Cruising the Kimberley coast on Le Laperouse, Darwin to Broome

[RooFlyer]

If Ashmore Reef was included as it was outside Aus borders then of course passports needed.

What type of 'border'? Its an Australian External Territory; like Norfolk Island. It's part of Australia. The Islands are uninhabited and although there is a Border Force boat anchored there, they didn't want to stamp my passport

On the incoming passenger card, I struggled to answer the question 'Country where you spent most time abroad'. Is Ashmore Reef a country?

So, do I get to add 1 to my count of countries visited? If so, its #95 AND then I think I can add Macau in as well.

 

[Quickstatus]

count of countries

Is a ship considered part of the territory of the country it is registered in when it in international waters?

 

[Anna]

There is a series of different maritime zones ranging from the 'high seas' (belonging to no country) down to a country's 'territorial sea' (12 nautical miles from land, except where that overlaps with another country's territorial sea in which case they split the difference between them).

What a ship is allowed to do ranges from (almost) complete freedom on the high seas down to obeying a country's laws within the territorial sea, and different rights in the zones in between. Eg no fishing/mining rights without permission within a country's 'exclusive economic zone'.

Grabbing islands sets off the maritime zones around them as the country's zones. Hence Australia claiming various tiny islands - not for the islands themselves, but for the maritime zones around them. China is doing the same in the South China Sea which is highly contested.

It is an important job of the navigator and captain to be aware what zone they are in of which country at all times when at sea, or if they are on the 'high seas'.

 

[Pushka]

What type of 'border'? Its an Australian External Territory; like Norfolk Island. It's part of Australia. The Islands are uninhabited and although there is a Border Force boat anchored there, they didn't want to stamp my passport

On the incoming passenger card, I struggled to answer the question 'Country where you spent most time abroad'. Is Ashmore Reef a country?

So, do I get to add 1 to my count of countries visited? If so, its #95 AND then I think I can add Macau in as well.

If it's regarded as an international Port for customs and duty free requirements then you need a passport. Indonesia was included for that very reason but you said it was dropped so they needed to port elsewhere to achieve the same purpose. Regardless of that Port you simply spent most of your time in Australia. For this very reason ships that circumnavigate Australia always call in on Bali or similar.

 

[RooFlyer]

Is a ship considered part of the territory of the country it is registered in when it in international waters?

And if so, does it get its own 12 mile limit and/or 'exclusive economic zone'?
___

I still think requiring passports was a scam to ensure Ponant had a hostage to make sure we paid our bar bills. Also, for "Australia-only cruises" Ponant Australia only required a self administered RAT test prior to boarding. For "International" cruises, they required supervised PCR. We only had to do a RAT. You be the judge!! <We had the travel agent double check on the answer to that, given the passport requirement>

But seriously, do I get to count "Ashmore Reef and Cartier Islands" as my #95 country if it requires a passport to visit?

 

[RooFlyer]

Next day, we took a tour of the Willie Creek Pearl farm, aby 50 mins drive out of Broome, picked up by their bus (the bus ride cost more than the tour!). You can drive yourself if you like.

It was 2/3 sealed road, 1/3 very corrugated and sandy road. A nice set-up at the end, with shade, loos, gazebos with chairs etc.







Sunscreen and insect repellent supplied (neither needed). Then into the first shed, where they were doing the seeding. I don't think this is on show every time. 3 people doing the 'operation to seed the oysters. We were also shown a video but some of the operation was not shown for 'commercial reasons'.



The oysters lined up ready to seed. First they have a wedge put into the slightly opened shell to ensure 'compliance'.



Just before wedging



Then we went out on a boat on Willi Creek to see the long line where oysters/pearls grown. This is just for tourist demo - most in the open sea.



Obligatory croc sighting



Long line, with panels of oyster cages attached



A panel

 

[Captain Halliday]

seriously, do I get to count "Ashmore Reef and Cartier Islands" as my #95 country if it requires a passport to visit?

Stamp in your passport or it doesn’t count.

 

[RooFlyer]

Stamp in your passport or it doesn’t count.

Ah ha! Many countries don't stamp passports these days

 

[Daver6]

So, do I get to add 1 to my count of countries visited? If so, its #95 AND then I think I can add Macau in as well.

Might want to edit this post. Otherwise you might not be seen again after your next trip to China for suggesting Macau is a country

 

[RooFlyer]

We sat for the reveal of an oyster to see if there was a pearl in there (I imagine it had been x-rayed beforehand!!)







et voila!



Later valued at $2K.

We had morning tea during the visit. Overall, very pleasant.

Then the drive home, being overtaken regularly b y travellers towing boats -



Later, back for a gawk at Cable Beach itself. I didn't realise people actually swam there.



Over to Zanders for a coldie



And fish & chips watching the sun go down





I also had a long walk around Broome - pleasant enough. The historical society museum was v good. I didn't trouble the pearl sellers.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Ah ha! Many countries don't stamp passports these days

So you’ll have to work that little bit hard to get to 100!

 

[RooFlyer]

Next morning, I followed my policy of migrating away from Qantas - I dumped my QF points flight (whY only flight), for a paid Virgin one (still whY only). Got me into Perth sooner, too.

Eeek! Economy check-in queue:



But flowed quickly. The bird arrives.



On board purchase - the paper cup is a bit naff. Exit row seat, so plenty of legroom. 2H 20m BME-PER is the longest flight I've done in whY in living memory



On arrival in Perth, a bit of a worry as my Airtags showed that my checked bag was still at Broome Even as bags started appearing on the belt, it still showed Broome. But out it came, and the location only changed when it was next to me. Lesson - PER baggage handlers don't use iPhones.



