Wednesday – Taxi to the Wharf and boarded ship at 2:30 pm. Bags taken from us at the Taxi and this service was to continue for the whole trip. Once on board taken to the main lounge for welcome drinks and nibbles. Our first experience of being waited on 24 hours a day. Cabin small but with all facilities you need and a balcony to sit and watch the Ocean. We are on Deck 5 second from the top. Beautiful first night dinner in the Restaurant with non stop drinks of all kinds and French wine and Champagne.
Thursday- A bit windy last night with a bit of movement of the ship. Breakfast with everything you can imagine then a talk from the Expedition Crew on what was going to happen over the next 10 days. The whole of today is at sea as it is a French ship and needs to go out of Australian waters North to near Indonesia before sailing back South. Because of this it is a requirement that you have a Passport and there were 4 couples who did not have their passports with them and were required to make their own way to Wyndham to meet the ship tomorrow. Either their Travel Agent was slack or they did not read the requirements properly. Captains Gala Dinner tonight meeting the Captain and Senior staff for cocktails. After dinner a show in the theatre by 3 dancers and a singer.
Friday – Ship docked at Wyndham early morning and after breakfast we boarded a bus to Kununurra where we enjoyed a 55 km trip along the Ord River to the Argyle Dam with lunch provided at a bush stop on the way. Lots of birds and Freshwater Crocodiles then onto a bus for a tour of the Durack Homestead and a 2 hour trip back to the Ship. Another excellent dinner and wines as the Ship left Wyndham.
Saturday – Into the King George River today with a very early start being up at 5:00 am for breakfast then into the Zodiacs for the first time so we now really feel we are on an expedition. 14 km up the river spotting crocodiles, Osprey, Egrets, Dugong and Turtles. At the falls we did a 45 minute walk to the top of the escarpment 80 metres of a grade 9 climb over rocks. Hard walking and very hot but magnificent views from the top and a swim or paddle at the top. The climb back down was even harder with lots of sitting down and sliding. Although it is strongly communicated to you before you opt to do the climb that you must be able to do it without help there were Expedition Guides to about every 10 people on the way up and back to give you a hand if necessary. Once at the bottom back into the Zodiac our Guide Sebastian said we could fill our water bottles at the falls but around the corner was another Zodiac with Beer and Champagne for all which was a great way to finish the morning. However before returning to the Ship Sebastian said anybody who wanted to cool off to sit at the front of the Zodiac and he put the front under the Waterfall. Carol had a cooling shower. Another great Dinner after a magnificent day.
Sunday – Anchored in Vansittart Bay this morning. After breakfast Into Zodiacs and landed on Jarr Island for an easy walk to Aboriginal paintings called Gwion Gwion or Bradshaw style the origin of which is basically unknown as even Aboriginal history has no explanation of how they came to be in the caves and in some instances other art even though very old has gone over the top of them. As it is these are the oldest detailed depiction of human figures in the World. After lunch to a different landing on the mainland for another easy walk and look at a plane that crashed in 1942. The plane was a World War 2 C53 which lost its way travelling from Perth to Broome and ran out of before crashing a long way off course. All on board survived and were rescued about a week later.
Monday – Anchored in Prince Frederick Harbour at the mouth of the Hunter River off Naturalist Island this morning and by Zodiac to the beach where we had our first ever Helicopter Flight to the Mitchell Falls in a Bell 206 Longranger . A 20 minute flight over the Kimberleys then nearly 1 hour at the top of the falls which is the highest 4 tier falls in Australia and a 20 minute flight back by a different route. After lunch back into the Zodiac at 3.30 pm for a trip up Parouse Creek to see the mangroves, crocodiles and the massive tidal range in this area. The highlight was returning just on dark with the sun setting behind the Ship and the Moon rising. Buffet Dinner in the Grill Restaurant tonight which was good but prefer being waited on the the Restaurant with food we would probably never order.
Tuesday – Anchored off Raft Island this morning, into the Zodiacs then a walk over a rocky river bed to Wajina paintings. Very humid and sweated off some of the excellent food and wine we have been partaking in every day. After lunch into the Zodiacs again for a 2 hour trip to the Montgomery Reef on a falling tide to see the reef appear from the Ocean. It seems to be rising out of the Ocean but is actually the water receding as the tide drops. A magnificent sight to see all the water forming rivers running down the reef. By the time we left there was probably 2 metres in height exposed.
Wednesday – Anchored in Talbot Bay this morning after getting up early to watch the Ship navigate through the Narrows. This is the site of the Horizontal Waterfalls and some passengers opted for the additional Fastboat ride through the Falls. We did not do this today as we did it a few years ago with friends George and Maz when we stayed overnight. Instead we did a tour in the Zodiacs to the entrance of the first Falls then up Cyclone Creek for the rock formations and mangroves. Later in the afternoon back into the Zodiacs for a short trip to the Falls to see them on a runout tide.
