Last day in Broome

Today Hugh is happy as he got a bird list and now he can go off twitching as soon as he has finished saving the Kimberleys (that is why we are in Broome). I’m also happy as I visited the historical museum and picked up a heritage trail booklet. The Museum which is located in the old customs house is fascinating and I learn all about pearl diving and the different cultures and families that lived in Broome. I never knew that Broome was also bombed by the Japanese in 1942 and many refugees from Java died in the attack. Very sad. I also see a dinosaur footprint in sandstone which excites me as Broome is famous for dinosaur footprints that are over 120 million years old which can be found at Gantheaume Point but only at very low tide, so I won’t be able to see them on this trip. Broome apparently has very big tides.

Although soon dripping in the heat, I press on and visit a few architectural gems including the old courthouse and the very sweet Anglican Church of the Annunciation. Luckily for me the church is open and Minister Tim kindly shows me around explaining the symbolism of the unusual Chancel screen donated in memory of pearl divers who lost their lives in the 1908 cyclone. The Church has an extremely beautiful stained glass window depicting the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary, and the colors are incredible. The Church has a lovely atmosphere and I think it is unusual but very Broome-like to see a church constructed of corrugated iron.

I also visit the old pioneer cemetery and have lunch overlooking Roebuck Bay. In my opinion the orange sand is much more interesting than the white sand of Cable Beach. There are plenty of white sandy beaches in the world but not so many orange ones. Although last night we had a lovely dinner watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean at Cable Beach sipping Veuve Clicquot – what a treat! It is so nice to meet such passionate and interesting people at these workshops.

On our last afternoon Hugh and I drive around looking at vast empty plains full of locusts and strange colored termite nests (all white like tombstones) and then go on to Gantheaume point to clamber over the fantastic rock formations which are a mixture of sediment layers and weird windblown shapes. Broome is a fascinating place and I can’t wait to come again to this part of the world and spend more time exploring the Kimberleys.