From Coast to Coast,Broome to Darwin in style.

[drron]

I know i have not finished my last trip report but I will.Added on to our DONE4 were sectors BNE-PER-BME.So for no extra cost we have positioned ourselves in Broome so we can take the Orion from Broome to Darwin.We will be boarding late Thursday.From friday you can catch what i am seeing on-
Bridge Camera
We started off from home on Sunday about 8am.We are going with my former practise partner and his wife(the parents of our 4 surrogate grandkids).So we set off in the Stretch from Little Mountain Limos.For 4 people this is less than 50% more than going by the regular bus transfer and way more comfortable.Go via the back of currimundi and being early we can still spot the kangaroos here.Down the Bruce highway and just before the twin Mobil servos at Wild horse mountain glance to my left to see the old tobacco drying shed-this used to be common in this area many years ago.Past Caboolture aerodrome where 2 Cessnas are landing scaring the kangaroos off the strip.fantastic trip so we are checking in 2 hours before the departure of QF651.We are checked in to 3A,B before our friends who have used OLCI have dropped their bags.Some dozy young woman insisting she can take her full sized suitcase on as hand luggage!Up to the QP.Our friends are in Y but mrsdrron has our 4 BPs in her hand and we are all waved through.Nothing different in the QP experience.
QF 651 BNE-PER.ETD 1105.Actual 1110.
ETA 1430 Actual 1450.
Water or juice offered after boarding complete.Only 1 FA for J so service a little slow.Mrsdrron has the Chicken with a pesto and parmesan sauce-OK.I have the Salmon with a Thai green curry sauce-fish is dry(salmon on recent AA domestic was much better).Very slow to replenish wine.
About 90 minutes out of BNE a SIA plane flies beneath us.can easily read the signage ?the A380.
Next-Back to the dark ages at PER and off to BME.

 

[russ]

Don't miss the Horizontal Waterfalls!

 

[drron]

Late arrival into PER and parked on the tarmac.Walked to the front of the terminal through it looks like temporary shelter and plastic road dividers.Back into terminal and through security again arriving at gate just 5 minutes before boarding of QF1930.So no QP and lasies use the public utilities-verdict-dirtier than anywhere in Asia.This is my first experience of domestic PER.Boy do you guys need an updated terminal.
seated in 5D,E.Watch anxiously as several POS go past but 5F remains empty.in fact on the 3 seat side of the B717 the first 5 rows all have a vacant seat.Rows 6,7 are empty.Unfortunately after take off the FAs move a woman and her 2 rug rats to 6 and 1 does nothing but let off high pitched screams throughout the flight.
The joys of Y travel(actually L as a 1 class aircraft on a DONE4).Like a flying museum.Tray tables!No choice of meal!Paying for your grog.Even on american eagle having status got me a free drink for me and mrsdrron.The FA was surprised by how empty the flight was-Sunday evening into BME is usually full.Served a lamb goulash with noodles and veggies-It is lamb Jim but not as I know it.
On right side great views of Perth as you take off but left side has best views of sunset and coast as we approach BME.
QF1930 PER-BME.ETD 1525.Actual 1540.
ETA 1750.Actual 1750.
Ah the wonderful Broome international airport!As part of our accommadation package we get a rental car for our stay-normally through Broome Broome(love that name) but ours is through Europcar.Meant to be a Hyundai Getz but it was apparently pranged that morning so we get an Elantra.Just as we finish the documentation the first blackout hits but only 5 minutes.Get to our accommadation-Captains by the Bay-ring for the keys and the second black out hits-2 hours.cant do much so off to town to try and see if anything open-only a Chinese restaurant and Som Thai kitchen where we eat-good Thai food but will do a full review of restaurants when i have downloaded my photos.however not a bad restaurant of the 6 we tried in Broome.
The lights came on for about half an hour as we ate.Went across to the Roey and seleced our wine for the stay-out goes the power and they wont accept cash!
Next Broome.

 

[mannej]

Great TR drron.
Unfortunately, Perth Airports seem to always release their plans to update both intl. and domestic terminals and link them, but never seem to put this into action. I know alot of this has to do with the finer politics between the airlines, but come on sort it out ASAP as PER is really lagging behind in quality and it is very noticeable.

