It was a strange feeling entering Broome; in fact I got a little emotional. It was six years ago when Matt and I visited Broome for our wedding anniversary that we decided we would do this trip around Australia. I vividly remember Matt and I sitting at a restaurant (we had even bought an Australian atlas), mapping out our itinerary and deciding that in 2016 we would travel with our family around Australia. It was not long after both our fathers had died relatively suddenly and I had just recovered from metastatic melanoma. To be honest, I think I doubted it would ever happen but it was these life-changing events that made us decide that whatever happens we will make this happen. People often ask me if my cancer diagnosis changed my life - mostly I think not. I live life exactly as I would've otherwise. But I think there are moments when I think damn it, life's short - bugger work, bugger the mortgage and let's make this happen! And we did. It's still hard to believe that we are actually here doing it and I think every day during this trip at some stage I have looked at Matt and said: "Can you actually believe we are really here. We are really doing this." Some people say we are lucky and we know are. But..... We've worked bloody hard for this. Everyone has a choice; if you want to make it happen you can.
It was so good to finally arrive in Broome - it has the best sunsets that you can watch from the beach.
Broome marked the halfway point of our journey and it was also time to take a break and have a holiday (to this point it had been hard work - I know, I know; stop with the crocodile tears!!). And this is what we did - we had a beautiful holiday in Broome. We stayed at Cable Beach Caravan Park (9/10) which had the best pool so far. So for a week we laid by the pool, spent days by the beach and went out for coffee. And of course we went to the pub to watch the footy.
We also ran Cable Beach most mornings. Besides Lake Wendouree this would have to be on of my most favourite runs.
We also learnt about the pearling history and I dragged my family around the pearl shops with them constantly complaining about how bored they were! Mind you I had just sat in pub and watched two games of football by teams that I don't barrack for. I found my most perfect mother's day gift but regardless of my hints; I had no luck. I felt like saying to him: "Stop laughing at me every time I ask and just buy me the friggen pearl necklace."
Cable beach is a beauty particularly at sunset.
We also did the camels (8/10). It was a little bit more expensive to do the sunset tour but I think it was worth it. Sunset is the most beautiful time of the day in Broome and what better way to spend it but on a burbin', stinkin', double-humped fury machine. Fortunately we had the whole camel train to ourselves. The owner explained (quiet extensively) that he had problems with the brochure. After listening to the owner for 20 minutes; I think I found the problem! He was a little cray-cray (as Bella pointed out.) Regardless I was happy. It was cheaper and we had it all to ourselves!!! And we got a free pair of pearl earrings (still not the necklace). And we also got free six drinks at the beautiful Cable Beach Resort. We were that excited we ordered a beer, a wine and 4 x soft drinks. On reflection, I would've bought 5 x $12 wines and paid for 4 x $2 soft drinks...... A lesson learnt.
Stevens' on the camel train. Tom talked the whole way telling the German backpacker who was our guide all about how Jesus travelled by camel.... And that Jesus lives in his heart. Thanks Mrs Ryan!!!
Surprisingly, riding the camels was a little therapeutic. Not so it seems for the local industry. According to the local paper there is trouble in camel paradise with one company granted a two-camel extension to its 'train' by council during peak periods when the other companies are not full.....
Having the whole ride to ourselves meant we got plenty of photos - I think it was also the guides chance to get away from listening Tom's preaching.....
One of our other highlights we discovered was Matso's Brewery (8/10). To be honest it wasn't anything special but it had a good feel about it and we had some really nice times there. My first time was when my family went to the movies (Broome also has an open-air movie theatre; but it was too hot) so I took the opportunity to do some work. It had good wifi and good cider. I got heaps of work done and picked the family up a little tipsy. Happy days. But, not only did it have a delicious mango beer but we discovered it was also a great place to do homework. One (or two, or three) hot afternoons, we sat for hours in the air conditioned restaurant while the kids did homework. Matt and I helped while trying out the local produce. On one occasion we had to catch a taxi home - now that's something new but I am sure the kids' teachers have done the same at some stage!! I am not sure about Matt but after four or five ciders; I was the best teacher ever!!!
