Coastal Kimberley

[Major]

I have given up on Windows 10 and gone back to Chrome, also recovered from a cold so no more excuses for this belated TR ( my first)

The Kimberley had been on our bucket list for some time but we kept moving it down due to relatively high costs. When APT bought into the MS Caledonian Star they offered a reasonably good deal to past customers for a 6 day trip from BME to Kupang with an Airnorth charter from KOE to DRW.

Mrs major and I talked about it for a couple of weeks and then booked. During that time all the balcony cabins were sold but we did manage a full window cabin, not that we spent much time there anyway.

There was no way I was prepared to chance a 737 to PER so I pre positioned us to SYD the day before and stayed at the Stamford Plaza. Their restaurant is still closed for renovations so we ate a totally forgettable meal in their cafe on the ground floor.

Next morning it's over to the lounge for a snack and then priority boarding to seats 2A and C on an A330 for PER. With a beaming smile Ian welcomes us aboard and offers a glass of Champagne. Would you like another glass before take off ? Well OK. This is starting to look like a good trip.

Settle back and take off on 34 L

 

[Major]

It was great weather so the staff were offering drinks and nibbles quite early. I chose another champagne and some warm olives which went down well.

When it was time for a meal I chose the prawns for the entree and Mrs major went for the pumpkin soup. Both were delicious, at first I thought the sauce on the prawns was a bit much but it was a very light and a little touch of spice made it just right. Prawns were fresh and moist.

 

[Major]

I chose the meatballs for my main and this had a great sauce with the perfect combination of herbs. It was one of the best aircraft meals I have had. It was washed down with liberal amounts of the McLaren Vale Shiraz

Mrs Major chose the Barramundi and commented that it was so fresh she thought it had been caught that morning. Very moist and tasty. It was accompanied by the Pinot Noir.

Both wines were excellent and Ian ensured our glasses were either always half full or never more than half empty.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

So glad to see you doing a TR Major ! I am interested to see how your cruise went - as we are booked on the Caledonian Sky next year.

 

[Major]

We both chose some cheese of our own preference and nibbled on this with some outstanding Gramps dessert wine



The J staff on this leg were terrific. Very friendly and super efficient. Together with great weather this was up there with the best.

I have to say that Luke Mangan has finally got it right. I could not fault the meals or wine selections

 

[JohnM]

Subscribing .

 

[TomVexille]

This looks like fun

 

[amaroo]

Checked in .. looks like a good one.

 

[zig]

Also jumping onboard. I love the Kimberley

 

[Major]

First off and straight into the lounge for our F100 flight to BME. Only a 2 hour wait for this connection and plenty of seating in the middle of the day.

The weather was still very good and after the champagne and wine on the last sector I dozed for most of the flight North.

Just a few shots heading into BME

 

[Major]

I had booked a self contained room at the Mantra Frangipani Cable Beach. It was dark by the time we arrived so we just stayed in that evening.

In the morning we walked toward the beach and found a nice little cafe for breakfast whilst watching the locals

View attachment 55523

We were not being picked up for the ship transfer until 3.30 PM that afternoon so Mrs Major decided she wanted to see what Broome had to offer. After a very short time on the phone she found a bloke who offered half day tours and would pick us up at the mantra about 9 AM

He turned up promptly in a mini van with one other couple and away we went.

One of the most scenic areas he took us to was Gantheaume Pt at the Southern end of Cable Beach.

 

[Major]

Also at Gantheaume Pt is a tower which has been adopted by a family of Ospreys. They seem to enjoy the local fishing

 

[Major]

A few general shots around Broome and Cable Beach



There are some footprints of Dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period in the rocks at Gantheaume Pt. Apparently someone thought it appropriate to pour ready mix concrete to preserve them. It looks terrible

 

[Major]

Later that afternoon we were picked up and taken to our ship MS Caledonian Sky



and set sail for Talbot Bay.

Of course there are the obligatory sunset photos for drron

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

What a perfect sunset for your first night !!

 

[Major]

The next morning we are having a leisurely breakfast on the aft deck and were joined by some friends

 

[Major]

They stayed with us for about an hour. It was absolutely fantastic

 

[RB]

They stayed with us for about an hour. It was absolutely fantastic

Now be honest and tell us how many photos you took! Great report to be reading, thank you for tking the time

 

[Major]

Now be honest and tell us how many photos you took! Great report to be reading, thank you for tking the time

I took about 6 with my point and shoot. MrsMajor has the "real camera" (a Nikon something) and took about 200.

I will be using a lot of her photos

 

[Daver6]

I had booked a self contained room at the Mantra Frangipani Cable Beach. It was dark by the time we arrived so we just stayed in that evening.

I quite like the outdoor showers they have there.

Some fantastic photos too!