 

[drron]

First our accommodation in Broome(will do a full review with photos later)-Captains By The Bay.Well it is not far from the Bay but you cant see it.Despite that we were fully satisfied.fairly new 2 bedroom apartment,bedrooms with queen beds and both with ensuites,shower only.great kitchen,living area and a patio with daybed,table and chairs plus a Weber Q.Laundry around the back.Included with it is a rental car,free DVDs for borrowing,a small pool but nice.Cost was $250 split between 2 couples where the Cable Beach Club was $350 each per night.We felt we had much better value.
Now Broome is small but enough to fill in your days.Highlights were the natural phenomenon-sunrise and sunset at Cable beach and of course the Stairway to the Moon which was on during our stay.We first viewed this from Town Beach which has a carnival atmosphere with markets there during these nights.however crowded,not comfortable viewing with a lot of pushing and shoving.The second night we went to the Mangrove Resort.Although there a bit closer to moonrise we got a front row table and were able to relax with a bottle of wine.Much better view as well.So if only 1 night go here-but do arrive about 2 hours before the moon rises.
Apart from that visited Ganthaume point and the dinosaur footprints,the Broome museum,the Japanese and Chinese cemeteries and drove out to the Mango plantation-though that was a bit of a waste of time
The women also felt the shopping was pretty good and the CCs had a bit of a run!All in all a very enjoyable few days and I am sure we will be back.
For restaurants,I will write full reviews later with photos-however if any one is a computer whizz who can explain things in simple english i would like help.my photos keep disappearing after posting.The boffins over at FT have given up just saying "how strange" and I have been advised to post direct from picassa3 that i use except i cant.Please dont use computer talk though-it may as well be Swahili for me.Thanks.
Next Leaving broome.May not be for a while as on the Orion internet is $33 an hour so probably next here in 9 days time.

 

[Keith009]

Another interesting report drron. PER and BME are places I'm trying to organise trips to but i nearly always run out of RTW segments and it's too expensive otherwise.

 

[docjames]

Great TR drron.
Unfortunately, Perth Airports seem to always release their plans to update both intl. and domestic terminals and link them, but never seem to put this into action. I know alot of this has to do with the finer politics between the airlines, but come on sort it out ASAP as PER is really lagging behind in quality and it is very noticeable.

The total lack of competition might have something to do with it. At least on the east coast travellers have the (limited) choice of departing BNE/SYD/MEL/ plus AVV/OOL for Dom flights.

 

[drron]

So still dont know if my photos will stick but here goes.Lunch at the Old Zoo Cafe Cable beach,Was fantastic,a tapas style lunch-

scallops with roasted capsicum on a minced pea base.

Panko crusted fried mushrooms-had an extra of this one.

whitebait-every bit as good as in NZ.2 of these as well.

Prawns in a coconut garlic sauce.

Honey soy duck shanks-these also needed a second tasting!

potatoes with prosciutto and pesto aioli.
As well there was duck liver pate-a nice tasting one at that.
So 10 dishes,2 bottles wine for $170-4 people sharing.Felt it was good value.
Next will continue Broome restaurant reviews.only extra thing to say now is that if you are older and considering an Orion Cruise-just do it-absolutely fantastic.

 

[mannej]

Lunch looks supurb!
I'd be happy with that

 

[drron]

A little out of order but we voted the best meal in Broome was at the Wharf restaurant at the Port where we went on Wednesday.We started off sharing scallops with ginger and soy-

Then oysters Kilpatrick and natural-

Thenwe shared 3 mains.First Barra wings-

Garlic prawns-

And Whole fish deep fried asian style-

This was all delicious.With 2 bottles of Sav Blanc-$185.Again a bit expensive but definitely worth it.
Mrsdrron and I were so full we passed on dinner.our friends being younger went to Noodlefish-Thai fusion and felt the food was good.however cash only..
Next-even more on Broome.

 

[drron]

A few photos.First from the plane on approach into BME-

The spectacular scenery of Ganthaume Point and the lighthouse-

Not a bad shack for the lighthouse,fantastic view to boot.Very similiar to this view from a hospital cot-

But you have to watch out for the 4 wheel drives on cable beach-

Next Broome continued(and hopefully the pics stick).

 

[drron]

These computers really do have a mind of their own.The last pictures posted keep coming and going-at least leave a little red X now rather than disappear completely.Was talking to my PHO this evening and turns out he knows a little about computers so tonight I try yet another way to post pictures.So here goes.I think though it may only give a link.
As luck would have it the second and third nights of our stay were nights for the Staircase to the Moon,here it is hopefully-

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S...s400/Broome Stairway to Heaven 6_09 80062.JPG
Though there are other natural wonders such as sunset over Cable Beach-

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SkssMioQ8vI/AAAAAAAAOYg/A9HjtjUgeMc/s800/broome 118.JPG
And the camel rides at sunset-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S... Cable Beach seagull having a wash 100049.JPG
A sunset cruise-

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S... Cable Beach seagull having a wash 100051.JPG
So lets just see how this goes first before I post some more.
So had an idea last night after reading RB's post.Until someone can give me a foolproof way I will post the picture with link underneath so even if pic disappears the link will remain.however Murphy's Law should mean the pics will now stick-or should we rename it Johnk's law now?

