New Years Eve

Sunday 31st December 2006

The alarm clock went off at 4.30am this morning all in the name witnessing sunrise over Ulura. The massive monstrosety of sandstone sat peacefully amongst flat landscape, its red colour derived from weathering of the rock changing slowly as the sun rose for the very last time in 2006. Its a popular trip and we weren’t the only nutters who had got up in the middle of the night for this spectacular “free” show, even coach tours were there to experience this natural phenomenon. I had never seen so many vehicles in convoy at 5am in the morning just to see sunrise. It was so worth it though. Of course after the sun had risen for the final time in 2006 I had to have a cup of tea. Of course I had brought my tea bag, flask and milk with me so we sat in the car having our gormet breakfast of yoghurt , muslei and tea. However we were not the only ones doing this, and at least i wasn’t drinking tea whilst watching the sun rise like some people were. We’d decided not to climb the rock by respecting the Tjukurpa and Anangu wishes, instead started our 6km base walk right around the rock – Ulura base walk. Although it was flat, it was hard going at times as the heat was quite intense and it was only 10am by the time we had done one lap, we weren’t about to do another lap even if we had wanted to. The “rock climb” had been closed indicating it was over 38 degrees as well. Often on the walk there are sacred sites and photography and entry to these areas is forbidden. After a cup of tea (and coffee) and a really fascinating video of the journey from Ayres Rock to Ulura at the “cultural centre” a few km from ayres rock we happily made our way back to the “resort”. A quick supermarket mash up lunch was on the menu before our hellichopper ride that we decided to splurge out on as our new year treat. This was a magnificent 30 minute ride over both the Olgas and Ulura, an amazing experience and it goes to show how vast and barren this part of the country really is. I must say that I have never taken a Helicopter ride on New Years Eve, neither can I say that I have ever done 50 lengths of an outdoor swimming pool in 40 plus degrees on New Years Eve, well not until today that is. How did you spend your New Years Eve afternoon? My friend owns her own travel agency in Monbulk near to Melbourne so she is often keen to try out some of the ‘tour’ type things. So we were down to do this “sound of silence” dinner thing out in the desert, which had already been pre-booked. A great way to spend New Years Eve. There were 5 coaches going out to 5 different locations in the desert where a three course meal was served after the final sun of 2006 had gone to bed. Unfortantly it was cloudy so the sunset was not as stunning as the other night.Some kind of champagne was served or orange jucie for me, the kids and the pregnant woman. Around the tables came a ‘bloke’ playing the digeridoo, very good but something authentic missing from this particular experience. The girl introducing the ‘experience’ sounded like she had a digeridoo up her backside, especially when she was attempting to show us the stars which were either being shy tonight or had decided to go partying for the new year. I think it was the latter. The buffet ‘dinner’ had choices of crocodile, kangaroo, beef and fish, I stayed clear of the meat albait one small cube of crocodile due to my insides having felt like they have doubled in size. The salads were very nice though so I stocked up on those. A couple of hours later though I wish I hadn’t as I was spending the turn of the new year having just recovered from a long time in the bathroom. My insides were telling me that they were tired of travelling and must rest. I was looking forward to tomorrow. Despite my blockages (just what you want to know isn’t it?) to spend New Year at Uluru was a fantastic experience. Although the “Sounds of Silence” was a little to cheesy for my liking (either that or I just didn’t really get it) the overall feelings of the Australian Outback were really quite mindblowing and a most amazing way to wave goodbye to 2006 and cheer on 2007.

