January 8, 2016 by coloradotravelingducks

More Australian Reflections with Zeb and Eider Part II

Driving through Broome, we entered the Kimberley. Derby is one of the major cities here. We loved Derby but we were fascinated by the Boab Tree. This is the Boab Prison Tree.

Prison Boab Tree

Legend says that prisoners we put inside this tree at night, while being transported to Derby. That is rather scary. Back in Broome, Cable Beach is a wonderful place. A meal or snack at Zander’s on the beach and fabulous sunsets viewed from a camel create unforgettable memories.

So cool

At Broome’s Town Park we were fortunate to witness Stairway to the Moon.

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

This experience is also forever in our memory. Australia has many beautiful national parks. There are over 500 Australian national parks. In Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory we gazed at Aboriginal Rock Art

Aboriginal rock art

and watched huge crocodiles.

A really big crocodile at Kakadu

Thankfully the crocodiles were more interested in the warm sun than tasting Colorado Traveling Ducks. We rode the Ghan, Australia’s other main railroad, to the red center of Australia. Another fascinating train ride. We believe sunrise at Kata Tjuta was beautiful.

Sunrise over Kata Tjuta

Uluru, formerly called Ayers Rock, is huge.

Not just a smooth rock

Scientists say most of the rock, or monolith, is still underground. The above ground height is 863 meters or 1,141 feet. More than that amount is still hidden underground. Next we took a public bus to Coober Pedy. This opal mining town celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Coober Pedy celebrates 100 years

Inside an opal mine, the opal is beautiful in the rock.

Opal still in rock

Just waiting to be mined. Much of this town is underground, living in cave live areas. The Underground Serbian Orthodox Church was spectacular.

From church balcony

A short flight to Adelaide and we rode another bus into the wine country. Here we saw beautiful countryside and, of course, tasted some good wine.

Wine was sampled at Henry’s Drive Winery

Our time in Australia was so much fun. Tomorrow we will finish our reflections of our wonderful vacation.

October 29, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Riding Camels in Broome, Australia with Zeb and Eider Duck

We are walking past the rocks on Cable Beach now.

Rocks at Cable Beach

What are these?

They are big

We are sitting on a camel!

We are on a camel

Ours is sort of cute.

Rather cute

The people are Red Sun Camel employees. They will help us on the camel and walk with us to ensure we do not fall off the camel.

These humans will help us

This is our shadow.

Shadow shows we are far above the sand

We ducks have to stay in our travel bags during the ride. Humans think we may fall off the camels. We agree. The camels are connected and there are 18 camels in our train.

Our camel group

We have 2 trains. Anyone know a good camel dentist?

Too close

There two other companies providing camel rides. The blue camels,

Blue is nice also

and the yellow camels. We really like the blankets on these yellow camels.

Yellow blankets are attractive

All the camel companies offer the same sunset ride. The sun is setting.

Another perfect sunset on Cable Beach

Another beautiful sunset on the Indian Ocean at Cable Beach, Western Australia. These camel rides at sunset on Cable Beach are very popular and now we know why.

So cool

They are wonderful. We hope you can try one also. When you go, be sure to look at all the great souvenirs of your ride. We just bought a professional photo of us on the camel, but they have so much to offer.

Many souvenirs available

We love Cable Beach. We love Broome. We love Western Australia. We love the sunsets. And, we even love our camel.

October 28, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Town Beach and Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Australia with Zeb and Eider

Walking from our Hotel Mercure Broome, Zeb and Eider Duck found Town Beach.

Welcome to Town Beach

There is a great water area for kids there, even before we got to Roebuck Bay.

Great play area here

Small humans and parents can get into the pools or play in the water fountains. They were having a great time. A large grassy park is also there. We loved this bridge.

Pretty and peaceful atmosphere here

Pioneer Cemetery is also located at Town Beach.

Cemetery is beautiful overlooking Roebuck Bay

Here is the marker for Diamond Jack Palmer.

Diamond Jack

What a great name! This marks the final resting place of Captain Harry Talboys.

Final resting for this sea captain and Master Pearler

He was a Sea Captain and Master Pearler. Broome was built by sea captains and the pearl industry. Not be forgotten, this is were the casualties from the first air raid on Broome were taken during World War II.

Air Raid on Broome on March 3, 1942

Isn’t this a pretty beach?

Town Beach is wonderful

As you can see, the tide is pretty high now.

High tide. Water in tree area

We liked this crow like bird, even if he was very noisy.

