Other NT icons

'You'll never never know, if you never never go.' Remember that slogan from the TV ads trying to coax the rest of us to the NT? Well it's true. There are so many extraordinary things to see and do in Central Oz that sometime, you just have to visit. Here's pics of a couple more of the iconic wonders we have been surrounded by in the past couple of days.....

Kings Canyon....looking up the canyon towards the walls

The walls of the canyon

On the Finke River 4 WD Route......this is Boggy Hole.....one of only 6 permanent waterholes in 600kms of the river. Very nice.

Our camp spot in Finke Gorge NP near Palm Valley. Very warm here...but Oh My Goodness! The stars!!!!!!

Palm Valley is full of palm trees and cycads....but not a drop of water.

The Climb

Jon gears up to make his dash to the top of Uluru.

The surface is very rough and rugged...on top as well as down the sides.

'Made it!'

Looking down towards the descent path.

The non-climber strikes the same pose she did 30 years ago!

Our stay at Uluru was highlighted by Jon being able to climb ‘The Rock’. It had been a long time dream of his, so we were pleased that ‘The Climb’ was open 1 of the days we were there. It was actually closed on 2 days for high winds and rain. He made the climb in almost record time to the top….I was amazed watching from the base how quickly he became a tiny figure high up on the steep red slopes. Once at the top, he spent quite sometime enjoying the extensive views and posing for photos – as you’ll see. He also made a couple of ‘Uluru TV’ segments for the one who didn’t climb. Says Jon, “I didn’t want to come down. It was an amazing experience being at the top. I felt quite privileged to be there, particularly as it seems that not everyone gets to climb.” Another one of those ‘ahhhhhhh life’s good’ moments. 

Yum-O!

‘Mr Gourmet’ showed up for dinner. After making an appearance on a beach in Tasmania, this time, he was creating sweet sensations in his outdoor kitchen for a most memorable dessert treat. Whoever knew a can of caramel, ginger nut biscuits and choc chips could look and taste so yummy. Wonder where he will strike next???

More to come....

After a quick change of plans, we decided to rocket into the Northern Territory. So we are now deep, deep in Central Australia, the Red Centre, or as I like to say 'The Home of the Fly'....make that 10 billion flies. We have seen and done so much in the past couple of days. But Uluru was great! Did the base walk....all 3 hours of it with my million fly buddies. Jon did 'The Climb'  - while I wrote postcards:) We also had a Sounds of Silence dinner....gourmet bush tucker dinner under the stars in the red dirt between Uluru and the Olgas. Saw the sun set on the rock with a rainbow above. Very special. We've hiked the Kings Canyon, roughed it on the Finke Gorge 4WD route and camped at Palm Valley. Now in Alice Springs. No pics this time....you'll just have to take our word for it.

O

Time Out: Coward Springs

A whole lot of nothing much: Lake Eyre

Crazy place: William Creek Hotel

Hear the whispers of history: Old Ghan ruins

Just one of those 'must dos': PRO

O is for Oodnadatta Track! We had lots of fun 'living the dream' by clocking up some 600k on this historic journey. It mostly follows the path of the Old Ghan Railway which used to connect Adelaide to Alice Springs. Fascinating ruins and bridges and stories along the way. Some other highlights were:

- a dip in the artesian spring at Coward Springs....bubbling, coolish and a welcome respite from the flies!

- seeing both Lake Eyres...the north and the south. No water in either where we could get to, but flights from William Ck are booked out as people head further north for a view of the water form QLD flowing into LE Nth.

- the most unusual 'insides' of William Creek pub....everyone who visits leaves something behind. So the walls and roof are covered in clothing, signatures, photos, underwear, pictures, business cards and almost anything else you could think of.

- dropping in to the Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta....their grocery store has to be one of the most unique and expensive in Australia!