Ladies and Gentlemen, James Brown is alive and well!

In fact, he’s running Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm on the Dampier Peninsula. Who would’ve thunked it eh?!
Papa’s got a Brand New Pearl. And so’s my girlfriend but sshhhhhhh! It’s a secret.

After waking with the sunrise in a Safari Tent and watching the whales breach a few hundred metres out to sea from the balcony, it was time to finish up my bush butler breakfast and leave the beautiful surrounds of Kooljaman for Cygnet Bay.

Cygnet Bay is Australia’s oldest pearl farm, home to the Brown family for over 60 years and three generations. Originally established to collect mother-of-pearl, this family run operation has progressed to become the first Australian company cultivating cultured pearls.

Like most people I’d never been to a pearl farm before, and it was absolutely fascinating. There is such a delicate science behind the whole process and a great deal of hard work to create the pearl, and one of the by-products is the fantastic meat from the animal. It has a kind of scallop taste with a calamari texture. The Farm has evolved and expanded over the last three to four years, allowing tourists to visit, take advantage of the great accommodation and opening a top notch restaurant and café. It’s quite astonishing really. Just as with Kooljaman’s kitchen, these places are in the middle of nature, surrounded by outstanding scenery and have amazing chefs sourcing and using local fresh produce.  Continue reading →