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I'm currently on the 2nd last day of my amazing holiday in Broome. Honestly if my daughter didn't have school back in Melbourne I would get a job here and move into the backpackers hostel next door to our resort. It is just magical. I've never been anywhere that I have loved so much.
Back home, it is currently deep winter and here it is also technically winter but the temperature has been 32-33 every day (that's 91 or so in American) which is extremely pleasant and roughly what we normally have down south in summer. The locals think it's cold as in summer it is usually 45+ every day (or 115 once again in American.) I am in heaven anyway.
I haven't had much chance to get online because a) I'm on holidays, who wants to be on the internet lol!! and b) coverage is very patchy and it's hard to get online.
I've attached a few pictures; they aren't great unfortunately- apparently I left my photography skills at home- and they don't really convey the absolute majesty of this part of the country but you'll get an idea at least.
As this trip is my 40th birthday gift from my parents, they've really tailored our activities to things that I enjoy which is pretty awesome of them. This really is the most exciting thing I've ever done.
Yesterday we were picked up super early by a 4wd bus that looked very much like a fancy garbage truck from the outside, lol. We were driven very fast for 4 hours through the bush, by a driver/tour-guide who looked and talked like he was starring in one of those ridiculous crocodile dundee movies you might have seen, haha. We were driving (and sliding) mostly on sand which was certainly an adventure and an experience in having faith!! We went to the top of the Dampier Peninsula and visited a few Aboriginal settlements (some welcome visitors and others are absolutely off limits). We learned lots of interesting stuff about local culture, religious practices, bush medicine (yay!) and all kinds of cool things that I did not know about the land I inhabit and it's peoples. We toured a pearl farm, which was educational and not really my cup of tea, lol, but my mother loves pearls and they put on a really nice lunch for us. In the pictures there is a pool overlooking a beach and that was the view from outside the restaurant at the pearl farm. We finally ended up swimming at a place called Cape Leveque which is in my estimation the most magical place on earth. It's pretty remote and the beaches are empty and beautiful and terrifying because it is snake, crocodile and great white shark country. I could live there very happily in a little shack writing books. Then we flew back to Broome in a Cessna 6 seater which was way less terrifying and far more fun than I imagined it was going to be. I have decided that if I somehow get to do my life over again I will live up north and be a pilot and author It was not a day I will forget in a hurry. I didn't really capture it well in pictures but the absolute vastness of the land and the ocean is just breathtaking. The beaches go on forever and the Indian ocean is just so...well, vast. I don't want to leave!!!
The church I have shown is one we visited yesterday in a remote aboriginal settlement in Northern Western Australia; I'm not religious but I love churches and the entire church and altar are decorated in mother of pearl as pearl farming is what the local economy has been built on and the church made of hand made bricks and hand built by the community. I found it just gorgeous and was fascinated to learn that some communities of our native people have maintained Catholicism as a religion since the missionary days. That blew my mind. (But anthropology is my thing so, it probably doesn't blow anyone else's LOL)
Tomorrow is our last day and daughter and I are apparently booked in to take a camel ride along the beach at sunset which will be...interesting!!!
My mother and I have really enjoyed each other's company I think and I've felt she has really made a huge effort to leave any and all worries at home and just enjoy the heck out of this trip so it's been really, really nice. She has made a point of telling me that she really wants me to enjoy it and on the occasion we have disagreed we have both just agreed to disagree and carried on enjoying ourselves. For example when she realised I wasn't really into the pearl farm tour and she asked me why, I briefly voiced my objection to pearl culturing and she said she hadn't realised and she would be sure to amend her will so that I don't receive her pearls which just gave us the giggles. It's a really lovely thing she has done for me and I'm quite blown away by it all.
This morning she suggested that since my daughter had forgotten to pack some items and it's a nuisance that maybe I should "organise her better" and we ended up standing in the waves for ages where I explained to her that it's important to me that I have a line when it comes to helping my child and that I feel that I can give her guidance (for example I told her a few times to pack those items and she told me she would and then that she told me that she had packed them), but that I won't then check her packing or do it for her as it's important to me that she experience the consequences of her actions and learn from them. I related a little al-anon stuff to her and mentioned the idea that "what others think of me is none of my business" (in relation to parenting) and she said she'd heard that saying before and found it interesting so we had a whole discussion about it (a good one) and then tonight when I got the computer out to do the c2c reading she was asking about it and took the book to read. I might buy her a copy; I think she'd like it.
