Uluru - Day 81

Fletcher : Today we woke up early and drove to Ayers Rock.  The man mum was speaking to this morning said it was closed again but when we got there it was open and you could climb it so we made a pledge to climb to the chain, we went as far as we could and were so glad we climbed it.  We walked around the rock and we saw old cut out in the rock, it was an aboriginal shelter where the children sat and the old men sat, they would paint, tell stories and make fires.  We walked for a little while then we saw another cut out in the rock and they made a teaching area for the aboriginal kids, they would teach them how to survive and catch food.  When we were done we went to the cultural centre and had something to eat and watched some aboriginal people paining.  When we came back to the van we patted some camels then we went to look at the airport and came back for dinner.

                                                     me coming down on my bottom

                                                                    Dad and me

Mackenzie :  Today we got up and went to Ayers Rock / Uluru.  When we got there we started climbing it, we got half way and we didn't want to climb anymore so we came back down and had a tour around the rock to listen and read about their life is really fascinating.  Then we got something to eat and had a look at the museum, there was dot art work and wood work, they burn them and shape them, one of them is a snake.  We went back to the caravan for lunch and looked at the playground and the pool.  We watched the sun go down on Ayers Rock.

                                                              us just a little way up

                                       Inside the rock at the bottom, it had paintings inside

Today I woke up early to go to the lookout to see the sunrise on the rock,  Dan had got his things ready the night before and set up his coffee cup ready to fill in the morning and then wouldn't come as it was freezing.  I rugged up in a pair of leggings, tracksuit pants, t shirt, jumper, jacket & beanie and went to have a look, it was gorgeous but I think I enjoyed the sunset more and think I will try sunrise from a different lookout.  I rang the office at 7.30am and they told me the climb was closed due to the wind, I must admit it was a little windy.  We got ready and headed out to walk around one of the tracks.  When we got to the car park there were dozens of people climbing it, the gate was open so we made a compromise we would climb a small way, to the chain if possible, even one foot on meant we had "climbed the rock" but we also wanted to show our respect to the aboriginal people.  So sitting in the car park I knew I couldn't do this but I didn't want to deter the kids so we climbed a small way and took some photos, we were on Uluru!  We kept going, to say it is steep is an understatement, apparently once you have done all the chain section it isn't so bad but with blood pressure problems one of the few medical conditions they had listed as not to climb, I knew I was beat, not to mention it was incredibly windy and I was scared stiff!   Dan has done the climb before and went the highest, he did slip on the way down and he admitted it was a very scary moment, the lady we were sitting with half way up told the kids to look away, she said to me after she thought it wasn't going to end well, I had to agree.  Fletcher went a little higher than Mackenzie and she went higher than me!  We were rapt, we high fived and hugged proud we had done it.  Yes a part of me would have loved to have made it to the top but I think that moment passed 2o years ago.  There were all shapes, sizes & ages climbing it, I clung for dear life on the way down only to then watch a 6 year old girl run down the edge, crazy yes but she did it and made it to the bottom safely.  I don't know what I expected, I will admit I know it is called a rock but I kind of expected it to be mountain like,  there is no dirt on it at all it is just rock.  It is beautiful and it felt amazing to be near it & on it.  And without getting all gushy and spiritual, to walk around it was amazing and in some sections you could feel the temperature and mood change, a bizzare wonderful feeling.  We got to see the art work on the rock and where the elders sat, a waterhole and you weren't allowed to photograph in a section where the women had been.  The history is amazing and I just cant work out why we don't study it in some form at school.  We got to see 3 aboriginal women doing dot art work and they spoke their own tribes language and one sang as she worked and it was mesmerising.  The paintings themselves were incredible, they each tell their own families story via their art and the stories are passed on through each generation.  Again you were not allowed to photograph the women.  The cultural centre is very interesting and is so well designed, everything flows with the environment and the colours are all earthy and reds.  We drove all around the rock as the walk is 10kms and Bentley was back at the van it was too long to add to the few hours we had already been gone and besides Dan was proud he had just done the 2 km walk !  We will come back and do The Olgas tomorrow and have another look at Uluru.  We headed back to the van to one very happy Bentley and had some lunch, we had some scones at the café at Uluru which were to die for.  Did I mention my friends with the beautiful orchids from yesterday had to leave and had bought passes to the national park and had the same vehicle so they passed them onto us, they refused to take any money for them and were just pleased they were going to be used.  So we were $50 in front which never happens to us, I did make a donation to the local people as they are trying to build a respite type centre for the elders and only 25% of monies collected go to the 3 local tribes, the other 75% goes to care & upkeep of the area.  After lunch  I was siting down outside on the phone to my mum telling her about the rock and I look up and say to mum, I will call you back there is a camel walking past!  Not sure if she thought I was crazy but there was in fact 2 camels walking past the van that were from the local camel farm, the kids patted them, they were soft and on their humps were quite fluffy, we have ridden camels before and its not an experience I would like to repeat.  There is a baby camel out at the farm which we will go have a look at though.  We headed out for a drive and filled up with petrol.............. $2.09 a litre and of course we needed a bit so $144 later.  Oh well when you need it you need it and we are in the centre of Australia.  We checked out the airport then to IGA again to get some meat, the truck had been so the fridges were full of fresh meat, fruit & vegies and quite a big variety.  Again I don't know what I expected but maybe a general store with provisions and a few meat packs.  As I had promised myself, I dragged the family up to the lookout to see the sunset, Dan with a coffee, ok it wasn't champagne but he was coming and the kids loaded up with glow sticks and everyone was happy, tonight there was a bit of cloud cover but we still got to see the color changing. 

