Ningaloo be doo be doo

We recently took a short holiday up North of Perth to check out Coral Bay, known for world famous snorkeling and diving. What can I say about our trip to Coral Bay, situated right on the famous Ningaloo Reef? Here are some thoughts I jotted down while on our trip....

"The Elam Family (including one Samuel Cooke) is right now on location at Coral Bay, situated on the Ningaloo Reef. I’m taking time out to write now, after witnessing a world-class sunset. Something about viewing a sunset from a beach is very, very special. God is painting with wide brush strokes of orange, red, pink, blue, tangerine, and azure. My jaw drops and I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule to paint us a Renoir-like canvas on the spot. Only, it’s not Renoir, it’s a “God”. Value? Priceless; Thank you very much."

I’ve learned that Ningaloo Reef is second to nothing when it comes to snorkeling. Better than the Great Barrier Reef, even. Plus, you have to take a boat ride (a few hours) to get to the Great Barrier Reef. Ningaloo Reef is literally just off the shoreline; you simply wade out into the water from the shoreline, and start snorkeling! Ningaloo Reef is in quite a bit better shape than the Great Barrier Reef too. It boasts more than 500 species of fish, I don’t know how many types of coral. Let’s not forget the sea turtles, and sting rays. The water is a beautiful azure and crystal clear. If I hadn't seen it myself, I would never believe it the way it is described.

While we were there, Steve and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Steve took us on a boating excursion to find and swim with a whale shark, the largest fish in the ocean, but they were elusive the day we had the journey, and we did not get to swim with them after all. Quite disappointing. But, as a consolation we did see 3 humpback whales, and a tiger shark. And, it's always exhilarating to be out on the open ocean.

On our journey to Coral Bay (roughly the distance from Medford to L.A.) we saw many wild animals crossing the road while driving through the bush; emu, fox, kangaroo, rabbits, cows, goats. It was like wild kingdom out there! Coral Bay is literally in the middle of NOWHERE. There are a few grocery stores, a couple restaurants, one or two places to stay, and amazing snorkeling. It is paradise.

The kids found it to be an undersea wonder and enjoyed the snorkeling. Camerin, who is fearless, spent hours snorkeling both alone and with one of us. It is mezmerizing to swim with those fish and to see the coral us close. There is so much life under there! Sam watched closely for sharks (which weren't there), but finally relaxed enough to enjoy the snorkeling. The water is balmy and it's easy to stay in for quite awhile. Lucas took some underwater photos of a sting ray that turned out great. Good on ya, Luc!

It was a long trip with lots of driving, but we were all really glad we went to Coral Bay. Memories were made to last a lifetime.

The "Roos" Have It!

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too





Randy Newman includes the humble kangaroo in his song entitled "Political Science" (exerpt above) about bombing the rest of the world because they don't appreciate the contributions made by the good ole' U.S. of A. Australia and kangaroos are granted a pardon in the song. Good call, Randy.

Kangaroos are magical. They rate right up there with unicorns, I reckon. The thing is, though most Australians think fondly of kangaroos, they have roughly the respect we have for the common deer in America. "Yup, there's one." They come out at dawn and dusk, have permanent "red-eye" to a camera lens, and become sport for some sick demented people who get their jollies by hitting or abusing a beautiful animal. Disgusting...and....cowardly.

For us Americans, kangaroos are amazing. Truly. Their front paws are not particularly functional, but they sometimes use them to hold down their food while eating. Otherwise, it's all hind legs, thick, muscular tail and adorable wide eyes. The joeys (babies) are impossibly cute, and very approachable. Really, they all are. They are so docile, they let you approach without much concern. They are so trusting. When I am among the kangaroos I feel the same way I do when I am snorkeling and playing tag with the fish on the reefs. One word describes it....enchanted.

Head bangin'

Just one week into being in our new home with an IN GROUND POOL, Sam is wearing the mummy head dressing. Cracked his head on the side of the pool doing a back flip into the water. It was quite dramatic and convinced me the kids will NOT be allowed to be in the pool without an adult home. Thankfully, Steve and I were both there. Sam is quite capable of doing a fine back flip, as I've seen him do it many times. But this particular time, it went all wrong.

Five hours and 6 stitches later, he's got a goose egg on his head that would make any goose proud!

He's on the mend and get's his stitches out this weekend. I'm reasonably certain Sam won't be doing flips of ANY kind into the pool for the foreseeable future. Live and learn!

Missing in April?

It would seem that somehow, April didn't take place here. We have been so busy moving and buying new cars that April went completely missing on our blog. I can assure you, we didn't miss it but would have liked to, in some respects!

Our herculean move is now complete. School holidays have come and gone. My "first" Aussie auto is now history. And....we have a new addition to the family.

It's been a very busy April.

We moved out of 27 Constellation Drive and into 4 Fairway Circle amid whining and gnashing of teeth. There just isn't any easy way to move 5 people and all their "stuff" to a new place. That said, everyone agrees it was worth it. We stepped up our way of life here at 4 Fairway Circle with an inground pool, hot tub, theatre room (complete with projector and 6 ft sceen), view of the Indian Ocean in the distance, and a real kitchen with a normal sized stovetop and oven. Sigh. Does life get any better than that? Well, I reckon it could, but we're delighted with what we have here. The new pics say it all....













The saga of my car is so extravagant, I can now look back on it and enjoy the sheer lunacy of it all. Unbeknownst to me, I had been driving my car for 9 months with expired plates. That in itself is hilarious. Nine months? Ha! I was pulled over by some Aussie coppers who instantly took the plates off my car and said I can no longer drive it until it is re-registered. The sheer idiocy of keeping me from driving the car and then telling me I had to get it re-registered to drive it was not lost on me; after all, I had to DRIVE it to REGISTER it. Hello? While steam came out my ears, expletives came out my mouth directly at the nice Aussie ocifer. Neither of us were amused. Annnnnnyyyyywayyy...in the end Steve decided to make the Apollo a charitable donation to a couple here from America doing mission work, and we bought a new (to us) vehicle that could conceivably pull a boat, if we happened to win one in the lottery. We are the proud owners of a Jackaroo and it's a great step up from my humble Apollo.

Slowly boxes are being unpacked and our lives are settling down again. Autumn has been spectacular, with days in the 80's and nights getting cooler for great sleeping weather. The Indian Ocean has been uncharacteristically "flat" (calm) and is utterly beautiful. I have asked for a kayak for Mother's Day, as I want to become "one" with the ocean. The views of the sunset from our new home? Take a look...



Currently, Steve is planning a trip to Bali with Camerin and Lucas for the school holidays in July. Nice. Sam and I will be headed for the States to visit and find new renters for our home on Jason Way.

May 2nd was the anniversary of my first year here, along with Sam and Camerin. Steve and Lucas have been here about 2 months longer. It doesn't seem possible, but here we are starting year number two. We still miss the U.S.A. and think and speak of home often.

The new addition to our family? We've been adopted by a nice kitty. The kids call her Muffins (gag), but I named her Callie, as she looks a bit like a calico cat. She just started showing up and demanding love. Now she has her own food and water bowl and comes in and out like she owns the place. We all love her and it's wonderful to have an animal around the house again. MEEEEEOW!