Oh dear, I have really fallen behind with my posts, however it is not entirely my fault. There are quite a few place that have abysmal internet or none at all. So I am here now and beginning my catch-up.
It is off to the Visitors Info Centre in Broome to await a bus to take us out to the Willie Creek Pearl Farm for a tour of the pearling operations in and around Broome. On the way out we crosssed over some salt flats that cover over during the king tides in the area.
After about 20 odd kms of red corrugated dirt road, we finally arrived at the pearl farm.
To begin with, we were taken out on a boat to see the oyster leases and how they are tied to the buoys and frames. The colour of the water is absolutely beautiful, and again the tides are huge.
After coming back in, we were shown how the oysters are opened for the delicate operation of 'seeding' them, along with an older oyster who is on it's last time of creating a pearl, was opened and we actually saw the pearl inside. Several weeks ago when the tour guide was doing this demonstration, he opened the oyster only to find a record size of pearl inside - think it was around 21.5mm across and valued at around $150,000 for just one pearl.
It was then time to go and share in a beautiful morning tea that is put on for the tour groups, before being ushered into the shop for a talk on the various types of pearls and how to look after them, along with the enticement to buy a dream piece of pearl jewelry.
After everyone on our bus had made their purchases, it was time to board the bus and head back into Broome.
Later in the afternoon, we headed down to Cable Beach to catch the sunset and watch the camels that plod along the beach.
It is such a shame to see all the 4WD's along the beach and (to me) spoil the romance (?) of the camel rides, however the sunset sure made up for it.
To finish off the beautiful 'Liquid Gold' sunset, I am including another photo taken a little while later with a pearl lugger with guests on board enjoying a sunset cruise - so we have seen both the rising moon showing the 'Stairway to the Moon' and a setting sun showing a 'Stairway from the Sun'.
'Til next time,
June
Such beautiful Pearl's on display. But I'm sure most of those items would be well out of my price range. Maybe just a pair of earrings.
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