From Coast to Coast,Broome to Darwin in style.

[drron]

I know i have not finished my last trip report but I will.Added on to our DONE4 were sectors BNE-PER-BME.So for no extra cost we have positioned ourselves in Broome so we can take the Orion from Broome to Darwin.We will be boarding late Thursday.From friday you can catch what i am seeing on-
Bridge Camera
We started off from home on Sunday about 8am.We are going with my former practise partner and his wife(the parents of our 4 surrogate grandkids).So we set off in the Stretch from Little Mountain Limos.For 4 people this is less than 50% more than going by the regular bus transfer and way more comfortable.Go via the back of currimundi and being early we can still spot the kangaroos here.Down the Bruce highway and just before the twin Mobil servos at Wild horse mountain glance to my left to see the old tobacco drying shed-this used to be common in this area many years ago.Past Caboolture aerodrome where 2 Cessnas are landing scaring the kangaroos off the strip.fantastic trip so we are checking in 2 hours before the departure of QF651.We are checked in to 3A,B before our friends who have used OLCI have dropped their bags.Some dozy young woman insisting she can take her full sized suitcase on as hand luggage!Up to the QP.Our friends are in Y but mrsdrron has our 4 BPs in her hand and we are all waved through.Nothing different in the QP experience.
QF 651 BNE-PER.ETD 1105.Actual 1110.
ETA 1430 Actual 1450.
Water or juice offered after boarding complete.Only 1 FA for J so service a little slow.Mrsdrron has the Chicken with a pesto and parmesan sauce-OK.I have the Salmon with a Thai green curry sauce-fish is dry(salmon on recent AA domestic was much better).Very slow to replenish wine.
About 90 minutes out of BNE a SIA plane flies beneath us.can easily read the signage ?the A380.
Next-Back to the dark ages at PER and off to BME.

[russ]

Don't miss the Horizontal Waterfalls!

[drron]

Late arrival into PER and parked on the tarmac.Walked to the front of the terminal through it looks like temporary shelter and plastic road dividers.Back into terminal and through security again arriving at gate just 5 minutes before boarding of QF1930.So no QP and lasies use the public utilities-verdict-dirtier than anywhere in Asia.This is my first experience of domestic PER.Boy do you guys need an updated terminal.
seated in 5D,E.Watch anxiously as several POS go past but 5F remains empty.in fact on the 3 seat side of the B717 the first 5 rows all have a vacant seat.Rows 6,7 are empty.Unfortunately after take off the FAs move a woman and her 2 rug rats to 6 and 1 does nothing but let off high pitched screams throughout the flight.
The joys of Y travel(actually L as a 1 class aircraft on a DONE4).Like a flying museum.Tray tables!No choice of meal!Paying for your grog.Even on american eagle having status got me a free drink for me and mrsdrron.The FA was surprised by how empty the flight was-Sunday evening into BME is usually full.Served a lamb goulash with noodles and veggies-It is lamb Jim but not as I know it.
On right side great views of Perth as you take off but left side has best views of sunset and coast as we approach BME.
QF1930 PER-BME.ETD 1525.Actual 1540.
ETA 1750.Actual 1750.
Ah the wonderful Broome international airport!As part of our accommadation package we get a rental car for our stay-normally through Broome Broome(love that name) but ours is through Europcar.Meant to be a Hyundai Getz but it was apparently pranged that morning so we get an Elantra.Just as we finish the documentation the first blackout hits but only 5 minutes.Get to our accommadation-Captains by the Bay-ring for the keys and the second black out hits-2 hours.cant do much so off to town to try and see if anything open-only a Chinese restaurant and Som Thai kitchen where we eat-good Thai food but will do a full review of restaurants when i have downloaded my photos.however not a bad restaurant of the 6 we tried in Broome.
The lights came on for about half an hour as we ate.Went across to the Roey and seleced our wine for the stay-out goes the power and they wont accept cash!
Next Broome.

