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