A Town Like Alice

Weather: Sunny, 34c (Thursday 12th September)

Today was hot, hot, hot – with a lovely warm breeze blowing through (thank goodness).  We spent the day in Alice, wandering around the shops; picking up gifts (including some lovely fabric for myself with aboriginal prints on them) and taking lots of photos.  In one of the art galleries we were given the ‘5 minute tour’ by one of the members of staff and she explained about different patterns used in painting by men and women and that only certain patterns can be used.  It really opened our eyes and made us think about the items that we were buying and the meaning behind the patterns.  After lunch we started the touristy part of our outback trip and went to see the sites.  First off though, here are a few picks of Alice – including my meeting with some local Police Officers:

 

It was really neat to have a chat with them (for those who are not aware, I was a Police Officer in the UK prior to emigrating to Canada) and they were able to answer a question that had been bothering us from the night before – why were Officers on duty outside the IGA (supermarket) when we went to buy some food?  It turns out that there is a huge problem with alcohol being consumed in areas where it has been banned – and therefore they were checking up with shoppers, making sure that they did not have contraband to drink illegally.  I find this rather sad, as the main offenders appear to the aboriginals people.  Sadly, this is an issue that we also have with the First Nations in Canada. 

We then went to pay our respects at the war memorial which is situated at the top of a hill, overlooking the town.  Amazing views.

Next up was a trip to the Royal Flying Doctor Service – I am embarrassed to say that I did not realise that is was for real – I thought that it was just a TV show (I consider my wrists to be well and truly slapped!!)

We then couldn’t resist the ‘Old Timers Museum’ which was essentially a large Quonset/shed, but was really quite interesting.  Of course I gravitated towards the old sewing machines and it is quite amazing to realise all that they have gone through – traveling across country as the pioneers forged their way into the wilderness.

We finished off with a walk around the Alice Springs Desert Park – and guess what we saw????  Kangaroos!  Woo Hoo!  So exciting to see them, they are such cool creatures.  There were a couple lying down on their sides, legs crossed – so funny!  We also saw a pregnant mum with a young joey and another baby in suspended animation waiting for its turn to be born.  My trip is complete!

We leave Alice tomorrow and head for Ayers Rocks – also known as Uluru.  Looking forward to that!

Into the Outback - Day Two

Weather: Sunny 34c

Today we drove from Coober Pedy to Alice Springs - not such a long day (about 8 hours), and some amazing scenery en route.  We saw a dingo and camels . . . but still no elusive kangaroos!

This is where we stopped to refuel and have lunch.  For some bizarre reason the tree has shoes hanging from it . . . . Kulgera is in the 'bush' and will be our stopping point on the return from Ayers Rock in a couple of days.  Very desolate . . . and yet still the flies have found it :)

Hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of straight roads, sunny skies and . . . . no other vehicles!!

Woohoo!  We have arrived!!  Alice Springs is in the Northern Territory with a population of around 25,000 - about the same size as Strathmore - a town near to where we live in Alberta.  It is pretty much slap-bang in the middle of Australia and is literally miles from anywhere!

And this is the view from my room!  May need to check the pool out tomorrow . . .

So, we went shopping to get some munchies . . . and look what we found in the freezer - kangaroo tail.  It appears to be popular as this is the only one left, but I don't think that I will be trying it out :(

Tomorrow we will be spending the day in and around Alice Springs - and I am hoping to go on to a kangaroo sanctuary in the evening.  Alice Springs is also the centre for aboriginal art - and there are a number of galleries here, so maybe we will have time for some shopping?!

In and Out of Gaol - and a Touch of Silk

Well, today was a very busy day - lots to organise, lots to plan.  First of all we drove into Adelaide itself so that we could book a motor-home for a trip to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, a 3200km round trip.  This was the first time I had driven in Australia, and it had been 9 years since I had driven on the left had side of the road and about 5 years since I had driven a manual (gear shift).  Thankfully, it all came together pretty quickly - surprisingly so in fact, and with the help of GPS, we arrived at the motor-home company, only to be told that the next booking available would be mid-October.  Doh!  Plan B it is then!  We hired a car (a Holden Commodore) in dog-sick-yellow (our thinking was that we would not lose it in a car park!), and will just have to book hotels on our route into the Outback.  Once of the conditions tied into the car hire was that we can only drive between dawn and dusk - otherwise the chance of hitting a kangaroo is very high, and they cause a lot of damage to vehicles. 

You don't get that in Canada.  We set off tomorrow.

Next was a stop for me at the Eastern Silk Shop.  Oh bliss - I did what all good seamstresses do . . . and bought some fabric - well, it is so light and it fits in the case so easily!!!  Here are a few quick pics of inside the shop:

I have enough fabric for a couple of shell tops to wear under a jacket and I believe that there may be a return journey before we leave!!

Sightseeing was next on the list - and a trip to Adelaide Gaol.  This was quite amazing and very barbaric - how I wish we had gaols like this when I was in the Police in the UK . . . . 

Dad checking out the trap door (above) of the gallows.

Last but not least we went and had fish and chips on the beach at Glenelg - along with about 500 seagulls.  I kid you not!

Avery beautiful place with some stunning architecture.

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside . . . . !

Weather:  Mostly sunny - some rain showers (when we were indoors), 21c.