Very talkative

Tonight is a full moon, so there is a special event at Town Beach. During some months of the year, when the moon is full and the tide is low, the light of the moon reflects on the mud flats and it looks like there is a stairway to the moon. Tonight is Stairway to the Moon, and we are here, in Broome, Western Australia.

Stairway to the moon

The Stairway to the Moon is best viewed from Town Beach.

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

We liked the Stairway to the Moon and there was a festival there also. It was a lot of fun with great food. At the festival we visited many craft booths. The food booths were so tempting. The closest neighbors to Broome, Australia are Indonesia, New Guinea, Malaysia, Singapore and other islands. As result the craft booths had so many items we don’t usually see at home. Incredible wood carvings and so much more. The aromas from the food booths were truly making us salivate. A warm tropical evening, full moon, new and appealing fragrances and a Stairway to the Moon. . . This truly was a night to remember. It was too dark for photos. Just look how dark this tropical sky is tonight.

Flood lights on a palm tree

We hope you are in Broome, or Western Australia, sometime to see the Stairway to the Moon.

October 21, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider Explore Broome, Western Australia

Broome was built on the pearl industry. Streeter’s Jetty was an important part of this industry.

Streeter’s Jetty

Now it is a great pier to walk and admire Roebuck Bay.

We are going to explore Streeter’s Jetty

At the end of Streeter’s Jetty we see Roebuck Bay.

Out to Roebuck Bay

Wandering through town, we discover this shady area and inviting table. It is time for a snack.

Beverages??

After a refreshing beverage, we found these statues and memorial to the Hard Hat Divers of the pearl industry. Statue is great, but dark in this photo.

Hard hat pearl diver

Diving for pearls is a difficult and dangerous job.

Honoring and remembering pearl divers

Broome is a rather small town, and popular tourist destination, so traffic can be a problem, especially for the residents. We thought this sign was rather clever, putting the drivers first.

Vehicles have right of way here

A few blocks further, we liked this statue honoring the women who took care of the homes and children while waiting for the pearl divers to return.

Pearl industry honors women

Again, mom is fascinated by the beautiful birds seen here.

Love the beautiful birds

Broome, like so many towns in Australia, remembers and honors their veterans. We liked Bedford Memorial Park.

Bedford Memorial Park

This monument honors those lost during the first air raid on Broome during World War II.

Remembering Broome’s first air raid of World War II

This raid killed many women and children civilians, mostly refugees from the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. After this air raid, the city of Broome was evacuated. Continuing along the coast, we stopped at this small museum.

Broome Historical Museum

Wow! A time capsule, once opened, had been changed and resealed December, 2000. It will be reopened November 32, 2033.

Broome Time Capsule

It will a reminder of how many things have changed during those 33 years. We would love to be there to see the contents in 2033. Broome is a very nice town with friendly people. We ate terrific homemade ice cream. We even met owners of a souvenir shop that had recently visited Colorado. We like Broome and would be happy to return here. You would like it also, we think.

October 16, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider at Cable Beach Australia for Sunset

Zeb, Eider and the humans arrived in Broome, Western Australia. After getting a place to sleep, we headed to Cable Beach.

We are at Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia

Broome is on the Indian Ocean and well known for beautiful sunsets. We did not want to miss it. Cable Beach is a very wide beach.

Wide beach and you can drive here

Cable Beach pleases swimmers, sunbathers, and even sailboats.

Sailboat and people on beach.

Zander’s is the main restaurant on the beach.

Zander’s on Cable Beach

As you can see, this is a popular gathering place to watch the sunset.

This is the place to be for sunsets in Broome

At Zander’s you can eat in the main restaurant and watch the sunset. Of course, you will pay for this option. We sat in the restaurant, since we wanted the full experience. Hamburgers cost about $20 US, but the location was well worth it to us.

Zander’s restaurant. Eat inside or get take away

The part on the far right, is for ordering take away food from Zander’s, at a lower price. You can eat your food while sitting on a few benches outside. Everyone is ready to watch the sunset.

Anticipating the sunset

The sun is now setting.

Sun beginning to set in Indian Ocean

From the time the setting sun touches the water until it is completely gone is only 90 seconds.

Almost gone

Now, even with the sun gone, this is still a beautiful place and the weather was perfect, so many people still linger here. It is difficult to leave.

Still warm and beautiful

We are so happy that we ate at Zander’s and we able to see the famous and beautiful Cable Beach sunset. We hope you will visit here soon. It is wonderful.

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