Thursday – A late morning excursion for us today with a Zodiac ride to Freshwater Cove were we were greeted by members of the Worrorra people with a welcome ceremony including Ochre markings on our cheeks. Then a walk to Cyclone Cave where we were given an explanation of the ancient Aboriginal rock art by Neil a member of the tribe. Warm walking over a rocky surface but once again well worth the effort. Back at the beach we walked through a smoking ceremony to complete our visit to the Worrorra land. After lunch another late afternoon Zodiac trip to an area called Langgi which has the most amazing sandstone shapes on the beach. Neil gave us an explanation of the Aboriginal dreamtime story that explains the rocks and their shapes and you can see the resemblance to the characters in the story. One side of the Inlet us a maze of three metre high naturally sculptured sandstone pillars that to the Worrorra people represent warriors killed in a great Wandjina battle. Another sunset ride back to the ship and an excellent dinner as usual. By this time when you walk into the lounge for pre dinner drinks the waiters know what you usually have without asking.
Friday – A quiet morning with a lecture on birds we will see later on our Zodiac trip around the Lacapede Islands. After lunch into the Zodiacs for a trip to the Islands. No landing today as the Islands are a breeding ground and Sanctuary for 1000s of sea birds. We saw Brown Boobies and their chicks which look like a fluffy white ball, Crested Terns, Oyster Catchers, Egrets, Pelicans and Frigate Birds which steal their food from other birds by attacking them in mid air which we witnessed a number of times. There were also Turtles, Sharks, Stingrays and numerous fish. Rebecca the Naturalist who was our driver and guide today was so excited by the range and numbers of birds and said it was the best day she has ever had there. The birds were literally in their thousands and this last Zodiac trip has been a fitting climax to what has been an incredible 10 days exploring this magnificent landscape called the Kimberleys. Cocktail party in the ships theatre with the Captain and crew. Another Gala Dinner then a show with the dancers to finish our final night onboard.
SUMMARY
* This Cruise has been an experience of a lifetime and we do have a professional video of our actual trip including us if anybody is interested after we get home.
* Would we do it again? Yes.
* We decided that 11 days were the maximum time for us and although we were blown away by the experience we were ready to get off the ship after that time.
* This size boat of approximately 160 passengers was the largest we would want to do and future Cruises if any would be Expedition Cruises or possible European River Cruises. Large ships with 1000s of passengers is not for us.
* The Kimberleys is one if the last true wilderness areas in not just Australia but the World and must be protected from mining etc.
Saturday – Ship arrived in Broome this morning and after breakfast we disembarked after going through Border Security even though we have not set foot in another Country but have sailed out of Australian waters. Very efficient system of getting people off in staggered groups onto buses depending on where they were going in Broome. We have a very nice Apartment consisting of a kitchen/ lounge, a separate bedroom and a large bathroom with bath, shower and toilet also with a pool and Ocean view at Moonlight Bay Suites which is walking distance to the shopping area of Broome. The bedroom alone is about the size of our cabin on the ship. Walked around the shops and had lunch in the Dragonfly Cafe before walking back to the Apartment for an afternoon swim and cheese and biscuits for dinner with a bottle of cold white wine of course.
Sunday – Up early this morning to do a 1/2 day bus tour of Broome. Although we have been here before it was nice to sit back and be driven around. The tour ended with morning tea of champagne, sandwiches, scones and cream at the Willie Creek shop in town which included a Pearl Luggers tour explaining the history of pearl production in Broome. Carol got to hold a large pearl which according to the Tour Guide was worth $100,000. For lunch we walked a short distance from our room to Matsos Brewery where we sat for the afternoon and had a very nice lunch with a couple of their excellent craft beers. Cheese and biscuits for dinner again.
Monday – Sleep in this morning as check out is 10.00 am and our flight out is not until 2.00 pm. Walked into Town to buy a stamp for Jaxons Birthday card (16 on July 1). Got the Shuttle bus to the Airport where we had a Pie for lunch then boarded our Air North flight on an Embraer 170 Jet. Approximately 1 hour 20 minute flight to Kunnunurra where we had to get off for about 30 minutes then reboard for a 45 minute flight to Darwin. We left Broome at 2.00 pm did a 2 hour flight and because of the time difference between Northern Territory and West Australia did not get to Darwin until 6.00 pm. Taxi back to our Caravan and do ended a wonderful and different experience for us.
2019 Trip - Kimberley Cruise and West Coast 
What a fantastic experience for you – loved reading about it!! We really do live in the best country!
LikeLiked by 1 person