Sharks at Scarborough Beach!!

Today is my last day in Australia. My flight does not leave until 5:30pm, so we thought we would go to the beach before I headed back to the cold Canadian winter.  We headed out around 9:30am and arrived at Scarborough Beach around 10:15am, found a nice spot on the beach and decided to enjoy the hot sun.

      

After a few minutes I decided I should at least try to go swimming since it is summer in Australia. The water off the coast was warmer than at Rottnest Island...or maybe it was because it wasn't quite so hot out today.  Either way I made my way in, over the crashing waves and enjoyed a little swim...love how there were no shells or rocks on the bottom, just pure sand.  

After about 10 minutes I decided to head in...my mind was thinking about all the things that swim in the Indian Ocean...including sharks...when I got slammed by a huge wave.  The winds had picked up and the waves were getting bigger...lots of surfing here...and I was instantly pulled under water.  Thankfully I knew the wave was coming, so I was somewhat prepared for the lovely dunk I was provided...I'm sure I got a gallon of water up my nose.  Headed back to relax on the beach for another 1.5 hours...I love the heat...and then Cathy and I decided to grab a bite to eat before heading back. Nice lunch and great local bear.  

                                       

Once we returned home we heard on the news a shark was spotted at Scaborough Beach at 9:35am and the water was evacuated.  Turns out they had several spottings...one by helicopter...of unidentified sharks ranging in size from 2.5-3 meters in size, about 100 meters off shore. The beach was not officially reopened until 11:00am...turns out I was in the water at that time!!!  In fact we saw people out on Jet skis close to us and it was surf guards looking for any further sharks...I guess my spidy senses were working on over drive when I was in the water telling me to get out!!  No more swimming for me.

Had a shower and  finished packing...including all my chocolate purchases...and headed off to the airport around 3:00pm.  Felt a bit crazy dressed in long black pants, long sleeve shirt and hikers when it was 30 degrees out...not looking forward to the cold when I arrive home.  Cathy dropped me off at the airport...after finally figuring out where the entrance was...I checked in and headed for my flight.  My route home will see me stop in Singapore, London, Halifax and finally PEI...planning to be home by dinner time on Friday! 

       

I had such a great time visiting Perth and catching up with my former roommate from North  Carolina...what an amazing host.  Hard to believe we haven't seen each other in 13 years...felt like it was just yesterday. 

Until "tomorrow"...