Dear Mammy,
How are you? I am fine. Thanks for the tea bags! They’ve gone down very well indeed.
This past week I spent in a place called Broome. Thus far I think it’s definitely my favourite town in Australia. I know I’ve said that about everywhere but I actually really mean it this time. I'd love to get back there some day, maybe work on a pearl cleaning boat (dirty work, but who wouldn't want to work on a boat??)
While I’ve been here I managed to get the right mix of touristy things and socialising. I met some girls on the bus from Coral Bay so I spent some time hanging out with them in Broome. They’re all lovely and it was fantastic to have other people to talk to (uh, rather than just talking to myself).
Anyway, the hostel was called Beaches of Broome and I think it was definitely the vury poshest hostel I’ve stayed in to date - we even had air conditioning!! Of course there was also a sheet thief but we’ll talk about that in a minute. The girls stayed in the Cable Beach backpackers 2 doors up and their hostel was definitely a bit tired but that said, the did have a lot more of an atmosphere down there.
The first night we were there we decided to go in search of a beach party (I’d heard a rumour in my hostel, it had to be investigated). We went and got a few small sherries to bring to the beach then went wandering into the dunes using 2 mobile phones to light our way. We were getting very lost when we stumbled upon a group of equally lost other backpackers so we all joined up. The only problem was, we ended up following the drunkest person in Broome who, incidentally also had absolutely no clue where he was going. In the end we found our way to the car park and down onto the beach. Glad there were no snakes or crocs!! We lit a bonfire and sat around down on the beach for ages, it was so starry, and I saw at least 6 shooting stars, it was amazing! The only down side to the night was, when I got back to my room I realised that some gobshite had actually stolen the top sheet off my bed (really!) so I had to use my towel as a blanket, no kidding! It was ok, I got a new one in the morning but I tell ya, that was the first time I’ve ever had my sheet stolen off my bed haha!
I also went to visit Willie Creek pearl farm. It was very interesting to learn all about how they make the pearls and now, I can even tell you (uh, sort of) what to look for when you’re pearl shopping (for a price). Apparently the quickest and easiest way to tell if it’s real is to rub it on your teeth. If it feels gritty it’s real but if it feels smooth then you’ve been had and it’s a fake. There you have it.
On the Tuesday night I went to Captain Murphy’s Irish bar for an open mic night (no, I didn’t inflict them with my special a capella version of Waltzing Matilda, tempted though I was). It was hilarious though because this place felt like it had been lifted right out of the back arse of nowhere in Roscommon, carpet and all! Needless to say there was some alcohol involved but it’s ok, I behaved myself impeccably, no need for the wooden spoon I promise.
The other big highlight of Broome was the Crocodile Farm. I’ve NEVER been that close to one before. There was literally a bit of wire mesh between me and the biggest most prehistoric looking croc-beastie I’ve ever seen. They fed the crocs on this tour and be jaysus I tell ya, I’d really rather NOT get bitten by a croc, they look and act like actual dinosaurs. Incidentally, that was the same farm where some gobshite climbed over the fence one drunken night and tried to wrestle one of the crocs. I don’t need to tell you that he got bitten (big bloody surprise!) but it’s ok, I think he survived. Tried to catch a look at the croc in question but he refused to come out. I was tempted to borrow one of the really pushy loud children on the tour to use as bait but I don’t think their parents would have let me away with that one. Pity. I really wanted to get a good look at that croc.
Apart from that, I saw some wonderful Aboriginal art work, bout me some nice shiny things and drank my own body weight in… water! Mammy! Please! What kind of boozy floozy to you take me for?? Shocked.
I was supposed to be there for my birthday but my outback tour was pulled forward to I had to leave on the Saturday. Unbeknownst to me, Simon had got me the bestest birthday prezzie! He’d organised for me to go on a camel ride on Cable Beach! I was lucky though, and the camel people were able to pull it forward for me, so I got to go on the Friday instead. It was a lot of fun, but I am glad to say that these ones didn’t run (unlike the crazy Moroccan camels). It was super relaxing and I got some awesome photos which I was really please about (check out FaceAche for photos).
My last evening in Broome I went to the Divers bar and had some beers with some of the guys from my hostel. There was a live band which was quite good. The best bit was, they played 7 Nation Army and I said to one of the guys “oooh, I wish they’d play Hotel Yorba!”. What was the very last song that the band played?? You betcha! I was so impressed. I think they may have noticed it was my birthday from all the leaping around the place I was doing. I think I just had the look of a birthday girl about me. Either way, very happy about that!
Soooo! I’ll write again about the Kimberley trip because I’d imagine you’re pretty bored right now and probably have to go wash out the bin or something.
Love you lots and will write soon! Xxx
Your Dautghter
(the one who ran away)
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