Day 55 - Monday 27 August - Chasing staircases

Day 55

Monday

27 August

Broome

Today would have been our last day, had we not extended to Friday. I would not have been ready to say goodbye. I sat in bed reading for a while, then Paul was up and eager to get the washing on. I cleaned up and sorted breakfast, while he went off for his shower and when he returned I went. We put the washing out on the line, discussed what we needed from the shop and then grabbed our bags and made for the streets. 

It was hot out in the early morning sun, the wind having dropped right off today. We made the shop by 10am, grabbed what we needed and then began the trek home, backs and hands full of groceries. We were glad to finally make it back, Paul’s arms having grown a few extra inches.

After unpacking, collecting the washing and taking a short breather, we bundled ourselves into the car and drove out to 12 Mile to check out the Mango Place. Here there were all sorts of delights made from mango. We taste tested some of the condiments, but were ever going to buy at the prices they were charging. Instead we opted for the wine and port tastings, 6 very small samples, for $5 each. They were ok, but nothing yelled out, “you must have me!”

We returned to Chinatown, parked in the undercover park of Coles and wandered across to the Dragonfly café for a mango smoothie. We sat out on the balcony watching the world go by, as we slowly drained our pineapple glass of its goodness. It took a while, the drink being super thick. 

Once the glasses were empty, we did a quick beer run and then returned to the caravan park. I dropped into the office, as they had called my phone. Turns out they had expected us to move sites today, but forgot to tell us. It all worked out in the end and we were able to stay put. 

I collected the computer and took up my usual residency at the plastic, sweat inducing table. Paul joined me shortly after and we both put the free wifi to good use. Once I had done for the day, we returned to the van for a short reprieve. 

Just after 4pm, we cleaned ourselves up and made our way to the Mangrove Hotel, in preparation for the Staircase to the moon. We followed like ants, up the hill and in through the double doors of the venue to be confronted by a sea of people and we still had almost 2 hours before the event!

We found some abandoned chairs and a small gap that we proceeded to claim as ours. I blocked off the access with the chair legs and my tripod and we began our sit in. All the while, the crowd continued to swell. We waited out our time patiently. Paul had one go at the bar, but any future efforts were thwarted by the massive lines. He managed to keep his 1 pint going for most of the evening. 

I began clock watching, eager for the event to start. A woman in front of me and with prime viewing, offered to make room for me and the camera and from that point on I was set. Paul played bouncer, ensuring all others were kept well away and I had free reign. 

We watched the tip of the bright red moon rise over the eastern horizon, moving slowly into the sky and as it did so, leaving a trail in the mudflats below. I clicked away happily, as flashes haphazardly blazed and groans of disappointment emanated from those too ignorant to turn of the illumination. 

In the end, I came away happy and we packed up, before pushing ourselves through the sea of bodies and out onto the street. We passed Elaine and Dom on our way. They had been at a spot nearby taking photos themselves. We chatted on the street, before they had to run for their bus. 

We wound our way through, the now very familiar, streets and back to Town Beach where the markets were in full swing. Backpackers of all nationalities surrounded us, foreign languages being bandied about from twenty something kids having the time of their lives. We ordered up dinner at the Mexican and then found a bench to sit down at and eat. We scoffed our food, though it was not particularly appetising and then returned to the van for the evening. I sorted through the photos, finding a couple of reasonable shots and then we retired, to recharge ourselves for another day.