Over delivering

Confession: I was a bit worried on day two of our Kimberley cruise aboard Ponant’s Le Soleal that I had misled DD and my friend Emily.

I was concerned that it was too cookie cutter compared to our first Kimberley experience aboard the Reef Prince, a smaller ship only carrying 35 passengers. That cruise was so adventurous, filled with fishing and climbing waterfalls and tying rafts together in remote rivers to eat cheese platters and sip bubbles.

But we have been so wowed by our return visit. While this cruise is on a larger ship with many more passengers, it has over delivered on our expectations. I could go home today and still rave that it was worth every cent.

Yesterday we headed out on the most amazing zodiac ride to the Lacepede Islands where we were transfixed by the cornucopia of birds surrounding us, turtle heads popping up beside us, crocodiles sliding onto the shore to stalk the magnificent bird life and slightly wild seas splashing us with salty spray.

Located approximately 120km north of Broome, the Lacepedes are small, low-lying atolls of coarse sand and limestone, atop a broad fringing platform reef. The islands are internationally significant as they are home to one of the largest colonies for brown booby birds and the largest breeding colony in the Indian Ocean for the lesser frigatebird. The Lacepedes are also one of Western Australia’s most important breeding grounds for green turtles.

Wildlife bliss.

The colours were spectacular.

Then we climbed back aboard the ship to watch the sun set with a glass of bubbles, followed by dinner and a talent show.

I was a bit reluctant to go to the show as I am not a musical theatre person. Well, I like live concerts, but … oh, I am being pernickety so I will stop …

The talent show was awesome. It featured everyone from fellow passengers to a magnificent singer from the laundry department blasting out “It’s raining men”. Loved every minute.

I cried when one of the wonderful waiters sang “Bridge over troubled water”. Bloody brilliant song.

Afterwards, I retired to my balcony to watch the moon set below the horizon … and take arty photos of it …