 

[RB]

These computers really do have a mind of their own.The last pictures posted keep coming and going-at least leave a little red X now rather than disappear completely.Was talking to my PHO this evening and turns out he knows a little about computers so tonight I try yet another way to post pictures.So here goes.I think though it may only give a link.
As luck would have it the second and third nights of our stay were nights for the Staircase to the Moon,here it is hopefully-
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S...s400/Broome Stairway to Heaven 6_09 80062.JPG
Though there are other natural wonders such as sunset over Cable Beach-
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SkssMioQ8vI/AAAAAAAAOYg/A9HjtjUgeMc/s800/broome 118.JPG
And the camel rides at sunset-
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S... Cable Beach seagull having a wash 100049.JPG
A sunset cruise-
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S... Cable Beach seagull having a wash 100051.JPG
So lets just see how this goes first before I post some more.

Love your reports but I was having more luck weeks ago looking at photos. Your latest solution lets me see the photos but not the ideal.

 

[drron]

Well here we go again-if the pics disappear the link will remain if you want to look.
Whilst there we tried to go to the Roey but it had been taken over for filming-Mad Ba*stards was it's name-

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S...I/jCZrPHVbUrw/s800/Broome town 6_09 90001.JPG
However we did get to have lunch at Matso's Brewery-

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S...yn4q14J8ui0/s800/Broome Matson 6_09 90009.JPG
The lunch here was pretty good.I had the Threadfin salmon and chips which was perfectly cooked.Washed down with a selection of their beers-chilli beer,Monsoonal Blonde(with cardamon) and the Mango beer.I really didnt feel the need to purchase more for later sampling.The service here was pretty slow but we had plenty of time.Not a bad place for lunch.
That night we walked up to the Mangrove resort for the Staircase to the moon.This was the way to do it.Didnt get there particularly early but managed to snag the last front row table.Able to sit and watch whilst consuming a couple of bottles of white.Sat down next to a retired pharmacist from Tewantin-small world.This is my reccomendation for viewing this spectacle.
The night before we had gone to Town beach.We got there quite early and spent time at the markets they have there for the Staircase.A lot of Asian food available-not such great quality though.The viewing is not nearly as comfortable and the good spots taken quite early.This is grey nomad and backpacker territory and unfortunately manners dont figure in either of their qualities and a lot of pushing and shoving by the late arrivals.A couple of shots of the crowd-

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksoW1uWZGI/AAAAAAAAOUE/KqW6ZnZ7eWw/s800/broome 058.JPG
This is where most people view but their view is partly obscured by a rock groyne where the view is better but the manners worse-

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksoXGi8mII/AAAAAAAAOUI/3733KZIG0ls/s800/broome 060.JPG
Here we stood next to a couple from Burnie where I worked last year,once again a small world.Both nights after the viewing we retired to our apartment,had great WA steaks washed down with a bottle or six of wine.
On our last day in Paradise we went out to Cable beach for a walk at sunrise-how we did it after the night before i am not sure!It became obvious that one of the problems with staying at Cable Beach is the number of young wanderers in their campervans with sleeping bags and mattresses all over the grass overlooking the beach.Fortunately none of this visible when down on the beach.The sun rises behind the beach but still fantastic-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksrd57cslI/AAAAAAAAOXk/bFl3TL6Ahog/s800/broome 091.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/S.../s800/Broome Cable Bch at dawn 6_09 10009.JPG
for our last lunch before we boarded the Orion we went to the Aarli Bar.We went for their tapas style menu.We had lamb cutlets,pork spare ribs with Hoisin,lemongrass and chilli as well as grilled mushrooms,spicy lamb meatballs and shredded duck spring rolls.All were great and with 2 bottles of wine came out at $167.We voted this the second best restaurant we ate at in Broome.The best went to the Wharf,third was the Old Zoo Cafe.But we got very good experiences at 6 out of 6 places we ate.Certainly we will be back.
next-Broome,the rest.

