Saturday, 11 May 2013
Adelaide to Warrnambool
G'day.
After Adelaide we crossed the state line to Victoria. It was a very long drive to the Grampian mountains. We stopped at McKenzie falls late afternoon and walked down 262 steps to the bottom of the waterfall. Well worth the effort but a long way back up! The area is very reminiscent of Scotland and the mountains were named by a Scot who was reminded of the Grampians back home. There are many Scottish place names and towns so I like it a lot. The motel was Grampian Motel and I would highly recommend it as my favourite of all in Australia. Beautiful setting with kangaroos and emus and all other wildlife around. In fact, I decided to go to the laundry just after arrival and bumped into a kangaroo on the way - don't know which of us was more shocked! I could have spent a longer time here and walked in the hills. So peaceful. Huge welcome by owners who made a fuss of us and the wine was more plentiful and cheaper so I was happy. Dinner was wonderful and the female kangaroo came over to the window. The lady opened it and gave her some bread but we were told if the big one comes over shut the window quick as he is strong. Sure enough he came bounding along. He stayed mooching all night. When we ignored him he stood up scratching his belly and putting on a show. The owner fed him quickly and shut the window. His tail was thick and strong. Later on I fed the female, imaginitevely call Mother. The next morning there was a mist on the bottom of the valley and a walk around showed all the baby Roos too. Very tame. Off again and stopped at the Tower Hill reserve on the way to Warrnambool on the ocean. Saw some wild koalas hugging their trees. My room smelt of sewage and they said they would repair it so had my shower and the receptionist came up to check. She said I couldn't stay there so gave me a key to the suite next door. Spa bath, kitchen, washing machine, 2 balconies, it was fab. Had a get together to finish off some wine we had bought at the winery and cheese. Nice night.
After Adelaide we crossed the state line to Victoria. It was a very long drive to the Grampian mountains. We stopped at McKenzie falls late afternoon and walked down 262 steps to the bottom of the waterfall. Well worth the effort but a long way back up! The area is very reminiscent of Scotland and the mountains were named by a Scot who was reminded of the Grampians back home. There are many Scottish place names and towns so I like it a lot. The motel was Grampian Motel and I would highly recommend it as my favourite of all in Australia. Beautiful setting with kangaroos and emus and all other wildlife around. In fact, I decided to go to the laundry just after arrival and bumped into a kangaroo on the way - don't know which of us was more shocked! I could have spent a longer time here and walked in the hills. So peaceful. Huge welcome by owners who made a fuss of us and the wine was more plentiful and cheaper so I was happy. Dinner was wonderful and the female kangaroo came over to the window. The lady opened it and gave her some bread but we were told if the big one comes over shut the window quick as he is strong. Sure enough he came bounding along. He stayed mooching all night. When we ignored him he stood up scratching his belly and putting on a show. The owner fed him quickly and shut the window. His tail was thick and strong. Later on I fed the female, imaginitevely call Mother. The next morning there was a mist on the bottom of the valley and a walk around showed all the baby Roos too. Very tame. Off again and stopped at the Tower Hill reserve on the way to Warrnambool on the ocean. Saw some wild koalas hugging their trees. My room smelt of sewage and they said they would repair it so had my shower and the receptionist came up to check. She said I couldn't stay there so gave me a key to the suite next door. Spa bath, kitchen, washing machine, 2 balconies, it was fab. Had a get together to finish off some wine we had bought at the winery and cheese. Nice night.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Onwards
