LIVEALITTLE

Who remembered their first steps??? Not I. But it's wonderful to catch someone else's first steps in life. The rangers in Darwin go out in search of turtle nests and move them to a safer part of the beach earlier in the year. When the turtlings hatch, the public is contacted to asssemble that evening, given education and instruction to assist in the turtlings' release (essentially, "you can watch, but stay out of the way"). It was a touching event and left me with mother-like worry of the miniscule babies' first three days of life of continuous swimming into the deep, blue ocean.
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livealittle/sets/72157608407238266/

When I thought there was nothing left to see in Australia, I travel again and find Broome. I thought I had reached a climax in Australia travel and did not have a particular need to see anything else but when Andrew suggested going to Broome for a long weekend, I agreed. The build-up has started and we will have nothing but rain for days on end in the near term anyways.
Surprisingly, Broome was heaps more bustling than I expected. Surely it will become Darwin-size eventually. There are lots of boutique shops, high-end and modern restaurants and activities. I felt quite comfortable relaxing and tried not to be too high-strung about catching all the attractions. Cable Beach was as beautiful as the pictures we saw on the postcards.
One thing I did realize about myself is my automatic "shut down" of information processing of things my mind has deemed it does not want to retain. It's happened before when I tried to take up guitar. 3 months and 2 lessons later, I had a mental block. Try as I might, my brain solidified into impenetrable cement when I even pondered touching a guitar. It happened again in Broome... with birds. I recall zero birds from the trip even though "we" saw 74. It's not to say I didn't enjoy the trip, but while everyone was watching birds, I was looking at other things. I guess it's good to know your limitations. Isn't it interesting how the mind works!
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livealittle/sets/72157608226924803/

Probably a pasttime unique only to the Darwinians, toad busting is a weekly (maybe even a DAILY) evening social event. See, the cane toads wreak havoc to the environment and the wildlife here. The toads captured during the event are gassed. Some people freeze them. We didn't catch many during this hunt probably because the big lights arrived late right before the rain started. Maybe next time I will even touch one rather than just step on one!! For more details on how you can participate: www.frogwatch.com.au. Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/livealittle/sets/72157608219745220/