Two days adventure in Broome was over. Though I missed the adventures that I was eager to see and experience, I was still able to maximize my time in the said remote town in Australia. Because of short period of time, even I wanted to stay, I have to move on and go to my next destination which is Perth where I spent my last 4 days in the country.
My flight was in the morning of Oct 12, 2016, Wednesday and before that day, I was able to book my airport transport to Broome International Airport via Broome Taxi which also offers airport shuttle service and at that time of my travel cost me $7 AUD. I was one of the first passenger that was picked-up by the shuttle. Then, the shuttle picked-up few more passengers before we drove straight to airport which not really far from the town proper. In the shuttle, I met again some of the senior folks came from Brisbane that I had been with when I joined Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour. They were also flying to Perth, the same flight that I will take.
We arrived at the Broome International Airport, a small, simple but effectively working airport. When I entered the departure terminal, there were just handy people to be seen in the area since at that time, there were just two flights scheduled that morning. The assurance given to me by Broome Taxi that I booked seems to be right as the given picked-up time was really enough for my flight. Broome International Airport was not similar to other busy airports where you are required to allocate so much time before the flight to make sure it will not be missed. I felt relaxed after I checked-in my baggage and for just a couple of minutes of waiting time, we were on our way to the tarmac where our plane was parked and where we will board the plane.
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My flight from Broome to Perth was more than 2.5 hours through Qantas. And since my assigned seat was at the window side, I got a chance to view the desert of Western Australia from the top that looks like it was endless because of its enormity which made flight enjoyable with a great sight.
Perth
I arrived before lunch time at Perth Domestic Terminal 4. And when I disembarked the terminal, I looked for the shuttle bus that goes straight to the city which serve by Transperth. I got off the bus at Adelaide Tce After Bennett St Station which just few minutes walk towards Pan Pacific Perth Hotel where I stayed while in the city.
At Pan Pacific Perth Hotel, one thing that I admired though I knew that hotels and most of the accommodations has check-in time, I arrived at the hotel just past noon, which a bit early for their check-in time, but their officer cheerfully assisted me in my check-in since there is room ready for me. They do not advised me to wait but instead allowed me to check-in at earlier time. When everything were set, I went to my assigned room. I was very happy because my room has great scenery, a partial city view and Swan River view.
At Pan Pacific Hotel
Swan River
On my first day in Perth, I immediately started my adventure exploring the city and its nearby tourist destinations that I can reach.
When we were on our way to Broome, I felt mixed emotions, I felt sadness and then excited. The 9 Days Overland Adventure was almost over which made me felt a bit gloomy but it I was elated with the thought of my next adventures in Broome.
Because there was no telecom signal most of the time while we were in Kimberley, I haven’t checked emails. On our way to famous town in Kimberley, I took my chance to check emails. Then, I received notifications that my accommodation reservation in Broome was canceled. I felt uneasy after I read it, because we’re on our way to the town and yet and I don’t have a place to stay. I immediately browse sites to check available rooms for me. I selected the same hotel that I booked before and that was the time I felt relax again when the booking has been confirmed.
When we started to see houses, we knew that we reached Broome. Honestly, before I booked the Overland Adventure tour, I never heard about the town’s name but during my researched before my trip, I saw an adventure activity that I wanted to experience as it is only available from Derby and Broome, I was hoping that during my stay in the town it will happen, I was talking about Horizontal Falls. It is quite an expensive adventure but I dream about it and praying that I will have opportunity to experience and witness it with my own eyes but this dream depends on nature, the Horizontal Falls does not always happen like other waterfalls that dries up and has seasons that its visible.
When I went off the truck, I bid goodbyes to the people left in the vehicle. And I had photo memory with our awesome guide Scotty. And I knew that most from the group stays in one hotel and Scotty told me to go to the hotel so we can still had some dinner that night, I said to Scotty I will try.
Then, I went inside OAKS Broome Hotel that I booked, approached the lobby officer and checked-in. That night, I was contemplating to think if I will go out that night or stay for the night. Then I went to my assigned room and started checking the internet in my phone with the objective to organize my adventures in two days while in Broome.
