Well boys and girls, I am a little discouraged today. After a difficult trip, which Mrs. Morris will be telling you about, we arrived at the Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort in Shark Bay. Now if you were in Mrs. Harding;s class you know that the reason we are in Shark Bay is to see the stromatolites. For those who don’t know what stromatolites are, they are a primitive cyanobacteria that created the oxygen that enabled life to develop on earth. Unfortunately as more complex life forms evolved, the stromatolites became food for them. Living stromatolites only exist in 2 places in the world, Shark Bay and the Bahamas. When we were planning this trip I looked into car rental here and it was pretty ridiculous. I could rent a 2004 for $78 plus a $32 delivery fee each way. The website did say they offered tours to see the stromatolites so I decided to wait intil I got here and see what was available.
Apparently this is the low season, so no tours are operating, the car they normally have here to rent is broke down, and the car hire company is booked out the whole time we are here! I am disappointed, but I will not give up and will keep trying to find a way to get to Hamelin Pool to see the stromatolites. In the meantime, we have a lovely room with a patio that overlooks the Indian Ocean, dolphins are frolicking in the water and in the morning we get to go down to the beach where we might get chosen to help feed the wild dolphins. After reading this small moment from Mrs. Morris, you will understand when I say I am just glad to have my feet on the ground.
Harrowing!! That is the only word that can describe today’s adventure! Harrowing just plain harrowing! We flew to Monkey Mia in Shark Bay today. Last night Perth received the most rainfall on that day in 25 years! From our vantage point on the 5th floor of the Perth Hyatt we didn’t seem to think much of the rain. This morning brought cloudy skies, but we had seen that the day before and it cleared off nicely by midmorning so we didn’t think much of it. We were just excited to go a little further north to some warmer weather, sunshine and the beach.
The plane in which we would make this journey was a tiny 30- seater and I knew if there were clouds there would be rough flying. The sky was clearing so I relaxed—a little. Take off was “smooth”, we flew above the clouds and got above them into sunshine. About halfway to Shark Bay we landed at an “airport” in Kalbarri, more like a shed with a landing strip, where 2 more passengers boarded. There were now 9 passengers and 4 crew members, who looked like they were barely old enough to shave. Still the sky was clear, take off was good, no worries! Ha!
As we approached Shark Bay the clouds began to thicken. Suddenly the pilot came on and announced that we would be circling Shark Bay for, what we thought he said, 2 hours waiting for the sky to clear! I looked out the window and sure enough there we were circling the ocean!
We circled once, then twice, then the third time and still the clouds were thick. As we started the 4th circle Mrs. Harding said “I don’t like this,” and I began to get really nervous! We need to put on our life vests! How long can we do this there’s only so much fuel! I really don’t want my kids to have to come to Australia to find me! IF they CAN find me since I will be eaten by a shark if we crash! Just land the plane on the endless highway with no cars on it already!
On the 4th (I think) attempt we went in for the landing. The sky was full of clouds and it was raining! And the airport was another shed with a landing strip! I held my breath, closed my eyes and as soon as I felt the bump of the wheels on the ground I let out a sigh of relief. We were on the ground—NOT in the ocean! As we rode the bus into Monkey Mia, the driver told us that the pilot had said if we didn’t make it on that attempt we were going back to Perth! We were just glad to have our feet on the ground!
It’s good to be here, safe. The sun came out for about 30 minutes and we wandered around. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for some sun and warmer weather as we will be here until Tuesday. We will go back to the shed with a landing strip, airport, and board that tiny plane once more to head for Perth. Weather for Tuesday! More rain!!!! Between the rain and the ash cloud from the volcano in Chile I hope we make it home! Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and a less harrowing trip back to Perth! Cheers!
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