The next day was a free day at Cape Leveque. The whole group started with breakfast at the campsite. The front two tents on the left are Karin's and my tents which were soaked overnight.
Gary draped all our wet swags on top of the bus to dry them out in the hot sun.
At breakfast, I learned how to toast bread over an open flame. Quite the camper, huh?!
We started the day with a swim on the eastern beach.
The tide was much higher in the morning eliminating the rock mine entrance into the water.
My snorkeling adventure began with Karin but she fizzled as we were headed quite far out. Confident in my swimming abilities, I contined on my own which was quite foolish in hindsight. The swim out was easy - too easy. I stole magnificent views of the rugged red coastline not visible from the swimming beach, saw fish swimming about, and made it my mission to reach the island - the elusive island which was much further than it appeared.
When I finally arrived at the island and turned around, I found myself fighting waves so strong that I was making no or negative headway. It was as if I was in a lap pool set too high pushing me against the back wall. The first 20 minutes, I determined to swim harder, faster, conquer the challenge. But when I realized I'd made zero progress, panic set in. I assessed my options and decided swimming in was it. At this point my snorkel was of no assistance as the massive waves sloshed into it. Did I mention I had no flippers?! I fought my way into the shore, swimming harder than I ever have (even sprained my elbows!).
Just as I began to gain a sense of relief, I spotted a sting ray directly below me. It rose up and started swimming. A new surge of energy had me swimming even faster, scared of the stinger we had just discussed the night before in reference to Steve Irwin. When I finally reached shore, I had never been happier to touch my feet to the ground. Lesson learned.
That afternoon I set out for the next great adventure, walking along the western beach, famous for its pristine beach and rugged red coastline. The first thing to strike me was the red dirt against the white sand.
This was my first glimpse of the magnificent and famed rugged red coastline of Cape Leveque, and at the end, that elusive island - the bugger.
I loved all the rock formations and color hues.
me at Cape Leveque.
The sun blazed the crocodile-infested waters.
I had the entire beach to myself. And it was magical, the most beautiful place I've ever been. I loved the deep red rocks on the white sand against the bluest of blue skies with warm water lapping up onto my feet. The sun struck the rocks at the perfect time, and I just lapped it up.
I intended to walk around the whole Dampier Peninsula but I only made it as far as that elusive island from earlier in the day. The tide was too high leaving only a treacherous slew of rocks to overcome without clear sight around the cliffs. I figured I'd had my foolish independent struggle already, and I'd seen both sides of the peninsula - walking up one side and swimming around the other.
Mine were the only footprints.
I saw this crab clawing along between the rocks.
After sufficiently admiring the stunning view, I walked up and over the hill to join Karin for a quick swim to cool off before joining the group venture back to the western beach to watch the sunset. This time I was spared the hike down and back up as we drove the mammoth beast down to the shore.
We nibbled on fruit as we reflected on the day and watched the sun slip away.
Diva Ursula came to dinner in her curler once again (as a spoof of the night before). We had a long dinner at the campsite with great conversation and hit the hay.
