Alice

Well well, where to start.

Well since we last spoke Jess and I went and did night photography of Coober Pedy and visited a sculpture junkyard. We then left the underground campground (yes, under the earth in an old mine) and visited the underground churches etc. I got a book about sleeping on the highway from the underground bookshop and we left coober pedy. About 20 km out the engine started to labour and we pulled over to let it cool off and add more oil. After adding 5 lieters we pulled off and realised we were billowing smoke. We drove back into town and a drunken mechanic drained the engine and laughed his head off that we had added so much. The initial labouring was caused by too much oil aswell. We didn't realise it could be overfull. He charged us $30 and we drove to marryat (a truck stop) for the night.

The next day we drove to Uluru and had a swim at the pool and cleaned the van. I managed to clean out all my road herbs (Damina, passionflower, kava, ginsing, kola nuts, gurana) FUCK. Oh well, guess it was meant to be. We saw the rock and explored every nook and cranny on the short walks (not the climb) and watched the sun set. The next day we did the base walk after watching sunrise and then chilled out in the heat playing uno and watching the rock. We went to kata-tjuta in the arvo and walked around. I think it was more amazing becuase you are more immersed in them.

On the road there a man flagged us down and begged for fuel so we gave it to him.

We then spent the night at the "OUTBACK PIONEER BBQ" in the resort and got a cold beer and roo skewers. An Aussie minstrile played paul kelly and midnight oil songs while the brits and Germans played pool.

The following day we lounged around the pool in true resort style and then drove to Kings Canyon. The next day we explored the canyon. We did a major walk to the "Garden of Eden" which is an oasis with duck and ferns right in the middle of the desert. That evening we drove to the East Macdonnel ranges. We did a huge ridge walk the next day (after being swarmed by Cicaddas all night) and endded up aghain at lush waterholes. The only people we met knew Jess and gave us a lift back to the car (we might stay with them in Alice tonight). We then drove to the West Macdonnel ranges and stayed for two nights. More lush water holes (but this time we lost the track and bush bashed over a huge ridge and down to the gully's). The west ranges was the best place we've been to yet because there were very few tourists. Just tranquility.

We went to the desert park this morning and learned about the geology of the area as well as the plants and animals of the region. Now we are just using technology again (laundry, haricuts, internet) before we push up north tomorrow arvo.

I miss you all and I'm loving every minute of this trip.

Peace, DHP

Coober pedy and absolute weirdness

Well, I never thought this was real. First a quick recap.

We didn't go to Robe. We left Melbourne and after traffic we ended up arriving at a place called Kingston S.E. south of Adelaide on the coast (250km). We pulled into what we thought was a car park and we got bogged in the sand. We we slept on the beach for free and then got towed out by a caterpillar drive who was hire to push sea grass into the ocean. We then photoraphed a seal and drove to adealide.

Adelaide was nice. We stayed at Jess's cousins house and got the rest of the supplies we needed. Adelaide is quite like Canberra but with a real frontier feel becuase it is the gateway to the center.

We left Adelaide after finding out we had the wrong time due to the timezone difference and crashing into a carparking structure becuase the load on the van was too tall and we didn't realise. Becuase of this we left without buying chess or connect four, however we did get a sherriden to kick around.

From Adelaide we drove and when we got to Port Augusta the change in landscape was phenomenal. The sky had 10 hues of blue. The salt and emu bush 20 shades of green. We stopped at the arid zone botanical gardens and I was able to investigate the flowers and plants that we would be subject to. That evening (saturday) we pulled into the WOMERRA caravan park and played some footy and had dinner with some prim and proper poms who kept telling us how collonial people (ausies, zimbabians, kiwis) we ingenuitive and that all cultures and people other than the english are idiots.

This morning we checked out the womerra missile park (missiles were teh reason the town was founded) and then the old detention center. As we pulled up to the gates a defence force car drove up from the Roxby Downs direction and asked us if we were "Geographically misplaced". We got to Coober pedy at about 3 and are staying at the only underground campground in the world. This town has to be the weirdest place in Australia. 45 nationalities with half the stuff in the ground and amazing surrounds (but also alot of holes). We went to the moon planes where they filmed mad max and then to crocodile harry's house.

Crocodile harry is a latvian baron who emigrated to Australia after the second world war and spent 20 yrs hunting crocs in the top end and Queensland. Now he lives here in a cave house and is 80 with cancer. The walls of his house are covered with underpants and bras from women who donated them as well as a lot of porn. He had Tina Tuners bra until it was nicked and he has Olivia Newton Johns panties. So weird I can not convey it. Anyway, now I'm writing this from an internet terminal in a cave. Tomorrow we are going to check out the underground churches, houses, opal mines and potters society before driving to (potentially) Uluru but we will have to see what time we get off.

The desert is amazing and changes a person in more ways than they can imagine. It takes me back to New Mexico.

Peace, Harris

Robe or Bust

Well the car is packed and we're just doing some final admin shit before we boost it to the west. We think we might stop in Robe a costal SA town but we'll see.

Have a good summer everyone, speak to you from the road

DHP

Photos finally

Just got some of the photos we have taken of the van and two of myself for those overseas who haven't seen me sans dreads or with my chops.

IR Rally and Melbourne's final days

Well on Tuesday I went to the rally against the proposed industrial relation reforms. It was fantastic with a huge crowd from all walks of life. We then got some camping gear and set up for the going away party. We got totalled and then explored the city etc. Going towards Adelaide tomorrow but first we need to get grocerries, buy a tire and pack the car. We have named the van "Rizla" after John Rizla from the books.

Peace, I'll report from Adelaide or the center.

Melbourne

Well the trip has truly begun. I drove down from Canberra with Brian (jess's dad) and after arriving we went to a Gallery opening and on to the pub. Nothing to riviting. Today we just checked supplies and performed some modifications on the car, at the parts store we scored two free car freshers, the pine tree ones. One is peach (my choice) and the other is Lemon (Jess's choice). Now I am late for another exhibition opening which Teff is speaking at. Tomorrow we will get more supplies and some travel Connect 4.

I have a few more things to see here and Jess has some shit to do and so we're now leaving Melbourne on the 17th in the Morning for Adelaide. If anyone wants to chill in Melbourne before this then let me know.

H

exams are over

finished. Fucking ah. No big news but leaving on Wednesday arvo to Melbourne. Trust me these posts will get a lot more interesting when I hit the road and have photos to post.

Second on November, 1968

Well, not to much new trip news to report. I have finished work. Have an exam tomorrow and one on Saturday. I then leave Canberra now on the 9th with Brian Boylan and then in Melbourne I will check out Jesse's exhibition, see some music and stop being morose.

We leave Melbourne on the 15th in the Morning and head to Adelaide. I can't fucking wait.

Peace to all

Harris

Second on November, 1968

Well, not to much new trip news to report. I have finished work. Have an exam tomorrow and one on Saturday. I then leave Canberra now on the 9th with Brian Boylan and then in Melbourne I will check out Jesse's exhibition, see some music and stop being morose.

We leave Melbourne on the 15th in the Morning and head to Adelaide. I can't fucking wait.

Peace to all

Harris