Exploration of the area and checking out further sites revealed that we were probably better off staying where we are.
Lazy morning this morning, we actually had time for a cooked breakfast, before going for a walk along the beach which is stunning, beautiful white sand with the most exquisite coloured rocks.
First stop on our discovery tour of the area was One Arm Point to refuel. A strange arrangement for fuel there – you had to go to the local shop to buy a fuel card and then go to the petrol pump to fill up. Too bad if you didn’t know how much fuel you needed.
Next stop the Ardyaloon Hatchery , where, as well as there being numerous large tanks of fish including Barramundi that we could feed
they were culturing, harvesting and polishing Trochus shells. The Ardyaloon community has a licence to collect 15 tonnes of trochus shell per year, which is exported to Italy for Mother of Pearl buttons
Interestingly they flush their tanks with water from the ocean and that provides the nutrient and the new growth for the tanks.
Along the way back to One Arm Point we stopped to watch the tide flowing at an incredible rate. Note how beautifully blue the water is
Next on to Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm for lunch and a tour
The tour was interesting, giving us the history of how Dean Murdoch Brown started the pearling industry up here and how the family is still running the business. Apparently these tours have only been operational since last July and they are the only operational pearl farm that offers tours. We didn’t like the hard sell at the end of the tour though where we were shown the ones for purchase.
Note the one being displayed here sells for a mere $53,300!!
Last stop on the way back to the campsite was Kooljaman at Cape Leveque. Busy campsite but very pretty surrounds
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You really have seen some beautiful sites and the weather looks glorious. Kerry was asking if you put the string of pearls in your luggage for her !!!
ReplyDeleteShe leaves on Tuesday for the U.S to stay with Sarah. We have had a very traumatic two weeks getting her mother into respite care so have not been keeping up with your movements. We are also minding David's puppy while he is at Fraser Island and our garden looks some what different !!! Apart from the garden problem she is very smart and obeys most commands. She is great company for David.
Will talk again soon and keep you posted on any news from Atlanta.
Take care,
Mark & Kerry.
By the look on Bibi's face Dianne says that Babu must have bought that one :-)
ReplyDeleteSafe trip Kerry and all the best for Sarah
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photo of Uta, Benji! - loved the one of you with the pearls too - did you buy them?? The horizontal falls WOW - that answers my SMS to Sarah - are they a result of the huge tides?? Keep safe, Judy
ReplyDelete