After the festivities at Ayers Rock it was an early rise again. 800 Kms drive today towards Coober Pedy. The outback is a bleak place and this is the nearest town down the freeway. The scenery is always the same save for an occasional dead cow or other animal. We stopped just before we reached the town to see a place called Breakaways which was the location of a Mad Max film. Wasn't familiar with it as I don't watch them but others seemed to recognise it. Coober Pedy is where they mine opals and a lot of the people live underground. We stayed in a Mud Hut hotel where the walls were made from mud. Very effective. We went to see the opal mine called "Old Timers Mine/Museum. Had to put on a hard hat as we went underground to see how they mined for opals. Sorry but it reminded me of the old Sabden Treacle Mines. It was a bit of a joke. The woman there boasted she visited 30 years ago and just had to stay - why on earth would anyone want to??? Another 500 Kms and reached the next town of Port Augusta. It looks dead. Lots of bars and they all have gambling within them. The people are strange (that is when they come out). These towns looked like ghost towns to me. Even in the bar at night the few that were in looked strange and didn't smile. Weird. We left Port Augusta for the dizzy heights of Adelaide. We have now travelled 2000 Kms in our little mini bus and we can feel it. On the way to the city we stopped in the Clare Valley to visit a winery for some wine tasting. Now that was more like it. Wasn't keen on the whites but the reds and rose were good. Bought a couple for the city and we were off. Wow, we are back in civilisation. It feels so strange. The outback is an experience but not one I would repeat. Free day next day so went to the Australia museum to see the aboriginal artefacts. All free and really interesting place. Next had a walk to the Botanical gardens where we bumped into a couple who were on our tour the week before and who we left in Cairns. It is indeed a small world! On to the Parliament building of South Australia state. A man took us on a tour and it is very influenced by Westminster in the style. It also has two houses, the House of Assembly (Commons), and the Legislative Council (Lords). Even to the green and red interiors. The House of Assembly has a green carpet with a red line called a blood line around. It is traditionally meant to separate the government and the opposition and the width is two arms and two sword lengths apart! In the upper house the Queen has her own chair at the top and I got to sit in it. I've shared the throne! Saw a couple of interesting churches, one being a Scottish church which was familiarly laid out and really pretty. Adelaide is a lovely city, easy to get around with all free transport and very civilised. If you are in Oz at some point give it a go. Heading downwards tomorrow on the last leg of Australia. Feeling very nomadic these days, like this is my normal life but am sure will be brought back down to earth at some point. Hope all are well. Lots of love xx
Saturday, 4 May 2013
Friday, 3 May 2013
Ayers Rock - Uluru
Palya (Aboriginal hello)
Several days ago I flew to Alice Springs. The scenery changed quite dramatically as we flew. Terracotta colours combined with sage, ashen grey like ground. The sun is so strong here, if you miss just a tiny bit of flesh with sunscreen you are going to feel it. The red colour in the outback is iron oxide and it is literally rusting away. It is very arid with not much water. There is water underground however and there is a tree with a white bark called red river gum tree. Dig down a couple of feet beside it and you would have access to water. Alice Springs is a small aboriginal town and not safe to go out in at night on your own. However the hotel had a nice restaurant so all was well. Met up with some new guests on our tour. There is a Wild West style saloon called Bojangles. It had saloon doors and lots of silly rules and artefacts. There is a "beer and bullshit" corner that I felt would not go amiss perhaps in the Pendle Witch or the Hart! An early rise and we had 10 hours on the road on the way to Uluru. Stopped several times at service stations which just appear from nowhere in the outback. Now the most irritating thing I have discovered so far are the flies. Thanks Sue for warning me and lending me your hat net. It is a godsend. Will not win any beauty contests with it on but it is practical. A little way along the road and we had a puncture. All out in the flies for a half hour in the sun. Further along we came across a dingo. Thank goodness it wasn't around when we were out. Other wild animals around include camels, cows and wild horses. Lots of eagles and saw one eating a cat. Further along we stopped to visit Kings Creek canyon. My shoes are alway red as are the bottom of my legs and socks. A little later we came across what's know locally as Fuluru. It looks like Ayers Rock but isn't. Many people are fooled, however when you see the real thing you can tell the difference.
The camels can be a real problem here as if there is a waterhole they can suck up 100 litres at a time and there is none left for the other animals.
