Tonight as we drove into Darwin we searched out a dodgy, dark, dank, smelly pub to relax into the evening. We searched out the dodgy, dark, dank, smelly pub so that no one could see how disgusting we are and our smell will match in with the décor. So here we sit, drinking a good cold one relaxing and not being bothered by anyone... either because the smell is so bad or it is just the way it works at this dodgy, dark, dank, smelly pub. It has been 4 days since a proper shower, 2 days since we washed our hair in a random bathroom sink, and half a day since we went swimming. I am sure all of you can imagine how gross we feel, but we have had some amazing experiences!
For this leg of the trip we continued our Natalie – Vilma – Heather time zone, where we get up and on the road before sunrise & are pulling up and sleeping not too long after dark. There are a shortage of Maccas (McD's) with their free wifi through the centre of Oz. So we developed a slightly new morning routine. To start the mornings after we have driven a few hours after sunrise... normally around 9 or 10am we decide it is time to stop at a roadhouse. At the road house we get a beer & pie, an amazing Aussie tradition I will miss. We have gotten a few looks from the truckies that are eating breakfast. One morning we decided the beer and pie was so good we stopped in at the next pub 15 mins up the road and had another. There we had others willing to have a drink in the morning with us, where the barmaids informed me that they start serving at 7am and we were late. Apparently we fit in with the Northern Territory folk.
We even found the best meat pie in the world as judged by Natalie... I have come to call her the meat pie craver & expert! She seems to crave one every few hours, although I love the meat pies so I usually join in as well. A couple times I have had to pass, due to my stomach being so full I just sat and watched her eat another one. Yum! :0)
Driving up through the centre of Australia was a lot different then any of us thought it would be. There were a lot more trees and things than we thought there would be. North of Coober Pedy and around Uluru actually reminded me of Central Washington, USA in the Coulee where my grandma lives. We stopped in and visited the iconic Uluru (Ayres Rock). We were hoping to climb to the top, but it was too windy and a storm was on its way in, so sadly it was closed and we were not able to. Afterwards we went 35kms to the west & checked out some less well known, but just as cool rock formations the Olgas. Both the Olgas and Uluru are huge solid rocks about 350m high out in the middle of Australia.
After the Uluru & Olgas we ventured out to the stunning Kings Canyon. This was just stunning with huge shear cliff faces. You can see it on the photo here.... that is me sitting on the edge of the cliff!! I have a huge fear of heights, but I was just fine sitting there. Not sure what is wrong with me, when I am tied off in a harness and rock climbing or doing a high ropes course I really, really struggle, but sitting on that edge with absolutely no protection, I was just fine. Crazy, I say crazy! I really don't understand it.
We took a 4 wheel drive trek through the Litchfield National Park near Darwin. WOW! We drove through open areas, saw huge termite mounds that are long and skinny that are oriented north-south to limit their exposure to the sun. We went to a gorgeous waterfall diving into a clear pool at the bottom where we were able to swim without too much worry of crocodiles. We had the whole place to ourselves. To drive up this road we crossed about 8 streams, one where the water hit the bonnet (hood) of the car. It was so nice to drive through a good stream and a bit of a 4 wheel dive track again.
So as you can imagine we were slightly gross after all of this and no real showers along the way, only scrub ups near a sink, as we rolled into Darwin we did not want to be seen in a classy joint so we found the dodgy, dark, dank, smelly pub.
As I wrote everything above this on Friday and have not had a chance to send it out, I will update you on the weekend. We chilled all Saturday at Nat's cousin's place. Absolutely wonderful!!! Today we have walked around Darwin. I learned an interesting tid-bit today from Nat's cousin... that the Australian coat of arms has an emu & a kangaroo because neither are able to take a step backwards. We just picked up Sally our new addition to the road trip from the airport and are now sitting here enjoying the Northern Territory lifestyle having a beer and about to get some lunch.
Speak soon!!! :)
~Laugh & Love Life~
