28 February 2000

Didn't do too much today. Weather overcast all day but still quite hot and humid. Bit of weak sun this afternoon.

Caught up on washing at laundromat this morning. Was talking to a lady who sets up internet connections and suchlike. She lives in Derby and was telling us there is a lot of industry in that area (contrary to what we thought when we saw it yesterday) but that it is out of town at the mines and cattle stations. She said there was much more industry there than in Broome which, despite its relatively larger size and greater building activity, has just the tourist trade to rely on - and that only for the months April to November, as there is not much tourist activity in the wet season.

After finishing at the laundromat, had some breakfast and went into city centre. This consists of only a couple of blocks of small shops - mainly eateries, souvenir and novelties, clothing and others catering mainly to the tourist trade. And of course shops selling pearls and pearl-related products - at least half a dozen of them.

From city centre went to go out to bird observatory at Roebuck Bay to the south of Broome but road closed to all but residents (wet season again) so instead went a little bit up the coast to a place called Coconut Wells but decided not to drive over sandhills to beach and returned to motel where we have just been lying around relaxing for the afternoon.

Will leave Kimberley area and head off to Port Hedland in the morning (Pilbara region) where we will stay overnight and from there continue our journey down WA coast. Will send postcard to our new friend Thomas Billy before we go.