| Coral Bay |
| Fri 31.08 Continued - Got Minibus from hostel back to the Ajana Turnoff with English brother and sister, Meg and Peter. Journey left at 4.30pm and took 45 minutes. Then caught Greyhound bus at 5.30pm.. We stopped at Overlander Service Station and there was Irish Backpackers working in the shop. Got off Bus at Girilia Turnoff at 1.55am. And then it was meant to be a 2 hour minibus journey to Exmouth. But 20 minutes into the journey we hit a kangaroo (not a pleasant sound) and one of its bones caused a puncture! A few of the people, Claire and I included got out to see if we could help. But the fella did it all on his own. He only had a bottle jack to lift the 10 ton minibus but eventually managed it after an hour. We stood out all that time as we couldn't get back on to the bus because it was on the jack. The outback can get quite cold at night due to the clear skies but we didn't bother complaining. Sat 01.09 - We eventually arrived in Exmouth at 5am. We only got 4 hours sleep, booked out of the hostel and then went for a walk to the beach. Ended up doing an unplanned walk for about 5 kms in the midday sun. Not advisable! I got my face badly burnt. Caught bus to Coral Bay at 2.45pm The journey was only 1hr 45mins, a short run, in australian terms. We chose to stay in the Backpackers. Not impressive, Very Grotty. We shared the room with a cockroach. Spoke to fella wearing Co Clare GAA jersey. Coral Bay is a small resort, which consists of 2 caravan parks a hotel, 2 shops and very little else, but the Bay itself is stunning. The colour of the water is fantastic and the place gets its name from the fact that there is coral which at points is only10 metres from the shore. A crowd of Aussie backpackers were celebrating Australia beat New Zealand in the Rugby and played music very load. Put in my ear plugs and slept like a baby! Sun 02.09 - Up at 8.45am and had shower. Theres a limited supply of fresh water so the shower was actually salt water. You come out of them smelling like you've been in the sea, Strange. Moved to campsite. Chatted to old couple beside us as they were taking tent down and we were putting ours up. They're from Canberra and gave us their address. The camping crowd are so friendly. Spent the day laying on the Beach. The loveliest beach I've have ever seen. Had fish and chips for dinner. Ate them on the beach whilst watching the sunset. What a way to spend an evening! Mon 03.09 - At 10am we went for a boat trip. It was glass bottom so we could view the coral. Really good. They stopped to let us snorkel. That was fantastic. Claire and I reallt enjoyed the experience. Because Claire hadn't dived in Bali she thought it was great. The tour guide just let the boat drift and we just held on to a rope out the back of the boat. He fed the fish as well. They went mad behind Claire and she didnt realise until I pointed the fish out. We lay on the beach for the afternoon, and went snorkelling from the shore occasionally. You get to hold on to the snorkel gear for the full day. Tues 04.09 - Spent whole day on beach. Lifes a bitch! Met Peter and Meg and South African girls, Kathy and Zoe, for a drink. We were all on the bus that hit the Kangaroo and got the flat tyre. Back at tent at 11.30pm. The latest we have went to sleep in a long time. When camping you seem to go to bed at 9pm and wake at 6am. Anybody who knows me will know that the thought of me saying that 8am is late to get up will think I've gone crazy! Wed 05.09 - Up at 8am ( a lie-in!). Spent morning reading and then went to beach in afternoon and read some more. I rented snorkelling gear and did that. Had BBQ for dinner and chatted to Engish couple, Russ and Tess. |