Flyabout Adventure Around Australia's Coast - Broome, Western Australia

Australia's coast from the air is quite fascinating because it varies so much. People tend to think of Australia as only having beautiful white sandy beaches stretching for kilometres.

However, some parts of the coast are loaded with colour. One such area is in Western Australia, near Broome. Really orange red sand and rock.

Cape Gantheaume, Broome, Western Australia

To appreciate the rugged beauty fully, there's no better way than from the air.

During my flight around Australia's coast I had the best seat in the house, flying over the sea and taking photos from the pilot's seat on the left hand side of the plane.

As you can see from the photo of Cape Gantheaume, the coast is even more spectacular framed by the brilliant blue of the sea.

Broome is located in the northwest of Western Australia not far from Derby and the Buccaneer Archipelago, the crinkly bits on the map of Australia.

It was quite a relief to land at Broome because my flight was over the ocean, the home of saltwater crocodiles from north Queensland to north of Broome. Thankfully I didn't have an engine failure and I was flying within gliding distance of the land.

The thought of crocodile infested waters was in the back of my mind during the flight. However, I didn't let it stop me even though it was one of my fears. I don't like flying over water either but to take photos from this unique perspective I had to do it.

To achieve your goals in life, sometimes you have to confront your fears. It's a matter of getting over it and getting on with it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I digress, so back to the coast of Broome.

Port of Broome, Western Australia

This Outback town is also famous for its pearls and as I was flying around the coast, several of the pearl farms were visible from the air.

As far as I'm concerned, Broome is the Pearl of Western Australia because it has a real mix of culture and natural beauty.

As you can see from this photo there's white sand interspersed amongst the orange red areas. Broome is famous too for its Cable Beach and spectacular sunsets.

Sun setting over colourful sand on a much quieter beach is quite something again.


Broome beach, Western Australia, at sunset

I guess you can take away two things from this post:

• go visit Broome (you won't be sorry) and

• confront your fears if you want to achieve your goals badly enough.

If you enjoyed this post please share it with others.

Monument Valley Really Is Monumental

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park really is monumental both from the cultural and geographic perspective. It's situated on US Highway 163 on the Utah/Arizona border just 25 miles south of Mexican Hat, Utah.



Monument Valley, approaching from the north

 This is one of the iconic places, with its recognisable and stunning landscape, that I just had to visit in America's Southwest.

I first came across Monument Valley when I watched western movies, directed by John Ford, with John Wayne. Below is John Ford's Point.

John Ford Point, Monument Valley

In 2007, there was also a Red Bull Air Race with aerobatic planes both negotiating the pylons and avoiding the rocky outcrops. A breathtaking event to watch.

So as a pilot and a western movie buff I just had to make the effort to visit and stay in the Monument Valley area.

I'd travelled down from Moab, Utah, to reach Goulding's Lodge on a very hot May day. The airconditioning was a welcome relief while I was waiting to board the tour vehicle. A hot and dusty afternoon tour followed but it was definitely worth going on because it included native American culture as well as a trip into the less well known areas of the valley.


Navajo woman with her craft, Monument Valley

Goulding's did have a camp ground and there is also a big and expensive lodge closer to the Mittens rock formations. However, at peak tourism time, it's a must to prebook your accommodation no matter what style of touring you prefer. What a blessing the internet is for reserving accommodation!

David, the Navajo guide on the tour vehicle, was a real gem with his extensive knowledge and sense of humour. He even called little old me "sassy" (maybe he liked Aussies who wear Akubra hats or tourists who believe in audience participation).


Goulding's Tours, Monument Valley

However, he was really tuned in to the fact that we were all wanting to take heaps of photos and he stopped the vehicle frequently for this purpose. With digital cameras and photo opportunities abounding, anybody should be able to take fantastic photos in Monument Valley.

David, tour guide, on the left, with his cousin in Monument Valley

Keen to make sure that we knew that this was Indian territory, David and his cousin entertained us with some native American music (above). He also treated us to some of the best vantage points for photographing the rock formations - very artistic and his enthusiasm and love of his country made the tour a truly unique experience.

If my itinerary had allowed it, I would have liked to have gone on a morning tour to capture the scenery in a different light. The afternoon tour was hot with strong sunlight and as time progressed there was the afternoon haze and long shadows across the rocks. Sunrise in the morning can be beautiful but sunset in the evening can also be superb.

One of the Mittens, Monument Valley

The Monument Valley airstrip was visible from the lodge and there was a plane parked there when we visited the Navajo Indian woman nearby. However, the flights to the valley come from neighbouring cities and there don't appear to be joy flights available at the airstrip. A real pity because this is a beauty spot which also needs to be seen from above.

Monument Valley really is monumental if you appreciate magnificent scenery and traditional Navajo culture.