 We have been to Ayers Rock :)

 

                                                                             Uluru

                                                           the kids and I a short way up
PS : for those who haven't been to Uluru may be thinking what the kids and I thought-  at the top of what you can see is the top............ that is not the top........... no where near it apparently,  it is about a 3 hour return trip :(

                                                                     up close

                                                                          the artwork

                                       the art on the wall is from them teaching the children

                                       the water stain from where the water spills over the rock

The Olgas taken from on Uluru, they are about 50kms away so this shows just how massive they are

Ayers Rock - Day 80

Fletcher :  Today before we left I played in my base for the last time.  We stopped to look at a rock called Mount Conner, geologists say under ground Ayers Rock, Mount Conner and the Olgas are connected and more of Ayers Rock is underground.  We kept driving till dad said keep your eyes peeled and Mackenzie said, what's over there? and that was it, Ayers Rock.  It wasn't long till we got to our resort where we are staying, we got to our site and set up.  We went to their shopping centre and watched people dancing, its called aboriginal cultural dance, when it was finished we got to take a photo with them.  Later on we went to a lookout to look at Ayers Rock it was such a sight to see.

                                                                   Ayers  Rock

                                                                       Mount Conner

Mackenzie :  Today we went to Yulara which is the town where Ayers Rock is.  We went to the caravan park to set up and went into town and went to watch a Aboriginal Culture Dance.  I loved it, we might go back tomorrow.   Then we drove to a lookout and we took lots of photos of Ayers Rock.  We got tickets given to us today, we got two tickets and kids are free so the tickets are for mum and dad so we all get in free.  We will go tomorrow so we are hoping they say we can.

                                              The aboriginal dancers, they were so good

Ayers Rock

 

 

