Capes and Caves

Bel was discharged from Bunbury hospital yesterday morning after spending the last 6 days there as a result of her bike accident. She had 5 stitches in her chin which was split to the bone, three in her inner lip and gum (apparently her frenum is gone) and two in her forehead. Very dirty wounds so needed to be done under general. Also has whiplash and lots of bruising. 

But she is healing really well and we are now back on track and out exploring again. 

Once out of hospital we went to Dunsborough on the northern cape of the Margaret River region. The whole area is bordered by two capes, 100km apart, and the Indian Ocean, which gives the area it’s own micro climate. Dunsborough turned out to be a pretty beach town with a lot of realestate agents !!- tapping into the retiree market I’m guessing. 

  
Another 6km down the road and we were in Yallingup and having lunch at Caves House before doing our first cave tour. The house is a very grand hotel that was set up in the early days of tourism especially for honeymooners. The local limestone caves are the big attraction, with 4 major caves to explore. We started with the Ngilgi (pronounced nilgi) caves, just down the road from the pub!

Lots of stalagmites and tites, straws, and shawls. Just so beautiful to explore. 

We had a nice easy start today, starting with a nice soft omelet (bel can’t chew) for breakfast. 

After brekky we did the washing and then headed off to Mammoth Cave ( we bought a three cave pass to let us choose from the four caves in the region). 

Once again more tites, mites, etc. very beautiful, and very grand!

From there we headed straight to Lakes cave which was a guided tour and the most beautiful. The pictures don’t do it justice, there is a column that has formed from a stalagmite and tite joining, that has been undermined by a river running through the cave creating a floating table above the river. Amazing. 

We then headed further south towards Augusta. The final cave was there – Jewel Cave, but we were all caved out and running out of time so decided to just check out Augusta and head to Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, which is the south western most point in Australia. 

   
    
    
 
So after three months on the road we are at the intersection of the Indian and Southern Ocean, two months after being at the intersection of the pacific and southern oceans. Loving it.