Today we enjoyed an action-filled day cruising along King George River, hiking up to the top of King George Falls, and exploring parts of Koolama Bay.
The hikers left the ship just after sunrise, planning to speed up the river to the start of the trail. This plan quickly dissipated when nature put on a wildlife show that demanded a more leisurely pace. We encountered basking crocodiles and got to witness a little boxing match between two rock wallabies trying to establish who was stronger. Later that morning, some of us were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the sirens of the sea: dugongs, very shy and gentle creatures.
When we finally reached the falls, we discovered that King George Falls, roaring waterfalls in the wet season, was now just a tiny trickle. The rocks where water gushes down several months a year are tainted black, making it easy to imagine the dimensions and mightiness of the falls. Australia is certainly a land of extremes!
Whether you were cruising through the gorge or scrambling over big boulders all the way to the top of the plateau, everyone marveled at the stunning rock formations. Layers upon layers of sandstone in the most incredible colors and partly eroded like honeycomb. The hikers’ efforts were rewarded by absolutely spectacular views.
Next came a special surprise from our amazing galley team. Hiding behind the rocks at the end of the gorge, they surprised us with delicious croissants, refreshing orange juice and mimosas. What a perfect morning!
In the afternoon we landed on a secluded beach. During strolls along the soft white sand, we saw millions of beautiful shells, a fresh turtle nest with the traces in the sand still damp, a small mangrove area and beautifully colored rocks.
A small hardy group hiked up to the bluff and again got treated to a stunning view. Guided by the sun, we returned to the ship just before it was setting and sailed into a beautiful orange sky towards Wyndham, our last destination in this fascinating part of the world.