Today was another day to tick off my list.  I have seen Ayers Rock, tomorrow we will go to it but I have officially seen it.  I had butterflies in my stomach on the way here, crazy I know as I'm an adult but I have been looking forward to this day.  We first saw Mount Conner which if I hadn't read up on the area I would have thought it was the rock, it does have a flat top though but on first view you would think it was Ayers Rock.  And yes I have cheated on the post heading we are officially at Yulara but I had to put Ayers Rock up there, even if just for today.  At the resort reception they give you a stack of information about the area, eateries, sights, all the free indigenous activities and even write down the sunrise and sunset times for the day.  You are given a flouro sticker to stick on your van draw bar with your details on it, no sneaking into this place.  We set up and headed out to see if we could get fresh water and some fresh meat for tea, they have an amazing IGA that sells everything, including BBQS & Bicycles.  So the water is expensive but everything else is the same as home, some things even cheaper.  We looked through the shops, there is only a few but everything you need.  We were in time to see the Wakagetti, which means dance, it is traditional aboriginal dancing, these guys were in full body paint and their dances all meant something different and were only to be danced by the men if given permission from an uncle, brother, father etc who passed the dance on to them.  There was a welcome dance and many dances about the traditional Australian animals, to see these men move so life like an emu or goanna was truly amazing.  They also danced like a brolga, showing off their chests and moving with such grace, aboriginal men are taught to be humble and not show off, so in dance is the only time they can behave like that.  The kids loved that they didn't have a radio to dance to!  Playing the sticks and mouthing the sounds and singing.  A few had traditional ceremonial scars on their bodies, one even had a pair of footy shorts under his wrap, but we wont mention them!!!!  We then went out to a lookout to view the rock, we took way too many photos considering we will be there tomorrow.  The kids were so excited and so was I, Dan has been here a few times but he was still happy to see it again.  They close the rock under many conditions now, and strongly discourage you from climbing it.  It was handed back to the aboriginal people in 1985 and leased by the government for 99 years.  There has been 35 deaths at the rock according to the handout you are given but I'm not sure when it was printed.  So today it was closed due to wind?  It wasn't windy but apparently this is what they do, its too hot, its too cold, too windy etc.  I'm sure it is for safety.  I am torn whether to climb it, I have always wanted to but as I have got older I have probably thought more of the respect issues, then you see the chain they have put into the rock and the paint to guide your way and I am torn again.   The kids are keen so we will see what happens on the day if its closed or open.  There is a $25 fee per adult to enter the park which gives you a 3 day pass to the rock and The Olgas, so I'm sure we will get to do the walk around it, drive around it and go to all the things we want to see.  I headed up to the lookout to see the sunset, the others weren't interested but there was so many people with chairs, champagne, cameras & potato chips watching it, I am dragging Dan & the kids there tomorrow to see it changing colors as the sun sets.  I had been told this before many times and even studied it at school in year 10 but until you see it yourself, it really is just words.  I met a few people up at the look out and had a laugh and wished I had a chair and champagne instead of a pine pole to sit on!  So back to the van with a stop off first at a van of some people I had met, they are from Mornington and travel all the winter months until October, they bring their dog Max and also bring 2 huge hanging baskets with the most beautiful orchids in them, they put them in their car to travel with and they take up the whole boot space of their 4wd but they love them and "its too cold to leave them at home", I have seen people travelling with herbs or a tomato plant but now I have seen it all.  Tonight it is freezing, ok so its 6 degrees but cold for us, so we have put the heater on, so 3 months straight of air conditioning, it has had a weeks break and is now switched to heat.

 

                                                                  Our welcome dance

                                                                       Kangaroo

                                                                      Goanna

                                                      The changing colors of the rock

Just on sunset there was a red hue around the rock

Erldunda - Day 79

Fletcher : Today we left Alice Springs to Erldunda.  We went back to the transport truckers hall of fame first.  We stopped at the pub where a dog called Dinky played the piano but he retired and has arthritis in his hips.  Then we came along tonnes of ranges and hills.  Then we found Erldunda roadhouse, its got a big pool, basketball court, tennis court and a playground.  We set up the van while I made a base up on the play ground.

                                                            The first ever road train

                                                 My base at Erldundra

Mackenzie :  Today we went to the truck hall of fame again and went to a caravan park called Erldunda.  We set up the van and played at the park, then we went for a walk and had a look at the emus.  We went back to the van and played and did some work and drawings.

