Coastal Kimberley

[Major]

Basically that was the end of the Kimberley tour but as the vessel is registered in Nassau it is subject to Cabotage regulations. This necessitated us to go to Wyndham where we arrived in the middle of the night and picked up a pilot. We then motored within 1 km of Wyndham town, did a 180° turn, dropped off the pilot and went on to the nearest International port.

This was the Indonesian port of Kupang in West Timor.

As I have posted a heap of Sunset photos I should finish with a sunrise shot.

 

[drron]

What a fantastic sunrise.

 

[JohnM]

Unfortunately, going this late in the season you missed the King George Falls in action. Early in the season you risk late cyclones; too late and the water has stopped running - and the flow drops off quickly as soon as the wet stops. It's a balancing act.

That said, it's all spectacularly beautiful at any time! Definitely a world-highlight place that one must visit IMO. Great pics!

 

[RooFlyer]

Wow; fantastic TR and sensational pics.

Curse it, though, another place on the list!!

 

[JohnM]

Wow; fantastic TR and sensational pics.

Curse it, though, another place on the list!!

Move it to the top, mate! It is sensational.

 

[drron]

Seconded!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Sorry, its gotta take a number ....

what's next for you, Major?

 

[Major]

After arriving in Kupang the rest of the trip was a bit ho-hum and it was just a matter of going home.

We docked in Kupang next to a bunch of oil tanks and after Indonesian immigration we boarded buses for the 40 min trip to KOE.

We waited for our charter aircraft (an alliance F100 and an Airnorth Embraer 120) to arrive. We waited and the aircraft arrived and we waited and waited. We had a problem.

The Indonesian authorities also processed the crew on board and incorrectly added one crew name to the passenger list. After check in at KOE the Indonesians are looking for this so called missing crew member. We are processed and photo ID' ed again and ended up waiting more than 3 hours after departure time before they allow us to leave. By the time we arrived at our hotel in DRW it was just after 10 PM.

The next day we shuttle out to DRW and pick up the BNE flight for an uneventful flight home.

Summary
Would I do this trip again...in a heartbeat. The Kimberley is a unique and beautiful area and is just magnificent. We are very lucky to have this area in Australia.
The ship was great. Good food and wine. Terrific staff. Lots of experienced technical staff to provide lectures and answer silly questions.

This is one of the best trips I have ever done and thanks for taking time to read my waffle

 

[Major]

Sorry, its gotta take a number ....

what's next for you, Major?

I have put a deposit on a 14 day HAL cruise in Jan/Feb from SIN to HKG

 

[Steady]

Thanks for a great TR Major - many beautiful photos

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I have put a deposit on a 14 day HAL cruise in Jan/Feb from SIN to HKG

Have a look at this Major, this is the cruise we are doing next April on the Caledonian Sky. So glad you enjoyed your time on the ship

BWD - BTJP13, Botanica World Discoveries, Japanese Garden Tours, Japan Cruise, Japanese Cruising, Cruise Japan, Travel Osaka to Kyoto,

 

[a330j]

Fantastic trip report and photos. Thanks for taking the time to put it together. Definitely on the bucket list - I had better start saving now.

 

[Major]

Have a look at this Major, this is the cruise we are doing next April on the Caledonian Sky. So glad you enjoyed your time on the ship

BWD - BTJP13, Botanica World Discoveries, Japanese Garden Tours, Japan Cruise, Japanese Cruising, Cruise Japan, Travel Osaka to Kyoto,

Wow, that looks like a great trip with plenty of photo opportunities. I hope you have the chance of some retail therapy going to and from

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Wow,.... I hope you have the chance of some retail therapy going to and from

You bet, there has to be some shopping programmed into every trip !!

 

[amaroo]

Sensational TR Major! Wow all these domestic TR's are very, very enticing...