Perth to Broome: Beaches, Sun, Nudity and Fishing

JULY 21 2001 from Brads email
Dear all

Has been a few weeks since I sent my last big email but it feels like ages as I've been doing so much in so short a time and seen so many things it blows me away...

Since I last wrote I have traveled form Perth to Broome (South Coast to the North coast of Western Australia). All I can say is if you haven't been to WA then you are missing out. Make plans today!!
Highlights:

PERTH AND FREMANTLE: Amazing part of the world. Really great people. First night there, we scored free dinner for buying a middie, a free jug (pitcher for you yanks) of beer from a bar maid and hospitality from people we met on the street!
Westralians do things differently here though. They are a rare breed. For New South Welshman (people from NSW), there are no RSL's here (cheap drinking places). Swan beer rules here, the postcards mock the rest of the country and its the only state that doesn't have VB (beer) signs announcing the upcoming roadhouse ahead! It seems like they boycott the rest of Australia. Yes it's a weird site when you are traveling in the middle of absolute nowhere and suddenly you see a VB sign on the side of the road.

ALIEN EXISTENCE: The Limestone pillars called the Pinnacles (SouthWest WA) that look life phallic objects from the distance, and Termite mounds that abound everywhere, that look like big piles of s*&t all over the outback.

COOLEST PLACE TO WAKE UP: Right on the sand of isolated beaches in Cervantes, Quobba and Exmouth.

WEIRDEST PLACE TO WAKE UP: Southside bridge of the Swan River in the Perth CBD, in the front drivers seat, 1/2 km from the skyscrapers.

NO WORK: There is nothing like never having to wake up to an alarm each day... nor knowing what day it is.

RANDOM ACTIONS: Super short haircut when I left. Write in a journal everyday which I've never done before! Look out Lonely Planet and Rough Guide! Here I come!

ANIMALS: Wedge tailed eagles everywhere swarming around road kill and eating Kanga carcass on the side of the road. Sheep surrounded our tent one morning! 1 wild camel, 1 snake, 1 humpback whale, birds a plenty, big fish (fishing heaven for you fishos out there), Euros (type of Kanga) and pelicans in the middle of the outback!

EXERCISE: For you Triple Ser's out there I am working out!! Now and then... Chinups on trees and pushups with Rebecca lying on my back, and roman rings from ropes we tie to a tree etc etc. Surfing, beach runs...

SCHOOL EACH DAY: Learning Spanish from my Lonely Planet Phrase book and on call tutor Bex (Rebecca) .

COOL DAYS TO BE LIVING:
1/ Surfing at Kalbarri NP by oneself while Jeff and Bex caught and killed rock crabs for dinner!
2/ Snorkeling and surfing along Ningaloo Reef between Coral Bay and Exmouth.
3/ Opening your tent to something new EVERY DAY!
4/ Everyday. Since we have reached Perth we have had one day of clouds. No rain. Other than that not ONE cloud has existed in the sky! 20-30 deg C.

$$$$: One night of accommodation paid for for $5. $920 bucks spent since 27th May.

WA THE LAND OF NUDITY: Mauritius Beach in Exmouth (Clothes Optional). Lets just say the tan lines have been a fadin.. and Jeff has found nude fishing to be one of his nude... I mean new hobbies!

SURF: I'm coming back in a few years time. Plenty of offshore reefs and no-one out. Pure surfing bliss. Who's interested and who has a boat?

THE ULTIMATE TOILETS: In Carnarvon, they have a toilet that has a sliding Star Trekky type door, that has music upon entry and while you are doing your business, self cleaning cubicle (like Europe) but has a sink that is a three in one automatic soap dispenser, water and dryer!

NATURE: Tourist brochure. White fine sands, turquoise water, magic sunsets and sunrises. It's ALL true.

FOOD: Coles (supermarket)= best friend. 12 large sand crabs caught. 7 fish.

HOUSE ON WHEELS: Heaps of people live the lifestyle with a big school bus or coach, 4WD on a trailer, boat and satellite dish to boot! One couple have lived on their's for 7 years!

CAR PROBLEMS: Sand bogged, stuffed starter motor, distributor, carby, burst tyres and one that went flat on the top of the car!

I am now in Broome. Too much to talk about. It is a tropical paradise in NW WA. I will save it for next time.

Gotta go. Enjoy the piccies!

Brad