Aristocat 2

While in Monkey Mia we took a boat cruise on a catamaran called the Aristocat 2. We first went to a pearl farm on the ocean where we learned things we didn't know about pearls, such as how they seed them, and how rare it is to find a pearl naturally made (very rare). Kevin gave a hand with the sails and Mercedes watched out for pirates. We got a ride in the boom net which drags behing the boat. The rope was a little uncomfortable on the behind but the kids loved it. We saw more dolphins that swam right alongside the boat, and turtles that just peeked up briefly. We also followed slow-swimming dugongs - just like a manatee only they feed on the bottom while manatees are top feeders (something new we learned). We also passed a striped sea snake swimming by.

Monkey Mia

So, the picture of the emus around the motorhome (not ours), was supposed to be with this entry. Monkey Mia (another great name) is a place famous for it's dolphins. A gang of emus patrolled the campground. The first time they walked by us they got really, really close and kept coming, inches from us. They're very intimidating with their height and intense focus on you. We went in the van. Later Kevin and I were sitting out and they walked by us again. A large one paused and pooped out a brown and seed-filled river, just like someone had dumped a bucket. It seemed deliberate. Welcome to our territory, I'm in charge here and this is what I think of you. We had a good laugh and were careful to step around his welcome gift.

While we walked the jetty in the evening Mercedes spotted a green turtle! It popped it's head up every few minutes to breath and look around.

The next morning we watched the dolphins come in to shore to be hand-fed a few fish. Since we'd done this in Tin Can bay already, on the east coast, we watched from the jetty. This was a large pod of dolphins, complete with small babies that played while their folks waited patiently for a hand-out. They just picked out a few people and several dolphins got a couple of fish each. Later on a smaller crowd gathered and we realized it was happening again. We joined this time and the girls got to feed one dolphin a fish.

New friends

At a caravan park in Geraldton the girls met 2 sisters from Switzerland who spoke mostly French. The language barrier didn't stop them from playing all sorts of games into the evening. Kyra and Mercedes have been missing having other kids to play with so get their fill when they can. Amalie and Marie (did I get that right?) have been travelling with their parents through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and other places. Mercedes had trouble understanding that they didn't speak English enough to understand 'the plan'. She'd make a plan with them for the current game and they'd listen patiently but then run off to continue playing. Mercedes would yell 'hey, what about the plan!' They had a great time and played again in the morning.

smart sea lion, Feb.8.

On Feb. 7 we stopped for 2 nights in Cervantes, a seaside town north of Perth. On an evening walk to the jetty the sunset was beautiful. You can see in the sunset picture the 2 men fishing. The one on the left (let's call him the man with one leg, because he had one leg), was being bothered by a pesky sea lion, who we were delighted to see. Every time the one leg man caught a fish the sea lion would pull it off his line before he could reel it in. We found it hilarious of course but he was very unhappy. He moved to another spot down the jetty. Another fella took his spot and he had fun teaing the sea lion with his bait. The sea lion gave up on that guy and swam down to the one legged man. Smart creature.

bird dropping spider

The girls found this little critter in their bedroom. We didn't know what it was at first but found it in our handy Australian creatures book. It's a bird dropping spider. Not because it drops birds (much too small for that), but because when it's scrunched up it really does look like bird poop!
Feb. 5.

Perth

Perth. We didn't do too much here. Mercedes took some quiet time downtown. We stayed put in one place for 5 nights and had the van serviced. It was very hot so we spent a lot of our time in the campground pool. Perth seemed nice, a little sleepy maybe, for a large city. Maybe we just hit it at a quiet time. The beaches were nice. We had a swim at city beach in the big waves with our boogie boards. The sand was so hot it really could burn your feet without shoes on.

We also visited Freemantle, a small city near Perth. There we toured the Roundhouse, a prison built in 1830 to house local criminals. We learned of the terrible conditions and punishments they endured in those days. All horrifying but educational (?) for the kids! The stocks that the accused puts their head and hands through in the centre of town? Well, they apparently would nail the criminals ears to the board as well so he couldn't turn his head to avoid rotten fruit thrown his way. See? Educational!

Caves and jettys

In a place called Yallingup (great place names here) we visited the Yallingup caves. We walked a km. down to 35m deep where the air is thin. It was very beautiful with stalagmites and stalagtites and other formations we learn in school. The girls were very enthusiastic about the experience.

The next day we were in Bunbury where the jetty (or wharf) is 1800m. long. It's odd being so far out to sea but not in a boat. People often swim and jump off it. After Kevin did some fantastic swan dives Kyra gave it a try. Mercedes said just said 'no way!' I gave it a jump eventually and screamed on the way down, which made them laugh and laugh.

Possums, Jan. 29

Finally, an update!

In the Margaret River area, the west coast, we stayed at a campground with possums. We were eating our supper when Mercedes noticed some kids were feeding possums at the washrooms. The kids were putting chunks of banana and apple on sticks and these fellas would take it off and feast. One would climb down a girl even patted it. They're Australia's raccoons. They got full of fruit and the kids left. Kyra offered the possums carrot sticks and they were suddenly not full anymore.

March 13, 2008

Hello anyone who may be looking for updates and wondering what's become of us!
It's very difficult to get internet access while on the road here. We do have some great pictures
and stories on their way as soon as possible. After 30,000 kms we are back in Queensland and still loving
the travelling.
We hope you all are well,
Cheers,
the Cuthbertsons