May - Coral Bay - Girilia

Travel Log May 2012

29/4 – 1/5

Pleasant drive to Coral Bay. Massive termite hills on the farmland near the road. (see the fence post near it). Saw a van tipped on its side on a corner but several people had stopped and they waved me on. Ambulance and cops 5  minutes down the road. Thousands at Coral bay – this park has 262 caravan sites and they all seem taken. Same next door. I gather people come for a couple of weeks – certainly well set up but a bit like sardines. I am on a corner site over from the restaurant. A couple of little shopping areas, groceries, bakery, ‘new age’ clothes etc., and everything geared up to snorkelling the reef it seems. Not so cheap either. Booked to go on the glass bottom boat Monday ($35) but not enough people so did on Tuesday instead. Wonderful warm shallow water at the beach.

  Had a Swedish massage – back a bit stiff – so that was good. Then – duh – went on the 2 hour quad bike sunset tour.($95) Seriously corrugated tracks so bounced around heaps. Surprised that I am not really stiff today!!!! First time I have ridden any distance since the bike crash in 2002!!!!

1/5

Out on the glass bottom boat – lovely trip and amazing coral shapes. Just not the bright colours we are used to seeing on TV! Lots of pretty little fish as well. Apparently the brown stuff all over the coral means it is healthy.  Very interesting guide also.

Got some groceries and fuel – played wiz for a while and did the wages etc.

 2/5

Packed up and drove the 160 km to Girilia Station. 4km of very corrugated dirt road also.  Really hot here and no power other than for 3 hours in the evening so will only stay tonight. No phone or internet either. Kid's pony chewed my left van mirror off and broke the glass – but at least the lady had the decency to refund my $15 – not that I expected that. Managed to glue and tape a big piece of glass back in - it is still useable. Quite a few dongas here – have road gangs etc. and do lunch for bus tours in ‘the season’ – which is from now on I gather. I did try to get an invite to dinner but their groceries don’t arrive until tomorrow so hostess not keen – ah well – good try. Have Woofers here also. Toilets, showers etc. and kitchen. Made yummy rissoles.  Power came on around 6.30 – 8.30 but I was tucked up in bed by 7 listening to the radio. Horses came to inspect me again – parked beside trees where they camp so lots of poo!!! Yuk – worms, flies, lice…..????? Actually very few flies but still tend to stay in the van. Have no desire at this stage to sit out in the red dirt swatting!!!!

There had been a fire at Girilia on Xmas day – all the grass gone but trees just starting to re-grow and lots of purple flowers shooting out.