Kimberley Expedition Cruise Review 3/8
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The time had come for our first excursion on one of the ship’s rubber zodiacs. Silver Explorer holds 14 of the inflatable, rigid boats. We were told by expedition leader, Lea, that they are the perfect instrument to explore the ever-changing landscape of the Kimberley and that their design would allow us to do so in relative comfort. After a mandatory zodiac safety briefing the day prior, we were rearing to go!
Every passenger onboard Silver Explorer was provided with a life vest to be worn on the zodiacs. Stored in the cabin along with a Silversea-supplied backpack and insulated water bottle (the latter conveniently filled with ice cold water by our butler daily), it soon became second nature to dress correctly for each zodiac excursion. Life vest first. Backpack second.
8 passengers, including yours truly, boarded the second zodiac at around 6:30am. As we would learn time and time again during this voyage, the tides would indiscriminately dictate the start and end of every excursion.
We set off with a morning breeze whipping up a few gentle waves, and while we were each “refreshed” with the salty sea spray, the zodiac handled the bumps with ease. We felt comfortable and confident, especially with expedition team member, Tristan at the helm
The point of today’s excursion was to make our way down King George River to the twin falls. We were informed that during the wet season, the falls make a thunderous, deafening noise as the monstrous volume of water crashes into the river below. Despite our visit occurring during the dry season, the falls were still running and thanks to some recent, unseasonal rain, even more so than is typical of a visit in August.
We continued to make our way further into the gorge. Towering on both sides of us, rock faces that resembled sky scrapers reached high into the sky. The deep red colour the result of natural oxidisation, or rusting, of the iron within the landscape. Sections of the rock face hang precariously over the river, so we didn’t linger underneath them for long.
I can’t properly describe the scale of this place, and I don’t think photos will do it justice either.
We were lucky enough to see a young saltwater crocodile, and it swam alongside us for 5 or so minutes before disappearing underneath the water’s surface. This is not a place for swimming, despite the alluring colour of the water.
Of course, this is Silversea and as we have since come to expect, there was a surprise hidden behind a corner. Members of the ship’s hotel team were waiting for us, perched on the rocks. The sound of “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole echoed in the cavernous space as glasses of champagne were handed around for all. Ok, maybe two glasses.
The highlight though, for those of us that partook, was to sit on the bow of the zodiac as Tristan slowly eased it into the (surprisingly cold!) waterfall for a post champagne dousing.
Elated and awe-struck, we enjoyed the lengthy ride back to where the ship had anchored in Koolama Bay. We noticed the wind had whipped up - salt water splashed all around us as the zodiac bounced over the waves, but everyone onboard had a smile on their face as the memories of towering red cliffs and waterfalls settled in. Tristan carefully piloted the zodiac into position for a safe transfer back to Silver Explorer.
What an epic day and an epic place.