                                     There was a huge frilled neck lizard at the roadhouse

We packed up this morning and paid our electricity bill.  The electricity meters in this park are amazing, apparently they are around a lot in the territory but this is the first time we have seen them.  They have a digital readout which gives you the amount of credit you have, you buy a card like a phone card and top up your meter.  They were introduced as people were running up huge electricity bills, not paying and then having their power cut off so at least this way they are using and paying as they go.  So we didn't have to buy a card, they stock up the meter with credit, you read it and read again when you leave and pay the difference, what a great system.  We headed back to the hall of fame, 3 days in a row, we are becoming a regular.  I decided I couldn't come all this way and not see my uncle's frame for myself so Fletcher and I went in, I had every intention of being 5 minutes, Fletcher had other ideas and started to tell me stories and get in trucks and then I started to get hooked reading everyone's frames, this place is not just for truck enthusiasts its for anyone, I could have stayed for hours.  We went out to have a look at the finish line of the Finke but it was no place for a caravan & dog and people with no idea what they are doing or where they are going, we would just have to read who won what section.  We stopped at Stuarts Well to see Dinky the Dingo.  Dan had told the kids about the dingo who played the piano and they have been looking forward to seeing him.  He has only just retired :( we missed him by 4 weeks, he is now 13 and full of arthritis and unable to get up onto the piano.   He was rescued as a pup and the mans daughter use to play the piano, Dinky began to sing along with her and it wasn't long before he was playing himself.  So Dinky and his owner have moved into Alice, selling the roadhouse and both retiring 4 weeks ago, we are sorry we missed him but glad he is still ok.  We got to Erldunda in the afternoon and couldn't work out whether to keep driving or stay the night and head off early, we decided to stop as we are still both not 100% and could do with the rest.  We booked in and had the choice of sites, great grassy drive thru sites.  We didn't bother hooking up to the water as its bore water and undrinkable, at least these guys have signs up and don't encourage you to drink it.  By late afternoon the place was packed and vans and campers were even setting up in corners, car parks and at the end of the laneways.  We still had heaps of room on our big grassy site but we are glad we got here early.  The smell here is pretty bad, it comes and goes, we cant work out if its the bore water or septic, we seem to have that bore water smell imbedded in our noses and are looking forward to some fresh drinking water and our van tank is as good as empty.  This park has a pool, basketball, a playground and lots of emus. 

                                                               Us at the Alice sign

                                                       My Uncle Leon - inducted in 2005

                                                          Fletcher building a base

Alice Springs - Day 78

Fletcher : Today we took the girls to the transport hall of fame, Mack wasn't there so we didn't go in.  Later on we went shopping and mum and Mackenzie went into a souvenir shop.  Then we went into target and I bought an Adventure Time tshirt with a hat for only $13, mum said that was a bargain.  Then we went to a shop that sold outback stuff, mum got me a road train t shirt.  While mum and dad were in the shop some people came over and took a video of Bentley dancing.  We then went and got an ice cream, I got cookies and cream.

Mackenzie : Today we went to the trucker hall of fame, we went to see Mack from but he wasn't there.   So then we went into town to the shops and got presents for our family and fletcher got an awesome Adventure Time top, a hat comes with it too.  Then we had uncle Edys ice cream, I got cookies and cream.

Today we went for a look around Alice Springs shops.  We first went out to the Hall of fame to check out Mack the truck but he wasn't there so we had a quick look and then went into town.  We have to pass through what is called the gap, which is a gap between the ranges which the Stuart Hwy, the Ghan rail line and the Todd River runs between, they are right next to each other and fit neatly in between the gap.  We looked at some souvenir shops and got a few bits and pieces.  The kids wanted a look in the old faithful, Target, I think they feel secure as they know what's there and what to expect.  Fletcher found a bargain so he was rapt.  Dan and I looked in an RM Williams shop and while we were in there a Chinese couple took a huge liking to Bentley's dance he does and took some video of him, I should start charging a dollar for everyone who videos or photographs him doing it, we could be driving a BMW by now.  We went to Uncle Edys ice cream shop, which is a must if you are in Alice, this is amazing ice cream / gelato.  Mack, who would ask everyday for an ice cream/icy pole for the last 8 years of her life, was beaten by a one scoop waffle cone and couldn't finish it, Dan and I pushed through but couldn't eat dinner.  We did a tour of all the local spots, bridges, rivers, the casino etc.  Its funny we have spent 4 days here and really enjoyed it but when I try to work out what we have done I'm not so sure how we filled our day, I know we are heading out mid morning and getting back as it gets dark so we must be doing something?! 

Ghan railway to the left, driving on the Stuart Hwy and the Todd River on the left (no water in it!)

Alice Springs - Day 77

Fletcher : Today we woke up early because me and my dad went to the truckers transport hall of fame.  I went in heaps of trucks and we saw Mack from the movie Cars.  When we were out side I got to sit in the first ever road train and we got to see Bertha.  Later on we went to Anzac Hill and saw the whole town.

                                                                   Mack and me!