Canyons, kings and kangaroos

Saturday 30th December 2006

An early start today to do the walk around King’s Canyon. We began the walk at 7am, first a steep accent up 100 metres to the “rim” of the canyon, the reward was sensational – a stunning 6km walk through amazing landscape, stunning rock formations, sheer cliffs. Our journey then required a four hour drive to Ulura (until 1985 it was known at Ayres Rock when the government gave it back to the aborigionas). Our good deed for the day was to help a french guy help an aborigional who’s family car had run out of petrol some 40km down the road,so with aborigony and petrol canistar in the car (and of course contact details from the french guy who had helped get to the service stop) we set off, limited conversation in the car of course, as aborigionals speak very little english, an adventure and a half I must say. Plenty of wasaroo’s (was a ‘roo) or deadies on the road but we didn’t come across any live ones thank goodness as they can do tremendous damage to vehicles and I have heard that Skippy doesn’t have insurance either. Ulura resort is just that, a complex with a number of hotels, what they call a “shopping centre” which is a square with mostly touristy shops around, and a small supermarket, and a very expensive petrol station all very complexy spick and span with only red sand in sight. All very nice at first glance. A trip to Kata Tjuta otherwise known as the Olgas – 36 steep-sided domes was on the cards for late afternoon after refuelling on tea. The Olgas are a masterpiece of bouldering rocks some 40km from the resort, a magnificent site. One of the walks was closed due to the heat but the shorter walk was still open, so we opted to do a walk called “Walpa Gorge” with waterbottles in hand any necessity out here in such a heat. We’d timed it so that we could see sunset over the Olgas, however what we thought was the end of sunset happened to be an amazing array of colours lightening up the sky as we drove back to the resort, we werent patient enough, I must remember that for tomorrow’s sunrise at 5.50am. Still a fanscinating sight that will always stick in my mind

On the Road to Nowhere

Friday 29th December 2006 An early start to drive the monstrosoty of a stretch of road or two from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon some 400km or so. our car was an automatic so requires a little less thinking, this is only a good thing for the english who can not get to grips with the australian rules of roundabouts – don’t signal when going straight ahead on a roundabout and give way to the right. I seem to also like to indicate with my windscreen wipers. Fantastic! Some 400km or so, some 6 plus hours later on the road to nowhere or what could have easily been nowhere (although the terrain was amazing and it’s a really stunning drive to witness this vast landscape), we rolled up almost melted (a/c saved the day) and flopped out at our next “resort” – Kings Canyon. Not alot here apart from a canyon and a resort, I seem to have lost the King but definatelty looking forward to seeing the Canyon tomorrow. Accomodation was very much similar to the last place, small swimming pool which didn’t really tempt me, small shop which we had to try out – how much was that milk in the window and a small petrol station, how much was that petrol that we had to put in the car? Probably best if you don’t ask. But sometimes a girl needs her tea and sometimes a car needs its petrol. Its fantastic being in such a remote place, one road in one road out, they’re not different roads though, nothing here but the landscape, its just a great feeling, even the really hot dry air makes it feel so Australian. I had always wanted to come to this area of the world and now I am finally here, it feels real, it feels how it should be, it feels great.

A rocky day

Thursday 28th December 2006

An early start this morning to view rocks, waterholes gulleys and glens including stop offs to Standley Chasm, Ellery creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits and one named after me (and glen who ever he may be). The highlight of the day was stopping off at a waterhole where i was able to put my swimming into practice as I splashed around this gigantic lake – safe and recommended for swimming, absolute bliss in this heat. We also met some dingos on the way, an added bonus. The awesome proportion and isolaton of this land puts it all into perspective, hard to believe some 1000’s of years ago it was all under water. A “rocky” day if ever there was one. A most enjoyable rocky day.

Alice – who the **** is alice?

