20150608 WA Broome

20150608  After a long drive of nothing to see we arrived in Broome and our first stop was Cable Beach, Des said it has changed considerably sense he was here in 1988.

Now this is what I call a beach, with its 22 kilometres of white sand and clear turquoise water it is truly a beautiful beach.

Cable Beach is a far cry from the 80's, once known as the dole capital of WA, Cable Beach attracted hippies from across the country who camped in the dunes or lived in tree houses, until a developer brought the caravan park and it became to commercialized so the hippies moved off to a less commercial surrounding.

Broome, was once a town in which lanes lined with noodle stalls and opium dens, and the slum dwellings of hawkers and prostitutes were more reminiscent of Asia than Australia; and where pearl shell mattered more than human life.  Tales of murder, rape, theft, brutality and treachery are found side by side with courage, honesty, and pioneering vision - quote from Kevin Lawton's book "A walk down Johnny Chi Lane.

The Roebuck Hotel was established in 1890 and had gone through many renovations but Des said it was still as he remembers it, this was the pub he had the most fun, and he has some funny stories. One of Des's brows greet us at his favourite pub where he spent many a nights’ toughing it out with the aboriginals.

 The pub hasn’t changed much from the 80's it still has the same bar with its pool tables and games room.

The stage at the Roebuck hasn't changed since the 80's  and the memories come flooding back as Des tells me some funny yarns about his times with the police and the aborigine’s.

The Wet T-Shirt Comp

I can just imagine Mr tit man with his eye's popping out of his head at one of these shows and they still have them.

 Sun Pictures was opened in 1916 and is the World’s Oldest Operating Picture Garden.

What a grand old cinema with the outdoor screen and, who remembers canvas chairs?

Better yet who remembers these actors, Well! Des even knew their names, Roy Rodgers and Dail Evens and I hunted down the old guy George "Gabby" Hayes, your shown his age Des and I recon he would still watch it today if he could.

Broom is well known for its Pearl Diving and the streets a lined with Pearl Shops.  “The Pearling Lugger” sits as a reminder of the hardship the divers endured starting work before dawn, each diver was equipped with a manual air pump and five lengths of diver’s air hose and they would walk the sea bed in search of the Pearls.

Entrance Point is a beautiful beach used by many boaties for fishing trips and catching Mud Crabs and Karen and Crosie certainly make the most of it.

Broom Deep Water Wharf and Jetty 

 Trading vessels could only enter and leave the port on spring high tides and at low tide the flat bottom boats would rest on the muddy sand.  The new wharf was opened in 1966.

We walked along the jetty hoping to catch a glimpse of the Humpback whale that return each year between June and November but no such luck.

Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary 

Karen and Crosie’s.

I cooked my famous Steak Dianne but the Chocolate Avocado Mouse was horrible, all you could taste was coco, so we spooned some of it into the blender with ice cream and added strawberries which saved the day.

Great photo Leonie, ops! sorry Karen, who put that champagne in front of Karen’s face? 



The last time we seen Karen and Cros was at their going away party over 15 years ago when they left to travel Australia but once they hit Broome they fell in love with the fishing and decided to settle here so we were very excited to catch up with old friends.  Karen arrived home and we were greeted with open arms and big cuddles so we adjourned to the house where Karen showed me through there lovely home while we wait for Cros to get home for work.  After Cros got home we sat outside and over a few drinks we caught up on old and new times.

 From Gantheaume Point you can see along the coast line as far as Cable Beach.

The rock formation at the point where I managed to climb to the top while Des photographed me from below.  I was standing on the ledge below, can't you climb to the top he yelled, I'm sure he's trying to get rid of me, man it was very creepy but I did it just for that bloody photo.

How dumb do they think we are Dinosaur prints in cement, come on now, but apparently they can only be seen at low tide.

11-06-2015 Our next trip Crosie sent us on was out to Willie Creek along a long red dirt road, so off we go on another adventure. Take a couple of fishing lines and stand on the rock edge but be aware of crocks.

The red dusty road on our way to Willie Creek there is no way Des would have drove the van on this stuff.  When you look behind it is just a stream of red dust that goes on for ever.

See Crosy and Karen I have proof, we did try fishing but after I lost half your line on a rock I gave up but Des persevered but still did no good.

This water is so inviting I can understand how some tourist wood swim without realizing there are crocks in here.

Crosy got home early and said grab a beer and off we went to watch the sun set over Cable Beach but then I spotted the camels and jumped out for a shoot.  There were camel rides all up the beach, these guys would be making a killing.

 Crosy and Des enjoying beer while watching the sun set.

Watching the sun set while fishing, now what more could you want, silly me a beer of cause.

12-06-2016  You really should go and watch the sun rise in the morning said Karen so she showed me where to go so I wouldn't get lost and I was up early to see another side of Broome.

Well I think it was worth it, just beautiful, good move Karen.

Even the Boab tree made for great shoot.

Broom is a beautiful town and thanks to Karen and Crosy we got to see more than we ever expected, but wait, stay tuned for my next blog on our fishing trip.