Daughter has enjoyed some of the trip but is itching to be back in civilisation with bright lights, lots of shops and readily available internet. Each to their own right!! She's been a little bit sullen at times and the day we left, I recieved her school report and learned hat she is failing everything and her teachers say she is putting in no effort at all. I decided to leave it for when we get home and not spoil the trip with it but we have some changes to make when we get home, that's for sure.
Anyway it's been a very eventful and enlightening trip. I'll be back home in a few days and will catch up with the happenings on the board. I hope everyone is well
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
(((Ms.M.) Beautiful Church!! As fot the rest, it looks and sounds like a great vacation. I am so happy for you and pleased that mom planned so well. I did enjoy riding a camel in the desert . The hardest part is when he stands up and to let you mount and sits down for you to get off . :) It sounds as if you are in the present moment and working your program well. Continue to enjoy up to the last moment.
As for daughter I think you did well to leave the school issues for your return. Positive thoughts continue
Oh and as an aside...and don't worry I am not letting it upset our holiday but, Faceache has known that we would be taking this trip for over a year. So he has taken his family to queensland and keeps sending daughter pictures of their trip and telling her she is missing out.
OMG does it get any more jerky??? !!!!!
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Thanks Betty, it's the mount/dismount I am most concerned about actually! But the camels do this every night so, I will trust that they know what they are doing, lol.
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Ms.M It is terrible the destructive things that competing and jealously will cause people to do. He is a jerk!!!!! As an aside, camel riding 101, the camel drivers will instruct you how to handle the camel. I was told to pull back very hard on the rein each time he stood and sat. I had no problem doing so and it worked. End of lesson.
Thanks Betty. They are tethered together in a train and daughter and I will both be seated on the one camel so I guess she will be "driving" and I will take the back seat, just as she co-piloted the little plane, lol! I think we pretty much just sit back and enjoy the ride. Stand by for pictures
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
My best vicarious vacation all year! Thanks for the photos. That ocean is glorious.
How about your mom and stepdad making your likes the focus of this gift trip? Nice. I am happy for you.
Saying present and "how important is it?" are evident as you don't attend all drama. You inspire me again.
MissMel - the photos show a lovely, lovely place! So glad that your birthday gift has been just that - a gift. It sounds like your mom and stepdad have worked to make you feel as special as we already know you are (((Hugs)))....
Keep staying present and I can't wait to see the camel photos! It sounds glorious all around. Sorry you have to head back home but that's what makes it so magical - it's not home!
See ya when we see ya!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
It really has been a lovely week. I feel so revitalised, and motivated to plow through my studies and get myself and my child into a nicer environment where we can actually enjoy life more often. I'd forgotten what it feels like to just "be"!!
Speaking of which, I received an email this morning from the National Manager of Student Services. She apologised to me for the confusing information I have been given about my course, the delay in response and any distress it has caused me. She gave me written confirmation that I have until 2020 to complete my degree and wished me well with the completion of my studies. Hooray! What a huge ado about nothing!!
This morning we went to the beach and swam. It was like going back in time really, with mum and stepdad horsing around in the water and body-surfing, hand-stand competitions, and all the silly stuff we did when I was a kid. It was really nice to have all of us laughing and having fun together. We were then evacuated from the water when a huge dark shape was spotted not far from shore. The lifeguards, who patrol that beach every day, thought it was a crocodile and it absolutely looked like one. A chopper was dispatched to fly over it and then they went out in a boat to scare it away. They discovered that it was just a huge rock that....wasn't there before? It was hilarious and also really weird as they are on the beach every day and it was only a hundred meters or so from shore so how on earth could they not have seen it a million times before? It's extra perplexing as when we were flying over the coast on Tuesday the pilot told us that there seemed to be a lot of big rocks poking out of the water that he swears were not there before and he has flown the same route hundreds of times. So, in addition to having a lot of fun we also seem to have been involved in a mystery of sorts. What could cause huge rocks to suddenly appear on the coast-line? The mind boggles.