Wednesday 27th December 2006

A wake up call today at 5.00am to enable us to take the treck to Alice Springs. We almost had to treck by foot after the antics that were about to experience at Melbourne airport. Arriving at the airport there were queues as far as the eye could see. At first we thought it was just the holiday rush getting away but we were to soon find out that the luggage belts had stopped working so check-in had come to a hault. Chaos arose around the airport as people got frustrated and angry about the wait. Mr Happy, Mr Calm and Little miss Destress meandered their way around the airport to help calm down the passengers. We got through to our plane on time, unlike some who rushed on quite a while later. However we were not expecting a further 1 3/4 hour delay whilst sat on the airplane waiting for the 700 or so bags to join us. Whilst the chaos no doubt continued inside the terminal. Eventually the plane left the ground to the sound of clapping, we disapeared into the clouds and popped out somewhere in mid Australia. Panaromic views of desert stretched limitlessly away. Such a vast country that is only realised when such a journey is taken. Tree lines cut effortlessly through the dry land resembling rivers meandering around. Alice springs was our home for two nights, a “resort” complex, with a nice big room, swimming pool (which in the end I didn’t have time to try out) and wireless (which in the end I didnt have time to try out either) but that was because we had lots of things to cover in the next couple of days. This is the outback remember – distances are frightening! A trip to the flying doctor was on the agenda this had nothing to do with my excessive intake of tablets to get my insides moving but more an educational experience to fully understand the significance of this service for Australia’s outback. We also visited Telegraph Pole and managed a walk around the area as it was apparently very very cold for this time of year (but well into the 30’s). I look forward to seeing what very very hot is later. With the rest of the afternoon spare we visited “desert park” a plant and animal park in the middle of the sea, I forgot sorry we are in the middle of the desert so I had to put my mask and snorkle away. That’s for later. The park was interesting mix of animals and plants, including a noctural dome where native animals such as geckos could be viewed (no Kiwi’s thats for later too). Signposted well throughout it was a good introduction to the area. A trip to the local supermarket to pick up some food for tea (we were not paying resort prices for tea) also introduced me to my first sighting of aborigines, which I had never seen before. Not being a mixed cultural place they definately stood out with their dark skin, white hair and even whiter than white teeth, even Daz Automatic can’t get things that white. I have now been away from home for 6 weeks, shared the first snowy christmas in Melbourne with locals, an honor! climbed mountains, walked gorges, tramped along great walls, eaten dumplings for breakfast, avoided savouring dog, snake or turtle, and am currently pill popping everything off the pharmacy shelf to bring my bodily functions back to normality. The up’s and downs of travelling. I am glad to say that the up’s definately tip the scales in the right direction.

Boxing Day Toilet Humour

Tuesday 26th December 2006

I would like to first wish my Nephew Matthew a very happy 10th birthday despite still being Christmas day back in the UK (or Austria – that’s Austria NOT Australia where they are currently enjoying a sking holiday). The Australian sales (that’s Austrlia not Austria) started today at 7am, as my friend Fiona wanted a few things we decided to go down to the local “Mini Meadowhall” around lunchtime. Getting a car parking space was just like Meadowhall, the shopping centre was just like Meadowhall and getting out of the car park later on was just like Meadowhall but on a mini scale. so I would not recommend sale shopping even in Australia. – perhaps the sales in Austria may be a little more tame. Perhaps. My bargain purchases consisted of a suntop and 2 pairs of socks, the suntop for our Northern Territory adventures commencing tomorrow (that is if I don’t bring the snow to Ulura – you never know!) and the socks because they were cheap and I only got one pair of socks for Christmas. Being a bit of a computer geek I gave the family computer a Christmas present by cleaning it up and ensuring all the drivers and software was up to date, whilst being supplied with ample supplies of tea and delicious home made fruit cake. I felt at home as we had christmas left overs for tea, but in a roast type format rather than the salad type format and tried an interesting drink “Klaytons” as quoted on the bottle – the drink when you are not having a drink” – an unalcoholic something or other which was quite refreshing. Perhaps that was a subtle hint that I was drinking the family out of tea and that I should try something else. I hate coffee by the way. Toilet humour was on the agenda for tonight as we watched an Austrlian movie called “Kenny“. A documentary about a guy who cleans toilets. Hilariously funny and very well made.

Happy Christmas

Monday 25th December

Happy Christmas to you all from Monbulk in the Dandenong Ranges, Australia. It’s just been hailing today, its the coldest Christmas on record. Normally its baking hot, I took a little sample of the English weather in a little pot around with me, got it through Australian customs and let it free this morning in Melbourne. Just so I feel at home. A near on white christmas for me. Amazing!

