Denham (Monkey Mia)

Denham was another long drive and we can't quite understand why they do not have a coast road so that we don't have to continually drive in and out on the same roads.  Oh well no such luck yet.  We arrive in the late afternoon and set up on our site overlooking the beach.  We had visits from Grace and Ivy two friends the kids had made.  The spent the remainder of the afternoon playing.   Then we caught up with Kate, Bren, Indigo, Jarrah, Pepper, Trish and Chris for afternoon drinks.  They were all heading south quickly out from here and we possibly won't catch them again.

The next day in Denham we visited the Shark Bay Discovery Centre and wandered around the displays.  We took a drive in the afternoon around the town and watched some amazing kite surfers at action.  The wind has not stopped blowing since Port Hedland.  We hope that it will stop soon.

The following morning we headed for Monkey Mia were we were involved in the dolphin feeding.  The kids waited patiently to get a turn but were unluckily not to have a go.  Jordan was a little disappointed to say the least but when the crowds are so huge and only 20 fish are offered to the dolphins then their chances was limited.  They also had the birth of a new dolphin so we got to see and awkward new dolphin learning to swim and surface properly.  It was very cute.  In the end the experience was great but it is over shadowed by the rules and regulations and the amount you need to pay to visit the open area.

At least Nigel stands out in the crowd!

Puck waiting patiently for her fish.

Nicky and her new dolphin calf  (4 days old)

Oh there they are lost in the crowd.

Puck performing a trick taught to her years ago.
No longer are they taught to beg and are feed in a
more natural method.

Just a small crowd at the feeding.

We then boarded the Aristocat II.  We sailed/ motored around Shark Bay and headed for the Blue Lagoon Pearling Company floating pontoon first.  We had a very interesting demonstration from one of the owners Rob (brother of Jamie from Farmer wants a wife) and then browsed around the shop area.  When we left there we headed for the dugong feeding ground.  We were in search of these majestic mysterious animals.  We luckily saw several.  One a mother and baby and a single male.  On our journey back to the jetty we did some boom netting.  Jordan and Nigel had the first go and eventually Jordan liked it but initially she was not very comfortable.  I was on the next group and almost lost my pants.  Now that's not a good look with all the rolls I have going on at present.  Nigel went on for a second turn and had a ball.  It was an enjoyable time and one that all of us enjoyed.

Helping to hoist the sails.

Rob pointing out the main parts of the oyster.

Experiment jewellery.  Now a line for sale know as
the Gemini range.

Oooh which one do I like!

Feeding the fish!

Dugong and baby!

Ooh a nose of a dugong.  Lol. You had to be quick.

Not so sure I want to do this Dad!

Now I'm enjoying it!

Once back on land we had a quick swim and then ran into Dennis and Marion.  They had just arrived and did not expect to find us lollying around in the water.  We chatted for awhile then head back to Denham where we found the Cameron's had set up also.  We are now officially being stalked by these two families.  We think its hilarious.

Our final day in Denham was spent taking in the sights SE of Denham.  We drove down to Shell Beach first. Which was stunning.  The water crystal clear, the white tinny shells.  A really unique place.  Unfortuantely our visit was also attended by 30,000 flies.  Bloody sticky little things.  They were crawling in our eyes, around our mouth nose and ears and were stuck to our backs like a blanket.  Still a stunning place and the kids had fun in the water.  That was only after Jordan had a stack doing a cartwheel for me in the water and fell straight in.  Oh well what the heck.  Get on in and have some fun.

The cartwheel disaster!

This time not a problem!

 

How much fun does this look?

We then drove back to Eagle Bluff in search of sharks but no such luck.  Only Jordan having a stack of the side of the walkway and falling 1 metre into the shrub.   Just not Jordan's day.  Ocean Park an aquarium outside of Denham was our next stop.  We had a light lunch and then toured the ponds and tanks.  The guide (a marine biologist) was very interesting and a really kept the kids interested in all of the facts he had to share.  Off to Monkey Mia for a swim  and to have tea with the Cameron's and Galvin's.

Our lunch

Shark's lunch

Shark attack!

Heading for Kalbarri next but on the way we visited the stromatolites at Hamlin Pool.  It is at the entrance to the Shark Bay Heritage area.  These are the oldest living fossils.  They were extremely strange looking but I quite enjoyed the walk around them.

Wheel tracks are still visible in the stromatolites
 from 40 years ago!