Uber to the Intercon downtown Perth, where I'm doing a Platium status challenge for IHG. An easy 5 nights, these are nights 2 & 3.







And that's me up to date. Going out to dinner with a few AFFers tonight, being picked up and I bagged 1A early on, but I know I've already been bumped by a CL ....

 

[JohnM]

Going out to dinner with a few AFFers tonight, being picked up and I bagged 1A early on, but I know I've already been bumped by a CL ....

Nah - by a SWP*

(*Sleeps With Pilot)

 

[Daver6]

Nah - by a SWP*

(*Sleeps With Pilot)

Sounds like the pax in 1A then truly deserves sympathy from all then

 

[JohnM]

Sounds like the pax in 1A then truly deserves sympathy from all then

To paraphrase a famous Australian statement:

Well may you say that Young Pest, but nothing will save the Young Pest from the middle seat....

Hyuk, hyuk.

 

[kookaburra75]

I think this is the problem with Broome. A complete dearth of quality/luxury accommodation. It truly is overpriced for what you get. No wonder people in PER just go to Bali if they want somewhere warm and luxurious in the winter months. Cheaper to get there, better accommodation at half the cost.

When MrsK and I travelled to Broome 5 years ago, we stayed at Pinctada McAlpine House. Having been in and around Broome in the early 80's, I saw the old grotty caravan p[ark at Cable Beach get knocked down and Lord McAlpine build the resort, which was much more flash back then. But I agree, unless you pick the right places, Broome can be overpriced, and overrun in the middle of the dry season.

We really enjoyed where we stayed, rather than out near Cable Beach or a view of the water, where you pay for that 'privilege'. Plus, we travelled in October, so it wasn't as crowded. We used the town bus to get around, and had many a coughtail and meal at Zanders, Mangrove and Matso's.

But good trip report @RooFlyer, we too travelled out to Willie Creek. And, we're checking out taking that cruise.

 

[kookaburra75]

And if so, does it get its own 12 mile limit and/or 'exclusive economic zone'?
___

But seriously, do I get to count "Ashmore Reef and Cartier Islands" as my #95 country if it requires a passport to visit?

Some years ago now, to restrict the ability of unscheduled boat trips landing in Australia and making a claim for asylum, parts of Australia were 'excluded' from being in the formal Australian migration zone, which meant if people rocked up, they hadn't really arrived in Australia and could be considered illegal arrivals and turned around/returned. That included Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and the Ashmore and Carter Reefs. That boat is moored there to collect people who might rock up, and turn them around.

The same happens at airports, where until you are formally accepted at the immigration officers' desks, you haven't formally entered Australia.

 

[JohnM]

We sat for the reveal of an oyster to see if there was a pearl in there (I imagine it had been x-rayed beforehand!!)

View attachment 288892

View attachment 288893

View attachment 288894

et voila!

View attachment 288895

Later valued at $2K.

We had morning tea during the visit. Overall, very pleasant.

Then the drive home, being overtaken regularly b y travellers towing boats -

View attachment 288896

Later, back for a gawk at Cable Beach itself. I didn't realise people actually swam there.

View attachment 288897

Over to Zanders for a coldie

View attachment 288898

And fish & chips watching the sun go down

View attachment 288900

View attachment 288901

I also had a long walk around Broome - pleasant enough. The historical society museum was v good. I didn't trouble the pearl sellers.

Quite a good way to do Willie Creek Pearls is to take the bus out, then helo back. Was the helo out there?

Swimming is OK at Cable Beach in winter, but not in summer because of box jellyfish and Irukandji.

 

[RooFlyer]

Some years ago now, to restrict the ability of unscheduled boat trips landing in Australia and making a claim for asylum, parts of Australia were 'excluded' from being in the formal Australian migration zone, which meant if people rocked up, they hadn't really arrived in Australia and could be considered illegal arrivals and turned around/returned. That included Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and the Ashmore and Carter Reefs. That boat is moored there to collect people who might rock up, and turn them around.

The same happens at airports, where until you are formally accepted at the immigration officers' desks, you haven't formally entered Australia.

[Just having fun ...] That's all very well, but we were Australian citizens coming from and to the Australian mainland and specifically NOT landing on Ashmore Reef/islands It was forbidden (except for the Captain and his friend ).

Maybe the Border Force boat decided not to come and inspect our passports was because we provocatively threw some baguettes at them as we passed?




I still don't know why passports were required or if I can count Ashmore Reef as a country visited. @Anna ?

Quite a good way to do Willie Creek Pearls is to take the bus out, then helo back. Was the helo out there?

Swimming is OK at Cable Beach in winter, but not in summer because of box jellyfish and Irukandji.

We saw the helo pad but no activity. Also, our budgets were getting just a little stretched by this time ....

The crocs take a holiday, too?

One of the strangest sights we saw was the nightly parade of hundreds of 4WDs onto the beach before sunset heading north from the entrance near Zanders, and coming back shortly after. Most seemed to be local - & no time for a BBQ etc.

I think they said that there were a dozen cars lost to the tides in the past year, including ?4 one weekend.

 

[JohnM]

Crocs aren't an issue at Cable Beach.

Driving along the beach for sunset drinks is popular from the access track near Cable Beach Club, as well as people going fishing or swimming at the clothing optional beach during the day. There's also a beach access track for vehicles at the S end near Gantheaume Point.

There are always the dills that get stuck and can't beat the tide.