The Silver LiningArcher 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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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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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
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Sunrise at Kooljaman
Posted on June 11, 2013
There is definitely something energising and invigorating about the air in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Not only did my niggling foot injury miraculously improve whilst being there, but all four of us suddenly became morning people! Waking up before sunrise in order to catch those first orange rays on our faces is something most of us would never even contemplate doing in the city. Yet there we were, awake as anything, eager to watch the spectacular show of natural beauty as the sun made its glorious arrival for the day.
We topped off the sunrise with a beautiful breakfast, prepared on the balcony overlooking the ocean and the trees. Sarah had brought along lots of supplies, so this morning it was to be a scrumptious feast of French toast doused with honey, strawberries and mint. What a treat to be able to spend time with family and friends in the most beautiful of places – the wilderness, the sounds of the ocean, the laughter of great company.
Do come explore this corner of the earth – its raw beauty will change you, I guarantee it.
Kooljaman at Cape Leveque / Accommodation / (08) 9192 4970 / reservations@kooljaman.com.au
Photos by Jinn
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Cable Beach again
Posted on March 20, 2013
We went back to enjoy Cable Beach on my last evening in Broome. I had vowed to watch the sunset from a different beach each night I was in Broome, and true to my word we saw the sun set from a different part of Cable Beach to before. We stayed out late, well after the sun had set, deep in conversation and watching the sky turn from red to black and then erupt into a magnificent starscape. Beautiful scenery, warm nights, a sweet smelling breeze and excellent company – what could be better in life? – Jinn
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A visit to the Croc Park!
Posted on March 18, 2013
I’m writing this really quickly because the longer I look at these pictures, I get a rising sense of impending doom and start experiencing palpitations. The tour at Malcolm Douglas’ Crocodile Park starts off with a little wander around the park on your own, meeting the cute feathered and fluffy inhabitants of this park, which lulls you into a rather false sense of happiness and oh-isn’t-Australia’s-fauna-just-so-beautiful-and-BENIGN. Everyone then gathers to the main pond where you pass around the most gorgeous baby crocodiles (of course with their mouths deftly tied shut to save you from certain digit amputation) and once again everyone coos and poses smiling with the tiny reptilian offspring. They’re surprisingly soft to the touch! In the nearby algae-covered pools, you start to see that the surface of the water is actually patterned with the ridges of many spines, just lying in wait.
Then – it’s feeding time. This was the most thrilling and amazing part of the tour. The guides fearlessly enter the enclosures and practically taunt these giant crocodiles with fish, making them launch themselves into the air to show off their size and sheer strength. They are utterly ferocious and brutal even to their own kind, and what makes them so fascinating is just how deathly still they are just moments before the attack. You will literally not see it coming.
I give this place a rating of five bajillion stars out of ten. Take plenty of sunscreen and water, and wear something breezy. And please say hi to my friend the “barking” owl! He actually says “woof woof”, that’s his natural cry, and he and I had a stimulating conversation, a heart to heart even. Nice to know someone really gets me. 
Too close for comfort!
The guide was not a small man, he was at least 6 foot tall!
My friend, the “barking” owl – he’ll have a conversation with you! Most civilised!
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Peachy keen
Posted on March 13, 2013
Excuse the tatty hair in these photos – Jinn had just touched down in Broome, I’d come straight from work after spending a rather sweaty day travelling back from Kununurra, and rather than going back to my apartment to set his bags down and rest he said, “Allons-y!” So off to Cable Beach we went to catch the sunset! So this little shoot was pretty impromptu but we couldn’t help but take advantage of the peachy skies offsetting my totally unplanned peachy outfit. 🙂
This was actually the beginning of an amazing weekend that I just didn’t want to end. Not only was my hubby/BFF/accomplice here with me, but also someone who understands my Insta-obsession (don’t look at me like you don’t know what I mean!). I’ve not yet encountered anyone up here who shares my addiction so there have been countless social situations and dinners where I’ve practically had to sit on my own hands to prevent myself from taking a photo of my food or a gratuitous self-pic! We took so many photos in just three little days, so let’s hope my trigger-happy fingers have been appeased for now…until Jinn’s next visit of course!
Wearing – Gorman top (this is a beauty), peach shorts (similar) and neon sandals (Gorman overload!), Freckle & Co. tassel bracelet, friendship bracelet by me
He’s wearing – St Goliath t-shirt (similar), and shorts!
The Silver Lining 