Lazy days in the Buccaneer Archipelago on luxury Kimberley cruise

So far on my cruise through the remote Kimberleys, I have explored rocky Iron Island.  I've gazed in awe at incredible Montgomery Reef.   Clambered up Raft Point to view amazing aboriginal paintings.
Landed at Langgi Beach to find simply sensational stone statues standing in lonely sentinel.

But all adventurers must sometimes take it easy.  How peaceful to relax on a comfortable lounger as we plough peacefully through the Buccaneer Archipelago. Gentle tropical breezes wafting across the deck.  The only decision to be made is to wonder what might be on the five star menu for lunch ! 

There are more exciting places in store on this cruise and it will be great to experience them in the next few days. In the meantime, I'll just have a short siesta......will keep you posted.

Small inflatable boat, extremely rapid ride, horizontal waterfall off Kimberley coast.

Does the idea of hanging on grimly in a small inflatable boat, whilst shooting at breakneck speed down an extremely powerful torrent of water appeal to you ?  If so, then you should ride the horizontal waterfalls in Talbot Bay, between a narrow gap in the towering McLarty Ranges of the Kimberleys.

It was with some trepidation that I joined a fellow group of thrill seekers, and the experience proved memorable to say the least.  Perhaps the best advice I can offer is "Hold on and spray !"
The risk factor includes vast tidal whirlpools, plus roving crocodiles in the vicinity. All of which provides an incentive to keep firmly seated, and hang on tight. This is probably one of the "must do" attractions in the Kimberley.

Not only was the water flowing freely, but all who experienced the ride, found their adrenalin flowing freely.  Afterwards, back on our cruise expedition ship Oceanic Discoverer, the beer flowed freely as my fellow passengers and I celebrated our successful adventure !

Exploring rockpools on Iron Island, Kimberleys.

Poking around rockpools is fun.  And the rockpools of remote Iron Island are no exception to this rule. Whilst we were awaiting the return of the landing craft, I found and photographed this bunch of unusual and quite attractive striped shells.  Not being an expert conchologist, I'm guessing that they look like small versions of trochus sea snails.
Trochus snails are sought after to make mother of pearl products such as buttons, beads or pendants.
I've heard that the meat of the mollusc is edible too.  It might be OK for a snack or two, if I was ever cast away on Iron Island.
If any experienced shell collectors are reading this blog, please feel free to enlighten me, or correct me on my trochus pics. Thanks.

Climbing to the top of remote Iron Island, West Kimberleys.

Ships log - Day Two.   Made good progress today up the Yampi Sound, and into the area of iron ore mining operations.   Passed Cockatoo Island, then dry and dusty Koolan Island.  These rocky outcrops seem to be mainly Precambrian quartzite sandstone, and their redeeming feature is that there are some marvellous rock formations to view.
Made landfall on isolated Iron Island, uninhabited, but with a pleasant sandy beach.  I climbed a low ridge after we landed, a relatively easy scramble up a rocky track. The views from the tussocky ridge were worthwhile climbing up for, and the rest of the landing party from the boat soon followed me up.
No snakes to be seen, nor much wildlife.
 Probably not the best place to be marooned for any length of time because I didn't see any fresh water, or for that matter, MacDonalds.

 

Stowaway discovered on Kimberley cruise

Ships Log, Oceanic Discoverer 0600 hours.  I was taking an early stroll on the promenade deck this morning.  To my great surprise, I discovered the ship had gained another passenger during the night, lounging on the deck railing. 
To my inexperienced eye, it looked like some form of tropical mantis.  All the more remarkable as we were about ten miles off the Kimberley coast. A long way for a mere arthropod to fly. No wonder he felt like a rest !
Later when I reviewed my photo of the hitch-hiking insect, it didn't appear to have the large eyes of a praying mantis. The ordinary garden mantis as you may know, has quite bulbous eyes, which go red at night, and pink during the day.
If you look closely at the second photo, you'll see Arthur ( for want of a better name) has two ET style eyes, very small.  Other suggestions as to what species he could be, include a goliath stick insect ( eurycnema goloioth) or even a Giant Phasmid ( diapherodes gigantea). If the latter is correct, Arthur is probably aptly named, as the male phasmid is a bit smaller than the female.
What do you think Arthur is ?  Could he be a new species perhaps ?  Would be interested to know, and any feedback appreciated.