 

[drron]

There are also plenty of other things to do in broome.Unfortunately it can be hard to find a local-most we met that lived there had come from somewhere else in the last few years.we were on a mission-our gardener when young had worked on one of the pearling luggers-the Buccleugh.Try as we might we found no one who knew what happened to it.
Just a few sights.First the lugger display-

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksokGp6CfI/AAAAAAAAOUY/ye_xqXegO1E/s800/broome 003.JPG
The different phone booths-

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksokWwEmwI/AAAAAAAAOac/jvf6et-Hzwo/s800/broome 004.JPG
The old open air theatre-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksreMIjwyI/AAAAAAAAOXw/zu79_hbfruc/s800/broome 098.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksrs4THThI/AAAAAAAAOX0/qPUu9AOJtOY/s800/broome 100.JPG
The historic arcade,well it tells of the history in posters-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksoXFkvGFI/AAAAAAAAOUQ/hPiiMbZgNmE/s800/broome 001.JPG
And of course it is a major gateway into Australia-

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/SksrwuzHogI/AAAAAAAAOX8/D2V-qS8oOts/s800/broome 103.JPG
finally it was time to return the Elantra to the airport.Naturally the rental car booths were unmanned as no planes due for 3 hours so just drop the keys.get a cab back to the luggers museum where we check in for the Orion.The cab driver is one of those true blue aussie characters had us in stitches though he left the radio on and the dispatcher helped out-fellows I'm just going out the back to p*** back in a minute.Comes back-now where did we send John(our driver).Pity it was suvch a short trip.
After completing formalities we are bussed to the Orion.That comes next.

 

[drron]

We have been looking forward to this cruise for some time booking about 18 months ago.It is expensive and there were some concerns about value.We need not have worried.It really is first class.As we boarded each couple is escorted to their cabin.ours is a French Balcony Suite.We had visions of sitting on our balcony sipping champagne watching the setting sun.This was the only disappoinment.The balcony is very narrow.But these rooms do have glass as the outside wall-sliding doors so the view from the room is great.The cabin was spacious.The bathroom though small had very efficient use of space-as mrsdrron said it was obviously designed by a woman and I agree.Too many hotels that are supposed to be 5 star have very poorly designed bathrooms often with very little bench space for toiletries.Here we had space left over.
So some pics(I am trying a different computer to see whether my problems are with my computer,though since I have posted direct from Picassa although the pics vanish they randomly make a reappearance!).

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksr-4Vu4FI/AAAAAAAAOYI/E0rLrLDRH8g/s800/broome 106.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksr-26EfYI/AAAAAAAAOYM/VjMnQYl62Xk/s800/broome 108.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksr--925II/AAAAAAAAOYQ/tjGU1EgwhNs/s800/broome 109.JPG
There was a little plate of goodies waiting-

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksr-8Sp4vI/AAAAAAAAOYU/knwR3TSO2MQ/s800/broome 110.JPG
And some sparkling-

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rQVWoyzfpk0/Sksr-_FEKvI/AAAAAAAAOYY/kc0z9aNhP0M/s800/broome 111.JPG
No time for that though as we were expected in the lounge for welcome coughtails,the champagne flowed.Then the life boat drill before going back to our cabin to unpack.
Next-the food!





​

 

[JohnK]

Very interesting trip report drron.

Now Broome is small but enough to fill in your days.

Days? Try a couple of hours.

I will write full reviews later with photos-however if any one is a computer whizz who can explain things in simple english i would like help.my photos keep disappearing after posting.

I just see a red X inside 2 boxes. :-|

Lunch looks supurb!

You can see photo of lunch? Are you in another parallel universe as there aren't any photos in the previous posts.

 

[maggies1]

I couldn't open the photos either until I right click on red x then click add to favourites then go to your favourites and click on the photo and it will open. long winded I know but it works for me and I wanted to see the photos.
Great trip report. Can't wait for the cruise section.
Maggies1.

 

[russ]

drron, we hope you enjoy/enjoyed the orion! it's nice to know that australia can do world-class service when it tries! if you get a chance to do the rubber ducky thing at horizontal waterfalls, don't miss it!

also, thank you for keeping your clothes on in this one!

 

[drron]

Now that really is cool Russ.My pictures wont stick for me but they will for you.Yesterday was contacted again by the FT people who still cant work out what is going on.Since I posted the links to the photos they seem to come and go in random fashion.I have tried posting from 3 different computers and the result is the same.I have come to the conclusion computers are allergic to me.:shock:
I will continue next week-was going to do so this weekend but on call and actually had to work