Cape Leveque Camping

This week has been quite hectic and fun! Upon writing this I have literally fallen asleep in front of my computer like a narcoleptic, as I have just returned from camping up in Cape Leveque. But hopefully I can give you the rundown. A week ago (last Sunday) I spent kayaking in the Indian Ocean for a few hours and swimming around on the rocks. Over the course of the week, I worked (of course), but also finally saw some live music at the Roey (a famous-ish live music venue/ bar here in Broome). We were lucky enough to see Steve Pigram of the Pigram Brothers who are a pretty well-known Aboriginal band (country / folk music). I also had dinner at one of my co-worker’s houses and we had a great discussion on how the James Price Point debate has really torn the towne of Broome apart and pitted even family members against each other. JPP is the proposed location of the Woodside LNG (liquefied natural gas) processing facility north of Broome. Possibly more on that later, I'm a bit afraid to write anything in fear of having my tires slashed if I seem to lean one way or the other!

Then on Friday we finally set off for the remote area of Cape Leveque, which is at the northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula, to camp for the weekend. Six of our group of 8 went, and we were allowed to use my organisations’ 4x4, a “Troopie” or troop carrier. It saved us a ton of money on a 4x4 rental. We had all our swags and tents tied to the roof-rack, then 4 of us sitting on the bench seats in back (around the outside) with all the rest of our bags and gear. The road to Cape Leveque is only paved about half the way (the northern half from Beagle Bay to the top), and the rest is quite a bumpy gravel / pindan / sand road. Sitting in the back of the troopie on a bumpy road in sweltering heat was fun for about 20 minutes…too bad it was a 2.5 hour trip (240km north of Broome)!! But it is all just part of the outback adventure!!

Road trip in the troopie....of course I put the beer next to me for safekeeping

Despite 4 of the 6 tents (borrowed from an organisation) being without tent poles, we still had a great time. Lesson learned: always check for tent poles. Saturday was spent at the beach and generally relaxing for the most part. In the evening, 4 of us decided to go on a sunset cruise. We had the boat to ourselves and the captain was a laid back guy who just seemed to be out to enjoy the day as well. We saw 3 amazing whales - 2 males competing for the attention of the female (take notes, boys!!!). They were all breaching like crazy and it was a thrilling sight to behold, especially so close. We were within 60 meters – I’ve never been so close to whales before; it was breathtaking. We also saw a dolphin and a hammerhead shark, which turned directly for the boat in a “Jaws”-like moment and caused some squealing from both the female and male members of our party. We also threw a few lines out for fish and within a minute had both lines full of tuna – I had the first catch of the day (of 2) and reeled in a big mackerel tuna….my arms were actually tired! I have to note here that the other 2 people had stayed back to go fishing – without avail – and here we were just randomly catching tuna without even trying! Andrew had been fishing for the previous 3 days and still hasn’t even had a bite hahahah :)  Isn’t that life.

This is what happens when you don't have tent poles

Humpbacks playing around

Amazing

Our Hammerhead named Jaws.....or Hammie

Sunset over Cape Leveque

Expert fisherwoman

Once back in Broome, there was quite a bit of smoke and we were detoured a few miles from our hotel to allow for some bushfire fighting. The fire was right up to the road and it was a reminder that this paradise of the Kimberley does have a real problem with bushfires and bushfire management.

General feelings: Had a great, but tiring weekend. I can’t believe I only have 7 more working days at my organisation. Time has really flown by and I’m feeling all sorts of things: I want to do a great job on my project but feeling there’s not enough time for what they want, sad that I haven’t had more interaction with the community and Aboriginal people in general (except for a few at work and 2 CEOs of course, not too shabby), that I haven’t seen enough of Broome yet. Excited to spend some time here outside of work with a certain someone. Feeling like I might actually miss some of these yahoos that I’ve been working with (both on the Jawun side and the organisation side). Also feeling a bit lonely. I think I’m homesick for Perth of all places. I was gone for the entire month of July, then back for 3 weeks, then left again for 6, which wasn’t really enough time to catch up with everyone properly (and do my job)….I’m not complaining at all!! But haven’t been settled anywhere for awhile now and I’m not sure where I’m feeling homesick for anymore. Weird feeling. Is this how it’s going to be now for me? Feeling not sure where my “home” is (well, it will always be Crandon to be honest). We were talking about sleeping in your own bed and I haven't really felt that since Chicago. Well this is quite the adventure and who cares which bed I call home?