On the minibus trailing kayaks we set off to Yardi creek on the West side of the peninsula. We are 5 brits looked after by Hal, my friend Lizzie’s old friend, and Andrea from Spain.
We set off for our first paddle on the turquoise seas – shallow and firstly against the wind – to a buoy where we had our first snorkel. Lots of lovely fish & coral.
We managed to hop back into the kayaks from the water (no mean feat) and now headed with the current and wind down to our lunch stop.
There is nobody here but us and the fish – as we kayak, turtles are spooked thinking our shadows are big tiger sharks and they swim off gracefully and fast! We saw a pair of dolphins – 2 different species swimming together which is unusual.
More snorkelling and a kayak to our campsite among the dunes. It takes me back to childhood holidays although without the facilities.. only a chemical toilet hidden in the dunes. More civilised than I had expected – here’s our camp in the dunes:
All around our tents are animal tracks – the first is a dingo (we saw it on the shore from our kayaks) – what do you make of the others? Some look pretty slithery!
Hal and Andrea cooked up a great dinner with veggie option too – and we admired the southern hemisphere stars after a beautiful sunset.
In the morning up bright & early for tea, breakfast, decamping and a snorkel where we saw bright blue starfish and a medium sized shark along with all the other lovely fish.
We kayaked round to turquoise bay (they all are tbh) and I got up close to a turtle and a whole school of fish who swarmed around me as I swam.
More snorkelling and I saw a big puffer fish – you just drift down with the current making sure you steer clear of the coral.
After lunch it was another half hour paddle to second camp but sadly we had to say goodbye to John, Gabby, Pria, Andrea and Hal as we have a flight to catch tomorrow! Such a shame to have to go back to a shower & proper toilet 😉
When we paddle our kayak over the last reef we see black tipped reef sharks, huge turtles and a manta ray shadow.
It’s 30 degrees with refreshing winds so sunburn is an issue: I went for the full body cover option!
Seriously though it was loads of fun camping again, being on the same time as the earth turning, sharing a meal with instant friends, and peeing behind a dune 🙂
You got two days in one today – we have 2 days of travel to get to Darwin so next post may be less exciting!
It looks blissful but I could miss the camping! M.