[mannej]

Great TR drron.
Unfortunately, Perth Airports seem to always release their plans to update both intl. and domestic terminals and link them, but never seem to put this into action. I know alot of this has to do with the finer politics between the airlines, but come on sort it out ASAP as PER is really lagging behind in quality and it is very noticeable.

[drron]

First our accommodation in Broome(will do a full review with photos later)-Captains By The Bay.Well it is not far from the Bay but you cant see it.Despite that we were fully satisfied.fairly new 2 bedroom apartment,bedrooms with queen beds and both with ensuites,shower only.great kitchen,living area and a patio with daybed,table and chairs plus a Weber Q.Laundry around the back.Included with it is a rental car,free DVDs for borrowing,a small pool but nice.Cost was $250 split between 2 couples where the Cable Beach Club was $350 each per night.We felt we had much better value.
Now Broome is small but enough to fill in your days.Highlights were the natural phenomenon-sunrise and sunset at Cable beach and of course the Stairway to the Moon which was on during our stay.We first viewed this from Town Beach which has a carnival atmosphere with markets there during these nights.however crowded,not comfortable viewing with a lot of pushing and shoving.The second night we went to the Mangrove Resort.Although there a bit closer to moonrise we got a front row table and were able to relax with a bottle of wine.Much better view as well.So if only 1 night go here-but do arrive about 2 hours before the moon rises.
Apart from that visited Ganthaume point and the dinosaur footprints,the Broome museum,the Japanese and Chinese cemeteries and drove out to the Mango plantation-though that was a bit of a waste of time
The women also felt the shopping was pretty good and the CCs had a bit of a run!All in all a very enjoyable few days and I am sure we will be back.
For restaurants,I will write full reviews later with photos-however if any one is a computer whizz who can explain things in simple english i would like help.my photos keep disappearing after posting.The boffins over at FT have given up just saying "how strange" and I have been advised to post direct from picassa3 that i use except i cant.Please dont use computer talk though-it may as well be Swahili for me.Thanks.
Next Leaving broome.May not be for a while as on the Orion internet is $33 an hour so probably next here in 9 days time.

[QF009]

Another interesting report drron. PER and BME are places I'm trying to organise trips to but i nearly always run out of RTW segments and it's too expensive otherwise.

[docjames]

Great TR drron.
Unfortunately, Perth Airports seem to always release their plans to update both intl. and domestic terminals and link them, but never seem to put this into action. I know alot of this has to do with the finer politics between the airlines, but come on sort it out ASAP as PER is really lagging behind in quality and it is very noticeable.

The total lack of competition might have something to do with it. At least on the east coast travellers have the (limited) choice of departing BNE/SYD/MEL/ plus AVV/OOL for Dom flights.

[drron]

So still dont know if my photos will stick but here goes.Lunch at the Old Zoo Cafe Cable beach,Was fantastic,a tapas style lunch-

scallops with roasted capsicum on a minced pea base.

Panko crusted fried mushrooms-had an extra of this one.

whitebait-every bit as good as in NZ.2 of these as well.

Prawns in a coconut garlic sauce.

Honey soy duck shanks-these also needed a second tasting!

potatoes with prosciutto and pesto aioli.
As well there was duck liver pate-a nice tasting one at that.
So 10 dishes,2 bottles wine for $170-4 people sharing.Felt it was good value.
Next will continue Broome restaurant reviews.only extra thing to say now is that if you are older and considering an Orion Cruise-just do it-absolutely fantastic.

[mannej]

Lunch looks supurb!
I'd be happy with that

[drron]

A little out of order but we voted the best meal in Broome was at the Wharf restaurant at the Port where we went on Wednesday.We started off sharing scallops with ginger and soy-


Then oysters Kilpatrick and natural-




Thenwe shared 3 mains.First Barra wings-


Garlic prawns-


And Whole fish deep fried asian style-


This was all delicious.With 2 bottles of Sav Blanc-$185.Again a bit expensive but definitely worth it.
Mrsdrron and I were so full we passed on dinner.our friends being younger went to Noodlefish-Thai fusion and felt the food was good.however cash only..
Next-even more on Broome.