Day 200, Wednesday, 05.08.2009

 

 

I was fresh and motivated fort he next leg to Gnarraloo Bay, although headwinds were again forecasted! Luckily they felt not as strong today, or I felt stronger myself…whatever.

 

I had to leave the protection of the reef behind Pelican Point, and the paddle out through the gap was as scary again as the previous one. Big swell, just about not breaking in that gap. PFD time…

 

As soon I was on the see side of the reef, with the scary view of crashing breakers with big white spray manes, I got rewarded with the sighting of a whale close by…and another one soon, and another one soon…and another one soon…overall *10* whales for that day, more or less close by! HUGE animals! But unlike my first whale sighting weeks ago they all showed up only about once or twice, then disappeared under water again…still nice!

 

Before Cape Farquhar, I could paddle close inside the reef again for a while, until I had to paddle out again! Same scary procedure…maybe I should have stayed out all day. But then the “reward” with watching the whales again…until I could pull into the quiet Gnarraloo Bay, which was known for surfer’s paradise? Where, actually?

No surfers at that time of the day, and I paddled safely behind the quiet sand spit, out of sight of the anchoring boats and camping tourists.

 

Email from Freya:

23.45 113.32, Gnarraloo Bay.  55km, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. I saw 10 whales today!!! Some distant, but most very close. Each not very long, only diving up once or twice and spouting. Paddling out through the reef gaps is quite scary, the see the heavy reef break from outside – you just don’t want to be there…sometimes it feels better not to look and keep a safe distance. I wonder how the whales and turtles know to stay away…

9 comments on “Day 200, Wednesday, 05.08.2009

Theresa

Freya-
Read your story in Canoe and Kayak magazine. Checking out your blog. Paddle on. Thanks for taking the rest of us along for the trip.

Inge Hartley

Hello Freya, so glad to know that you are still doing fine. I hope you get some quarters in Canarvon for a well earnt rest. Thinking of you often. Inge:)

dutch clouds

Gratuliere Freya,

It’s clear you can do it! No luck in the world will get one where you are today. Determination, clever decisions, experience, you name it.

I feel that the hardest part has yet to come though: family at home, seen it all, new friend, costs money every day, life is short …..

Hope you are able to find joy and happiness on the rest of your epic journey.

Will follow you along and wish you many happy days and the toughness to go for it if it just sucks!

By, amazing woman.

René Ortiz

Freya, I reply the same, Happy 200th!!!!, continue like today, the rest distance every day is short, I send you my best wishes. regards from México

Watkins Crew (Esperance WA)

Happy 200th Freya,

Done the Avon Desent over the wekend. Great event. Called into Terrys on Monday for Gail and Matthew have a look at your Kayak.

Looking forward to meeting up with you.

Keep up the great work mate.

Kelvin

Actually, Ningaloo Marine Park where Freya has spent the last few days is quite heavily visited. There are commercial seakayak trips plus activities like swimming with whaleharks and manta rays plus the dive on the Navy pier is rated among the best dives in the world.

There is also fantastic snorkeling on the reefs which are accessed straight off the beach. Turquoise bay is my favourite, you walk up the beach then drift back over reef, fish, sharks, rays, turtles, octopus etc in water less than two meters deep. I must get back up there some day.

Michael S

Keep it up Freya! Our whole year 7 class are following you as past of a mpping geography task!

Chuck H.

I humbly second everything Gayle said! Even fewer of us Gringos get to see those parts of Oz, so my enthusiasm is essentially boundless for seeing some of what Freya has seen over the past several days. Paddle on! And, upload soon!

Gayle

200 days under the belt already! You’re doing unbelievably well. Can’t wait to see some photos of this part of Australia that very few Australians get to see.

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