Charlie the boat dingo

A dingo sat next to me on a boat this morning and nuzzled my neck. So that was different. I mean, I knew there was a good chance I’d see a whale shark, but I wasn’t expecting the dingo. But let’s not get distracted by my canine friend – I came to Coral Bay to swim with the whale sharks and swim with the whale sharks I did. Well actually, it was only one shark which we swam with repeatedly, but who the hell cares? I swam with a whale shark and have the stubby holder to prove it!

I was so disoriented when I jumped in the water that I had no idea where the whale shark was until I, belatedly turning on instruction from the wildly gesticulating crew member, found him right behind me! I was so excited I nearly dropped the camera and all my photos are very badly framed indeed as a result of my shaking hands. So often these touristy things can fail to live up to expectations, but this was simply marvellous.

I told you it was badly framed – but look how close it was – No wonder I was giddy with excitement!

As if that wasn’t enough, we got an added bonus with a humpback whale sighting – the first of the season. Man, I’d really like to go swimming with those behemoths, but the first tours in WA start in August. Now wouldn’t that be something? The snorkelling also produced many highlights. I’ll just call them a myriad of colourful fish because I couldn’t tell a barramundi from a barracuda. I can recognise a turtle, however, and that had me choking seawater down my snorkel, such was my delight.

Ahh… the caravan park is working its magic on me and I’m starting to relax. No wait… that might be the red wine still 😉