CAMPSITE # 119 - The Passenger

Other campers at the Rest Area must have thought we were young foreign backpackers having woken them all up during our 3am arrival and then slept until early afternoon. But little did they know, we weren't suffering from a massive goon hangover, we had endured a very long flight and were just desperate for sleep.


But, once we had caught up on our sleep, we were right as rain... at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon. 


Having studied the map of W.A. and loosely scheduled in what we wanted to see & where, Tom and I realised that it was time to put the skates on. No more sleeping in until 2pm, we had some serious km's to make. We were to drive up the westcoast towards Monkey Mia and be there within 2.5 days and then continue to follow along the coastline until the Pilbara region ready to give that a fair crack. 


However, we didn't get off to such a great start. We were supposed to leg it all of the way to Geraldton that day but gave up after 3 hours. What can I say? We were out of practise...

Site : Jurien Bay Tourist Park
Rating : 7 / 20
Facilities : Very close to the beach with a great jetty and a brand new kids playground. Our site was a bit pathetic, felt more like we were the bad kids of the class and were thrown all of the way at the back of an empty park next to the fence and the road. Has a camp kitchen with free BBQ facilities. Pricey for what you're getting at $25 for an unpowered site. And don't go in the bathrooms if you get ill easily, seriously it's like walking into a giant orange light bulb but hey - on the brighter side at least we didn't have to worry about bugs in the loos.


As you can imagine, there was no question as to whether we were stopping at the Pinnacles. The geologist had spoken. The Pinnacles are ancient rock formations that are limestone speirs rising from the sand. They say that they can't pinpoint their actual age but it's guessed that they were created millions of years ago as seashells were broken into sand and they were eroded away by water and wind. Some of them stand to be several metres tall... 


Where's Wally and his girlfriend? N.B. Wally is not wearing red & white stripes with a matching hat.

Boy did it feel good to be cruising in the Troopie. The sun was shining with a maximum of 23degrees, the windows were down and the tunes were cranking. When the conditions are so perfect, the optimum road tripping music is an absolute must. But then, it got Tom and I into a rather lengthy discussion... "What are THE BEST songs to listen to in the car?" What is the kind of music that just makes you want to keep on driving until the lack of fuel won't take you any further? The type of tunes that make you crank the stereo so loud that you feel sorry for the under priviledged speakers. The songs that make you scream at the top of your lungs and just hope to god that nobody is recording you. Our list?.. and yes, this is in a counting down order of preferences...


Number 9 : The Eagles - Hotel California
Such a great singalong number that never grows old.


Number 8 : Yolanda Be Cool - We No Speak Americano
Even those who think this is the best song in the world will also agree that it is the most annoying song in the world but damn it's catchy... you'll find yourself nodding within the first 10seconds...


Number 7 : Iggy Pop - The Passenger
I never would have nominated this song. But Tom convinced me to just put it on and listen to it. I quickly agreed, it had to go on the list.


Number 6 : Counting Crows - Mr Jones
What a cracker of a song!!! Sha la la la la la. la.                      aha.


Number 5 : Jimmy Barnes - Khe Sanh.
Or should I say Tommy Barnes? I have evidence that this song is definitely a favourite for Tommy.


Number 4 : Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
Great. Great. Great.


Number 3 : Xavier Rudd - Better People
Such a feel good song.


Number 2 : Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Woooooo ho ho. 


Number 1 : Stereophonics - Dakota.
Now these songs were very carefully selected and this one truly was the one that made you want to leave your window down and make the moment last for as long as possible.


You may have noticed that we had no number 10?! Well, that's on purpose because we debated over number ten for far too long and in the end - I just gave up. Tom wanted to put Meatloaf, Bat out of hell as number ten but I was absolutely certain that surely there's a better one. I would do anyone else but him. Oh no, I won't do Meatloaf.


So, I need your help. Can anyone comment and suggest a better song? Even if you think it belongs higher than number ten, we're certainly open to all options as no doubt there is a sensational song out there that we have forgotten?