dazjet 'n family: Golf Balls & Pearls

This morning we went out looking for a little mini golf fun. Lakes Entrance has around 4 or 5 mini golf places, so the choice was a difficult one... until we located a free game voucher in one of the geocaches we'd found a few days ago. So it was off to Footbridge Mini Golf where we enjoyed a round of 18 holes. At the end is the traditional 19th hole... but this involved dropping your golf ball into one of those side show clown mouths as it rotated from side to side. Everyone was a winner... Jet got the 'Seafood Platter' which was a small packet of jellied lollies in the shape of seafood! The kids also won lollies. The owner asked what I was hoping for... number 4 I replied as that was a free ice cream - a real ice cream. I got the 4 and enjoyed a nice ice cream in a cone!

Earlier in the week, while wandering along the waterfront admiring the various boats, I had noticed the 'Pam' and old Broome Pearl Lugger. They offered sunset cruises. We'd inquired and booked ourselves in for a trip. Today was the day!

From their website this is summary of Pam's interesting history: 'Pam' is a beautiful old ship - built in 1902. Her original name was 'Dominion' and was one of around 200 pearl luggers operating in the waters off Broome WA, looking for the elusive pearls. Divers were sent down and it is said that about 1 in 1000 oysters were found with a pearl. So it was hard work for little reward. The 'Dominion' was damaged by a cyclone in 1924. Rebuilt, she was relaunched as Pam in 1926. During WW2 Pam was requisitioned by the military. Any lugger not requisitioned was destroyed in order to stop them falling into enemy hands.

By 1960, Pam was a wreck on a beach in the NT. Fast forward to 1988 and she was purchased by Dan and Wendy McLay who had her trucked to Gippsland where a 22 year restoration was undertaken.

We were met at the dock by Wendy and Dan was on-board our voyage this evening. What a great job they have done, she really is a fabulous vessel. It was a great 'atmosphere' to explore the lakes!

Once out on the lakes, sails were raised. We enjoyed the journey with some drinks and nibblies we'd brought along. We heard some of the story of the Broome pearling history and got to see some examples of mother of pearl. Fascinating.

We got to Metung before turning around to head back to Lakes Entrance. The sun set behind us and two dolphins spent much of the return journey playing, swimming and jumping in our bow wave. What an experience!