Matso's brewery - we told Tom it was a library.
We also went to the Gantheaume Point Lighthouse one night to watch the sunset and then travelled the back road to the wharf to Broome's best fish and chips. And they were pretty damn good (although we could've nearly missed it; it was a little hidden). As an added bonus it was cattle night at the wharf so we got to see all the cattle getting loaded onto the ships ready for export. It also meant that half the restaurant was closed as the cows had been known to drop a 'load' on you as they past by.
For the first few days the weather was perfect - if anything it was little too hot and muggy. The locals told us that the weather we were experiencing on May 1, was really April 1 weather. I guess we were fortunate to experience some wet season when Broome had about 100mm of rain over a 48-hour period when they had only had 40mm over the entire wet season! The locals were very excited. For us (or really just me) it was a little (very) frightening as we weathered out one of the worst thunderstorms I had ever experienced in the safety of our caravan.
Cable beach's beautiful blue sky turns grey..... The storm is coming.
Unfortunately the rain meant that the Cape Leveque road was closed and our trip was postponed. Each day we had to wait to see whether it would open for us to get to Kooljaman - a unique wilderness style camp operated and owned by the Djarindjin and One Arm Point Aboriginal communities. Cape Leveque is on the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, 220km north of Broome. We were desperate to get to Cape Leveque and as the days passed we began to wonder whether it was worth the hassle or the fact that we desperately wanted to get there and couldn't made it even more desirable.
When the road finally opened we left with a bit of trepidation but lots of excitement. We quickly packed; stored our caravan at Broome (you are unable to take vans up the Cape Leveque Road). The road was relatively good and we survived. We were pretty proud to survive and enjoy our first real 4wd adventure. We were that excited we thought we would celebrate; but with the haste of packing in a hurry, and not releasing it was a 'dry' community, we had to celebrate with a Pepsi Max.
Besides the wet, slippery road we also encountered some peak hour traffic.
After the excitement of Cape Leveque and our challenges in getting there it was a little bit disappointing but mainly due to the weather. We stay in log cabins. Which sounds romantic but it was rather just an open cabin. No walls or floors. We all had mosquito nets and I thought the lizards on the roof would scare me off sleeping but it was rather the cyclonic winds we experienced during the night. But the wind was relentless and with the kids awake (and very scared) I did not sleep a wink. In the morning we woke up and walked along the beach with the kids screaming that the sand whipping against their legs due to the wind was painful. Matt and I looked at each other and said let's get back to Broome.
Cape Leveque - once again we had the entire beach to ourselves meaning we could kick footy and cartwheel all that we liked!!
In summary we were glad we saw Cape Leveque; even for one night. In perfect weather conditions, and if you had plenty of time, it would be a beautiful place to stay.
But because we came home early we had one last night in Broome and we had an opportunity to say goodbye to friends.
In Broome we made some great friends. It is one of the elements of this trip that has really surprised me particularly how quickly you connect with new people.
Leah's 40the birthday drinks. One of my most memorable birthday parties I have been invited to!
Our last night in Broome was a real celebration of friendship. We had our last afternoon/sunset on Cable Beach celebrating Leah's (our new friend) 40th birthday and then walked to Zeebar with our beautiful friends the Raudys and we had a couple of champagnes. This was a great night and for a moment I felt normal (not a travelling family pretending to be normal!)
A birthday drink with Kate Raudey- it was so great to meet this beautiful family along the way. Great fun and company. We left them in Broome as we were going in different directions. We miss them already.
So we left Broome with renewed energy as we head into a busy two weeks travelling through the Kimberley's. It's hard to believe that we still have so much more to look forward to.
the Stevens' x
#makingmemories