I already reserved one tour which all about Broome for the next day even before I reached Broome. And that night, I still tried to booked two more important adventures that I was hoping that I will be able to join even just one of the two will do. I was trying to booked for the second adventure with the options of either Horizontal Falls or Cape Leveque 4WD Tour. I sent an email again to Horizontal Falls Tour Operator that night to follow-up if they will operate during my stay in the town. Then, I booked the Cape Leveque 4WD tour via Viator. I had dinner in the restaurant of the hotel and returned to my room, still checking other activities that I can do the next day until I fall asleep. This means that I never had a chance anymore to meet my group from overland adventure tour that night.
The two days adventure in Broome happened so fast. But the main adventures that I was hoping to happen did not materialize. The Horizontal Falls Tour was not operating during my stay in the town due to neap tides which means that the high and low water has no difference and the Horizontal Falls is most likely not visible at that time. This is second adventure that I missed after Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory. I felt really sad because the timing was not really for me. It was nature and I don’t have control on it. The Cape Leveque 4WD Tour that I booked Viator which is the second adventure that I was hoping to experience while in town, has been canceled as the tour is fully booked. Two main adventures, I missed for certain reasons. I felt empty-handed. I was in beautiful town far away from the world and yet I missed its beautiful natures that I dreamed to experience and to discover. I cannot extend my time in Broome, because I have to go to my last adventures in Western Australia which is Perth and its surrounding places.
But my stay in Broome did not end in vain. I was able to work on things that made this town a remarkable for me with some discovery that is unique to itself and to the world. If I will be given a chance, I will come back in this place and plan to stay few more days to see, experience and discover what the town is offering to its guest and visitors.
Here are my perception and impression that the town left on my during the time that I was there. Broome is a remote town in Kimberley but even it is remote place, it is indeed a popular place for adventures and relaxation. Broome is a pearling town that once the main producer of pearls in the world. But due to certain events, the town almost wiped-out because of war. Broome strived so hard to live. Now it is not only a pearling town because of history and because of its major industry that fuels its economy but a great place for tourism industry as it offers so much to anyone who dare to go to this town which considered to be one of the most remote place in Australia.
Here are some of the places that I had a chance to see and explore while I was in town.
The second and the last tour that I joined while I was in Broome was a tour in one of the pearl farm in Western Australia. Willie Creek Pearl Farm is just 38km from Broome and becoming popular destination when somebody wanted to combine learning about pearling industry while enjoying a beautiful backdrop of nature which is Willie Creek and its surrounding.
Missing the most adventurous tour in town such as Horizontal Falls and Cape Leveque because of neap tide and the other being fully booked, were really something that disappoint me but all the reason are beyond my control. I didn’t want to waste time in my hotel room doing nothing as I got a chance to be in different place and I had to take all my opportunity to see some part of it.
Broome-Cape Leveque Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm
The tour picked me up after lunch time with a minibus. We were out of the town after picking-up other tourist. We took Broome-Cape Leveque Road before we turned left to Manari Road. When we were taking the said road, my mind played again and wondered, how exciting it would be if I got a chance to be in Cape Leveque. Then the thought went away when we passed Manari Road and we were out in an open space with combination of sands and bushes while we were taking Willie Creek Road. It was like that, until we reach Willie Creek Pearl Farm itself.
Manari Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm
Willie Creek Road on the way to Willie Creek Pearl Farm
We arrived at the front of the main building and a showroom. We were welcomed by one of the staff and we went to a pavilion where we had a presentation about culturing and producing pearls. Here we saw oyster fresh from their farm. What happened was, these oysters are collected and spawned from hatchery, then seeded for more time before harvested. The facilitator opened the shell and showed to us a sample where a small white ball was beginning to develop to become pearl. The presenter also showed to us how these oysters lined-up with their metal net or cages holding them where in the end will be submerged into the water in oyster bed to follow the natural process to make the nucleus to be a full pearl.
Our facilitator during the tour
The presenter emphasized that the main business are producing and culturing pearls. The additional business is maximizing the mother of pearl or the nacre itself (this is the shiny part of the shell) to create useful products that are sellable. I also learned in the natural process of producing pearls, the healthy oysters has limited number like 2-3 times they can produce or culture pearls. The people who deal with pearling business hires skilled and professionals that takes care these oysters and to medicate sick oysters if it still possible to make them survive to continue the process of producing pearls.
