The Silver LiningHerschel Bag review – Little America
Posted on July 17, 2013
When Rushfaster.com.au offered to send us a Herschel Supply Co. Little America backpack to review, we jumped at the chance. Both Sarah and I are great fans of Herschel and already have a small family of varying styles (backpacks, totes, duffles, you name it!). Their products are a great combination of look, quality, comfort and practicality, and the Little America Backpack is no different.
When I first opened the package containing the backpack, I was immediately struck by its size. It is a large bag, measuring approx 51 x 29 x 13 cm, and is significantly larger than its little brother, the Little America Mid Volume (which is 13cm shorter). It can fit almost anything in it. It’s a very good looking backpack I have to say. The outer is made of a tough woven polyester and is complemented with synthetic leather detailing. There are easy release magnetic clasps for both the main and front compartments. The styling is modelled on American mountaineering backpacks and definitely wins in the looks department.
Herschel certainly don’t skimp on quality and attention to detail. The reverse side and straps of the backpack have padded, breathable mesh panels that ensure ongoing comfort even after carrying the backpack for a few hours. The top of the backpack is closed with a drawstring in a traditional way, which makes it easy to open and close. This is then covered by a flap, which helps to stop rain and the weather from getting into the pack and handily acts as a deterrent to pesky thieves hoping for an easy way in.
The main compartment is very spacious and can fit a lot of stuff in it. There is a dedicated laptop compartment than can hold up to a 17” laptop. If there was one criticism, it would be that the compartment is so large that many of the objects may get lost inside the pack. Perhaps more compartments would be a better way to divide the space. The front compartment is handy for keys and other smaller items that you want easy access to. There is a small keychain clip attached to the inside of the compartment as well. The piece de resistance is the small port for headphones in case you want to keep listen to your tunes whilst toting your incredibly good-looking bag.
Overall, this is a great backpack for students, travellers, and even the fashion-savvy worker. It has a very good size to carry whatever you like, as well as a padded laptop compartment. It can hold a lot of stuff (even enough for a weekend away!), but you may find yourself losing items within the vast cavern of the main compartment. All in all though, I’m very happy with this bag and would highly recommend it.
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Ivanhoe Cafe
Posted on July 15, 2013
Ivanhoe Cafe is one of those places that you stumble across and are like, “Why have I never been here before?!?!” My Kimberley job involves me flying to Kununurra every six weeks to do paediatric clinics over there, but most days we finish late when most things are closed and we’re thoroughly exhausted. After my final week in Kununurra (I feel quite sad saying that), Jinn flew up from Perth to join me so we could explore the East Kimberley a bit more. On our last day together, after frolicking in springs and climbing through gorges for the past few days we just felt like having an easy morning and stumbled upon this little place for breakfast.
The cafe has a thoroughly organic, almost lived in feel. It’s nestled amongst these giant mango trees that provide you with ample shade to enjoy your meal. We both ordered the breakfast muffin which came filled with yummy bacon slices, fresh salad greens, and an egg fried to runny-yolk perfection. It also came with a little dipping bowl of pretty mind-blowingly good housemade tomato chutney! The finishing touch was that golden yolk flowing out and coating the contents of the muffin with sunny, creamy goodness. Totally satisfying.
It was just perfect to relax under those great trees, enjoying good company (and pretty good coffee too!). And if you’re still hungry for more, the place sells housemade jams, chutneys, ice cream and local honey too. We left the place with contented stomachs, a shopping bag full of mango jam and that irresistible tomato chutney, sipping on our mango smoothies to go.
Bliss.
Ivanhoe Cafe / Ivanhoe Rd, Kununurra / +61 8 9168 1774 / Open 7 days a week 8:00am – 4:00pm (April to September)
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Archer fish
Posted on July 10, 2013
During our visit to El Questro we went on a peaceful cruise down the Chamberlain Gorge, admiring the surrounding cliff faces of beautiful King Leopold sandstone. The highlight? The archer fish we met whilst we stopped for a wee while to enjoy a bite of fruit and a glass of bubbly. These ingenious little fish catch their insect prey by shooting water at them with remarkable accuracy which causes their hapless meals to fall into the water to be eaten! This particularly clever bunch had learnt that they would be rewarded with fish food if they shot us on the hands. They were amazingly good at it, but be careful not to ignore them for too long as they may shoot you in the face! I got my mascara shot off by one over zealous individual! My glass of sparkling wine went hopelessly ignored as I spent my time fascinated by these little wonders of nature…
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Stars up North
Posted on July 8, 2013
Far away from the lights of the city, the stars shine so bright.
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Zebedee
Posted on July 5, 2013
Saturday morning was spent idling and floating in the nourishing waters of Zebedee Springs. Located within the vast El Questro wilderness park, Zebedee Springs is a naturally-occurring thermal spring. It gets its name from a character from the Magic Roundabout (Who? Nah, I don’t remember it either…) and is said to always remain a comfortable 28-32°C (82-90°F), perfect for soaking and lounging in.
