Since I last posted, I have travelled to Karratha, Roebourne, Exmouth and Mt Meharry. I've seen more of the Pilbara in the past 3 weeks than my entire 8 months up here! It's been fantastic!!
KARRATHA AND ROEBOURNE
I tagged along with Kirsty and Binnie under the guise of work, and meeting my fellow colleagues. I really just went for the road trip (and how country am I... we drove along the dirt access road listening to unofficial australian anthems!), as well as the chance to stay with Lil, who is doing a 5 month locum. It was brilliant, girly movies, nachos, Indian... it was like we were back at Hendry House. Karratha is actually a bustling metropolis now, very different to Tom Price! And well worth the visit:) Not sure I can say the same about Roebourne... it was eye-opening, and I left there with an overwhelming sadness.
CURO VISITS!!
Curo came up to Tom Price again for the AFL grandie and most of his holidays. I think I was in a much better mind space and so hopefully showed him some fantastic aspects of my life up here. We enjoyed the grand final from my friends outdoor spa, of course with a few (many) drinks and meat pies!! I was supporting Collingwood which did not go down well...
The next weekend we road tripped to Exmouth, via Nanutarra. I didn't think I would handle the 5 1/2 hour drive, but i LOVED it! We played many a car game, rocked out to the belken, saw some amazing countryside and wildlife (emus galore!!) AND almost killed 2 kangaroos, which was sufficiently terrifying! We arrived for late check-in and was surprised with a room upgrade! Don't mind if I do! The next day Curo and I toured the town and the closest beaches, before meeting up with Lil, and some of the other Karratha crew. We enjoyed fresh prawns and delicious wine, and showed the locals how to party at the potshot pub!!
The next day we went to Turquoise beach, I have never seen anything so amazing. You only have to snorkel 10 - 15 m offshore (good if you're a bit wussy...) to see some amazing sights! I saw at least 50 different iridescent fish, a turtle and a big manta ray. Also, you just drift along in a current.... so even better, I expended zero energy!! The boys did see a big reef shark and baby, which ended my snorkel adventure. We actually spent 7 hours on the beach, I still have a sore throwing arm from the woboba and zuper ball! That night we went out for italian... in a restaurant that boasts better cuisine than italy!! It wasn't far off (and I have recent experience...) It was beautiful, and a lovely way to end our weekend. Needless to say, I'm still missing Curo after such a great trip.
MOUNT MEHARRY
Dave, Nikki (and Jess and Trixie), Kath, Jason and I, ventured out to Mount MeHarry, the tallest mountain in WA (a whole 12m higher than Mt Bruce)... we were literally on top of the world! It's accessible via a very hairy gravel 4WD track. My stomach was absolutely churning on the way up. We seemed to be sliding down faster than we could get up! (it didn't help that we were driving a 22 year old 4WD called Elsie!!) But the view from the top was definitely worth it. We set up camp right on the peak and calmed our nerves with some well deserved bevvies and sausages from the hot plate. I even survived a night in the wild... swag only, no tents!! Unfortunately I set my swag up in face of the wind... everyone else was clever enough to hide behind the cars... I'll never forget the experience. I think 4WD'ing, collecting our own firewood, cooking on a campfire, drinks with great friends and braving it in a swag is what the Pilbara is all about!
