At 9.30am we had a briefing for the three or four optional trips that we could book during the holiday, and if we wanted to go fishing. They also briefly covered what it involved getting in and out of zodiacs, which tours needed a little bit more mobility than others, and a very short overview of the route we are to take over the next few days. We had to take our zodiac life jackets, so that we knew how to put them on and off (seemed very straightforward, but some had trouble!). After that, it was a mid morning coffee before changing into swimming gear and heading for the zodiacs.
We had anchored in waters called Yampi Sound. We were just off Koolan Island, which is known for its iron ore mine. There is a tagboard by where we get into the zodiacs, as and you go past you have change your room number from blue (which means you are onboard) to white (which means you are not). No electronic means of knowing where you are here! Also, they did say that they wouldn’t sail away with any whites on the board. Unlike other cruise ships, where if you miss it, it is your hard luck! Just before you get on the zodiac, there is a little table with sunscreen, insect repellent and water – they think of everything! We hopped, very safely, into the zodiacs, and set off for Crocodile Creek. Getting in and out (so far) was a piece of cake. There are two people to help you off the ship and into the zodiac, and one in the zodiac to point you in the direction of where you are to sit. On the short trips like this one (about fifteen minutes) it takes around ten people maximum all sitting on the rubber sides. The sea was a little choppy, but nothing much. As soon as we had left open water and gone into the inlet it was really calm, so we speeded up. The layered sandstone cliffs had amazing buckling and folding formations, which is evidence of millions of years of geological forces.
After about fifteen minutes we came to the end of the inlet, where there were stone steps hewn out of the rock. Again, with all the people helping getting out was a doddle – at least I didn’t see anyone fall in! We walked up the steps, and this beautiful waterfall and water hole came into view. It is called Crocodile Creek, although it defies its name as it is crocodile free (allegedly!). This is because of the several vertical embankments that presumably the crocodiles can’t manage. As we walked up the rocks to where the water hole opened up, there was a little shelter put up where we were served marguerita’s – complete with salt and lime. Wow!
We went for a half an hour swim in the water hole – it was quite cold when we went in, but absolutely beautiful once you were in. Some people climbed the rocks near the waterfall, and some even jumped in from the top! When we got out, we were told that there was fresh water on the top that made it cold, but the salt water underneath kept it warm. There are fairly varying tides in this part of the world, and had already been told that the window for getting in and out of the creek was between 11.30am and 2.00pm. We were then told that at high tide, the sea flows into the water hole. Which means the crocodiles could flow into the water hole….. I hope they count everyone back in! Sitting in the sun, drinking my marguerita, I look up above the shelter, and see a lady doing massages. Had I had too many? No, they have brought a portable massage table with them, and are giving massages.
At around 1.45pm we make our way back to the last zodiac going back to the ship. The sea is so calm this time, no waves at all. When we get back on board there is a lovely smell of lunch. Lunch is again served in the outside café – and there is such a selection. Soup, salad, fresh pasta, lasagne and lots of lovely puddings and ice cream. Oh no – why can’t it be horrible for once? I opted for the lasagne, and it was the nicest lasagne I have ever eaten. I did have salad with it – so I suppose it was half healthy! Then I had mango ice cream, which definitely wasn’t!
After an hour or so rest, we then got the lifejackets on again to go on a one and a half hour zodiac tour to Nares Point and round by the mine on Koolan Island. Just before we got into the zodiacs, which now had padded benches in them, (how much more pampering can we take?) taking a maximum of six people, we saw some bottle nosed dolphins swimming off the side. Once we were all in, we pointed the boat at where they were, and stayed for around half an hour just watching them going in and out of the water. I have got a lot of pictures full of blue sea with only a little black dot of a fin on. I know what they were! We then went to look close up at the sandstone formations. Apparently, the Kimberley, several million years ago, was not attached to Australia. As it got closer and closer and then eventually collided – in a very slow fashion - the sandstone folded and buckled, and it is this pattern you can now see. Even though the sandstone is pure white, it looks red on the outside as it has so much iron ore in that when it hits air it oxidises and goes rusty (I think!). There is a beach here, where apparantly the miners go on their days off – there was a little blue tent erected at the back. “Is it safe to swim here?” someone asks. “99.99% it is, but I wouldn’t” was the answer. I wonder if the miners do? As we round Nares Point the mine comes into view, and you can hear the machinery taking the iron ore out. They are apparently mining at around 80 metres below sea level, and hope to go double that. There is a barrier wall that is keeping the water out – I wouldn’t like to be anywhere near that if it breaches!
The sun is due to set at 5.19pm, and it is getting near to that time, so we make our way back to the ship. There are some stunning sunsets here. The moon also looks a lot bigger than at home – it is a full moon tomorrow. This is also the time when the mosquitoes come out in force, so I agree it is time to go! We are greeted with lovely cold mango juice when we get back on – how thoughtful is that? Then we watch as the cranes on the back lift up all the zodiacs that have been very busy all day.
It is the Captain’s cocktail party tonight – I am just hoping that people aren’t going to be dressing too posh. As I had to pack for five weeks in one suitcase, there were some things that just didn’t come! No problem, people were in allsorts. The champagne flowed freely (as I am becoming accustomed to) at the cocktail party, and we met another lovely couple from Australia. Are there any people on this boat that are not nice? We sat with them at the Captains dinner, and also an American couple joined us. I think we were the only two couples that didn’t have an Australian passport, so they informed us! The dinner, yet again, was excellent. Another four course taster menu that was delicious. I think I might have to stop somewhere to buy a bigger size clothes somewhere in the middle of this five week holiday!
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