end up buying one, but I did happen to find a design that I love and when I return from our travels I will be saving to get exactly what I want and will commence my “Pearl Fund” account, where donations are gladly accepted J.

Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour

Besides the pearls though Broome has quite a bit to offer the visiting traveller. Cafe’s are abundant, tours to and from Broome to places like the Horizontal falls, Cape Leveque etc. There are dinosaur prints to find at low tide which occurred while we were there and yes we found some. The mango farm just out of town provided a nice surround for a leisurely lunch. Cable beach of course provides a big beach with quite chilly water, but refreshing once you get used to it. The camels were there, but we didn’t go on this tour, but took some photos as the sun came down with people who chose to take part. The museum in Broome is very interesting as well and tells the story of how Broome began, the pearl luggers and also the fact that Broome was bombed in the second world war, something Crowey and I were not aware off. There is also the Sun Picture theatre which is the oldest outdoor picture theatre in Australia, with their traditional deckchair, huge reels of film loaded for the movie (remember those?) which took a couple of backpackers to load up they were sooooo huge. Stars are above, the odd Qantas Jet soaring over your head, (the airport is right in the middle of Broome and provides a very close up view of the planes taking off with the jet engines nearly rupturing your ear drum), choc tops aplenty, good company and a good action movie was a novelty for us all. Mike and Alana were also enjoying their last day in Broome and ventured out with us that night.

Sun Picture Theartre Est. 1916

Mike and Brenda getting into the hard life at Broome

No Crowey we can't see you

Main Beach Broome

Dinosaur Prints

White Bellied Eagle captures his breaky

A night out at Matso's a popular dining spot in Broome with my BFF

An Crowey looks like he just got the bill

I was also lucky to enjoy my birthday whilst in Broome and got very spoilt by Brenda and Mike who bought me freshwater pearl earrings and a long freshwater pearl necklace. Gorgeous! They will be loved and cherished always.

All in all I loved Broome and could have settled in for awhile, plenty of jobs there, but Crowey was keen to keep moving and so we ventured onto Cape Leveque for the next couple of days whilst leaving our caravan in Broome.