Faraway Bay

May 4, Fri. - This was a big travel day, Sydney to Darwin (5 hours) and then an hour-plus ride across the Timor Sea in a single-engine plane. The scale of the desert landscape abruptly interrupted by gorges and the jagged coastline. The pilot had never landed at Faraway before so GPS was essential. We landed on a dirt airstrip on the Kimberley Plateau and were picked up by Steve McIntosh in a Jeep to transport us down to the Bush Camp. The only other way into the camp is by boat.

We meet the rest of the staff, Sandy and Paula, in the "Eagle Lodge's" open-air kitchen and common area. Although the bay and beach area are very inviting, there is no swimming due to the crocs that inhabit the area. Hence the swimming pool is a great place to cool off and read a book during the day.

Our cabin is very comfortable, complete with out-door shower, sun-heated water.

The 180 degree view of the bay from our porch was spectacular. On our first evening, we climbed up behind the camp to take in the sunset while enjoying a champagne sundowner.

May 5, Sat. - The rugged coastline is best appreciated by boat. There are plenty of coves to pull in an enjoy along the way toward King George Sound.

We share the Sound with a small cruise yacht; however, when we climbed to the top of the King George Falls, we had the plateau to ourselves.

We timed our Kimberley trip to coincide with the end of the rainy season before the major waterfalls dried up for the season.

We cooled off in the pools on the plateau before heading back to camp. That same evening with the six other guests, we took a sunset cruise on the Emerald Lass, turning south out of the bay. There are very few accurate maps of the coastal waters including coves and ravines so the locals pass information to each other regarding the hazards along the way. We hope our captain has absorbed the appropriate information as the sun quickly drops out of sight. Dinner of fresh fish is delicious. A few of the guests have had a bit of luck fishing so we are fortunate to share their catch.

May 6, Sun - While Steve is preparing for our outing this morning, a croc is very attentive of his movement. We later spot a freshie in a cove along the Timor Sea coast.

Our destination is the "Lost City of the Bradshaws" re-discovered and named by Steve on one of his many explorations of this area. As we climb from the shore to the top of the cliffs, the rocks guide us toward a open plaza area which suggests a community once inhabited this area. Under rock outcroppings, along rock walls and ceiling, paintings of figures abound. In this area Clothes Pin figures as well as paintings of Tassel and Sash Bradshaws and Elegant Action figures are visible.

In the 1890's it is Joseph Bradshaw who first recorded the figures of this type. Predominantly human figures in which origin has been dated at 17,500 (+ 1,800) years before present or as recent as 1,450 to 3,900 years. Archeological research has been very limited up until the last 10-15 years.

Steve and Jon at the "Lost City"

Bruce Ellison, the owner of the Bush Camp, and his guest have arrived at the camp when we return from our morning adventure. After lunch, we launch two boats for barramundi fishing. Bruce and his crew seem to be very seasoned; however, Jon managed to hook a big one - that eventually got away. We had a great fish feast for our final dinner at the camp. The next morning we flew directly to El Questro.

On to El Questro