Oyster with nucleated pearl
Sample of Mother of Pearl (or Nacre) produced
Shell Cleaning Machine
After the presentation, we went outside to explore Willie Creek where the natural process of producing pearls happens. Before reaching the small jetty, we passed a Shell Cleaning Machine where one of the net are inside of it. Then we continued our way to the creek.
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When we were in the boat and ready to explore the Willie Creek, a male presenter went to the front, introduced himself and he was our guide during the entire exploration of the beautiful and turquoise creek.
Then, he started talking more about the life of the oyster and its challenges of breeding of it. Our boat started moving. Then, we approached a marker in the water and we stopped. The presenter took something under the water and that is a cage or net of the oyster which came from oyster bed. He picked-up one from the net and starts explaining that even the oyster has enemies while trying to grow itself under the water. He showed to us that there are holes, a sign that there are parasites eating the oyster shell. One of the challenges in growing and re-seeding the oyster that will produce the pearl in the future.
One of the parasites that showed to us that is enemy of the oyster.
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Sample of holes made by parasites that attacks the shell of the oyster
Boat with Shell Cleaning Machine on it.
After the lectures, our guide in the boat let us explored the creek by moving it to different parts of the creek which gave us a chance to appreciate the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. Honestly, looking at how pristine the color of the water and thinking that the place is a great place to be a resort or some kind for human, but then I realized that not only people has the right to use the water. Human use water both for livelihood and recreational activity, while oyster use water as it is their world to live. The condition of the water for pearl farming is so critical to allow the oyster to be healthy and to allow to produce pearls still following the natural process after they re-seeded under the water. Looking at the turquoise water in Willie Creek made me felt envy with these oysters because they live in such paradise.
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Willie Creek
After exploring the creek, we returned to the jetty and go back to the main building where we had a snack for a bit. Then, we went inside the showroom to see the pearls they produced from the pearl farm and all we saw in the showroom are beautiful pearls on its own form, whether it has the five grading points of the most valuable pearl on earth, still they are work of art even in their imperfect characteristics. They are all cultured pearls since it is indeed rare to find natural pearls.
Main Building of the farm and showroom
On our way back to the town from the pearl farm, we took the same route and before leaving it, we had a glimpse of the Willie Creek Road before passing it completed. A horizon that so beautiful to appreciate.
Willie Creek Road on the way to Broome
Manari Road on the way to Broome
Broome-Cape Leveque Road on the way to Broome
My last tour in the town was ended and every time the tour was about to end, it was natural that I felt sad but on the brighter side, I looked upon on my next adventure that will begin the next day when I reach Perth.
Photos of the day are all about Willie Creek. Willie Creek is where culturing pearl is happening. The Pinctada Maxima Oyster are transported in the creek as the site provides pristine water off the coast. The said oyster thrive in a nutrient rich waters. The Oyster are suspended in panels and put back several meters under the water. Then, these oysters are cleaned from marine organisms and being x-rayed to make sure the pearl development. During the visit, we had experience a lecture in the boat about the life of pearl shells while exploring the Willie Creek which even myself fell in love with the place and I thought that Pinctada Maxima Oysters has beautiful home for a limited time in the said place. These photos are part of Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour October 2016.
Photos of the day are all about Pinctada Maxima Oyster. During the visit in Willie Creek Pearl Farm, I had a chance to see Pinctada Maxima Oyster, where one was shown in our group, fresh from Willie Creek Pearl Farm and one of the facilitator in pearl farm tour showed us and explained to us how pearl is cultured. In the process of seeding the pearl which is one way of culturing pearls, there are important parts of the Pinctada Maxima Oyster involve in the main process. First, is Gonad – where the pearls are positioned. Second is Mother of Pearl (or Nacre) – the shiny part of the shell and third is the nucleus – the pearl itself. If the Pinctada Maxima naturally produced the pearl, the pearl itself is the nucleus. If Pinctada Maxima are then re-seeded, the small nucleus formed from Mississippi mussel into the Gonad of the oyster which become pearl in the future. These photos are part of Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour October 2016.
