B&W Retrospective

As I do from time to time, I bring you a look back on our recent travels to explore a few locations in monochrome. The road above is just south of Norseman. While this is not part of the longest straight road, it is long and straight.

Anzac Centre

After leaving Esperance, we headed west to Albany, another town on the souther coast. This is our last stop on the shore before heading inland to cut across the corner (as it were) to head to Perth.

Here, we visited a museum dedicated to the Anzac corp from WWI located on Mount Clarence in Albany. I didn't take any pictures since it really didn't lend itself to that. It was an excellent museum and told the story of these brave people very well.

Upon entry, we were given a card with a photo of the one of the Anzac's. At selected locations around the museum we could put this card on a reader and up would come a file of information about this person. We could read about and connect with an individual. This was really great.

There is an excellent memorial to all the fallen. In a room overlooking the shore is a table-height display with all the names slowly scrolling along on a screen. As the names run along the length of the table toward the window, there is water flowing over the names and all a small waterfall at the window end. It was a very moving experience to stand here and feel the connection between the large number of people lost and the sense of inexorability as the water just flowed for ever.

Although Albany is a long ways from much of what might bring you to Australia, this is a place that you shouldn't miss.

Eleven Mile Beach

The Eleven Mile Beach comes at the end of the long shore line drive just before it turns inland and heads back to Esperance. This portion of the beach is largely covered with various succulents and bush, making access difficult if not impossible from the land side in many places.

Observatory Beach

A headland a bit farther along the beach is Observatory Point and the beach here is very protected (even from the sun). This is called Observatory Point because the island just offshore is Observatory island.

Fourth Beach

The Twilight Beach Road is one long stretch of beaches. This one is called the Fourth Beach for some reason or other.

More Beaches along the Twilight Beach Road

As the day got later and the sun lower, the beaches began to take on a different character. A bit further along the Twilight Beach Road from West Beach, we continue to find beautiful places.

West Beach, Esperance

As the day was getting on, we left Cape Le Grande and headed back to Esperance. There is a nice scenic drive along the beaches here and we took this to see what we could see. There were indeed some excellent beaches. the sand was not the snow-color we saw on Cape Le Grande, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

Stonehenge

Now for a little trip back in time. Just outside of Esperance, WA is a complete reproduction of stonehenge. The one found in Wiltshire, UK. Built ca 5000 years ago. For some reason I do not understand, a new one was quarried and built in Australia. I guess it is to make people like me pay to see it.