Cruising the Kimberley coast on Le Laperouse, Darwin to Broome

[drron]

From the photos there is at least 1 ex Orion Expedition crew on board.
The Orion Expedition staff were well trained so would have been sought out but many were loyal to the owner.
One however is now a Seabourn VP in charge of Expedition cruising. He is also well known to Silversea folk who sailed on the Explorer 10 or more years ago.

 

[RooFlyer]

Matchmaking - so what wines have you settled on. No rieslings I assume?

Yes! See post #110

Brekkie this morning (AKA 'detox' ) - quite warm, at 7am. @tgh note the tables for two . This is the prized area; if you come up the stairs from the pool deck below, you can snag one of these at dinner before those who come through the restaurant. Most haven't worked that out yet but clearly a couple of others were quicker than me this morning!!



Arrived Swift's Bay- named by Phillip P King after the author of Gulliver's Travels. Dead flat calm.



A bit of manoeuvring. This thing must have an impressive array of thrusters around the hull. After being knocked back for an engine-room visit, I asked the Cruise Director if someone could speak to me about the propulsion etc. CD seems a bit surprised that anyone would ask about that.



Awwww.. nice





Off to visit some more rock art.



A dry landing

 

[tgh]

Thanks for the feedback..no matchmaking on SS where evening dining is a relatively formal process (last time I will mention them )..
It seems that dinner tables on Ponant are free choice/quick and the lost … alla same Coral Expeditions et al

 

[Port Power]

Thanks for the feedback..no matchmaking on SS where evening dining is a relatively formal process (last time I will mention them )..
It seems that dinner tables on Ponant are free choice/quick and the lost … alla same Coral Expeditions et al

Rather than "matchmaking", joining a table for 4 or 6 is nice to meet and mingle. However, breakfast alone to read or contemplate is welcome.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the feedback..no matchmaking on SS where evening dining is a relatively formal process (last time I will mention them )..
It seems that dinner tables on Ponant are free choice/quick and the lost … alla same Coral Expeditions et al

If you have a group of five or more you have to reserve a table. I guess that helps to manage the layout in the restaurant - no self combining of tables.

 

[zig]

Rather than "matchmaking", joining a table for 4 or 6 is nice to meet and mingle. However, breakfast alone to read or contemplate is welcome.

This is what I have been used to on Silversea. I will be sailing solo on this same cruise next year and hope that the maitre de will be able to seat me at an open table for evening meals. Breakfast and lunch is not as important.

 

[Quickstatus]

Pat malone would suit me. It is rare that I get to tune out and just look at the horizon and contemplate.

 

[RooFlyer]

After landing, it was a short walk up to the first gallery. but first some interesting stuff ...



Although we weren't told not to post on social media this time, I guess the same might apply, so I took photos of photos on the web.

Wandjina art type. BTW, who remembers Wandjina! on the ABC in the 1960s?

 

[Quickstatus]

not to post on social media

Whats the reason?

 

[RooFlyer]

Whats the reason?

I think to respect the indigenous owners. But given the images are everywhere, its maybe a forlorn hope ...

 

[sanne]

We have cruised the Kimberley 3x, the latest being in June this year and have never been told not to post photos of art or anything else. Is this new?

 

[RooFlyer]

We have cruised the Kimberley 3x, the latest being in June this year and have never been told not to post photos of art or anything else. Is this new?

Possibly just the policy of the cruise company.

Catching up with some pics off my Sony camera (finally figured a way to get them off the camera into my tablet

Kin g George River gorge





Indon fisherman off Ashmore reef



Various birds at Ashmore Reef. Red footed coughy on the right.



coughy chick on nest





Hunter River



Mud skipper



A small croc



Mangroves along the river

 

[RooFlyer]

A steadier before helo trip

 

[Quickstatus]

Temp and humidity?
Please/thanks

 

[Port Power]

We have cruised the Kimberley 3x, the latest being in June this year and have never been told not to post photos of art or anything else. Is this new?

No, not new. The guides on three of my expeditions told us the same thing. It was at the request of traditional caretakers.

 

[sanne]

No, not new. The guides on three of my expeditions told us the same thing. It was at the request of traditional caretakers.

Interesting. What ship were you on?

 

[Anna]

A small croc

Looks quite sufficiently big to me!

 

[Port Power]

Interesting. What ship were you on?

Coral Expeditions ships and Caledonian Sky.

 

[RooFlyer]

Coral Expeditions.

This one? C Geographer at Hunter River

 

[Port Power]

This one? C Geographer at Hunter River

View attachment 287815

Yes, as well as Coral Adventurer, the slightly larger one with maximum 120 pax (although only 25 on my first Kimberley cruise).