As we wandered through the towering Livistona palm trees (and past a stray bull – watch out!), we found ourselves in the natural paradise. We left our clothes, towels and cares on the nearby rocks and steeped ourselves into the soothingly warm spring water. Somehow, the time just flew by. Two hours later and with great reluctance, we eventually had to tear ourselves away – our minds and bodies cleansed by the calming waters. 
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East Kimberley wandering
Posted on July 3, 2013
Venturing far east of Broome into the other side of the Kimberley region that borders the Northern Territory you find yourself in a completely different landscape characterised by majestic gorges, creeks, natural springs and sprawling plains, dotted with rows upon rows of wizened eucalypts. It is truly a breathtaking place. With Sarah up in Kununurra this week I was keen to take the opportunity to visit her and experience this stunning part of Western Australia for myself. We spent four magical days touring around, weaving through the ranges in our four wheel drive, flying in a helicopter, swimming in waterholes, walking trails, and enjoying the simple life, waking and sleeping with the birds. My head is still abuzz just remembering the amazing time we had!
Text by Jinn
Photos by Jinn & Sa
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Archipelago
Posted on June 24, 2013
This idyllic destination nestled amongst the Buccaneer Archipelago is so secluded that it is virtually only accessible via seaplane. We were flown here from One Arm Point by the amazing crew from Horizontal Falls Adventures and were treated to incredible, once-in-a-lifetime views over the hundreds of rocky islands that form this archipelago.
Quietly floating down one of the pristine creeks in the area, beautifully coloured rock formations reveal the layers of time. We stayed silent, hoping to catch a glimpse of a sun-baking saltwater crocodile. The waters were rich with wildlife, multitudes of fish, and who could fail to spot the sharks that seemed to knowingly circle the houseboat.
The last photo is proof that I, Little Miss Phobia herself, swam with the sharks. Yes, I was in a shark cage, and yes I did shoot very rapidly out of the water involuntarily yelling “Woah!” the first time I popped my head under the water. But – I did it! So to all you people who said I wouldn’t – I dedicate a big ol’ raspberry to y’all!
Photos by me
Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures / Tours from Broome or Derby / bookings@horizontalfallsadventures.com.au / (08) 9192 1172
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Hovercrafts, dinosaurs and cheeky parents
Posted on June 21, 2013
My awesome Mumsy and Papsy came up to visit me a few weekends ago, and amongst taking in the Broome markets and feasting on barramundi wings and Kimberley mud crabs, we also went on this cool hovercraft tour. At first I was like, hovercrafts are real?!?!? I thought they only existed in sci-fi novels and movies! What a doofus…And to top that off, part of the tour included a look at some actual dinosaur footprints (see the photo above!). Admittedly, they’re not that easy to spot, but once they’re pointed out to you and you see just how regularly they’re positioned, you recognise how those holes could not have been made by some random act of nature or weather.
My mum always tells me stories about how she used to pelt boys she didn’t like with slugs and snails, but I never believed her as these days she is the definition of clean-freak. However, when the hovercraft landed and the low tide revealed a treasure trove of sealife I practically had to run and hide to avoid being splattered with bright red sea cucumbers and sea snails of assorted sizes. My dad, well he was not so lucky. I may or may not have used him as a human shield.
This was one of the most spectacular sunsets I’d experienced yet. The way the colours were reflected in those tiny pools made by the tidal flats. The lingering pinks and purples of the dying light. With only six weeks left up here in the Kimberley, I’m coming to realise just how much I’m going to miss this place.
Photos by me
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Follow the sun
Posted on June 19, 2013
What Kimberley holiday would be complete without a lazy afternoon spent at the beach? We tried our hand at a little snorkelling but alas the water was a tad too choppy for that! We contented ourselves with a nice snooze in the afternoon sun, cooling down with a bite of refreshing watermelon. Sometimes I just love doing nothing.
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Tagalong
Posted on June 17, 2013
One of the best things we did whilst up at Cape Leveque was join local elder, Brian Lee, on a four-wheel drive tagalong tour. Brian led us along the pristine beach and down to a nearby creek, all the while sharing stories about his Bardi people and the land, and showing us how to spearfish and catch giant Kimberley mudcrabs! Brian was so expressive and enthusiastic. A couple of times he hopped out of his car like a flash, spear in hand, jumping into the surf to retrieve his catch. His face also told many stories by itself, the light in his eyes shining as he explained how his grandparents would have lived in harmony with the land years ago, and his features undeniably showing his Bardi, English and Japanese heritage, testament to the history of this region.
We came to Hunter Creek, traversed its sandy banks at low tide and made our way to the mangroves where the mudcrabs hide out. Expertly, Brian showed us how to extricate these giant crabs from beneath the roots of the mangrove trees before giving us a chance to do the same (quite unsuccessfully!). After a few hours in this amazing wilderness we found ourselves perched on a rocky outcrop, hungrily eyeing the catch from the day: two successfully speared mullet, three giant mudcrabs, and a branch covered in tiny oysters. All were deliciously smoked on a coal fire, and we feasted. I’m not sure I will ever eat crab this good ever again. Ever.
Brian Lee / brianleetagalong.com.au / brian-lee@live.com /0437026262 / Meet him in this awesome video
The Silver Lining 
