AUSTRALIA ADVENTURE (7/26-7/28)
Trip Start
Unknown
1
7
8
Trip End
Ongoing
Alice Springs,
Northern Territory,
Australia
Sunday, July 26, 2009
I’m currently on the way to Alice Springs and am very excited to see relatively desolate Outback.
After wandering around the Esplanade and City Centre, I got McDonalds and returned to the hotel. My roommate, who’s starting Contiki, is 25 year old helicopter pilot for Canadian army. In the room and over brekky, I heard stories about experience in Afghanistan as well as life in Canada. He is good guy and I got his contact info.
Because he slept early, I did laundry and reorganized luggage so that all Alice Springs stuff was in smaller bag. After that, I watched TV quietly and fell asleep.
Here are some random observations about Australia:
- It is expensive! Even if you account for dollar being a bit more powerful, prices are high for food, clothes, etc
- I love the “no worries mate” amongst strangers. This isn’t possible in USA
- Good beer: Toohey, Carlton Draft, Vic Bitter, and others
- Toilets have 2 buttons for flushing, and urinals are one basin instead of separate basins
- I’m still getting used to km, kg, meter, and other measurements
- Beaches are usually rocky, muddy, etc instead of clear
- I’m being introduced to how Aussies love cricket, rugby, and Aussie football. It’s on TV often and takes up the news daily
- I’ve barely heard/read US news in Aussie media
- Beautiful rugged scenery inland (haven’t seen Outback yet)
- Fair share of Japanese and Asians
There are other tidbits I can’t recall. We are getting ready to land in the Aussie Outback!
Overlooking the Todd River, 7/26, 1705
So I made the decision to extend my trip to the Outback, and I’m so happy to have made the choice!
Being in the Outback, and Alice Springs, is like a totally new world to me. Although I said I’m looking at the Todd River, the “river” is a completely sandy pathway that I just crossed (it has water sometimes). Nearly all of the land is desert scrub, and beautiful peaks extend around the city. The temperature is 75F/25C, but I’m not hot (though it’s still sunny).
This “metropolis” of the Outback has a couple tiny tourist attractions (Aborigine gallery was good), but the best part within city limits is Anzac Hill (Aus and NZ Army Corps). After climbing the hill for a few minutes, you see awe-inspiring views of countryside, with the view of the city definitely NOT awe-inspiring.
Another thing that shocks me is the number of Aborigines in town. It seems like 25% of the population is native. At Todd Mall Outdoor plaza, they were loitering numerous places (not shopping like whites). For some reason, I was picturing 1950’s South with separation of races. At least on Sunday, the town has been pretty empty (“Alice” does have 22,000 people).
Tonight I may or may not see Contiki group because they’re in town. Worst case, there is cinema very close to my relatively nice hotel. Tomorrow, I booked a tour with 4WD (at a discount!) that visits the key sites around Alice. I will now enjoy the complete emptiness I’m surrounded by for a few more minutes . . .
Hermannsburg, 7/27, 1450
I’m sitting on a rainwater tank in this “historical town.” This is a place where Germans tried to convert Aborigines. It’s ok and not special.
Last night, I had dinner at this bar in middle of empty pedestrian mall. It was playing loud US music so I went. I also saw another movie because I don’t know of any nighttime activities in Alice Springs.
This day, I’m doing Palm Valley, which is found in Finke River National Park (no river). This place seems to be heart of Outback, and we could only access it by offroading on 21km of very rugged “paths” (I wouldn’t call them roads). After the tough 45 minute drive, we came to our destination. The views throughout the day have been absolutely amazing. In particular, the area we stopped was like an “oasis” with palm trees and other foliage. But most of it was rugged desert and not clear sand like the Sahara.
We did 2 climbs today. The short climb was the Kalarranga Lookout. The long climb was to the “top” of Palm Valley which was obviously amazing. Although both of the climbs definitely required effort, neither was extremely tiring, but it was still exercise.
I’m not sure about tonight (I think good US TV) or tomorrow (maybe half day tour before 1730 flight). I enjoyed doing something quite rare – being out in nature. The weather was chilly at first but warmed up. It is still surreal that I’m 1500km/900m from the nearest city!
Hill in Alice Springs, 7/28, 1300
I’m sitting here alone on this hill overlooking Alice Springs Telegraph Station and surrounding countryside. There is a little taller hill nearby, but I “created a path” to the top of this hill, and it’s great!
After getting back from my day trip yesterday, I just went to ATM, internet, and a café to get a steak burger. I was basically in the room watching TV and reading a newspaper, and I was fine with it. I also talked to a friend of Brian and Renee Miller who lives in Alice Springs. She was very nice, and sadly we couldn’t meet because of illness from her pregnancy.
This morning, I did the quad bike tour. We rode out for 20 minutes to this desolate cattle station (not ranch) to learn about their operations. Of more importance, I rode an ATV for the first time. It was great to do it over somewhat rugged terrain in the view of mountains. The only negative came when I drove very fast in some parts. The tour guide literally threatened to kick my ass and leave me isolated if I threatened safety of others. Besides this “minor problem,” which I can chuckle at now, I had fun.
After, I walked 30+ minutes to isolated Telegraph Station. It was much more interesting than expected to learn how they communicated and survived out here. This is the last tourist attraction before home, and it was a good one.
Now I must descent this unmarked hill and walk through empty land until the town centre. It has been much fun in Alice Springs and the Outback!