Anyway, sorry to ramble off track but it was just really interesting. Was there maybe a small earthquake or something that caused it? I want to know!!!
Anyway, we went back to the hotel to relax in the pool for a few more hours and then off for a camel ride. I have some great pictures but can't post them just yet.
One of the camel handlers bounced along talking to us while we rode and very enthusiastically told us everything there is to know about camels. I believe that I am now a camel expert. Being the cynic I am, I had some hesitation about riding them because, what if they don't like it? What if they only tolerate riders because they are tethered by the nose and have no choice? Well, the guy explained that all of their camels are "rescues", having been purchased en route to the slaughterhouse. He explained that the owner is a great camel enthusiast and that they are treated with a great deal of respect and care, which was evident. Then he told us that the camels choose every day whether they want to work or not. Basically, they really, really like carrots and have been trained to understand carrots as currency. So each morning, the handlers offer them a carrot and then offer them the harness and nose-plug. The camels eat the carrot and then either accept the tethers or, they refuse the tether and spit out the carrot in which case, he said, they are given the day off and fed less exciting food but otherwise they are free to roam the field and do what they like for the day. He said that they are highly intelligent and understand this reward/work system and that the camels themselves have the ultimate say in whether they participate in the work-day or not- and they usually choose to work. This blew me away. I am very good at assuming everyone has unkind or selfish motives and I am being proven wrong a lot lately. This was an excellent reminder to me to stop jumping to negative conclusions and open my ears.
It's now late at night and I am alone on the veranda of our bungalow listening to the surf crashing and some unknown creatures in the bushes that sound like something that has escaped from Jurassic Park. I am assured they are just birds of some kind. Everyone else is asleep.
Tomorrow we fly back to civilisation and a new round of challenges such as daughter's schooling and habits, and my own new semester at school. I spoke to his majesty tonight and he was quite drunk and upset over some business at work. He was also trying to convince me to spend our 40th birthday next weekend in the country with his family (um,..........)
I hope and trust he will be sober and have slept off his hangover when he comes to collect us from the station tomorrow night (we will spend 7 hours flying home and then catch a train to where I live). If not, I have money reserved for a taxi and I will remember to be grateful that he has faithfully minded my house and Michael Douglas during my absence and I cannot reasonably expect an active alcoholic to not be drunk at any given point in time. It will be nice to see him, and the dog when we collect him from the kennels on Saturday.
In all, this has been an awesome week and I am so, so grateful to have experienced it.
Thanks to all for your comments and for sharing it with me!
I hope everyone is well.
(((Everyone)))
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Do you think you are going to sneak that great piece of news about your course now confirmed as finishing in 2020 past us?! No way - how wonderful and absolutely right in all the universe is that!! Well done for keeping up the pressure.
I am intrigued about those rocky things - perhaps they are just a few problems that someone once had which have now dropped away to rest on the seabed?! I was lucky enough to be swimming in the Caribbean a couple of weeks ago and met up with some rocky bits that turned out to beautiful turtles - such a privilege.
Isn't it a treat to be in the moment whilst creating lovely memories - ((((hugs))))) Sleep tight.
((Ms.M. )) WOW!!! Geat experiences!!! I loved reading about playing in the water, the new rock formations and the positive news from school.
I also enjoyed all the information about how well the camels are treated and how they use carrots as money Nature is so very interesting. Thanks for the in depth study.
Yay for you MissMel on the school response!!! That makes me so happy for you that the confusion is over and you have a clear end date in mind! Loved hearing about the camels - I had heard they are intelligent creatures - I've never seen one up close that I can recall.
So very happy that you all had a great trip and a restful break from life. That's exactly how vacations should be! Kudos to you for working to keep your mind/heart open! Can't wait to see the camel photos - welcome back!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
ah jus' loves Oz... so different- so fantastic... never bin that far north, ot very much inland- Orange this year... but would have loved to have gone to Dubbo...
Tryin' ta get a work-life balance, myself... inspired by your photos, and tale of your journey!!!
Never been to Dubbo David....I'd love to hear about it when you visit
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
It was not a day I will forget in a hurry. I didn't really capture it well in pictures but the absolute vastness of the land and the ocean is just breathtaking. The beaches go on forever and the Indian ocean is just so...well, vast. I don't want to leave!!! 
