Sun, 17th April, 2022 Kimberley Cruise, WA (Plane wreck, Jar Island art etc)

During the night we ‘steamed’ (I love the fact that the old terminology of the seafarers is still used) around to Vansittart Bay. We rounded Cape Londonderry which is the most northerly point of West Australia. Glad we have these maps so I know where we are. We went into Pauline Bay to anchor.

Walked around the Promenade checking out the views. It is a big bay.

Easter Sunday so there are lots of Easter Eggs to nibble on. After breakfast we boarded the Explorer. The boat lifter has a limit of 9 tonne so when we return the outside edge of people get off on the bottom level then the boat is raised then the inner side people can get off.

We are off to Anjo Peninsula to check out a US Air Force C-53 Sky Trooper plane that crashed here in 1942. The pilot rang out of fuel because they didn’t have a proper navigator on board and completely missed the airport at Broome and kept flying. The pilot did a remarkable job sliding the plane along the salt pan though he hit some trees on the other side ripping off one wing. A few days later another plane spotted them and they were rescued. (I am trying to remember this info after 2 weeks - should have written more notes but was having too good a time.)

Wet landing onto the beach then over a sand dune listening to the running commentary of our lecturers about plants and animals etc. Birds pick up the crabs in their shells and drop them onto the rocks to break them open.

The ground is covered with the little crabs with big red claws. It was hard to zoom in for a photo of one as when you got close they darted into their holes.

A mud skipper stayed still though.

Across the salt pan and through the trees. Found a beautiful boab and a pandanus palm with fruit.

Listened to the story about the plane then we all wandered around taking photos. Someone has cut out the middle section with tin-snips (Steve reckons looking at the cut). Maybe to use as cover for cattle food. There was an attempt made by the locals to run cattle here - we have seen plenty of evidence they are still wandering around too.

Must have been a scary moment when the pilot landed it here then ran out of clear ground heading for the trees.

Heading back we checked out the little towers made by some of the crabs. Managed to get a few crabs in this picture.

Wandered along the beach checking out the shells.

Back on board Jamie passed around some coral he picked up off the beach.

Very calm - bit hot and humid though.

Watched the guys raise the anchor as we moved closer to Jar Island.

After morning tea we boarded the Explorer again to visit Jalandal (the resting place of Ngamali, a giant Gayarra (sea) Wanjina who created the saltwater for marine animals and fish to live in. We parked against the rocks and walked out. Another cruising company is here too.

Lots of little fish zooming about.

We split into two groups as there are two art sites to check out. We followed Jamie but as this is the first of their ships to the area this season the ‘paths’ were overgrown and we had a few problems finding our way. Especially as we have some elderly people who needed a bit of assistance too. Jamie disappeared so I told the rest of the group to wait and we called out till eventually he came back to get us. Boy Scout rule - always keep an eye on the one in front and the one behind so you don’t leave anyone behind. Lots of interesting plants to see too which Ian explained their uses to us.

We followed Jamie then through the long grass and around to the Wajina art site. There was lots to look at. Luckily the wasps weren’t worried about us being there.

Great rock formations too.

It is well hidden. Lots of little flowers in the tall grass.

The others arrived. Mike had tried to take them around another way and but couldn’t get through so they had a long hot hike. We walked around to the other site which is different art style - originally called Bradshaw art after the guy who found it but that has been changed to Gwion Gwion art now. They are estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Only a couple that were worth taking a photo of as the others are so faded. Found a gecko too.

Back to the beach to wait for the Explorer to pick us up. A few mullet were zooming around in the mangroves now the tide had come in.

Back to the ship for lunch which was very nice and a few more Easter eggs.

Off again to another Gwion Gwion rock art gallery of Ngula (Jar Island). Bit of a climb over the rocks to get there. You had to lay down and look up for these ones.

Now how is that rock holding that up.

On to the next art site. Lots of climbing on this walk.

The water is getting choppy now as there is a storm brewing.

Back to the ship for a cuppa. There are nibbles and a coffee machine available all the time and of course Glenn is always ready to get us a cold drink at any time. The service is wonderful.

We joined a few others to hear about the helicopter flight option up to Mitchell Falls tomorrow. We decided to save the $630 each as we will be walking in later on and we can get a helicopter flight out if we wish.

Up to the Sundeck for pre-dinner drinks and talk from Ian about what we saw today and Jamie gives us the itinerary for the next day’s adventures. The storm is building up and we can hear thunder and saw a few flashes of lightning.

It appeared to moving around us but just at the end we got a good downpour so we all huddled under the shelter till it passed. Then the sun peaked out and gave us a lovely sunset.

Lovely dinner again. We watched another interesting documentary “First Footprints - The Great Drought”.