Goodbye Hong Kong, Hello Australia

We arrive in Perth 21/07/2010 and catch a connecting flight to Karratha where Nev meets us.

Dampier is named after William Dampier who sailed aboard his ship, Roebuck, into the Archipelago in 1699.  The beaches are fabulous and as for the sunsets, which we watch every night from the back patio, are stunning.  The hills are amazing! You suddenly get this red/brown rock which seems just to have erupted out of the hills.

The Port of Dampier is the highest export port in Australia.  The main exports are Pilbara Iron, Dampier Salt and Gas.

We went to Hearson's Cove on 28 Aug to see the "Staircase to the Moon".  It only happens on Spring Tides.  The full moon rises at the lowest tide and shines on the rippled mud left, creating the illusion of a ladder.  We spent a great evening with Nev, Debbi and their friends, burning meat and chilling.

We drove through Roebourne which is a cultural town where some Aborigines live, on our way to Point Samson.  The coastline here is gorgeous.  We were going to have their famous sea-food lunch but it was sooooo crowded we left.

We drove onto Cossack which was the first port in the North West.  This was also the home of the pearling grounds until they were fished out.  The town was eventually abandoned by 1950.

Nev also took us to Miaree Pool which was awesome.  You go off the road a bit and then come across this picturesque clear water pool on the Maitland River.  It was so pretty with its long shade trees growing on the edge of the water.  Now this is an example of some of the places that you can just stop at and camp for a night or two.

Off we go camping at Karijini National Park for two nights.  OMG!  Red sand wherever you look.  The campsite was very stark and underdeveloped.  Nev and Debbie were not impressed at all.  They don't play with camping fees either!

We make camp, burn some meat and then All go to bed 'cos it is FREEZING!  Frank and I were awake most of the night as neither of us could stop shivering.  Our feet were like ice-blocks and no matter what we did we couldn't warm them up!

Up early, the morning is more pleasant until the wind picks up which makes it bloody cold again.  Definitely a lazy wind, no ways will it go around you.  It insisted on trying to go through you.  A team talk was held and unanimous agreement to packing up, going to see what we could of the gorges and then head home, was reached.

We went to Oxer Lookout and then made our way to Dales Gorge.  We walked down to Fortescue Falls.  It was very pretty.  It was a hefty walk back to the top.  The other gorges would entail walks and climbs lasting for 2-3 hours so they were given a miss as it was still blowing like crazy and damn cold.  We clamoured back into the car and we started our long trek home (approx 6 hours).

The rest of the time was spent chilling.  Frank also got to potter around with some stuff which was good for him.  We decided we were going to take the Toyota out that Nev & Debbie have lent us and Frank ended up reversing into Debbie's car as she arrived home from work!..............Oooops!  Oh well he had some more fixing to do!

I know I am not supposed to say Thank you but...................Thank you, thank you, thank you Neville and Debbie for allowing us to stay and irritate you and of  course a very BIG Thank you for the loan of the car!  You guys are amazing!  Wah Nev you can't even send me home for saying Thank You!

Well tomorrow we start our "Road Trip".  Should be fun, BUT rest assured we will get lost!!!  Oh well a new road, track, whatever, to travel down.  Mmmmmm the feet are definitely getting itchy!