The Traveling Kings have been at it again-this time we've been exploring Western Australia. Starting in Perth, we had time to have our body clocks conform to the actual time difference of 13 hours. A visit to Rottnest Island, a former penal colony for Aborigines and an internment camp in WWII, was fun, very touristy but fun. We had the good fortune to see pigs fly by us when Barbara courageously tried riding a mountain bike around the island. The last time we saw pigs fly was when Barbara made Michael's birthday cake from scratch a few months earlier. Pigs are certainly getting a workout these days!
Next stop was Broome, a resort area favored by locals in the winter (Yes, it's winter Down Under--you know, the Equator thing!). The place we stayed is not one we'd recommend, unless, that is, to avoid staying there. We prefer out of the way, small boutique accommodations and Cable Beach Resort had none of those qualifiers. It was very commercial and the major excitement was to watch the gorgeous sunsets over the Indian Ocean or to take a camel ride on the beach (which we did NOT do because we weren't sure how the animals were cared for). While Broome may be a haven for Australian families seeking a respite from the chill of winter, US families can get the same or better without traveling over 20 hours by plane.
Following the commercialism of Broome, we experienced a remote tented camp, Sal Salis, on Ningaloo Reef, a fringing coral reef in Northwest Australia. The reef is famous for its population of whale sharks, which are seen most often from March through June, and as a breeding ground of the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, manta rays, and over 500 varieties of fish. Be sure to pack your wet suit if you plan to dive or snorkel. The water is quite cold and the wind is very strong by American standards. Sal Salis is billed as "eco- luxury" and we certainly applaud the "eco" and sustainable efforts. However, the luxury could only refer to the food and quality of the guides, in our humble opinion. We've traveled to many remote places and Barbara especially seeks the SOFT part of soft adventure. So, not having hot water to shower and the absence of hot water bottles to warm the beds during the winter nights puts Sal Salis in the "Adventure" category---nix the "Luxe."
Our first 3 stops in Western Australia would make our list of "interesting experiences not to be repeated" and then we arrived in Margaret River. Our advice: Get thee to Margaret River NOW! Rich in lush treed landscapes and bordering the Indian Ocean, the Margaret River area is home to dozens of wineries, art galleries, and gourmet dining. In addition it boasts of several cheese factories, chocolate shops, and olive oil sites that turn out both a light oil and a variety of olive oil infused soaps. We've been well taken care of at the wonderful Cape Lodge, both aesthetically pleasing and oh so yummy. We also recommend stopping at Knee Deep Wineries for a wonderful meal and we adored Wild Thyme Cafe (It's for sale, maybe we should move here and become restauranteurs???)
The grounds are magnificent, dotted with small ponds, tall trees, and colorful plantings. The staff is attentive, friendly, and has given us wonderful suggestions for sightseeing and dining. In fact, we could envision ourselves disappearing to Margaret River for some quality time to soothe both mind and body.
Tomorrow we leave this Land of Sensory Replenishing and head to an equally amazing place, Tree Tops Lodge near Rotarua, New Zealand. What started out as an exploration has turned into a wonderful life experience!
