Another iconic Broome image, is that of the camels walking along the beach as the sun sets over the water behind them. With nature-boy along, there was no other option than to have a ride, now was there? We decided to go for the slightly cheaper and shorter pre-sunset ride, giving us a half-hour stroll along the beach and the time to take photos of the actual sunset ones from a distance. Monica, Auntie Marj and Uncle Kevin came along to watch, which gave them the chance to have a drive on Cable Beach too. This was SUCH a chore for Dunc, who seems to have taken to beach driving with joy.
Dunc and Lexie were on Aslan, the largest camel in all of Broome! Angus and I were on the one just ahead of his – Amos – which meant that our family were the first to load. The camels rise from their knees from the back to the front of the camel train so we didn’t get to watch anyone else before having to do it ourselves. Angus got quite a surprise at just how rocky it is when they get up. You have to lean right backwards with stiff arms and then lean forwards and then you are up. And really high up! Angus was not sure about whether he was happy or not, and I’m glad we were sharing a camel so I could reassure him. He didn’t take long to relax (“Just sit up straight and pretend it’s a wobbly chair”) and then loved the rest of the ride.
It was rather rockier than I remembered. The ride is bumpier than a horse as camels move both feet on each side at the same time. This leads to the swaying and bumping. Most animals move alternate feet, but camels and giraffes do not. I recalled the bumpy loading bit, but forgot how bumpy the walk itself is. Check out Mum and I on our camel in 1986. I was 13. LOVE that 80s fashion!
We wandered a fair way down the beach and then it was time to turn around and come back. 30 mins was the perfect length ride for us.
The shorter ride also meant that the in-laws got to watch and take pics and their wait at the car wasn’t too long. Dunc drove them home after a fairly busy day and then came back to take the sunset photos. The children and I stayed and walked up the beach to where we had seen some friends. Angus and his friend Riley decided to dig through to the centre of the Earth, and the girls had a ball rounding up every other child in the vicinity!
We ended up staying for a dinner of fish and chips on the beach – yet another social meal NOT at home. I was feeling guilty that we were not having our last dinner with the in-laws, but Dunc thought they were rather pleased at the thought of some quiet time at home to pack and prepare. And when we eventually got home, I baked them a banana cake for morning tea the next day to make up for it!
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