After leaving Tom Price we decided to spend 3 days and 2 nights camping in Karajini National Park - at a vast area set aside for caravans, motor homes and tents. There was no power, bush toilets only and we had to bring our own water. We set up our van in the red, red, red, red sand. (I chose to spend the 3 days hiking and climbing in my red socks so I didn't need to change them! Together with my pink T-shirt all I needed was my purple hat and then walk around spitting!!) We were very lucky as our caravan spot had a good bush toilet en-suite!!
We absolutely loved the big open space between each caravan and sat in awe under the stars at night. We have never seen the milky way look like that. We played our music on Chris's precious ipod as loud as we wanted - we were that far away from our fellow campers. Again, we had made 4 new friends from Philip Island and we spent a great evening chatting and chatting .... and once again, Chris fixed one of their TV set-ups. (We have a special folder of contact details of all our "new friends" that have invited us to visit when we pass by their way - must be Chris's technical abilites as no-one would go for me in my red socks and pink T-shirt!- I don't think???). We even used the generator to power the microwave and air conditioner for a short while...(some bush-camping)???!!!
As for the gorges - well we just had a complete ball. We read all the safety information, kept to the tracks and walked along tops of gorges and deep down along the bottoms. Getting to Fern Pool at the bottom of Dales Gorge and diving into the pure mountain water and feeling the force of the waterfall was amazing. We absolutely loved it.
We walked to circular Pool but didn't swim because it was far too cold.
We walked to circular Pool but didn't swim because it was far too cold.
It's almost impossible to describe the size and height of the gorges - a picture doesn't do them justice either. It's just something you have to do!!
We had fun and games driving along the corrugated, red, sandy roads to get to some of the gorges. Our car was almost unrecognisable but handled the corrugations in its stride. Chris is very impressed with our Kia!! Me too, as it just keeps going like a bird and is perfectly sealed. No dust inside!!
The huge termite mounds are also amazing and one wonders what goes on inside and deep under the mound.
At Fern Pool we met a couple, Scott and Mary from Florida USA, who are photographers. They are travelling around WA, and like us, are in awe of some of the beautiful sights they have seen. We will definitely be catching up with them as they, and us, make our ways further on through the Pilbara and the Kimberleys. They moored their home (the Egret) in Fremantle harbour. .. have a look at: http://www.nordhavn.com/egret/index.php4. They have also checked in to the same caravan park as us in Broome in 4 x 4 van lent to them by a friend from Freemantle.
