Heading west again

Today we left Pender bay escape after a wonderful 6 nights stay. It was hard to leave cos it was such a relaxed, fun place to be.. Everyday we saw whales (breaching and flipper flapping), dolphins, swam numerous times, watched fantastic sun rises and sets, and even read and played games. We saw an amazing red moon rising last night just after dusk over the bay. It was really dark red due to some local back burning smoke and very striking. There are huge tidal swings in this area. Low tide was between 1.5 -0.4m and high tide about 7.5m. At the low tide we could walk in around all the rock pools and along by the cliffs exploring the intertidal zone (I had to read up on some of this!!) Where there are these amazing creatures and plants. We saw chitons (thanks aengus for the id), heaps of snails, shells, coral, sea cucumbers and possibly a feather star which we intially thought was a black plant with feathery tendrils until it moved!! We also saw boobys (don't get so excited they are sea bird), sea Eagles, brahimini kites and frigates (they are huge!!). Swimming was best in the few hours around high tide so we had many swims everyday and a snorkel as well. The kids got to watch a movie one evening under the stars. Walked upto the cliffs as well and the whales put on a great show breaching and slapping flippers which makes a huge booming sound. Don't think we'll get a better campsite again. Metres from the beach on a cliff with a quick scramble down to the beach and glorious views all day and night. Full Moon was soooo bright we could see colours. 

We also made a plan for the next couple of weeks. Everything is extremely busy but we managed to get a few nights (tried for hours to get this) in karijini national Park, also milstream Chichester before that and tonight we stay at pardoo station to break the long drive then Dampier the next night to see the rock art before heading inland to the national parks. Ningaloo national Park is completely booked out so we're going to base ourselves at bullara station between Exmouth and coral bay and do day trips from there. 

I forgot to mention we could swim in the sea despite there being saltwater crocodiles in the area they only are sighted very occasionally (last time was April) and it's very clear seas so everyone takes the chance. 

#END