It has been the coldest Melbourne Christmas on record, 14.5 degrees, with free snow and blankets and blankets of rain . A hot Christmas in Australia? I bet its warmer back in the UK. I was made most welcome at my friends’ parents place for Christmas day, as the presents from under the tree were dished out, even being so far away from home I had a gift or two to open which was very very sweet. Most enjoyable. Despite the appauling weather, christmas dinner was a delicious spread of cold meats and salad, most tasty and a fantastic experience to share it with such a welcoming family, all throughout which the UK hadn’t even woken up to see what Santa had delivered. Hat’s off to the scrumptious “chocolate” christmas pudding made by my friends’ mum, full of fruit, nuts and of course chocolate. A totally brilliant Christmas day all round, despite being my first Christmas away from home and the appauling weather I thoroughly enjoyed the day, of course to top it all off I was still able to have a lovely cup of tea or two.

Christmas Eve

Sunday 24th December

A delightful morning of preparing an Australian Christmas dinner of turkey roll marinated in orange and rosemary, asparagas, a lovely salad and Christmas Couscous. Not to mention the deserts – Apple juice Berry Jelly and White Chocolate cups with toblerone mouse and berries. Absolutely yummy, even Fiona’s brother who used to be a Chef was well impressed. My role was to supervise, chop up a few nuts, and raid her holly bush to make some mini table decoations – so hands up to Fiona for an amazing dinner. I also met Fiona’s landlords today who are from England, not only are they from England but they are from near to Manchester, and refreshingly still have the accent to prove it, a home from home speciality being so far away at Christmas time.

Tea and Mince Pies

Saturday 23rd December

Today I was to leave the Blue Mountains and Sydney and get a flight to Melbourne. At the train station I overheard a biazare conversation: “Hope we have a cool Christmas this year so we can have a hot dinner” and another conversation between a local and a traveller: “…australian trains go so slow compared to European ones” At least this one got me back in Sydney in time for my flight to Melbourne. The flight must have been a special “kindergarten” flight for it was full of kids. Lovely. I didn’t get one of those little kids packs from Qantas though, I was very upset. My lovely friend Fiona greated me with big hugs at the airport, and an hour or so later I was drinking her parents’ tea cupboard bear and eating them out of delicious home made mince pies – my first ones this year, absolutely mouth watering! The tea provided had been especially “picked” for me (Pickwicks) but changed to Pickford, so I was most honored. Up the mountains we went to my christmas home in the Dandenong Rangers – a gorgous house with a beautiful garden, all decorated in a delicate african theme, absolutely beautiful.

Purple Mountains II

Friday 22nd December

A delightful nights sleep at the YHA left me refreshed and ready for more today. The hostel is so well equiped, I had bought myself some breakfast at the local supermarket yesterday. Also worth a mention is my purple shopping bag for about 40p. Most backpackers seem to have one to put their food in (I remembered this tip from New Zealand backpacking). However everyone elses seem to be in green or blue, mine is purple so there. I was happy. My Blue Mountains train ticket included unlimited trips on the rail network throughout the Blue Mountains so I was ready to exlore, however not all went to plan. The first station where I had planned to do a walk was not very well signposted though I did manage to find the tourist information centre which was a good 2k out of town, where they directed me to the walk. Due to bush fires the short cut was cut off perhaps thats why they called it a short cut. So I went the long cut, but that was also cut off, perhaps I should have cut off today completely. Some two hours later I arrived back at the train station to go further up north to explore more of the mountain villages. I ended up in Mount Victoria where I had lunch and misread the trains back, so had a good two hours to play with before decending back to the hostel. It was just one of those days…but I did get my first Christmas greeting today from a shop keeper, “Merry Chrissy” he said in his strongest Aussie Accent, shame he didn’t call me Sheila either.