derbykun

Fri 14.09 (Cont'd) - Arrived in Derby at 9.45pm and Wayne was there to meet us. Went to the Derby Boab Inn for a few drinks and retired for the night.

Sat 15.09 - This is without doubt the warmest place we have ever been in. The tempature today was 40 degrees Celius. That is HOT! Wayne took us to see a few sights around Derby. First it was to the Jetty. Derby has the 2nd largest Tidal Differnce in the world. There is 11.8 metres difference between high tide and low tide. We then went to the Derby Jail. IIt was built in the 1880's and was still in use until 1973. Mainly Aboriginals were locked up there. Then it was off to the Boab Prison Tree. This hollowed out tree was also used as a prison for Aboriginals. Beside it was the world's longest cattle water trough. Its 250 metres long!

Sun 16.09 - Wayne collected the 4 wheel drive jeep from work. (He works as a Health Inspector and is requied to travel into outback towns). He took us out over the Derby
mud flats to Alligator Creek. (And its not called that without a good reason!!!). We watched the tide come in. Over a period of 25 minutes an area that was dry mud flats was completely immersed. It doesnt sound impressive but you have to see it. Its moves in so quickly.

Went back to Waynes, had a few beers and watched "Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels" Good film. Caught the bus to Kununurra at 9.45pm.

Mon 17.09 - Stopped for breakfast at Turkey Creek and arrived in Kununurra at 9.20am. Booked into Derest Inn. Not Impressed. Gecko in room! Met Lizzy and Maggie again. Booked a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range for the next morning. At 4.15pm left us off at the bottom of Kelly's Knob for us to climb it! Do not laugh! Maggie, Lizzy, CLaire and I all climbed it in about 45 minutes and were rewarded with a great panoramic sunset view of the town and also the Hidden Valley National Park. Got back to hostel and the four of us had dinner.

Tues 18.09 - Up at 5am. Picked up and taken to Airport. Plane was a 13 seater. Claire was nervous. So was I but I didnt let her know. The flight was fantastic. We flew over Kununurra town, Diversion Dam, Lake Kununurra, Packsaddle Plains (where bananas are grown), Argyle Downs Homestead, Lake Argyle, Ord River Dam, the Argyle Diamond Mine, and finally over the Bungle Bungles. The BB's were great. A flight is definitely the best way to see them. The flight was a bit bumpy. Claire kept grabbing for my t-shirt. God knows how that would have helped her if the plane was going down! Back at Hostel at 8.30am. We went to sleep for a while. We were awake for a while when we saw a mouse. We both jumped out of room. I went looking for it. Couldn't find it. Stuffed up every conceivable entry point to the room so that the unwanted visitor could not return! We went to the Hidden Valley for a walk in the evening. Watched a documentary on Osama Bin Ladin. Strange times we're a living in. Bed at 10.30pm. Listening to all kind of imaginable Mouse sounds. Eventually slept.

Wed 19.09 - Up at 8.15am Caught Bus at 10.15am. Had lunch at Timber Creek at 2pm. Weird Couple sitting in front of us.