Broome continued

 For the next few days in Broome we made good use of their very good bus service. Visited Chinatown, very different from the one we know. It was the original commercial and industrial centre of Broome. Took in the history of pearl farming and the early divers and the very cumbersome diving apparatus that they wore. In the first decade of the twentieth century, Broome produced 80% of the world's Mother of Pearl shell. In the 1970's Broome was producing between 60% and 70% of the world's cultured pearl.

The Sunday markets were a hit picking up a few goodies, one being the very important hat for ladies day at the Broome Cup on Tuesday.

Visited Matso's Broome Brewery, the only full mash hand crafted brewery in Australia's North West. There are unusual beers and ciders some being Mango and alcoholic Ginger Beers, Chilli and Lychee Beers and Ciders. We tried a Desert Lime Cider, very nice. 

Had a coffee at Town Beach, not much there, and did a site seeing tour of Broome via their bus service.

Went for a few very hot, dry and much needed bike rides around and of course if you are in Broome you have to do the sunset camel ride on Cable Beach.

Monday night we rode our bikes down to the beach to get aboard the camels. The top end of Cable Beach is so busy with 4x4 vehicles it's a bit of a shame but at least they aren't allowed on the main part of the beach. This is were you meet the tour. Lots of fun and the camels are very well looked after. The young minders of the camels are full of info about each camel and how they are looked after.

     Just after we arrived, still a little apprehensive.

    Mez getting up close and personal.

   So many pics to choose from and I am only going to bore you with a few more as it was a stunning afternoon.

    That's us in the middle

    What about this for a sunset shot.

       Or this, one of the young handlers took these for us.

    And the night sky, just after our ride, while sitting at the Sunset Bar.

And one of the reasons for us staying a few extra days at Broome was the opportunity to go to Ladies Day on the Tuesday as apart of the Broome Cup. The town was a buzz for a few days selling the all important fascinators everywhere and people out shopping for THE dress. We actually frocked up bringing a dress with us from home for the occasion. Mind you there was a bit of a worry as to whether they were going to fit. We caught the special bus service to the track and arrived in time for the first race. 

There was entertainment, lots of food outlets and you could pay to go into the members area, but much better on the grass in amongst the atmosphere. Just after we arrived there was an announcement that the first race was delayed due to an inspection taking place on quiet a large section of the track. You see, up here they run on a dirt track and in recent years they put a special oil on the track to keep the dust down as you couldn't see the races for the dust. Betting was taking place as no one in their wildest dreams would have thought that the Meet would be cancelled. I had a bet with a bookie that has been working the job for over 41 years and when the announcement came that the Meet was cancelled he was just astounded. He was telling me that Broome only has 9 race meets a year and for one to be cancelled was outrageous. Apparently someone had put too much oil on a section of the track and it was too dangerous. The statement made by many of the locals that we talked to was - ' heads will roll over this'.

We stayed for a while and had a drink and chat with the locals and then caught the first available bus back - what a fizzer.

     The selfie to show we did make an effort to frock up and the abandoned track behind.

Broome was a great place to stay and if you get to visit Cable Beach is a good place to stay.