15th-22nd April
Sorry if there is too many photos as I can't seem to decide which ones to post.
ALICE SPRINGS
I should get up out of bed and doing my writing when trying to go to sleep, as this is when all the words come really easy to me. Now, in the morning, I am struggling to find the words. It might seem as though we have moved quite quickly to get here in Alice Springs, but we have not missed out on seeing all the worthwhile attractions, we believe. As well the distances between places are great at times with nothing much to see except the countryside. There hasn’t been any road kill either. We figured that because the country has been fortunate enough to receive plenty of rain that there is no need for the animals to come to the roadside. During our weeks stay in Alice we explored the West MacDonnell Ranges, The East MacDonnell Ranges, Anzac Hill, Telegraph Station, Sounds of Starlight Theatre, Art Galleries, Shopping Centres, Town tour (not a guided one), as well as cleaning and maintenance with our truck and van. End of day social activities was catching up with new neighbours, old neighbours who we had met back down the track. A communal get-together at the camp kitchen one night was another memorable time.
The West MacDonnell Ranges was a day trip firstly to Glen Helen Gorge 132klms from town and working our way back, stopping at Ochre Pits, where the aboriginal people used to mine the ochre for paintings and ceremonial body decoration. The Serpentine Gorge another beautiful spectacle, with a lookout above the cliffs gives you a view of the narrow, winding gorge. Ellery Creek Big Hole, a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists. Didn’t bother about the swim ourselves, were told that the water can be really cold. Owen Springs Reserve, where the Hugh River runs has numerous stretches of river with broad sandy banks lined with red river gums. An artist’s delight I would say. Standley Chasm is a narrow cleft in the ranges and has cathedral-height walls with a narrow passageway. Very impressive. It was a 1.5klm walk from the car park over rocky terrain but well worth the effort. An ice-cream from the kiosk was well deserved on our return.
East MacDonnell ranges are not as extensive as the West, but we joined Maxine & Graeme to explore the Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve, which is still meaningful to Aboriginal people, and Emily & Jessie Gaps Nature Park. Picnic facilities were available at Jessie Gap. On our return to town another interesting visit was to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station with restored buildings tracing the early history of an operating telegraph station, the stolen generation and war years. The area is well maintained with grassed picnic areas well used by the local community.
The Sounds of Starlight Theatre give free didgeridoo workshops and as D’Arcy has always wanted one we decided to go along. I must say it was quite funny watching and a little hard on the ears at times as there was a room full of people all trying to work their didgeridoos. Well, at the end we headed home with a didgeridoo and instruction DVD. Maybe, one day we might get some good sounds from it. Will keep you posted on that one. The following night the theatre were having a show and with Maxine & Graeme spent a good 1 1/2hrs listening to Andrew Langford and his two band members. It was great to hear what can come from a didgeridoo and other instruments. Of course I bought a cd.
A drive up to Anzac Hill where there is a war memorial, gives a good 360deg. view of Alice Springs across the East & West MacDonnell Ranges. It looks like Alice is sitting in the centre and surrounded by ranges.
Although we were able to see the sights of Alice we didn’t feel comfortable around the town centre due to the aboriginals. We are not racist but the smell was not good. So it was time to move north.
Till next time......
