Port Hedland to Karijini Eco Lodge

 Well it has been another epic day! We have about 425km to cover today and it will be 325km before we see a gas station. 

I looked out of our motel this morning and counted sixteen ships at anchor waiting for their turn to enter the port. 

We wound our way out of Port Hedland, if anything the salt piles and the seemingly endless trains seemed more impressive than yesterday.

Then we set off in an unrelenting procession of roadtrains, the ones coming towards us are loaded with iron ore and the ones going our way are heading back to the mines. A serious number of trucks. Theses guys are thoroughtly professional and the oncomers usually wave and the ones going the same direction usually indicate to me that it is safe to pass. 

We passed one guy about 3 times and the last time he saw us at a layby he tooted out a friendly greeting. Another guy at another layby offered us fresh cold water if we needed it. 

The landscape started flat but then became quite dramatic as we wound through gorges and escarpments.

 The wild flowers this region is known for have begun as there has been recent rain and lavender and white coloured flowers lined the way in places. It is just jaw dropping to be travelling in this land. 

We came to the Auski roadhouse where we refuelled and had a bite to eat. This is situated at a major road junction and the massive trucks were a sight to behold. 

Then along came a couple of pilot vehicles followed by a truck with the most massive excavator I have ever seen. 

As it passed by it nearly blocked out the sun!

We then turned away from most of the traffic as we entered the Karijini National Park. After a few kms we stopped at a kiosk and paid our park entry fee. Then we went to the visitors centre to get our bearings.

 We visited the lookout to the Fortescue falls which were very nice. There were people swimming there but we decided not to join them as it was quite hot and we had all our bike clobber on. 

Then it was a 40km very pleasant ride on a quiet road to our accommodation for the next two nights. The Karijini Eco Lodge which has glamping tents of various sizes and prices. Ours is very well located and nice but certainly not the top of the range. We have no lights or electricity and must share the ablution block. 

After we unpacked and after we orientated outselves we set off to explore the Joffre falls. The path to it runs right past our tent and is only about 600m long. A bit of a challenge with some loose rocks to negotiate and steep ladders to descend. We arrived at the bottom which was stunning in itself and there we took off our shoes and socks. 

We then waded through a little opening to emerge in this wonderful amphitheater with a cascading waterfall at the far end. The stones underfoot were small and sharp and walking was slow and painful. A more experienced couple saw our plight and the lady sent her husband back with her jandals so Robyn could have an easier time of it. We swam in the pool which was refreshingly cool.I felt like I had landed in one or those tourist brochures you see in the travel agents.

We then headed back and the couple helped us again. We got talking to another lady who had on reef shoes and commented that she was very wise to bring them, she said she learned the hard way and then said to Robyn that she was going home tomorrow and Robyn could have them. So how nice was that! 

She duly turned up at dinner and delivered them. 

All in all a most excellent day.