Name Of The Place (Post#53) : Willie Creek Pearl Farm
Photo of the day is about Willie Creek Pearl Farm. It is the name of the pearl farm that I had a chance to visit while I was in Broome. My visit in this farm made me realized that there is a way to grow and culture pearls than looking for the pearl itself. Growing and culturing pearls itself is the combination of natural process happens under the water to the shells (mother of pearl) and its oyster with human intervention taking care of it. The photos are part of Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour October 2016.
The first tour that I was able to arrange while I was in town is the Sightseeing Tour with Sunset Nibbles, the tour has option for camel ride, since I already experienced riding a camel once while I was in Northern Territory on my way to Red Centre, I preferred the tour with just enjoying the Sunset with snacks. The tour was just a half day, therefore I stayed in my room that morning trying my best to arrange my next adventure for my second or last day in town. I was picked-up in my hotel around 12:30 PM that day, after I had my lunch at the hotel. While looking at the route of the tour, I think it can be done using public transportation, or even by just walking around the town, but because I had limited time to explore things how to go around the town using public bus or even by bicycle, I ended up signing up for a tour. I recommend the tour for visitors with limited time but with ample days in town, it is better to walk or bike around Broome.
At the mini bus, I saw some of the visitors that joined the tour. And I can say, I was the youngest. I observed during my travels and adventures, most people who typically joined bus tour were senior people. And I think that was understandable, they are the one who usually can afford such kind of tour, young people always tries to think alternative ways to go around the tour in much cheaper price or even with no cost at all for adventures.
When we left the hotel, we moved towards Chinatown where it said to be former place of taverns during its old days but now filled with pearl showrooms, retail outlets and cafes. I can say that it’s the center of Broome.
Sun Pictures (Sun Picture Garden)
Our first stop was an old cinema. Looking from the outside it was a simple single building and showing some films that made an impression that it is indeed a cinema. The name of the cinema is called Sun Picture Garden or simply Sun Pictures. It is the world’s oldest operating open-air picture gardens and is open for the public to view its history. The cinema at that time was nearing to celebrate its centennial anniversary.
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Cygnet Bay Shops
The next stop of the group is one of the city’s famed pearl shops called Cygnet Bay Shops where they do pearling culture business at Cygnet Bay. It is said that Cygnet Bay is the oldest in Australia when it comes to pearling industry. While at the shop, there was a presentation conducted and that time I saw for the first time the different pearls at hand. I also learned a bit about pearling culture business happening that surrounds Broome. Inside this shop, displays the most rare and perfect pearls produced from Cygnet Bay as the pearls achieved all the five grading of perfect pearls.
One of the rarest and most valuable pearl produced from Cygnet Bay
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Japanese Cemetery
The cemetery itself has relation to the pearling industry that once boom in the town of Broome. Japanese were the Asian who immediately flocks in Broome with the hope to get some share of fortune that the pearling business will bring. These where most of the Japanese divers interment due to divers paralysis related diseases that hit them.
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Matso’s Broome Brewery
This is a business in town that has lots of transformation. It have over 100 years of history where at first it was a first bank in Broome named “Union Bank of Australia Ltd” in 1910 and operational for four decades. Then, it became general store run by Matsumoto family where it said where the Matso’s name derived. Then, the general store became a cafe, micro-brewery and art gallery. Then, the micro-brewery became a full mash brewery which retains the restaurant where visitors can taste not only the food they offer but also their signature beers.
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Cable Beach – (Southern Part)
When we reached Cable Beach as the last stop of the tour, one thing that I realized, it was long one beach, to be exact it is 22 km stretch of the shore facing East of Indian Ocean. The group tourist guide, prepared everything so we can have a great snacks while enjoying the sunset in southern part of Cable Beach. While waiting for the sunset, I did walk a bit near the shore, played a bit of my camera to take some photos to gamble a shot of the beach.
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Cable Beach – (Northern Part)
Since I already featured the Cable Beach here, I included the photos that I captured at the second time of my visit, when I got a chance to visit walk the beach at the northern part where most of the visitors comes. There are more people in northern part of the beach because of restaurants nearby and because it close to most of the hotels, guesthouse and other accommodations.
