Fri, 15th April, 2022 Hidden Valley Van Park, Berrimah, NT to Kimberley Cruise across Joseph Bonaparte Gulf to Koolama Bay, WA

 Up early, no more rain so we were able to close up without water on the pop-top vinyl. 

The Uber driver came as the boom gate was up. We were just finishing off so locked up and off we went to the wharf. Very friendly chap.

We were the 2^nd couple to arrive. Bit of confusion with signing us in, temperature taken and bags labelled. Then we sat inside waiting. Clive and Rebecca had arrived just after us so we took some photos and chatted. Rebecca had her hat on which made me realise I had left out hats somewhere. I had put the bags in the truck ready to close up the camper so hopefully they are there when we get back. At least I had packed two caps as back-up. Another lady took a couple of photos so I could post one on Facebook. Didn’t realise till later what Steve had done in the first photo!

Sent off early birthday messages to Suzanne, Katie, Sarah and Susan as their birthdays are in the next week when I won’t have any phone reception.

We waited some more and then the late comers arrived. Finally the Expedition Leader, Jamie, showed us how to do our RAT tests - all negative. Then more delay as we each had to show it and hand in the form to the nurse. We have to wear our masks onboard except when eating or in our rooms. I reckon we can have them off when we are outside in the air as long as you aren’t around anyone.

At last we could head onto the wharf to our home, the Coral Discoverer, for the next 10 days as we cruise along the Kimberley Coast to Broome.

We assembled in the dining room for a cuppa and hot cross bun (as it is Good Friday) and another form to fill in. Tables are for 6 and 4 which seems odd that we can sit here and not wear a mask but have to outside in the fresh air!

Steve found a good place for his name tag.

The ship started to leave the dock. We are on our way.

Checked in and then we were taken to our ‘Stateroom’ on the Promenade Deck. No balcony this time but we have a great view and we will have the land view all the way. 

Checked out the map of our trip. Each day we will get a note telling us what will be happening the next day.

We watched the pilot boat come alongside and the pilot leave after we had left the harbour as it was all happening right outside our window.

They couldn’t see in too well which is good to now but will have to pull the blind down at night as it would be easy to see in with the lights on. There is a pathway (promenade) around the ship on our level. Clive and Rebecca are on the floor above which also has the Bridge Deck Lounge. The dining area is the floor below us.

Looking across to West Point and our camp spot in the long grass. The ferry had just left.

Back to Darwin.

The tender ‘Explorer’ hangs off the back which will take us off the ship exploring and there are zodiacs as well for the ‘ride’ up the Horizontal Falls etc.

Grabbed our life jackets ready for the Muster drill shortly. Headed out for a look around. Got a photo first at the bow. Not sure how we will go with all this mask wearing.

Checked out what you can see through the windows. Had to put my face up to see in but at night it would be easy viewing!

The top is called the Sun Deck. Don’t think we will be using the lounges much in this sun. Steve is happy knowing where the life boats are.

Joined everyone on the Bridge Deck Aft for the Muster Drill.

Into the lounge for a talk by Jamie then the guest lecturers on what we will be doing and seeing. Looks fabulous. There is a moving map on the TV so we know where we are at all times as well as a map in our cabin.

No land behind us now. Water washes in the lower level where we will get on and off the tender etc.

Unpacked then joined some others to hear about the Mitchell Falls flight. At $630 each we decided we wouldn’t do it as we will be walking in and helicoptering out later. 

Went to the Bridge which has an open door policy and met the Master Josh though everyone calls him the Captain. ‘Master of the Vessel’ for bigger ships, then Captain for smaller ones and then Skipper. Steve got comfortable but there is no big steering wheel!

Josh has just bought a house in Gordonvale. The ship was built by NQEA 16 years ago. There are two 6 cylinder Caterpillar engines doing 11.6 knots at 1700 revs at the moment. The ship draws only 3 metres so it can go into shallower waters. We are now in 41m deep water and heading across the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf where it will get to about 70m. We will travel all night and cross into WA about midnight and reach our destination at 6am at Koolama Bay tomorrow. The only section that might be rough is here and so far it is flat. The rest of the trip we will be hugging the coastline. 

Lunch with Clive & Rebecca and Frank & Wendy from Woollongong. First meal photo.

Into the Bridge Deck lounge for a talk with one of the guest lecturers about the Kimberley landscape and animals.

We will stay on NT time till just before reaching Broome then we will change our clocks and have another one & half hour extra sleep.

Checked the moving map again at 3.50pm. We are heading for Koolama Bay and King George River where my finger is.

Went up to the Sundeck and chatted with a Tassie couple - Wendy & Peter. Spotted some fish jumping and birds diving on the bait schools. So calm.

Captain’s Welcome Aboard drinks on the Bridge Deck where we met other passengers while enjoying a glass of bubbly etc.

The sun is setting but dark clouds are blocking it but it still makes for a great photo. The moon is getting fuller.

There are so storm clouds about and I saw lightning flash when I walked around to the bow to take photos of the moon etc.

Lovely dinner meeting more passengers.

Not so keen on being in the air conditioning all the time. It is humid outside but so nice to breathe in some fresh air when we can. 

Joined the others in the lounge to watch a video about the ship M.V. Koolama which this bay is named after. Very interesting. Too long to explain so google it sometime.