Another fine, warm and sunny day in Broome. We were both up at dawn and scratching around in the coolness that precedes sunrise over the caravan park (and the rest of Broome for that matter). Our early start was in part motivated by trying to catch Sarah and Max on Skype in Chicago at a time that mutually suited all of us.
After chatting to them on a very clear line (clearer than we typically get when in Melbourne) we headed into town to visit the Saturday market. Like many of these local markets, this was an eclectic affair with all manner of clothing, jewellery, soaps, food, buskers and fortune tellers. It was clearly high on the agenda for locals and tourists alike. We had hoped for some fresh local produce (assuming Broome has some fresh local produce) but found none and after a browse, departed.
We travelled the short distance into town and found an excellent cafe (situated in an old store, once owned and operated by immigrant Japanese) where we enjoyed a latte and the juice of the day – fresh orange and mango. A quick lap of the shops and we headed to the mall for a big stock up before driving up to the tip of Cape Leveque tomorrow morning. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegies have been packed away, along with a top-up of meat and chicken that has gone into the freezer. Some cheese, yoghurt, milk and tinned food have also found their way into various storage nooks and crannies.
We have taken the time this afternoon to carefully pack everything away, keeping in mind what will be needed early on and what will be needed towards the later part of our time up the Cape. We have also taken the time to top up the water tank in the Tvan as the water quality seems to be pretty good and we are still on town (rather than tank) water. We should be fine for some time with 70 litres in the main tank and a further 60 litres spread between 3 jerry cans. Have also filled up with diesel and took advantage of the 15 cent a litre discount which worked out just fine when we squeezed 127 litres into the tank of the Prado!
We have noticed that Broome is the frangipani capital of the west coast. They are everywhere, and from all accounts cope particularly well with the climate and soils here. All are in flower and their scent is constantly being spread by the breeze. The region is also known for the boab trees that we started noticing on the drive to Broome from Fitzroy Crossing. These strange bottle trees are found here in the west of Australia and on the east coast of Africa. They are sometimes considered to be an upside down tree because it looks like their roots are above ground pointing skyward.
We reacquainted ourselves with the local micro brewery and enjoyed another of their locally brewed ginger beers. The micro brewery was also well located to take in the phenomenon known as The Stairway to the Moon. This happens when the sun is setting to the west of Roebuck Bay, the full moon is rising to the east, and the tide is low. Maybe it is easier to see after a number of samples from the micro brewery! Our timing was perfect and we moved to a vantage point over there just minutes prior to the moon rising in the east, all aglow with the failing rays of the sunset in the west. The reflections across the mudflats, exposed because it was low tide, have hopefully been captured on one of the many photos taken by Chris.
