Ken and I have been to Broome once before during the wet. It was hot, I was six months pregnant and we hardly left the resort. While we had a great relaxing visit we didn’t have that high an opinion of Broome. Our experience this time has been totally different and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular spot.
Eleven years have definitely changed the look and feel of Broome. The town seems to have undergone a fair amount of development that appears to only recently have finished. We checked in to the caravan park and made our way to the supermarket. Geez how we missed fresh food and having the choice and selection of food we have come to rely on and favour. It was spectacular.
With the shopping done, we popped in to say hello to a couple of other Zoners and then made for the Broome night markets. We’d all loved the night markets in Darwin and I think the girls were hoping for a similar experience. While lovely and getting parking was easy, the choice was limited and with no mention of gluten free anywhere we decided it was too risky for Georgia to eat. Still, we enjoyed the outing.
School, washing, cooking and chores filled out our morning before we decided to head into Broome town for a wander and lunch. We had a delicious lunch at Dragonfly Cafe (which has proved safe to eat at), a little look around town and ogle at a few pearls before returning to the van and sunset on Cable Beach.
Without the humidity of the wet season, Broome is delightful and pleasant. Even Cable Beach was amazing. Ken and I remember sitting up at the resort, watching the sun set over a bucket of prawns, sounds ideal, but we both have memories of wondering what the fuss is about. Just goes to show how being sticky, hot and uncomfortable changes your experience.
We took the car down onto Cable Beach, (along with every other man and his dog), cracked out the sunset nibbles and set up to soak up the magical sunset over the Indian Ocean. For a West Australian, or maybe it’s just me (but I doubt that), watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean is a true homecoming. Watching the water sparkle and glisten with a million diamonds dancing on its surface, as the sun, large and red sets, to the soothing sounds of a gentle ocean roar, that’s home. The sounds, sights and sense that draw up all the memories of holidays, evenings and good times shared with the people you love.
While I briefly lamented these thoughts and feelings the kids were busy making their own. Kicking the football, chasing seagulls, jumping and running from the waves and a Broome speciality, watching the camel trains pass by silhouetted by the powerful setting sun. Magical moments indeed.
For all that is on offer to do in Broome, for us this was all we really needed and felt up to, so it was that the days were filled with the everyday functions needing our attention but the late afternoon evening was beach time. What a rhythm.
The exception to this melodic pace were a couple of outings Charlotte had with myself to the Saturday markets and with Ken for breakfast and a beach walk, and for Georgia to 12 Mile Bird Park. Finding some quality one on one time with the kids isn’t always easy, but it’s something we all enjoy and the kids in particular need and love it. For Charlotte it’s always shopping and food, (getting the chance to stuff herself on guilt-free gluten) and for Georgie it’s games, playing and/or animal outings.
Our next adventure beckons but we’ll be passing through Broome again. For the next seven days we’ll be free camping and exploring Cape Leveque and the Dampier Peninsula.
