Writing this report seemed to be an easy task. The cruise along the Kimberley coast is one of the best things I have done in my life.

When I started to write in earnest however, I found that I was tempted to use all the overworked superlatives which appear in holiday brochures. So judge for yourselves. The photographs I have included should convey some of the atmosphere of this beautiful rugged coast.

On such a trip we would fly from Broome, Western Australia, to an island where we would be picked up by Gay and Graham, owner and operator of the vessel. Remember all tours with Birdwatching Aficionados are exclusive so there are no unknown passengers, just you and your chosen friends. Groups of two to four are ideal.

Every day we leave the boat to explore freshwater creeks, patches of rainforest, sandstone escarpments, mangroves and open bush-land in the pursuit of birds

Apart from birdwatching there is plenty to do and see: watch the Horizontal Waterfall in Talbot Bay, walk on a reef, collect your own fresh oysters for dinner, observe dolphins, Humpback Whales and other cetaceans, catch fish, spot one of the shy dugongs or a marine turtle, maybe even a shark or a ray.

Thanks to the design and sturdiness of the boat we are able to sit-out the low tide at King Cascade in the Prince Regent Nature Reserve. This gives us time to climb up the waterfall to look for the elusive, endemic Black Grasswren, observe a pair of Chestnut Rails foraging on the mudflats or see a Great-billed Heron gliding past. We will watch out for the salt water crocodile which lurks in the tidal creeks. Swimming is definitely not on the agenda!

At sunset it's time for a tropical cocktail and some nibbles, and before long the pleasant smell from Gay's gourmet galley indicates that dinnertime is close, possibly including a self-caught mud-crab or Barramundi, or a Kimberley fillet steak.

You will spend the night in a comfortable cabin with a double bed, while our vessel is securely anchored in a protected bay or inlet. In the mornings it is impossible to lie in bed. The mood is so special that early rising is irresistible.

Now I look forward to seeing you some day in this wonderful country I love so much.

Cheers,

Jonny, the Aficionado