Mackenzie : Today Fletcher and Dad went to the truck hall of fame.  Me and mum stayed at the caravan and watched movies, they were funny.  Then the boys came back and then we went to Anzac Hill and come back to have dinner and another movie.

                                                        My Uncle Leon in the hall of fame

So if I had been waiting to see staircase to the moon in Broome, I think this is what Daniel had been waiting for, The National Transport Hall of Fame.  We decided that the boys should go together and take their time looking and you are able to get a 2 day pass so then I could go back and look at the good bits.  My Uncle Leon has been inducted into the hall of fame in 2005 so I was very excited for them to get photos of his frame and information and the kids were really excited to have someone they know in there.  The boys had an absolute ball,  Daniel said it was like a library all the information to read and he was in his element, only to be constantly interrupted by his 1st year apprentice eager to learn and ask questions.   Fletcher got back from there and did not draw breathe for at least the next hour filling me in on absolutely every detail, so I can only imagine how many questions he had for Dan.  They were gone for over 4 hours and he said they hadn't looked at everything, there is also the train museum out there and a very cleverly positioned café that does scones and tea for any bored ladies to sit at while hubby looks at trucks.  Fletcher by all accounts got in every truck, not sure if you are allowed to but no one told him off and he was as happy as Larry.  Mack the Truck from the movie Cars was there and he had photos taken from every angle with him.  So while the boys were off having their bloke time Mackenzie and I had some girl (and Bentley) time, we had no car and are pretty far out of town so it was pjs and a movie.  We watched a movie and had some chocolate, it was only 10.30am but we decided it was morning tea and they were pods so there was some form of biscuit crumbs on them, me..... I don't need an excuse to eat chocolate any time of the day but Mackenzie was thrilled to be having such a yum treat at such a crazy hour.  We had a knock at the door mid movie by the owner asking us a question and we got chatting - yes pjs at about 11ish by now not a great look but she was keen to watch the film and Mack and I actually thought she was going to!  We got dressed and took Bentley for a long walk as there is a river that runs through the property and it is dry so we had a bit of a look.  A trip to the laundry to do some washing and to scout out some new magazines.  We then moved onto our next film as the boys still weren't back.  When they got back, and in between Fletcher talking, we went up to Anzac Hill for a look.  The hill is beautiful and a gorgeous place to show our soldiers respect & appreciation.  The view is amazing and to look out over Alice Springs on such a clear day was great.  We had a drive around town and watched all the bikes come back in from the "Finke" - hey look at me talking like a local!   Today was Prologue which is basically a time trial, where all categories have to do a section of the race and are timed, then they are sent off on Sunday according to times, the fastest leaving 1st as not to have the slower people causing traffic jams.  This race sounds like the most gruelling challenge on mind, body and vehicle.  For those who are physically strong enough their transport may not be and vice versa, those who are lucky and financial enough have a mechanical team to help once they get to Finke to ensure their vehicle is ready for the return leg the next day.  There has been deaths & major injuries in prologue in the past and then there is the race itself.  A man in the park is competing and it was exciting to see him and his bike return, he came last in his sections time trials but was pleased to have made it,  we will be thinking of him on Sunday and hope everyone has fun and stays safe.  We will try to head out to the finish line but being on the day we leave we are not sure what we will see.

                                       Happy much ?!  Third generation truck driver maybe?

                                            Fletcher & Bertha - an Alice Springs icon

 Dan's only photo with a truck - there was 225 photos taken, some Dan took of photos off the wall, the rest were of Fletcher in every truck possible.

                                                          the view from Anzac Hill

                                                               up on Anzac Hill

Alice Springs - Day 76

Fletcher : Today it was freezing only reaching 17 degrees.  We were shopping and we saw a free 2 hour underground car park but the maximum height was too low and the roof of the Pajero hit it so we had to reverse to a 1 hour park in the street.  We went to EB games and traded in a game and I got some money back so I got a Mario Game.  Then went to Coles and Mackenzie got some mooshlings.  We went back to the van and then had dinner.

Mackenzie :  Today we went into town and had a look at EB games, Fletcher got a game from there.  We went to Coles and I got mooshlings.  Then we came back to the van and unpacked the food and had lunch, we played for a while.  Dad put a coke can in the freezer and it had gone like a slushi.

