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September 27, 2009 - Alice Springs
Another busy day. We got up about 7 a.m. At 9, we walked down the block to the Alice Springs Lawn Sale at the Lasseter Casino Hotel. We were in search of hats to wear. Turns out for the tours here in the outback, hats were required (along with sunscreen, sturdy shoes and bottled water). We are told that is because the hole in the Ozone is right over Australia and the sun is really gnarly here. We figured if we could get some used hats, it would save us a bit. We did find one for Katrina and you will see a picture of it in a bit. Jack had already picked up a baseball cap and Daniel and I ended up purchasing hats at a nearby souvenir store.
After quickly perusing the lawn sale, we drove into Alice Springs to an area called Todd Mall. This is a bricked street (walking only) surrounded by shops, galleries, and cafes. Daniel and I got hats, we picked up another magnet (I am going to need a new fridge to put them on at this rate) and Jack and Daniel each got boomerangs. Daniel got a returning boomerang (which have only been around for a couple of hundred years) and Jack got a hunting boomerang.
After a bite of early lunch (we had skipped brekky), we headed back to the hotel. Katrina was supposed to meet with Paul, the owner of the Red Rock Opal store, and shape some opals. Well, we got there at 11:30 and he had a sign up that he was gone to lunch until 1. So we went back up to the room and goofed around while we waited.
At about 12:30, I called Qantas (airline) to see if we could change our Tuesday flight around. When Daniel first made the flight via Expedia, we had gotten off the plane at Ayers Rock, picked up a car, then driven to Alice Springs, then we were supposed to drive back to Ayers Rock (4 or 5 hours) on Tuesday, get our plane at 10:05 am, fly back to Alice Springs, then fly to Sydney, then fly to Cairns, getting in around 10:45 pm. This was making for a really, really, really long day. So I called, and once again, was very amazed at how easy people here in Australia are to work with. Turns out, there is a flight that goes directly from Alice Springs to Cairns. So for about 80.00 (U.S.), we switched our flights and now we catch a plane out of Alice Springs at 5:20 and get into Cairns at 7:55 pm. I love Australia!!!!!
Then, Katrina and I went downstairs to Paul's shop. But he still wasn't back. He got back around 1:20...what can I say, things are laid back here in Australia. Katrina started on a couple of her opals, before we had to leave on our Alice Springs Highlights tour.
First we stopped at Dr. Flynn's grave.
Dr. Flynn was a minister, a teacher and began a flying doctor service to Central Australia. He is revered in this neck of the woods for all of his contributions. The big round rock you see placed on top of Dr. Flynn's grave was a bit of controversy. First, a rock was brough from Devil's Marbles, but it turned out this was a sacred rock to many Aborgine women. So, after 40 years, another tribe stepped in and offered one of their sacred rock's from a different site in exchange for the Devil's Marble. This had the affect of appeasing the upset tribe and still showing how much Dr. Flynn did for the Aborigines and Australians alike.
Next on the tour was a stop to see two white gums that were often used by Albert Namatjira in his paintings. His paintings are desired by collectors around the world and he was an inspiration to other Aborigines. I got a photo of the white gums and one of Katrina in her new hat!
Next we went to Standley Chasm. Standley Chasm is named after Ida Standley, the first school teacher in Alice Springs in 1914. This chasm is beautiful, though we were there later in the afternoon. Apparently, it is at its most brilliant around noon. We enjoyed the walk out, but wished we could have had more time there. Here are a couple of the best photos I got from there.
I really like my female drover hat!
After Standley Chasm, we headed to Simpsons Gap. Another beautiful spot and the first permanent water hole that we saw in the Outback. We were also looking for black-footed rock wallabys, but they didn't come out while we were there. I did get a few good photos here.
This sign would leave you scratching your head to look at it. See the sand behind Katrina? When there is rain, there would be water there, but that won't come for a couple more months.
A permanant water hole.
Not sure who these chaps are!
After our tour was over, Jack and I walked up to The Juicy Rump for dinner and Katrina and Daniel got some dinner from the Indian restaurant in our hotel. I had kangaroo for dinner and it was excellent. Much like beef steak. Very well prepared.
When I got back, I sent Jack up to get Katrina to come down and finish up her opals. I took a video which I will share if I get to a decent internet connection, but here is a photo of Paul showing Katrina what to do with her opals.
For some more photos, check out my flicker account here. The most frustrating thing was trying to capture the colors in Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Some of the rocks glow red. Others are iridescent in an opal type way. But my camera just wasn't up to the challenge to bring that to life for you.
