Day 105 - Monkey Mia

Haven't had a chance to write since starting the tour. Not a moment wasted! Fellow travellers are an Irish couple, a German couple, two English girls, a Swiss guy and a Dutch girl, all very friendly.

First stop is the site of the Pinnacles, a collection of stone pillars made of limestone, protruding from a floor of red desert. Not extremely remarkable, but when seen in large numbers, they create an alien landscape. After that we stop on the coast for some sandboarding and swimming. Got into Horrocks around 5pm, dinner on the barbecue of chicken, noodles and veg with creamy sauce.

Up at 5 the next morning to drive to Kalbarri, stopping at some sea cliffs (Pot Valley) along the way - everything is red! The park was a rocky area of scrub and bush. Nature's Window on a clifftop overlooking a loop in a river, a hole in a stack of rocks. Then a trail to the bottom of a gorge to indulge in some cheeky swimming among the rocks, then a burger for lunch. Long drive to Hamelin Pool, with me in the front.

Got a good chance to talk to our guide Seán. Father of two (18, 21), he's been a guide on and off for five years. Worked in water education before that, and studied nursing for three years recently, but found working as one was too stressful. He plays guitar.

Seán, king of the road

Shell beach for a quick swim in the warm and shallow water, then overnighting in Denham, a town with its own electricity supply (turbines) and water supply (bore). Steaks and sausages on the barbie again, and early to bed.

Stromatolites in Hamelin Pool

Shells on Shell Beach

Two lads standing in the distance, showing just how shallow the water was.

Went for a quick run this morning -legs were leaden and my body heavy. Walked part of it. Can feel a pot belly taking hold, have to fight it. Get fit before returning to Ireland.

This morning we headed to Monkey Mia. There they feed the dolphins every morning, but in a very controlled manner. Inge from our group was picked as a volunteer, and Angie in a later group. Got a boat then, headed out to sea, spotting dolphins as we went. They swam with the boat for a bit, and on the way back, leapt from the waves in our wake. Some dugongs and a turtle to be seen as well.

Inge feeding a dolphin

The lads hard at work on the catamaran

Dolphin swimming alongside

The tail of an elusive dugong

Everything is sandy at the moment, but I am salty.

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Highlights of today: seeing so much wildlife, riding in the boom net of the Aristocat 2, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, getting searched for drugs, and finally a bit of craic in the evening time!

Being searched for drugs

Colourful keys