Early rising and fond farewells

August 04, 2025

Early rising and fond farewells

It's Monday evening 4th August and I'm in my hotel suite in Broome. The morning was a bit of a let down following Sunday's trip to Hidden Island. Suddenly it was time to pack up, follow the disembarkation instructions and check that you'd not left anything behind.

Sunday evening, there was the last dinner with one of the crew members and other first timers, lots of laughter and then music and dancing, one last time on the open deck . I skipped it and joined my two new friends for a late-night whiskey and then it was back to the suite, but not before I'd picked up my washing from the laundry.

We had to put out our packed bag(s) by 11 pm, tagged with details of the hotel you were staying at in Broome. They'd be collected and the next time you saw your bag(s) would be on the quay ready to be loaded on the coach taking you to your hotel -Moonlight Bay Suites.

And so to bed, and at about 3 am, I started awake thinking "I haven't collected my laundry!". We were leaving the ship from 9 am onwards and it was an early rise at 6 am to ensure you had enough time to have a decent breakfast. I was up at 5:30 washed and dressed and heading for the laundry room to retrieve my clothes. Except they weren't there. I looked in all the washing machines and tumble dryers - nothing. Someone had nicked them, but surely not: these people don't need my pants, socks and jimjams etc. Did I pack them in my suitcase last night and had forgotten? With that thought in mind I headed for a less than satisfactory breakfast.

We had to vacate our suites by 8am, which meant we all congregated in one of the many public areas on the ship. It was a time to say a fond farewell to those people you had taken to during the 10 days at sea. My new firm friends were staying at Cable Beach - a separate part of Broome and we agreed to meet up for dinner on Tuesday evening.

The coach took me and a few others to our hotel at around 10 am - we couldn't book in until 2pm, which meant occupying four hours walking around Broome. It was scorchingly hot even at that time of day. I left my suitcase, but not my rucksack, at the hotel. It was heavy with my laptop, cables and plugs etc. and a pair of shoes which I'd forgotten to pack in my suitcase. Thus encumbered I headed off for Broome's beating heart - China Town and bumped into two of the crew members in the process.

I can't say I was knocked out by the town - there was loads of litter in the bush - take away pizza cartons etc., loads of big noisy SUVs and a scorching sun. The airport is very close to the town - a matter of minutes' drive in the car - with the regular roar of planes landing or taking off. I found somewhere to eat and later on a pub. Broome has lots of shops selling pearl jewellery with visitors going from one place to another sussing out the best deals - I just wanted to keep out of the sun.

I finally got into my hotel rooms just before 2 pm. The first thing I did was to open my suitcase - and there was the washing I'd angsted over.

A shower and a clean change of clothes - after ironing a couple of shirts - I headed down to Matso's Broome Brewery where I had king prawns in a chili sauce with rice and salad and a very cold beer. I had intended to go out this evening but I'm exhausted - so much to take in, the numerous hotel switches and the heat has left me needing another break when I get home to get over this holiday.

Tomorrow a more leisurely walk around the town - may even try to get to like the place...