I lounged around the backpackers in the morning where I met Dutch Matt, Swiss Adrian, and a Perth guy. After topping up the social tank, I headed to the bus stop to make my way into town where I rented a car to tool around Broome for a couple days. I checked out the main drag which is home to Sun Pictures, a really old school open air movie theater, and a landmark in Broome.
A shot of Sun Pictures in daylight so you can see the reclining fabric chairs lined up behind the big screen.
Hollywood in Broome?! Okay.
There was a bit of a museum of tape reels near the entrance to Sun Pictures.
Then I cruised the streets in search of any must have Australian souvenirs.
The main drag in Broome.
Ganada is the Aboriginal art store where I would return to do some damage the next day, but note it was contemplated rather than an impulse purchase. I did instantly purchase a stunning Nigel Gaunt Red Dirt Photography shot of Cape Leveque. I'd seen something similar at a friend's house in Melbourne and I knew I was coming home with that one.
I drove out to Gantheaume Point to see the local red cliffs.
A nice Swiss girl offered to take my picture at Gantheaume Point. Little did I know that she and her friend were staying at the same hostel, and we ended up eating dinner together that night. Small world.
There are actually dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point as well, somewhere near here but I couldn't distinguish them.
I then went to the Old Broome Lock Up which was converted into an art gallery with Aboriginal art and didjeridoos lining the hallway and cell areas. A large boab tree, very typical of this area, stood by the store sign.
Here's the authentic entrance to the old lock up.
I met Mark, an Aboriginal artist, working on his next masterpiece in the back courtyard.
Mark also did a few other pieces hanging in this hallway.
Here's the didjeridoo I fell in love with. Paul (above) plays didj in a band called Groovy Lips who played in SXSW last year in Austin. How unbelievable is that?! It totally sold me. After I had that connection, I had to buy it. He played my didj for me to demonstrate what it can sound like. Don't ask me to replicate. Aside from the fact that women are not supposed to play it (according to Aboriginal tradition, it will render you infertile), I am very bad. You have to be able to blow out continuously while simultaneously breathing in through your nose. Not a feat I have yet mastered.
I stopped by Town Beach before heading to Cable Beach to watch another sunset.
Despite direct orders from the rental company not to drive my 4WD on the beach, I elected to live on the edge a little, followed suit with other tourists, and did exactly that. I positioned myself to catch everyone riding off into the sunset on their camels.
I had dinner at the hostel with the people I'd met earlier that day (Perth guy, Swiss girl, Dutch Matt, Swiss Adrian, and other Swiss girl who took my picture at Gantheaume Point).
Then I headed back into town to see "The Boat That Rocked" at Sun Pictures. It was a very entertaining movie and a fun experience.
