Thursday, February 28, 2002
Cairns. Well, here it is day 13 (I think) in Oz. As anticipated, Amy arrived in Alice Springs on Sunday.
Unfortunately, her flight into Sidney was late and, after rushing her to catch her flight to Alice Springs, her bags didn't make the connection. They did not catch up to us until we got to Ayers Rock Resort. And to add insult to injury, they had taken her key to the luggage lock in Sidney and did not see fit to send it on with the bags. After a bottle of Shiraz Cabernet (a '99 I think) and some work with sturdy implements, all was put to right and Amy was relieved. (A clean pair of undies will do this to a person.)
But I get ahead of myself. We spent the afternoon visiting sights around Alice Springs such as Simpson's Gap and Angkerie. I had expected the US Southwest during a drought. However, central Australia (or Centralia as the locals call it) has experienced considerable rain in the last 5 years and the vegetation is lush. We observed some water holes that were inviting enough for skinny-dipping but, because we were both of a genteel nature and in mixed company, refrained from the urge.
That night in Alice Springs I had, among other things, chicken. If the chicken were the only reason to go to Alice, I would recommend staying at home.
The next day we started with a stop at Anzac Hill.
Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corp. This was, of course, a monument to the Alice Springians that had fallen in battle. We later visited the School of the Air, which services 122 home schooled children in an area the size of Texas using radio, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service that flies to patients' needs throughout Centralia.
We journeyed from there to Ayers Rock. In 1984, Australia undertook a repatriation project to return certain sites back to the Aborigines. Among these was Ayers Rock, which also reverted to its Aboriginal name of Uluru (pronounced Oo'-lah-roo'). Of course, the government wrote itself a 99-year lease before signing the papers.
I should add that Amy was sorely disappointed that, because of the rains the night before, she was unable to climb Uluru. It seems that Uluru is slippery when wet.
As I said above, we experienced a rain of biblical proportions while at Ayers Rock Resort. Over 8 inches of rain fell in two days, 1 of which fell in one hour. The bugs were scrambling for high ground.
We finally left the outback for Cairns (pronounced "Cahns" by the locals). I must say that our stay in the outback required every bit of knowledge that I had gained week before in the bush to survive. I have pictures of some of the reptiles that we encountered including the ferocious Thorny Devil.
Cairns is a seaside resort. We have had to shift our schedule to accommodate the Queen's visit. Somehow, I do not believe that she would do the same if we came to England.
We leave Australia on Saturday at 5:30 am. We will journey from Cairns to Sidney to LA to Dallas and finally to Nashville. We will not see anything but the inside of a terminal or airplane for 25+ hours until we finally return to the Land of the Volunteers. I will probably have no more transmissions from Oz.
Ken, if you want to know how vegemite tastes, you will have to find out yourself. As for the barking toilets, I first encountered them in Sidney. If you do not know of what I speak, I will have to wait until I can add sound effects.
Cissy, Glenda, tell Frank that I will try to call from Sidney to confirm our schedule. He will probably hear from me late Fri. afternoon. And I will check in from LA or Dallas to confirm that we are on time. That will be sometime Sat. (morning or afternoon, I do not know.) Delores should probably check with him sometimes Sat. to make sure we are on time.
John (not Flew), I just write 'em.
Observation, I have not had a good steak anywhere in this sun burnt country.
Signing off
George
Cairns. Well, here it is day 13 (I think) in Oz. As anticipated, Amy arrived in Alice Springs on Sunday.
Unfortunately, her flight into Sidney was late and, after rushing her to catch her flight to Alice Springs, her bags didn't make the connection. They did not catch up to us until we got to Ayers Rock Resort. And to add insult to injury, they had taken her key to the luggage lock in Sidney and did not see fit to send it on with the bags. After a bottle of Shiraz Cabernet (a '99 I think) and some work with sturdy implements, all was put to right and Amy was relieved. (A clean pair of undies will do this to a person.)
But I get ahead of myself. We spent the afternoon visiting sights around Alice Springs such as Simpson's Gap and Angkerie. I had expected the US Southwest during a drought. However, central Australia (or Centralia as the locals call it) has experienced considerable rain in the last 5 years and the vegetation is lush. We observed some water holes that were inviting enough for skinny-
That night in Alice Springs I had, among other things, chicken. If the chicken were the only reason to go to Alice, I would recommend staying at home.
The next day we started with a stop at Anzac Hill.
Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corp. This was, of course, a monument to the Alice Springians that had fallen in battle. We later visited the School of the Air, which services 122 home schooled children in an area the size of Texas using radio, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service that flies to patients' needs throughout Centralia.
We journeyed from there to Ayers Rock. In 1984, Australia undertook a repatriation project to return certain sites back to the Aborigines. Among these was Ayers Rock, which also reverted to its Aboriginal name of Uluru (pronounced Oo'-
Uluru, Uluru, I first beheld you at sunset in your majesty and your mystery.
I walked in the morning breezes along the paths at your feet
and among the cooliba trees, the Liru walk.
I beheld your holy places of power and solitude.
I discovered your clear pools of life giving water.
I leave you changed, though I know not how, oh Uluru, Uluru.
I should add that Amy was sorely disappointed that, because of the rains the night before, she was unable to climb Uluru. It seems that Uluru is slippery when wet.
As I said above, we experienced a rain of biblical proportions while at Ayers Rock Resort. Over 8 inches of rain fell in two days, 1 of which fell in one hour. The bugs were scrambling for high ground.
We finally left the outback for Cairns (pronounced "Cahns" by the locals). I must say that our stay in the outback required every bit of knowledge that I had gained week before in the bush to survive. I have pictures of some of the reptiles that we encountered including the ferocious Thorny Devil.
Cairns is a seaside resort. We have had to shift our schedule to accommodate the Queen's visit. Somehow, I do not believe that she would do the same if we came to England.
We leave Australia on Saturday at 5:30 am. We will journey from Cairns to Sidney to LA to Dallas and finally to Nashville. We will not see anything but the inside of a terminal or airplane for 25+ hours until we finally return to the Land of the Volunteers. I will probably have no more transmissions from Oz.
Ken, if you want to know how vegemite tastes, you will have to find out yourself. As for the barking toilets, I first encountered them in Sidney. If you do not know of what I speak, I will have to wait until I can add sound effects.
Cissy, Glenda, tell Frank that I will try to call from Sidney to confirm our schedule. He will probably hear from me late Fri. afternoon. And I will check in from LA or Dallas to confirm that we are on time. That will be sometime Sat. (morning or afternoon, I do not know.) Delores should probably check with him sometimes Sat. to make sure we are on time.
John (not Flew), I just write 'em.
Observation, I have not had a good steak anywhere in this sun burnt country.
Signing off
George
To Two Weeks in Oz