We all had the best sleeps last night.  I woke at 6am to hear rain, yep it was cold, dark and raining.  My 1st thoughts were Dan's boots from the night before but they were under cover so back into bed to sleep again till  nearly 9.  So this is what I call a sleep in, not the kids 7.30am.  We got organised pretty quickly as we were out of water and we were all desperate, even my Aqua tabs haven't helped the bore water along the way, I think we are pretty lucky in Melbourne & spoilt to have great water quality.  Have I mentioned back in Broome Daniel, not realising he hosed & washed the car with Bore water and it has almost wrecked the paint work, he has worked on it long & hard and it is still in a terrible state, so imagine what it does to your stomach!  Dan was also desperate for a cup of tea and Fletcher was wanting to get to EB Games.  We had got him a game for his birthday that he already had, yes parents of the year, so since then he has reminded us daily we needed to swap it at Alice Springs.  We found the game store which of course was more important than our water and returned the game and he put a bit of his birthday money towards getting a new Mario game so he was thrilled.  We headed to Coles which was jam packed full of people stocking up to go out to the Finke races, most people had 2 trolleys full of stuff and as for the alcohol the trolleys were over flowing and there was an armed policeman on the door of the bottle shop.  The ice truck was pulled up out front to deliver to the bottle shop and most people were just buying out of the back of the truck.  The atmosphere is buzzing though and there seems to be so many people camping out, after the rain overnight I'm guessing its going to be real muddy.  The Police in town ride around on trail bikes and look absolutely amazing, like out of a movie, with their black helmets with cameras on top, even the bikes have flashing lights.  They ride very slowly through town constantly and the noise of their bikes coming seem to make the crowds loitering move on but for those too affected by alcohol or too busy fighting with a relative the police stop and talk and move them along, only for them to come back as soon as the bikes turn the corner, and so this repeated for hours while we were there.  Daniel and I were saying today how the communication seems to be either yelling or at times unspoken, today I was standing next to an aboriginal man who kind of grunted a word, I heard him quietly but didn't understand, 2 traffic lanes away in the car park another man was driving a V8 land cruiser and responded to him?!  They were having this conversation that was so quiet but over all the traffic and the craziness of the supermarket they were talking to each other,  I can stand next to my kids or husband and no one hears me?!  So Alice shops are just like any other bigger towns, Kmart, Target and the malls and supermarkets.  We went to a great fruit and vegie store which had so many great foods including organic and gluten free.  We stocked up on our water and bits and pieces and headed back to the van.  It has rained lightly on and off all day so we will sight see tomorrow.  I wasn't going to mention the car park fiasco but now Fletcher has I will too!  We are driving around and around and the boys see this free 2 hour park which is underground with the normal height restriction metal bar dangling from chains up high across the entrance, so I ask the question are we that high, only to be told not to be silly (yes I'm sure that's how he said it hehehe) that of course we will fit,  even my chatterbox daughter knew not to speak when the beam hit and hit hard across the roof and sunroof.  And not deterred Dan decided to keep trying to get under, it was only when I reminded him he may get under the swinging beam but once in the car park there will be a concrete roof or pipe that will not be so forgiving on us and will probably take our roof clean off like a sardine lid.  After some thought this seemed like a good thought even coming from me, but by now we were more than half way down the roof of the car and traffic was banking up to come in behind us, yes Dan was very impressed and we all knew not to breathe until we were out of the situation and the roof was inspected, I'm sure he heard the kids cracking up laughing when he got out to look, but we stopped the instant the door opened.    It is cold now and today saw us in long pants and sleeves, the others wore shoes for the 1st time in 3 months but I'm still in thongs, 3/4 pants and short sleeves, although about 4pm I put a jacket on and joined in saying how cold it was.  I was master chef according to my kids tonight, with all our fresh vegies and new foods, I had a few bits to use up first so my baby carrots & corn spears both out of a tin and the best peas ever, from a dehydrated pack were a hit, the tins were in the bin before they looked up from their school work and along with all the fresh stuff,  I was " nearly as good as Auntie Kerrie" (my very talented chef sister)  I'm taking the compliment and running with it, especially considering my tin sneakiness!

 our huge site, Monica gave us the grassed area near the office to give the kids room to play

                                                                   The police in town

Alice Springs - Day 75

Mackenzie : Today we got up and me and Fletcher and Bentley went to the grass area then when mum said it was time to go we got in the car.  When we were driving we saw a petrol station and there were aliens there.  We saw a real alien and Fletcher and me got a photo with the hulk statue, there was a UFO sighting there.  The caravan park was beautiful.  Then we kept driving and saw a giant aborigine statue.  We drove some more and got to the caravan park and set up then we watched Monkey Magic.

