So, just over a month ago I had the privilege of swimming in the Mediterranean off Malta. The water was warm and salty and it was one of the happiest days of my life.
Today was a pretty good runner-up. For the first time in mainland Australia, Ponant allowed us to swim in the ocean, off the back of the ship. Our lovely captain Antoine dropped anchor as we arrived in the Montebellos, and quickly took off on his windsurfer for some R&R all the while the crew set up a safety perimeter for the hardy among us and finally it was game on. Water temp was a tad cooler than the European summer but the depth was similar - although in Malta we could see the sand and all the fish 16 metres below us, not so much in the Indian Ocean. It’s possible we didn’t want to see what was in the water with us! But fortunately, Doug the Shark stayed away.
It was the ocean debut for my new wetsuit, and I’ve cut my time to five minutes to get the beast on. The first time it took 15 minutes! Getting it off is still a challenge but lucky I’m travelling with Uncle Paul who helps to pull it over my ankles. So glad I didn’t have to call my butler, lol.
The water was brisk, maybe 22 degrees, so there were many spectators. We had a blast, and it was hugely invigorating - an excellent start to our adventure. And if you’re wondering why I’m so high up in the water, well I’d had a blow wave the day before and didn’t want to get my hair wet! Lastly, check out the baby zodiacs, they were good fun and I think Club Young Street needs one.
The day had already been fantastic. We were alongside the port at Dampier to enable us to visit the Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) rock art. But wait! For the true nerds among you, how would you like a private behind-the-scenes tour of Rio Tinto’s port operation? So we chose to forgo the cultural option to be nerds.
The tour was run by a very chatty and friendly lady from the Mission to Seafarers. Security was “stricter than an international airport”, and even our clothes were regulated. We drove underneath the massive car dumping facility, it was deafening and like being in an earthquake. 480 tonnes are dumped every 90 seconds, and the trains are 240 carriages or 2.4km long. It takes 5-6 trains to fill one bulk carrier.
Then over to East Intercourse Island (yep, that’s a place!) to tour the secondary operation used for iron ore and salt, and up to the Queen’s lookout. Who knew? One of the largest Rio Tinto shareholders is the royal family and in the 1980s HRH QE2 was coming to Australia and wanted to check on her investment. The lookout was built for her visit, but in the end it was Princess Margaret who made the trip west.
Some fun facts:
⛏️It’s the largest self-contained operation (and second-largest bulk port) in the world. RT controls the mines, the network and all the shipping. Currently they have 17 mines in the Pilbara, and soon they will bring a new mine online annually for the next decade. I guess that kind of explains the share price, which has rocketed especially since I started paying attention in 2019.
⛏️They export iron ore, salt and soon will include urea. Almost all is for export as it’s too expensive to move domestically.
⛏️The 8 billionth tonne was recently exported to Nippon Steel Works, loaded by a 19yo whose father and grandfather worked as loaders.
Across the other side, Woodside has two huge gas plants, Pluto and Karratha, which send LNG to Korea and Japan.
The Mission to Seafarers was founded 170 years ago, and provides pastoral and other care services for, you guessed it, seafarers.
Another ditty just in from Jennie’s husband John who wrote it while shaving this morning, in Wales. I include it below for your reading pleasure.
Naomi sails the seas and is so hearty,
After all she loves to party,
And all the rest enjoy the ride,
Otherwise, woe betide!
