Stairway to the Moon

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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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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

Welcome to Town Beach

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

Great play area here

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

Pretty and peaceful atmosphere here

Pioneer Cemetery is also located at Town Beach.

Cemetery is beautiful overlooking Roebuck Bay

Cemetery is beautiful overlooking Roebuck Bay

Here is the marker for Diamond Jack Palmer.

Diamond Jack

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

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

Air Raid on Broome on March 3, 1942

Isn’t this a pretty beach?

Town Beach is wonderful

Town Beach is wonderful

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

High tide. Water in tree area

High tide. Water in tree area

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

Very talkative

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

Stairway to the moon

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

Stairway to the Moon in Broome, Western Australia

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

Flood lights on a palm tree

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