We left Windjana Gorge and travelled on to
Derby. In Derby we walked on the pier, had a meal, looked
at the huge Boab Tree that was used to
hold prisoners and decided to travel on to stay at Broome.
When we arrived at Broome we stayed at a caravan park at Cable
Beach.
While in Broome we went on one of the camel rides. The ride took us
through the sand dunes and out on to the wide expanse of beach. The tide
was out and the water was very calm. There were about 7 camels in our camel train and as we slowly travelled
along the beach other camel trains came towards us. The beach was crowded with 4WD vehicles and people sitting on camping
chairs watching the sun setting over the sea. The groups varied. Some were very elegant and sat drinking wine from
wine glasses while others drank beer from their stubbies in coolers. The camel ride finished near one of the
Cable Beach resorts and as we walked
up the grassy verge of the beach we found more people, with cameras and
tripods. Some very well dressed, sitting, drinking champagne, watching
the sun go down from that vantage point. We stayed there and watched it
dip below the horizon, taking advantage of the view ourselves.
On one of our days in Broome we drove to the southern end. We found a lighthouse and
looked around at the rocks. We were told dinosaur prints were imbedded into the rocks but we didn't see
them. Maybe the tide was in too far for them to be exposed. Our drive took us around the coastline to the jetty which extended into
Roebuck Bay. We had a look around and then followed the road back into town.
On the way into town we noticed a hotel called the Mangrove Hotel which overlooked
Roebuck
Bay. The following day we had lunch there and enjoyed the great view of
the turquoise blue sea. Sea eagles spiralled in the thermals over the sea
as kids played on the beaches below. The colours were amazing and the meal was
delicious.
The Broome Races were on while we were there. Bart Cummings was a guest at the races. We saw him in the stands.
That added to the day.
We browsed around Broome and looked at the souvenir shops. A
very friendly, helpful girl
showed us around a pearl shop and explained all about their cultivation.
