WA 2018

Day 11 Monday 30/7/18 Today marked the end of our special journey....so sad...but so worth it.  Left Kalbarri heading for an overnight stay in Perth and fly home tomorrow. Leaving Kalbarri we visited a few more lookouts on the way out of town including the Pink Lake. There are a lot of picturesque walks in the area but we only had time to do a couple of the shorter ones.  Maybe next time - we plan on coming back preferably in our own car so we can explore more of the beaten track areas.  View off Red Bluff as above as above Pink Lake Pink Lake And again...Pink Lake We headed south with the intention of stopping in Geraldton where Maritta bought some black pearls (drop earrings and a rather stunning bangle) to celebrate her birthday. Coastal dunes on the road north of Geraldton The landscape continues to change... Now into farming country - canola starting to flower. Threatening skies as we approach Perth. A

Day 10 Sunday 29/7/18 Have been having difficulty with internet access both in Exmouth which was REALLY slow and non existent in Monkey Mia.  Very disappointing given the tourist trade through these areas.  Today after breakfast Maritta went and joined the crowd for the Dolphin experience whilst Dale relaxed looking out over the bay.  The crowds are definitely down as this is the "winter season".  Thank goodness I would not like having to stand with 600 - 700 people trying to see the dolphins being fed.  The history and policies now in place make sense but it is sad that things had to change. Learned a lot about Dolphin behaviour and why they run the feedings as they do. Can’t afford to have the Dolphins too dependent as it causes their natural instincts fail and their young suffer.  The morality rate of the young calf was less than half a normal wild group due to human interaction.  Crowd at first feeding (~180 people at this viewing) INCOMING!! but the

Day 9 Saturday 28/7/18 After a leisurely breakfast whilst the "hordes" were watching the Dolphin feeding then a quick look around before boarding the “Aristicat 2” for a tour of the bay. Sun was shining although it was a cold breeze out on the water.  Maritta donned her puffer jacket and Dale should have taken his coat but survived the experience. Sighted two dugongs where the first was apprently asleep.  When asleep they have to keep coming up for air and half of their brain is active as they must consciencously remember to breathe.  The other came up right under the boat and was not impressed swimming off in disgussed.  Unfortunately we didn’t have the camera ready...the look was priceless.  Sighted several dolphins, some playing around the craft, and 2 loggerhead turtle (missed that photo as well...). Dolphin swims passed our room Crowd at the dolphin experience, their biggest crowd was 720 apparently, glad we weren't there that day. Most dolphins