Papa!!!

Here in Point Samson we excitedly await the beginning of  a new phase of our caravan trip. 12 days with Papa. With Papa we are off to explore the Pilbara region. This is to include the towns of Karratha, Dampier, Tom Price and the lesser known ones of Cossack and Wickham. Then from here we will head inland into Karijini National Park, the 2nd biggest national park in W.A., and then to Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef.
On our way to collect Papa we visit the Karratha Information Centre and find out how close we are to the home of Red Dog, and the Red Dog statue. We find out there is no available accomodation in Karratha ( in its caravan parks) till March 2012 as they are currently all filled with miners.
Point Samson has a population of 400, that has currently swelled to a couple of thousand due to all the miners. People that work in the mines - in any capacity, earn lots and lots. As a result everything here is so expensive. For example - rent for a dodgy 4 bedroom home can cost in excess of $2000/week.
Major Industrial Projects of the Pilbara Region are Dampier Salt, Pilbara Iron (Rio Tinto) and Woodsides North West Shelf Gas Venture (one of the worlds largest producers of gas).
This marks the beginning of Linda's fascination/love affair with all things mining.

Point Samson's main beach.

On the way to the airport to GET PAPA.......

The obligatory stop at the Karratha Visitors Centre. These goannas look so prehistoric. This one was hiding under the windmill at the entrance.

 

We think they night be just a little happy to see each other!!!!

No not a caravan retail yard, rather our caravan park in Point Samson. the most concrete we have seen in a while. This park is probably the most sterile and quiet one we have been in. The biggest percentage of its clientele are people that work on the mines. The oddest thing about this park are the sensor lights in the ablution blocks (toilet/showers). We first learnt about this as the lights went out during Linda's shower!! Quite entertaining, apparantly, trying to find a light switch in the dark, when no light switch actually existed!!!!

Back at the caravan park, checking out some gifts from home. Thanks Nanny and Aunty Margot!

                           Picture taken by Timna when we arrive back at the camp..............looking pretty relaxed already!!!!!!

Exploring the low tide beach at Honeymoon Cove about 100 metres from our caravan. Awesome views, crystal clear water, lots and lots of sand flies!!!!

The kids aptly named this picture of the crescent moon, the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. Now it is off to bed as we prepare to rise early and make the most of our time with Papa.