Monday, March 11, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Broome, Australia

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Broome on the Northwest coast of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean.

Today, the high tide was at 11:31 AM at 32.42 feet high,

and the low tide was at 5:43 PM at 2.49 feet for a difference of 29.93 feet.

BROOME, AUSTRALIA
THE GATEWAY TO FURTHER ADVENTURE IN THE KIMBERLEY REGION

Broome is a beach resort town in western Australia’s Kimberley region. Along its Indian Ocean coastline, the white sands of 13-mile-long Cable Beach offer a dramatic backdrop for sunset camel rides. At Gantheaume Point, nearby, dinosaur tracks are revealed in the beach’s red rocks during low tide. Broome’s historic Chinatown overlooks Roebuck Bay, a jumping-off point for cruises to local pearl farms. 

Wandjina is a powerful Rain Maker spirit associated with the northwest region of the Kimberley in Western Australia.
Wandjina dreamtime images are painted on the rock galleries and in caves throughout the region, marked in red and
white ochre. The Wandjina images are painted in significant ritual sites for the region’s Aboriginal people, and the
paintings were traditionally repainted each decade to ensure the image was kept fresh and lively.

The significance of the Wandjina dreamtime story was shared by many language groups across the west and coastal areas
of the Kimberley, including the Ngarinyin, Worrorra, and Wunambul people. Wandjina is the most significant Creation
Spirit is associated with rain and, therefore, the seasonal regeneration of the land and all natural resources. The body of
Wandjina is often shown covered with dots that represent the rainfall.

The cyclonic wet season brings rain to the Kimberley, and elements of the torrential rains, such as lightning and thunder, are
often included in the imagery around the head of the Wandjina. Ceremonial dances that pay homage to the Wandjina
Rain Spirit can include headdresses that symbolically refer to lightning and thunder. The facial characteristics of
Wandjina can be seen to represent climatic features.

The eyes of the Wandjina can represent thunderstorms, and even the line between the eyes resembles a nose but is
a power line used to transfer energy. Small brush marks on the Wandjina body usually represent raindrops. When depicted with only head and shoulders, the Wandjina is said to be moving across the sky in a cloud or storm. A full-bodied Wandjina is said to be present walking the Earth. Some attempts to date the rock paintings of Wandjina in the Kimberley suggest that they may date back 4,000 years. The Wandjina images are often painted alongside much older images of Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw figures) that date back at least 18,000 years.

MALCOLM DOUGLAS WILDERNESS PARK
Cuddle a baby crocodile, see the rare cassowary, or pat a kangaroo. At the Malcolm Douglas Wilderness Wildlife Park, about a 15-minute drive from Broome, animal lovers can enjoy close-up views of some of Australia’s quirkiest and most formidable creatures and learn about their habitats and behaviors. Wallabies, dingoes, snakes, and lizards also inhabit the park, and a range of feathered critters, from emus to cockatoos and kookaburras. Stay for the croc feeding, when some of the largest crocodiles in Australia demonstrate their surprising agility as they lunge for food.

SIGHTS

• Broome Bird Observatory
• Roebuck Bay Lookout
• Chinatown Broome
• Broome Turf Club
• Horizontal Falls

Today’s Excursion – Broome Sights, History & Wildlife

We explored the history and wildlife of Broome during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion to Gantheaume Point, the Pearl Luggers Museum, and the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park.

Broome City Tour & the Pearl Luggers Museum

We enjoyed a narrated sightseeing drive through Broome. We saw Chinatown, Matso’s and Captain Gregory’s House, and Town Beach. We also visited the Pearl Luggers Museum. The museum chronicles Broome’s glory days in the 19th century when the city was known as the ‘Pearl-fishing Capital of the World.’ We learned about this bygone era and viewed historical exhibits that included a pair of beautifully restored, sail-powered pearl luggers.

Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park

We visited Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. Founded by adventurer, filmmaker, and former crocodile hunter Malcolm Douglas in 1983, the park is home to estuarine crocodiles. The crocs, some bearing such colorful monikers as Agro, Miss Fitzroy, and Deek, are mostly rogue specimens captured after annoying fishermen or frequenting public waterways. After some free time to explore the park, proceed to Gantheaume Point.

Gantheaume Point

The red sandstone cliffs of Gantheaume Point contrast with the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. While Gantheaume Point’s 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints are best seen during low tides, a plaster cast is available for viewing. Nearby is Anastasia’s Pool, carved from the sandstone by a former lighthouse keeper for his arthritic wife.

Tonight’s dinner was in The Restaurant.

Check out today’s Chronicle.