WANDERING FAR FARAWAY !!

Hi All. I'll bet this is a surprise, since it isn't that long since my last catch-up, but when the muse is upon me, I must write (before I forget).



When I last wrote, we were getting ready for a visit from Canadian cousins, Lynne and John. They had travelled in Vietnam first, then came to us just in time for a wonderful Chinese New Years dinner at June and Ian's, so they got to meet many of our friends and neighbours!. It was their first visit here (hopefully nottheir last) so we really enjoyed touring them around, introducing them to the kangaroos and kookaburras, as well as quaint local customs, like happy hour in the canal! Somewhere in there we had a lovely visit from an old friend, Nicki and daughter, also Nicki, both of whom Anne had lost touch with years ago and just recently 'found' again.
Also, we got word that niece, Lauren had married, so we send our congratulations to Lauren and Liam !
Then, perfectly coordinated, Lynne and John left and the next day sister, Maureen arrived, just in time for Anne's birthday! Actually, Anne and Jett's joint birthdays, so we had a family birthday at the beachhouse. Maureen had just come from an amazing holiday in New Zealand, kayaking and hiking, and just had a brief stopover with us while she was 'in the area'. While she was here we sisters shared a unique 'bonding' day up in the treetops at Treetop Adventures in Dwellingup!! Wasn't sure how I'd manage, but to my pleasant surprise I kept up with my little sister just fine !!😅
 

 Now, for the big adventure! We had intended travelling with friends, Alison and Graham, (above in the coolie hats), but sadly he had a medical emergency (recovering nicely now) and couldn't go😞😟, but Anne and I went on the cruise, Ahoy Buccaneers, on the boat MV Oceanic for 13 days from Broome to Wyndham. We'd had a conversation last year to the effect that we could do big cruises on into age and frailty, but we should have some adventure trips now while we're still able. W-E-LL ! This was an adventure; think we got carried away ! I had my birthday aboard, shared with another guest; picture cake, candles and singing on the foredeck out at sea with no land in sight, followed by all lights out (except the stars) while the captain sat on the wheelhouse roof playing a haunting melody on the didgeridoo Unforgettable. There were only 17 guests in total, with a wide age spread and from all different places and walks of life, but the bonding and the camaraderie were intense.

We climbed up red rocky cliffs to waterfalls and high pools above the crocodiles, looked at otherwise inaccessible aboriginal rock art, tendered up mangrove lined creeks, saw crocs, both salt and fresh, hand fed lemon sharks, rode the Horizontal Falls and watched Montgomery Reef emerging from the sea! In between all this was eating, drinking, spa and good fellowship! Did I mention eating and drinking !? A few of the guys went ashore one afternoon and brought back oysters for all,  two or three times what's pictured.  

 Then, near the end of the cruise, the real adventure started! The boat grounded on an uncharted reef, up at the top of Aus., off Faraway Bay ! We were there  almost 30 hours, stuck well and truly, despite the best efforts of crew and passengers, using our tenders and tenders from other nearby boats. Passengers were running a marathon, up on deck, from side to side trying to rock the boat while the tenders pushed and pulled !  Even at the high tide points, nothing budged! Finally the call was made that we had to be evacuated, by our tender, to another tender, to the cruise boat, Kimberley Quest, to the beach! The fishing camp at Faraway Bay was perched high above us and probably still closed for the season, as we saw no-one. Faraway Bay is about 300 km from Kununurra with no road access, so we were lifted in threes to the cliff top, then flown out in two small planes, using a dirt track airstrip in the bush. All very exciting ! And of course withe the removal of 17 well-fed passengers and all our luggage, the boat was able to float free at the next high tide, with apparently little damage ! We had missed the last couple of planned outings, including King George Falls, which was disappointing, but we got an aerial view of the Kimberleys, an unexpected bonus.

 We stayed at a very comfy caravan park in Kununurra for 3 days, with crocodile feedings and the most amazing 2000 year old Boab tree. Our tour down the Ord River from Lake Argyle was an absolute highlight, almost worth the visit in its own right ! We also got to get to Emma Gorge and almost to El Questro before a wide floodway stopped us and sent us back, just before the road was closed to a fire anyway. 

All in all, quite a trip ! One of the most challenging things we've done, certainly in recent years. We're both still a bit sore and bruised; Anne's legs were more dark bruise than light, but fading quickly. But it was a part of Australia we couldn't get to see otherwise, and an experience we'll never have again and will (hopefully) never forget !

 Home now and catching up on rest, mail, friends and family, various maintenance and household jobs, etc.,not necessarily in that order, so nothing exciting to write you all for a while. Hope you're all well and happy !? Happy Wandering to you all, or Happy Staying if that's where you're at.




ALL THE VERY BEST TO YOU ALL !
THE HAPPY WANDERERS
ANNIE AND KATHIE