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| Pretty typical night. One definite bonus of this trip is how close our kids have become, such good mates |
We got to the Devils Marbles just after lunch. It is was a beautiful, sunny and hot hot day. So we set up camp then layed about in the shade for a few hours until it cooled off a bit. We sat and chatted to a couple of oldies from WA then we were walking across the camp and spotted some familiar faces. Tom, Lisa and Milly (who we met at Carnarvon Gorge) were pulling up. Was great to see them, kids had fun playing and adults spent time catching up on travel stories. Then once it cooled off we took the kids for a walk around the Marbles. Took some great shots and climbed some rocks. Mark took the kids up one really big rock, look scary from down below!! Such an interesting place, crazy to think how these Marbles were created. Was colourful seeing the sun set and show off the red and orange in the rocks.
We left early the next day, aiming to be in Alice fairly early to set up, as Mum arrived the next day. We booked in and found our spot, right next door to the Ellis's friends Ton, Cam, Jordan and Riley. The Ellis arrived a couple of days later and the Beesons a few weeks later, so plenty of company!! We plan to stay here for a few months until mid December and recoup some funds!! Our plan was to spend the next week or so with Mum sightseeing then start work, which worked out well.
With much excitement we arrived at the airport in plenty of time, only to find Mums plane was early and there was a huge queue to get through security. So we missed her arrival and met her at the gates! I am such a softie now I got teary again at the airport, sniff sniff. It was so good to see Mum, we miss her heaps. First stop was Anzac Hill on the north side of town. It has a great view of Alice Springs, really good to see everything layed out right in front of you.
We are staying at the Big 4 caravan park and they put on these free events. Including pancake breakfast and a didgeridoo night, of course we went to both. Actually we went to the pancake one lots!!!
We had a nice day just relaxing and chilling out around Alice. Kids met and started to play with the other kids in the park.
Our camp spot for the next few months. Pretty good spot, at least we get a bit of shade.
We checked out the info centre on Sunday then went to the Todd mall markets. So nice to wander around and look at the art work and all of the people. Had an awesome mango cup, so so tasty!!
We spent the day at a place called Desert Park. They have lots of information and displays on the desert, wild life, plants etc. They also have a fabulous bird show and talk by a local aboriginal woman. It was a really informative and enjoyable day. Well worth the visit.
Of course we couldn't miss taking Mum to see the rock, or Ayers rock or now Uluru! It was so surreal driving up to it. The day was a little hazy and it looked like a big backdrop had been painted on the horizon. It just doesn't look real until you get up close to it. I also had no comprehension just how big it is (10km round the base). We went to the Cultural Centre first, then headed off to do a couple of the walks.
We met up again with Tom, Lisa and Milly and watched the sunset. It is definitely one of those must do's. It is pretty special watching the sunset, unfortunately it was hazy but we still loved it.
We only had one night at Uluru, so it was up early the next day to see the sunrise, much to the kids disgust. There were heaps of people there, spoilt it for me, I wanted to have our very own private viewing!!! Not share it with hundreds of others, guess that's tourism heh! The colours of the rock as the sun rose and shone on them were fabulous, reds and oranges. Uluru so so lived up to expectations, it is a truly amazing and special place. We are so thankful we had the opportunity to come here. And no we didn't climb the rock, its a sacred place and we don't believe it should be climbed.
From Uluru we headed to the Olgas or Kata Tjuta. Unfortunately I hadn't really researched so much of this area and didn't allow enough time for everything. We walked up to the first look out at the Olgas, met Tom, Lisa and Milly as they were on the way back from the main walk. The track closes at 11am and it was 1030am. We walked a little further on with the kids but it was too hot, so Mark went on to the next lookout and the rest of us headed back. We really enjoyed what we did see, an amazing place.
After the Olgas we drove I think about three hours to Kings Canyon. We booked into the budget rooms there (nice and cheap). We spent time at the pool cooling down and then a good nights sleep. We were up early the next day, started the main walk about 8am. It is a hard straight up hill climb for the first 20mins, and it was nasty! But then you are on the top and the rim walk is fabulous, well worth the first horrid part, such an amazing view. You can see all around the area and down into the canyon. We could see people on the other side but they looked like ants. It took us about 3 1/2 hours, the kids were so good, such great little walkers now.
When we finished the rim walk the kids were pretty tired and Mums knee was hurting. So we left them sitting in the shade. Mark and I walk the short walk through the canyon. Was pretty, nice to see up close what we had seen from high above. We came back and found Mum resting and the kids playing in the dirt!! What a great day, a trip highlight for sure.
They have a great pool at the resort but unfortunately there were school groups there. Luckily we timed our swims when they had left!
As it was Mums 60th birthday in a few weeks, we planned a surprise helicopter flight over Kings Canyon. We arrived there and she was pretty excited. Jake rushed inside with me and asked to go as well, and I said no, too expensive. Just before the flight left the guy came out and said Jake could have a free ride as they had an empty seat. You can imagine him, he was jumping up and down!! So off they went with me excited for them and also hoping that they had child locks on the doors and that Mum was watching Jake! They made it back safe and sound and had a fabulous time too!
It was hot again that afternoon so we did the sensible thing. Went to the bar for a cold drink! Then we met Tom, Lisa and Milly and all had tea together. Kids had a great time playing in the air con room, making a mess. You can so tell they are caravan kids, it was so exciting for them to have actual beds and chairs to play on! We had a great time that night, shared stories and quite a few laughs!
Back home again and some photos of the pancake breakie, sorry its a bit out of order!!
Mum did a drive tour into Palm Valley and we had a catch up day. We will hopefully head there later. The next day we did a day trip out to the West Macdonnell Ranges. First stop was Simpsons Gap, you walk along next to the dry creek bad to the Gap. Just another example of the fabulous scenery we have been spoilt by seeing in the NT.
From there it was on to Stanley Chasm. Another short walk into the Chasm. Took a few shots then headed back to the car. Only problem was we let Charlotte carry her barbie doll and she realised half way back that she had lost its shorts. So Mark took her back to find them!! Kids!!!
Almost my favourite place near Alice, Ellery Creek. Or Little Alice beach as the locals call it. It is a naturally fed waterhole that has water in it all the time. It is magic to swim there and just gaze up at the red cliffs above. The water was freezing that day, I didn't get in but we have been back since when it was hotter and it was beautiful!!
Then we went back to Alice and Mum went home. It was so so good to have my Mum visit. Made me so sad when she went. Mum and I are pretty close and I miss her. One of the sacrifices of being on the road. We will come home one day Mum!
So now we are working in Alice for the next three months (actually we are about to leave Alice but I have been so slack with the blog!), time to recoup the funds!!!
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