Day 3. Exmouth to Bungarra

[samvara]

Ignored sunrise utterly in the smug knowledge that I wasn't one of the gang who got up extra early and jogged up to the ligthhouse to see it in all it's splendour. They very considerately said "Oh it was shit" when they trotted back, all glowing and happy. 

Hurtled back into Exmouth to demand Marine Maps from the Information Centre and two different dive outfits and were sadly disappointed. We made do with local bits and pieces and the best weather predictions we could lay our hands on. Back at the National Park we paid for annual passes - they get you entrance to all WA National Parks for the year - and J. got told off by the Ranger for leaving his car (then again later for being a hoon in the Osprey campsite). 

Then finally... finally entered Ningaloo Marine Park! It's all water and reef and glowing blue seas to the West and then sand dunes and scrubby little bushes with a dash of mangroves and finally the Cape Range to the West looking all rocky and lumpy.

We investigated the Visitors Centre (a large, plush stuffed emu nearly came home with us) admired the marine displays and played with the toys. They let us peek at their maps and displays (impressive pickled snakes but I have better redbacks at home) and were generally nosey. We drove South to Bungarra and set up tents on the only bits of welcoming ground at sites 2½ and 3¾. 

Bungarra campsite

Our little camp was spider free when we arrived courtesy of one of the Rangers who thoughtfully cleaned out our composting toilet with a high pressure hose. Oh the wonder of technology, a non stinky (smelt quite good actually), non water, bush toilet with pleasant ventilation.

Composting toilet

Once our little home was established we trundled the 600m to the sea to play frizbee and leap about like frogs. I don't recommend giggling too much when playing because it makes it even harder to breath.

Then our first paddle! We paddled South for about 45 minutes then gently paddled back feeling all accomplished and OMG we're really here-ish. We saw turtles popping their heads up to check us out then heard the 'sploosh' of them rapidly departing, stingrays and a few fish as well as many birds.

We were very smug about beating the 'others', a phenomenon arising from the fact that a person in a group of six can only ever see five other people, creating the illusion that someone is missing - or in S.'s case demonstrating an inability to count.

The sunset was incredible.

Sunset at Osprey Bay

Wet, sandy and utterly content.

All that golden light...

Also noble, adventuring and a tad posey

Joel, Jules and Zoe being photographed by Simon

I never got tired of the colour of the sky.

Looking North from Osprey Bay

Comments

[prk.livejournal.com]

J. got told off by the Ranger for leaving his car

Leaving his car somewhere in particular?

Or getting out of his car when he's not meant to?

Here be dragons?


Am enjoying the travelogs and photos!

prk.

[black-samvara.livejournal.com]

I think it was because it's the car that gets let into the park, not the person but J. got out to come and chat and was thoroughly told off for exiting the vehicle. [grins] It's not like there were a lot of cars and it's not like he was being rude and we had to fill out identical paperwork so it would have been convenient if we had gotten both sets at the same time.

Thanks! I'm doing them in detail for my happy memories and to have enough to possibly plan another trip in the future.

Plus I have a lot of photos I want to show people.

[scotsnow.livejournal.com]

I've been enjoying your photos for months now. You've got a good eye.

Looking forward to more travelogue!

[black-samvara.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I worry about being too spammy sometimes.

I'll write up various chunks in the next few days.