






We made it and what a sight, it just popped up
SHE loved it and THEY decided not to take any photos of the next big Australian Rock as you can see it on every brochure ever published if you want to know something about Straya...
Dear Porky,
We set off at about 10am, road is open after hefty downpours over Laverton and the Great Central Road to about Warburton. The road is fine and open to 2W drive. This road will be certainly more interesting than the highway along the Nullarbor besides it promises warm days and balmy nights. The Great Central Road connects Perth with Cairns taking its start from the west in Laverton to Yulara, then connects via highway to Alice Springs and begins again at Gemtree to finish in Winton, which then proceeds as bitumen road to Cairns. We have a permit for 3 nights to get from Laverton to the WA/NT border.
Our first stop was 20km East of Laverton to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the sun and 29degrees.
Harvesting sandalwood for the cosy night camp fire
The 2. Stop we just drove off the road into a Sandalwood 'Forest'
We are a few Km away from Tjakayirla which we will only pass through to carry on toward Waburton.
Porky, can you see me? THEY let me out of the car for a change!
Passed through Warburton and the roadhouse not a soul to be seen, maybe we were rather early in morning. The road was a little rougher now, as we expected and our next stop was at Yarla Kujara camp ground tucked away from the road. We shared the vast free camp ground with 2 other cars we spotted in the distance. This area was created by the aboriginal community with lots of information regarding the local flora and fauna.
In the middle of the area HE found the tractor which was used to make the Great Central Road.
Later in the morning it was planned to carry on toward Warakurna and we snug in another night ( no permit) at Warakurna Giles Riverbed. Big area, 3 more cars hidden behind casuarinas, it was lovely, abounded bird life, some with the weirdest song I ever heard.
The road was pretty rough toward the WA/NT border and beyond, only 90km/h could make the corrugation, flood ways, dips and causeways manageable.
Arrived in Leonora in the afternoon, to escape the rain and avoid the boring Nullarbor road, only to drive into the downpour. A quick shopping stopover in Kalgoorlie and racing toward Leonora. We have to sit out the rain as the road THEY decided to take might be closed after the unusual rainfall.
HE knew the caravan park from years before, good showers though the main reason to rest here a night.
Beauties at Leonora caravan park
Dear Porky, we left early in the morning Cosy Corner direction Esperance. They decided to stay at Stokes Inlet, a beautiful camp area along the inlet. Stokes Inlet is the largest estuary in WA with abundance of wildlife, incredible flora and variety of fish.
At dawn we had about 80km to Esperance and THEY were quite excited to see the settlement as this was their 2.nd choice after Tasmania. Boy, were they pleased to have settled where they are now. 100s of km flat agricultural land, mining, 1080, pine/hardwood plantation where the regrowth after harvest gets poisoned as it grows not into a straight trunk out of the stumps. The waterfront holds predominantly motels and caravan parks, the outskirts housing heavy agricultural machinery, car sales and mining equipment. Bye bye Esperance and the weather is cold and showery.
We have arrived at the Southern Ocean with rain all the way, but voila the sun is out even before we set up camp. Fantastic spot provided for free camping by Albany council. Must be crowded in summer. No just us and 2 more we can't even see or hear. Yessssss!!!!
Awesome ocean, high dunes protecting us from wind but allowing the sound of the breaking waves to get to our spot. We might spend 2 days here before moving eastward along the coast.
Roof extension against rain, just in case.
Bridge across Frankland river ( Muirs Bridge)
Great spot to camp, lots of secluded sites along the river and only 1 happy camper except us.I wish it would be a little warmer, night temperature dropped to 6 degrees. We are off to the coast with rain expected for the South 😮
talk soon Petunia
Dear Porky,
we heading South into the cold. The night was spent on the side of a quiet road shortly before Busselton. We could see and hear lots of birds as we were on the edge of a river and swamp. Very lovely. Early in the morning off further South to a NP to have breakfast.
Greens Island is the name of the place in the middle of South East Nannup Forest where we were all by ourselves and enjoyed breakfast and ample of bird activity. This place was named after John (Jack) and Irene Greens who settled here in 1929 and abandoned it in 1940. The Greens family bequeathed this place to Conservation and Landmanagement in the 1990's and is a terrific secluded large shaded camp area with a lovely rivulet bubbling on the edge.
It was decided to drive on further direction Lake Muir Nature Reserve and stay overnight at Muirs Bridge/ Rocky Gully.
The interesting part of the modern high rise buildings here is that you will find on the lifts or door numbers never a 4, as it symbolises death, so no 4 th floor or number 14,24...
The other curious set up is the absence of windows or doors across whole buildings, sometimes with a 5 storey hole, all to accommodate a dragon when it decides to arrive.
Below you can see the executive mansions at Cyper Port Bell Air. This is the view from their apartment they were lucky to use, as the friends of Pia and Tom'swho usually occupy it, are on holidays in Bali.
One of the buildings with 2 bedrooms is up for grabs for AU$ 60,000 000.00 Anyone interested?
Container highway.
Cyberport Philipino maids are here in abundance, they do everything, cleaning, washing, shopping, cooking, baby sitting and ...
The family has to provide in their flat accommodation which is a pantry size 'bedroom' about 2 mx 1.5m and usually tucked away between kitchen and laundry and and access to garbage disposal. A small hole houses a shower and toilet. Holidays are 2 weeks ( usually) to fly back home, tickets to be paid by employers.
They went out to explore Kennedy Town, where Little Creatures is situated. It was very interesting as you can see on the images above. After having lunch in a true Chinese 'food court' they went on to have a beer at Little Creatures to meet up with Pia. Tom had already left for Saigon. Pia took them on a evening tour to Soho, the trendy dining area of Hong Kong. The dinner they had was a modern take on Chinese cuisine with a twist, absolutely mind blowing.
Coaster of the restaurant,
and yes, that is the name of the establishment meaning something similar to oral pleasure. From there the tour went on to Buenos Aires Polo Club to have a few cocktails and since Pia is well known we had to squeeze in yet another dessert, no refusal accepted. You can look up the venue on the Black Sheep website Porky. Wandering through Soho passing galleries they went on to Carbone, the Italian version of Black Sheep restaurant chain. Here they had some digestive drinks and again had real trouble fighting off the offer of cheese or chocolate cake. This time they succeeded by promising to come back for a meal with all the trimmings. 😰
Gallery in Soho
Very happy and satiated they took a taxi home. It was a terrific night out, thanks to Pia.
Everyone was happy to see each other again, the girls were a bit shy to begin with. Anouk warmed up fairly quickly and a little later Malou was ok too.
Drawing Mama and even eating crayons is fun.
They went out dining for Tom's birthday on a floating restaurant with lots of red eyed dragons, chandeliers and gold. It was especially great for the girls and Anouk was still talking about dragons and chocolate cakes the next day.
Ferry to floating restaurant.
Floating restaurant entrance
Malou having a good time
Welcoming chef
Peking duck with the lot
Bye bye restaurant
Ferry terminal after dark
Adult time out, beer tasting and hot pot night a day later. Not only humans dine out in Hon Kong.