When we got off the train we set off up to the headland and had some lunch at the cafe next to the old Pilot’s Cottage, before visiting the Blowhole. Kiama is famous for two things – the blowhole and the pelicans.
The name Kiama is from the aboriginal word Kiaram- 'Where the sea makes a noise'. Under certain sea conditions, the blowhole can spray water up to 25 metres in the air, in quantities that thoroughly drench any bystanders, accompanied by a ground shaking ‘whoomph’. On Monday it was performing well!
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| a ghostly image emerges from the blowhole |
There are panoramic views from the headland so we sat and gazed out to sea for a while.
“That’s whale spray blowing!”
“No dear, it’s just a wave breaking.”
“Well that wave has got a mighty
big tail”
We cursed that we hadn’t brought the binoculars with
us.
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| Pelican squadron |
We checked into our hotel where we stayed overnight,
chuffed that we had been upgraded to a superior room with balcony overlooking
the harbour. Room 101 would you
believe! Then we set off to wander around
the town and see what had changed since we last stayed here nearly four years
ago. A lot of restaurants had
disappeared, the hardware shop was now a trendy gift shop but otherwise things
were much the same. Paul and I, old
fogeys perhaps, are very comfortable in this sleepy, unspoilt seaside
town. (Sarah and Andy lived here when they first came out to Oz
but soon found that the city offered them more in the way of work opportunities
and social buzz.)
 |
| Weatherboard cottages along Collins Street was constructed in 1886 to house quarry workers and their families. Now it is home to designer boutiques and cafes. |
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| Daisy, a papier mache cow, peeking out of the old Fire Station. This is now an arts centre. |
We walked down to Surf Beach where we used to go body
boarding. Some youngsters were enjoying
the surf but the water felt icy to me when I went for a paddle.
 |
| that water was icy cold |
Evening drinks and a meal at the Blue Diamond Lounge
Bar watching the sun go down over the harbour – not a bad day out.
Your first photo is spectacular; I could sit and watch that for hours. Raining here this morning.
ReplyDeleteJust a snap, nature did all the creative work.
DeleteWhat a year you are having.
ReplyDeleteI only write about the good bits!
DeleteThat looks a very pleasant part of the world. Icy cold but will be getting better while we are looking to the reverse.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful part of Oz. Not sure if the sea will warm up enough for me before we leave.
DeleteThe next time is my turn to dog-sit Buddy!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
Ha-ha, I like that!
DeleteThat old fire station has a charm all of its own
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does, the police station and courthouse are of a very similar era.
Delete