Derby

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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

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

So cool

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

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

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

Aboriginal rock art

and watched huge crocodiles.

A really big crocodile at Kakadu

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

Sunrise over Kata Tjuta

Uluru, formerly called Ayers Rock, is huge.

Not just a smooth rock

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

Coober Pedy celebrates 100 years

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

Opal still in 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

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

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.

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Derby, Western Australia with Zeb and Eider Duck

In Derby we visited the Wharfinger’s House Museum.

Back terrace of Wharfinger House Museum

Back terrace of Wharfinger House Museum

The Wharfinger is the person who owns or has control of the Wharf.  This is an example of prefabricated wooden housing of the 1920s and 1930s.   There are three sections of this museum:  shipping, communication and aviation.  This canoe from Sunday Island is great.

Canoe from Sunday Island found in marsh area near Derby

Canoe from Sunday Island found in marsh area near Derby

Makes us want to go for a canoe ride.   Oh no!   This is a dentist’s drill?

Dentist Drill??

Dentist Drill??

Makes the Colorado Traveling Ducks glad they do not have people teeth.    Walking around Derby we found the Old Derby Gaol.   The Old Derby Gaol is located next to the current police station.

Old Derby Gaol

Old Derby Gaol

This original prison, or gaol, was often overcrowded and without proper sanitation facilities.   Many prisoners were chained to the floor to prevent movement and escape.

Prisoners were chained to floor

Prisoners were chained to floor

The signs in this area say that most of the prisoners were aboriginals.

Lots of information here

Lots of information here

Near the wharf we saw the Old Derby Woolshed and the Derby Historic Tramway Project.

Historic Woolshed and Tramway

Historic Woolshed and Tramway

The old equipment from the tramway was real interesting.

Old equipment

Old equipment

The tides at the jetty vary greatly.   These tides are Australia’s highest, with tidal variations being as much as 11 meters.   These photos are near low tide.

Low tide

Low tide

Low tide

Low tide

These photos are near high tide.

High tide

High tide

High tide

High tide

The jetty is also a great place to watch the sunset.

Another beautiful sunset on the Indian Ocean

Another beautiful sunset on the Indian Ocean

We love sunsets!   We enjoyed our visit to Derby, Australia.   We think you would enjoy Derby also, but go during the winter if you can.   Summer brings rain and flooding during The Wet.

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Zeb and Eider Duck Drive to Derby, Western Australia

Zeb, Eider, and the humans are driving to Derby.    We will stay over night in Derby and then return to Broome.   This sign is not too important today, but it is very important during the summer or rainy season.

Important sign during The Wet

Important sign during The Wet

They call the rainy season The Wet.    Much of this area will be flooded and closed.   The termites have really been busy here.   Lots of additions, maybe a termite town?

Termite hill. They keep adding to this hill

Termite hill. They keep adding to this hill

Approaching Broome, we stop at the Boab Prison Tree.

Prison Boab Tree

Prison Boab Tree

This tree is believed to be about 1500 years old, and has a girth of 14 meters.   The trunk of the tree has been slit and much of the trunk was hollowed out to place prisoners inside.   Prisoners were put inside the tree while being transported from one area to another.

Tree was slit so prisoners could be inside

Tree was slit so prisoners could be inside

In this same location, we saw the longest cattle trough.

Longest cattle trough

Longest cattle trough

Built in 1917, it is 120 meters long and could handle 500 cattle at a time.   Water to the cattle trough is now pumped by this windmill.

Windmill

Windmill

We really liked these Boab trees.

Fascinating trees. We will not see them in many other parts of Australia

Fascinating trees. We will not see them in many other parts of Australia

They grow only in the Kimberley region of Western Austraia and in the Victoria and Fitzmaurice river basins in the Northern Territory.   Africa and the island of Madagascar also have Boab trees.   The fruit of the tree contains malic, tartaric and ascorbic acids.

Nut of Boab tree

Nut of Boab tree

The seeds have high protein value.   The pulp is eaten dry or mixed with water as a beverage.   The Boab nut is also often carved and decorated to be purchased by tourists.   We will only see these Boab trees for a short time, so we are really looking at them.   We visited the nearby Mowanjum Art and Culture Center.

Here we are. Mowanjum Art and Culture Center

Here we are. Mowanjum Art and Culture Center

This is an example of newer aboriginal rock painting.

Newer aboriginal art

Newer aboriginal art

There is a Boab tree at the Mowanjum Center.

Mowanjum Center has a Boab tree

Mowanjum Center has a Boab tree

Carved and decorated Boab nuts are available for purchase.

Decorated Boab Nuts

Decorated Boab Nuts

We saw and learned at the Mowanjum Center.   You will like it if you visit.   Next time we will show you what we found in Derby.