On The Road Again (Part 2)

So we set off from Shark Bay, for Coral Bay.

Another 250 miles of this

This

This.

And this!!!!

Not long into the journey a comfort break was required so we decided we would pull in at the next opportunity and get breakfast going while we were at it. Nothing too grand just generally no more than tea or coffee and eggs on toast, but its camping to us.

 

Welcome to Highway 12 east bound services, salubrious or what. Our Wend made me stand outside the loo (beyond and left of the yellow bin) just in case. Just in case of what? We hadn't seen a soul for over two hours!!!!!! Guess it must have been the spiders and snakes that were worrying her!
Beyond that white lid, simply a hole in the ground full of human waste from god knows how long ago. You can just imagine Our Wend's reaction, plus, not a sign of a wash hand basin!!
About an hour from Coral Bay, either side of the road for about 10 miles there were thousands and I mean thousands of termite hills. Some of them were at least 10 feet tall and 6/8 feet wide, just an amazing site.

I must admit we did leave it a little late to leave Shark Bay and reach Coral Bay before night fall. We are not insured or entitled to road side assist if we are still travelling in darkness, but I m glad to say we made it with just minutes to spare.

When the sun is where it is on the pictures you only have about 10 minutes of daylight remaining.
Coral Bay is a very small end of the road resort, literally end of the road! Only has two campsites, and a small chalet type hotel. We picked the campsite which was extensively advertised in all things Coral Bay, big mistake, absolute shit hole!!!!! They charged the most we have paid on our travels and are clearly banking it and not re-investing it. We made do, after all we are campers now!
The area is famous for its close proximatey to Ningaloo Reef, which I am told is more spectacular than the Great Barrier Reef, well I ain't been there so I can't actually verify that. Its also famous for be able to swim with Whale Sharks, (March through to July) also for having a Reef Shark nursery about 20 minutes walk along the beach. This was the first point of call. We actually stood in the water and watch about 10 sharks merrily swimming about 20 yards from us. They were only about a metre long and we are told they are harmless!! Thank God.

Off for a spot of Shark hunting.

De, den den den den den den, The Shark nursery!!!!

"Here sharky sharky"

Shit thats a big fin for a small shark.

Looking back towards Coral Bay resort, hotel in middle of picture.

Literally 2/3 yards into the water and there are Manta Rays, turtles, snapper its incredible. I spotted these two funny things too!!!! I know one is a crab, but don't recognise the other ones.

An 'OTTO' fish (One on Top of The Other)

'White Freckeled Snorkelling Babe'

Peter and Niamh talked me into my first proper snorkelling experience. Peter kept telling me that the reef was only about 30 yards off the beach, so I went for it. Well, I'm snorkelling along nicely, watching lots of white sand pass about 3 feet below me, then this piece of coral appeared and I almost shit meself, 'cus it looked just like an octopus, came up v v quickly coughing and spluttering. Much to delight of the two kids and of course Our Wend. I didn't like it at all.

That night we had a few beers around the resort hotel pool then went back to the 'shit hole' for a barby. Most camp sites have excellent and clean facilities, well this one was the opposite. The BBQ's are normally spotless and provide all the tools etc you need to leave it the way you found it. Well this site didn't and the barby we chose looked like there had been some sort of sacrificial ceremony conducted on it, absolutely disgusting.
Next day we booked a trip on a glass bottom boat which you could also snorkel from around the reef. Quite windy when you got about half a mile from shore so decided snorkelling not for me.

Our Wend & Niamh went in (Peter was feeling really unwell all morning so he opted out too)

"Are we READY?"

Rather attractive gear you have to wear for snorkelling don't you think?

Behind You!!!!

That was Noo Noo.

How was that Noo Noo?

 

Rather than have to return to the sacrificial table we opted for a night out at the local seafood restaurant, hang the bloody expense eh? The food was awesome.

The next day we needed to hit the road v v early, long way back to Perth!!!
Part three soon
The Skerritts in Oz
nnnmm,,,..