Day 72 - Thursday 13 September - Last one in Coral Bay

Day 72

Thursday

13 September – 

Coral Bay

It is so wonderful to have nothing to do, but lay in bed and read for as long as you want and that is exactly how I started the morning, relishing the opportunity to knock out many chapters of my book in one go. 

Once we were up, we tidied and had breakfast before going for a walk along the beach. People were just starting to wander down, ready for their day in the sun. We took in the view and noted that the winds weren’t that bad and rued the fact that the fishing charter had been called off for today. 

With our walk done, we returned to the van to relax and read some more. However, by 11am, I was getting restless and suggested we should go for a swim. We gathered together the necessary items and wandered down to the beach. We found a patch of sand to leave our gear and then walked into the water, it was freezing, but it didn’t stop us. 

Goggles and flippers on, we waded out to the drop off and let the current drift us over the corals. With each new snorkel, we venture that little bit further afield. I am always amazed at the sights that await. In sections, the coral looked like large cabbages, all large leaves sprouting from a centre fist. Fish darted here and there, some more visible than others and willing to check us out. 

Before heading back to the shore, we spotted a long stick like shape on the sea floor and then it moved. It was a fish of some sort, a bit gardi like, but so much bigger. We stayed in the shallows enjoying the warmer water. The fish that are fed are obviously well conditioned, as they were swimming by us, as we stood still in the water, not 30cm from us. 

We returned to our bag, were quick to grab our towels and put our swimming gear away. We then made our way back to the van via the Eco tours, to organise evening drinks with Roger, changed into warmer attire and wandered over to Jim’s Bar for lunch. 

We found seats in the sun where I could warm my bones and then we read the menu. I had been dreaming about the massive hamburger, so that was an easy call for me, Paul opted for squid salad. When the food arrived, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me. I had to pick the burger apart to be able to eat it, managing to get through some of the layers, but it wasn’t long before I realised it would beat me. Paul helped out and before long the plate was clean. Phew! The Big Al’s Burger was a massive meal, but what shocked me more, was you could order it with a second beef patty, not that would have been ridiculous. 

Feeling rather round, we returned to the van and I plonked myself in the outside chair with my book, where I stayed for the next hour. Paul wanted the comfort of the van’s air con, so remained indoors. 

Once again, 4pm rolled around and we needed to do something to get the lunch moving, so we took off for our afternoon wander. We trekked north, but were aware that the tide was making its way back in, so we only ventured halfway up the beach, before making the return. There was no one in the water now, as it was quite choppy from the wind. 

We put away the outdoor chairs, in readiness for our move tomorrow and then returned to our books, until Paul realised it was time to head to the Ningaloo Resort Pub to meet Roger for a drink. The breeze had well and truly set in and it was now quite cool, so we both rugged up, before heading. 

Once there, we fought through the crowd at the bar, ordered and then found a seat. Paul let Roger know we were there and he joined us shortly after. We spent the evening talking about Coral Bay and life as we know it. It was quite pleasant, but for the wind. 

By 8.30pm, we said our goodbyes and made our way back to the van, happy to get into the warmth once more. I was straight into bed and back into my book, all the while the wind was rocking the van. Eventually it was lights out.