The Kimberley: Day 2

We were up before the sun this morning which was pretty much going to be the trend for most of the 12 days because, as Glen said, the Kimberley is all about the daylight hours and fitting as much in as possible. I made a point of ignoring the time. Fortunately I can sleep anywhere, even one of the roughest roads in the world on the back of a huge 4WD bus with my head knocking against the window as I drool onto my own shoulder because we didn't have a full group so I had no one elses shoulder to drool on.

We checked out Windjana Gorge (which used to be a huge coral reef when it was under water) and the crocs in the daylight before jumping onto the bus and heading up the Gibb River Road towards Mount Barnett.

Windjana Gorge

Croc Infested

First stop was Galvan Gorge, its the most accessible gorge up the Gibb and one of the best. Y'know I think I'm over beaches and getting stung by jellyfish, saltwater in my sinuses and sand in my crack but I'll never get bored of gorges and waterfalls and swimming in freshwater pools you can drink out of although I wouldn't because I know what I do when I need to go in the middle of a swim. Its the same reason I'm wary of warm pockets of water near content looking people.

Galvans Gorge

Enjoying A Cold Shower

Rope Swiiiiiiing!

Frolicking At Galvans Gorge

Eventually we tore ourselves away from the waterfall and the pool and got back on the bus to head towards the next walk and our camp for the night.

River Crossing

The walk to Manning Falls begins with a swim, you have to put your shoes and your rucksack in a polystyrene box and push it over in front of you, trying not to panic and drag it under like some of our group did. They gave up and swam back to wait for us while me, Isabelle, Scott and Mary headed to the falls and another swim. The walk is meant to take an hour, it took us half that time on account of the fact no one brought a torch and the thought of heading back in the dark didn't appeal to us. The crew that didn't give up joined us 10 minutes later before we went back.

Y'know when you're on a walk and you're going downhill and you're painfully aware of the fact that its uphill all the way back? I'd been trying to ignore the fact we had to get back across the river and it had already started to cool down. Ah well, its not like we had a choice in the matter now is it and at least I'd have a handy place to hang me coat until my nipples warmed up again.

Manning Falls

One of the key things on tours like this is that everyone jumps in and helps with everything, from collecting firewood to preparing food. I'm not used to Proper Food, I'm used to getting all my major food groups from goon, I wasn't sure my body would know what to do with all these nutrients and I was starting to get withdrawals from the additives and preservatives. Still, I did my best though ay, I didn't do too badly.

I mean, normally I'm fucked if it doesn't come in a packet with the word "noodles" stamped across it.

written by

Koala Bear on July 18, 2007 from Gibb, Australia

from the travel blog: Sod Off Great Big Mission Round Oz

tagged RoadTrip, LovinIt and Kimberley

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