We saw Elvis

Fletcher :  Today we left Wauchope to Alice Springs.  We stopped for a while at Wycliffe Well where we saw alien stuff.  While we were there we took a picture with a giant Hulk and there were restaurants and a mini Dick Smith that sells Xbox 360.  We then went to a place that had a giant aboriginal man on a hill.  Then we got to Alice Springs, we got to our caravan park and got a site right next to the office then we watched Monkey Magic.

Me and the Hulk 

 

 

We are now on our way to Alice Springs.  We stopped just down the road at Wycliffe Well, the town which reported the UFO sightings.  Now I'm not certain, but the town people are totally sure and I think they have the kids convinced.  In the store they even have a skeleton of an alien?!  I didn't see it but Dan and the kids did.  I did see the 2 green aliens out the front  and their landing pod so whatever doubts I had have now gone!  The caravan park is a big 4 and well kept, there is also the hulk, Elvis and a big pig/bilby/anteater??  I'm not sure about what it is but they are great and are just scattered around the caravan park.  There is a train too and a restaurant & museum.  The store not only had alien skeletons, they were a Dick Smith outlet too, go figure?!   Well it was the day for giant sculptures because when we got to Aileron there were the most amazing sculptures of  an aboriginal man & also a woman and child.  The man was up on the hill and had the word Aileron spelt out just like the Hollywood sign, a bit tacky but the sculpture itself was fantastic.  The woman & child had a goanna and you could get close up to this sculpture but it was fenced off within the museum which was closed.  You could see close enough and although the sun was in the wrong position for a good photo, this thing was a beautiful piece of art, the detail and how life like it was, was overwhelming.  We had been told back at Ti Tree Roadhouse that this was not a great place to be in, with an open bar policy with unlimited alcohol and trouble, we found none of that, yes there were a lot of aboriginals sitting around in groups but no more than any other town and certainly no trouble or as loud as they were in Katherine.  But we were also told by the same man that Alice Springs was booked out due to the Finke Desert Race until mid next week and all the caravans are turning back and staying in Ti Tree as they cant get in.   A quick phone call to the 2 parks we were thinking of and both could accommodate us, so we are thinking he was trying to drum up business.  We got to Alice quite late in the afternoon and were met by the park owner Monica who is a really lovely funny girl who is 3rd generation at this park, it is her grandmothers, Mona, who I spoke to on the phone, and when I asked how she was her reply was "don't ask me cos I just might tell you"  she was lovely and when I told Monica what she had said to me,  she said yes my grandmother admits Mona by name Mona by nature!   They all work in and around the park during the day and the office only opens between 5-6pm and no working Sundays, these hours are the grandmothers rules that must be adhered to.  The park is a bush setting and is about 10 kms out of town, the view behind us is amazing.  They are on bore water which they said is safe to drink but when you see what is floating in it you can totally understand the dozens of empty boxes of water over at the dumpster, in to town for us tomorrow to stock up.  We are being careful as we don't know what caused our aches and pains but today we were down to our last bottle of water that we had filled up at one of the parks and when I went to open it there were things floating and swimming so Dan & I are thinking we may have got germy water.   It is now freezing cold and tonight saw Dan in tracksuit pants,a jumper and work boots and for a moment there a beanie, we are hoping that was for a laugh as Mack and I are still in shorts and a t shirt, poor Dan feels the cold more than us.  Hot showers, a laundry full of magazines and even a drink machine this will be home for the next few days.

 

                                                                            Real aliens

                         The gorgeous view from our van window - the MacDonnell ranges

                                The amazing sculpture of the aboriginal woman and child

                                                                 ok is it a pig??

 The aboriginal man on the hill at Aileron