After a couple of days staying at Steve’s place, we transferred to The Empire, which is possibly the most ostentacious hotel I’ll ever stay in. It’s one of those places that you walk into and think “wow”.

The evening saw us head back to Steve’s for an evening send-off, which included us carrying a safe upstairs, drinking the first third of the secret beer-stash and comparing me to Kimi Raikkonen – I can’t remember who came off better…

See more photos taken on 2nd June 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

The last couple of days are just a blur of driving down one side of Australia, eating a massive steak and then flying over to Brunei: consequently I failed to take any photos at all.

Today was good though: After a slow start, we had a Japanese lunch at a well hidden restaurant in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan, before Steve led us on a tourist tour of the city centre, taking in the military regalia museum and a boat-ride around the water village. Fantastic.

See more photos taken on 1st June 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

After yesterday’s walk through death valley, we decided to do something a bit more relaxed today. We visited the Rainbow Jungle Parrot Centre, just up the road from Kalbarri. The best bit was little tiny bird that saw a wasp fly in, turned around and pecked the little bugger clean in two. Ace!

See more photos taken on 28th May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

Turn back now unless you are:

• Cautious
• Fit and Agile
• Prepared to scramble
• Confident with heights
• With a companion
• Carrying water

See more photos taken on 27th May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

Irish Tanya and Anne sand-boarding near Kalbarri. It was ace fun – a lot like sledging, but without the getting wet, cold and miserable.

See more photos taken on 26th May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

A view out over the bonnet of the beast (our Nissan Patrol 4×4), at the Pinnacles, near Cervantes. We got up very early indeed so we could see the sunrise over the rocks – it was well worth it.

See more photos taken on 25th May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

Looking out over the river to Perth City Centre.

See more photos taken on 24th May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.

The view out over the coastline near Margaret River.

See more photos taken on 23rd May 2006, or all of my photos from Australia and Brunei.