Around 7pm we reached Yalara (the Ayers Rock resort). We were supposed to have a BBQ where you buy the food from the hotel and cook yourself but were too tired so pizza it was. At 5.30 we were up and ready to go to sunrise at Ayers Rock. The Anangu people here have the land and they look at the rock as sacred. They do not like you to climb although there is a facility to. However it is very dangerous and 40 people have died doing so. The people get very upset by this and once you learn more about the culture you realise why. It is a matter of respect. The sunrise was amazing. The rock is a monolith, that is one solid piece of rock. They reckon it goes on underground for around 7kms. The Northern Territories are so large that you could fit in the Uk 7 times alone. Closely in the park is Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas). They are magnificent too in their own rights. We visited the cultural centre where I read all about their beliefs and culture. Very interesting. Lastly we had a walk to the waterfalls under the rock. The paintings on the walls were magnificent. The young boys when maturing were taken by their fathers to learn about manhood. A quick shower and out again for Sounds of Silence and sunset at the rock. It was in the middle of nowhere with the rock behind. Sparkling wine and canapés with the didgeridoo player behind. After sunset we had a bush tucker buffet under the stars. Wow. Lots of wine and a talk about the stars with the lights out. Saw part of the Milky Way. Magical. All too soon we were back at the hotel and dancing to a band. A great day.
Several days ago I flew to Alice Springs. The scenery changed quite dramatically as we flew. Terracotta colours combined with sage, ashen grey like ground. The sun is so strong here, if you miss just a tiny bit of flesh with sunscreen you are going to feel it. The red colour in the outback is iron oxide and it is literally rusting away. It is very arid with not much water. There is water underground however and there is a tree with a white bark called red river gum tree. Dig down a couple of feet beside it and you would have access to water. Alice Springs is a small aboriginal town and not safe to go out in at night on your own. However the hotel had a nice restaurant so all was well. Met up with some new guests on our tour. There is a Wild West style saloon called Bojangles. It had saloon doors and lots of silly rules and artefacts. There is a "beer and bullshit" corner that I felt would not go amiss perhaps in the Pendle Witch or the Hart! An early rise and we had 10 hours on the road on the way to Uluru. Stopped several times at service stations which just appear from nowhere in the outback. Now the most irritating thing I have discovered so far are the flies. Thanks Sue for warning me and lending me your hat net. It is a godsend. Will not win any beauty contests with it on but it is practical. A little way along the road and we had a puncture. All out in the flies for a half hour in the sun. Further along we came across a dingo. Thank goodness it wasn't around when we were out. Other wild animals around include camels, cows and wild horses. Lots of eagles and saw one eating a cat. Further along we stopped to visit Kings Creek canyon. My shoes are alway red as are the bottom of my legs and socks. A little later we came across what's know locally as Fuluru. It looks like Ayers Rock but isn't. Many people are fooled, however when you see the real thing you can tell the difference.
The camels can be a real problem here as if there is a waterhole they can suck up 100 litres at a time and there is none left for the other animals.
Around 7pm we reached Yalara (the Ayers Rock resort). We were supposed to have a BBQ where you buy the food from the hotel and cook yourself but were too tired so pizza it was. At 5.30 we were up and ready to go to sunrise at Ayers Rock. The Anangu people here have the land and they look at the rock as sacred. They do not like you to climb although there is a facility to. However it is very dangerous and 40 people have died doing so. The people get very upset by this and once you learn more about the culture you realise why. It is a matter of respect. The sunrise was amazing. The rock is a monolith, that is one solid piece of rock. They reckon it goes on underground for around 7kms. The Northern Territories are so large that you could fit in the Uk 7 times alone. Closely in the park is Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas). They are magnificent too in their own rights. We visited the cultural centre where I read all about their beliefs and culture. Very interesting. Lastly we had a walk to the waterfalls under the rock. The paintings on the walls were magnificent. The young boys when maturing were taken by their fathers to learn about manhood. A quick shower and out again for Sounds of Silence and sunset at the rock. It was in the middle of nowhere with the rock behind. Sparkling wine and canapés with the didgeridoo player behind. After sunset we had a bush tucker buffet under the stars. Wow. Lots of wine and a talk about the stars with the lights out. Saw part of the Milky Way. Magical. All too soon we were back at the hotel and dancing to a band. A great day.
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