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Travel Diary 101 : Broome – A Pearling Town in Kimberley
Travel Diary 101 : Broome – A Pearling Town in Kimberley
Photos of the day are all about Matso’s Broome Brewery which they also called as “Australia’s Most Remote Brewery”. During the tour, we stopped here to have a chance a free taste of their famous Ginger Beer and to have meal since the historical brewery offers not only drinks but food as well. During the meal I ordered Scotch Fillet with potato, bacon, green salads and added with prawns, it was a huge meal. The Brewery has colourful history where its building started a first bank in Broome and operation in four decades until was sold. Then transformed as general store by Matsumoto family where Matso’s name derived. Then, it was turned into a cafe, micro-brewery and art gallery. Then, became a full mash brewery. In total, it has over 100 years of history which considered as heritage. Though it was man-made tourist destination, but indeed Matso’s is part of history of the town. These photos are part of Broome Sightseeing Tour October 2016.
Photos of the day are all about sunset scenery captured while visiting Cable Beach twice. I had so many photos captured during sunset and honestly the colors of the skies and the water made the scenery so amazing and I can’t stop myself to admire how beautiful our world indeed. These photos are part of 2 Days Broome and Surround Tour October 2016.
Photo of the day is about the couple that I met again in Cable Beach when we crossed each other. The couple is one of the people who I got closed during the Overland Adventure that we had from Darwin to Broome for 9 days. I admire this couple because even they are nearing in their senior years, they are still perfectly fit for adventures and they are traveling together. Such a lovely couple from Netherlands. I capture this photo when they requested me to take photos of them looking at the sun. A very creative photo post indeed. The photo is part of 2 Days Broome and Surround Tour October 2016.
Photos of the day are all about Camels in Cable Beach. For some reason, I was not sure how Camels became the main and famous rides while in Cable Beach. But like other places in the world, cities and towns are trying their best make their place attractive by creating and inventing activities that will make appeal to people and camel ride tour is one of it. I never took the camel ride anymore since I already had experience riding one while I was in Northern Territory. For photograph souvenir, being in camel is a great photo memory to bring home while visiting the beach with the background of sunset view. These photos are part of 2 Days Broome and Surround Tour October 2016.
Arts and Craft (Post#21) : The Lord McAlpine by Linda Klarfeld
Photo of the day is about the statue of Lord McAlpine. While I was learning about the town, I came across a lot of times about the name of Robert Alistair McAlpine. From Broome Historical Museum, in Sun Pictures, at Cygnet Bay, in Matso’s Brewery and then in Cable Beach. My impression with him was, he made a lot of things for Broome. When I found his statue, I was not really surprised anymore because it was evident that he made a lot of contribution to the town. And because of him, Broome were able to survive as it lost for decades after the war. I can truly say that with this kind of people giving so much to the town, Broome itself is no doubt that its honoring the people whom it made the town what is it now. The statue was made by Linda Klarfeld a Czech immigrant became Australian and sculptor whose bronze and granite works of art focus on the human figure. The photo is part of 2 Days Broome and Surround Tour October 2016.
Featuring Our World (Post#18) : Cable Beach – One of the Stunning Beaches in the World
Photos of the day are all about Cable Beach. It is a famous beach not only in Broome, but in Australia and to the world. It is the longest beach that I reached up to date. It is 22 km beach facing eastern Indian Ocean. And its name is historical because it came from the telegraph cable laid between Broome and Java in 1889 that made the town connected to the world. I visited the beach twice during sunset, it’s a perfect place to just relax and enjoy the fascinating sunset view. People enjoy the beach by swimming but be mindful on the signs if its closed due to stinger and crocodiles. These photos are part of Broome Sightseeing Tour October 2016.
Southern part of Cable Beach near Gantheaume Point
Northern part of Cable Beach where most people visited the area due to its proximity to hotels and accommodations and availability of restaurants and camel rides. Captured during Broome Walks after Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour.
Something To Look At (Post#18) : Broome Japanese Cemetery
Photos of the day are all about Broome Japanese Cemetery which more than 100 years old as the first interment recorded was 1896. Most of the Japanese laid in here were related to the pearling years of the town, where mostly were divers died due to drowning, diver’s paralysis from bends (decompression sickness), stroke and beriberi. There at least 700 Japanese tombstones in neat rows and said to be the largest such site out of Japan. The cemetery itself was clear evidence how this town has close ties with Japan through pearling industry that once the town dominates it. These photos are part of Broome Sightseeing Tour October 2016.
