Black swans at Galena Bridge
$699.91 Later we have our car. However it is three-thirty in the afternoon, should we stay or should we go???? A visit to the information centre provided us with a free campsite at Galena Bridge about 100kms closer to Monkey Mia. It was a lovely campsite right next to a river with black swans. We were not the only ones there, there were about 5 other overnighters. A great place to camp. So for those intrepid travelers that don't mind missing out on a shower, stay.
An early start saw us at Monkey Mia by 11.30am. However we of course, could not help ourselves but stop at places like "Shell beach". A beach made up of coquina bivalve shells, which create this beautiful white "sand".
Shells at Shell beach. There were millions.
John and Hope on Shell Beach
Eventually "Monkey Mia". While putting up our tent we had a visit from a couple of emu's, clearly looking for food. Sorry guys, just got here. Um would you mind also removing some of your scat, please. (Comes with the terriorty I suppose). As soon as the chores were done, into our bathers, snorkels and masks and to the beach. Wow, what can we say? It is beautiful. you walk out onto white sand and you are faced with this turquoise ocean, as calm as anything. We spent a good few hours in the water. The current carried you from one end of the resort to the other. So it made for quite a relaxing snorkel. Although the walk back was tiring. There were loads of fish, hermit crabs and baby stingrays. Pelicans, cormorants and seagulls made themselves comfortable on the water.
Sunset from Shotover
We booked to go on the Extreme Sunset Cruise with Shotover. Exteme because depending on the wind we could be moving fast or slow. This is a famous 60' (18m) sailing catamaran “the nature boat”. It was lovely being out on the ocean at sunset, wind in your hair, sun on your face and wine in your hand. Mmmmmmm. Met a great couple from Israel and had some interesting chats with the crew. Relaxing!!!!
Feeding Surprse
Up early in the morning for the infamous dolphin feeding. When we got to the area, the dolphins were already in and waiting. It was an awesome sight seeing these magnificent creatures so close. As this was the first feeding of the day (they feed the dolphins three times before noon and only two fish at each feeding), there were loads of people milling about. We were given a 25min talk about the three main families of dolphins that visit the beach. The families belong to Nicky, Puck and Surprise. We were also informed that only five female dolphins are fed from the pod. Because these are wild dolphins they will not feed the young or any others. Nicky and Puck have been coming to the beach for over 30 years. We were lucky as all five of them were there. Out of a crowd of about Eighty people, John and Hope where picked to feed "Surprise". They did stand out in the crowd as Hope was sitting on John's shoulders and they had their "smartie box" rashies on.
Turtle from jetty next to Shotover.
After the dolphin feeding we were due on the "Shotover" again for the morning wildlife cruise. With great expectations we joined the crew. Our first marine animal was a couple of turtles swimming by the boat.
Dugong
This turned out to be an unforgettable experience. For three hours we sailed around spotting wild animals at sea. Loggerhead turtles, Dugongs, dolphins, leopard shark, stingrays and sea snakes. At the start of the cruise we were informed that we would be very lucky to see sea snakes as they came up only for a short time to get air. So to see three was fantastic. The dugongs are amazing creatures, and we saw quite a few including a mother and her calf.
Sea snake
It is strange how life is, we travel 1000 km's to a place to meet a couple that lives in the place were you have just spent the last 2 years. Yes there was a couple from Ormeau on the boat.
This afternoon we were once again snorkeling when I turned around and saw six dolphins behind John. I grabbed our underwater camera and managed (I hope as it is disposable) to take a photo of the dolphins as they swam past us. They could not have been more than 60 cm's away.
They came past us again about 20 min later, however they were just that much further that I could not get anymore photos.
For anyone that has not been to Monkey Mia, you have to VISIT.
Hope's blog........... When Daddy and I went to feed Surprise the dolphin, the lady went to hand me the fish. Because I did not want to get my hands all fishie, Daddy fed Surprise. It was exciting been so close to a dolphin. It was even more exciting when the dolphins swam passed us when we were snorkeling. I had a very exciting day. I also liked the boat. It had a big net in the middle, whish I layed on, on top of the water.
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