Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Alice Springs (The middle of Australia)

The road trip is going well. We just got into Alice Springs which is the middle of the continent. We are a bit ahead of schedule which is good. We have to have the car into Perth by the 30th.

Last night, we saw Ayers Rock and then stayed in a campground about 150 km up the road from it. Before we went to sleep a couple of Dingo were out rummaging through the campsite stealing food. After we went to bed I woke up about two hours later, because one of them licked my foot. I looked around and the tent door was zipped and it was just me and the English guy Im traveling with sleeping next to me. I remain suspicious!

Ive seen a lot of Kangaroo and a lot of nothing! The best word to describe it hear is vast. We are continously conscious of how much gas we have and how far it is to the next gas stations.

Things are dry and very hot but there is still a suprising amount of plants around. Theyve received a lot of rain about a month ago so things are abit greener then I expected.

Kangaroo are definitely the most common road kill and I think are probably the most dangerous thing out on the road. Hitting one would be cause for concern. Kangaroo are the equivalent to deer at home. There are a lot of road signs warning you about them on the road. Some people hunt and eat them, I had Kangaroo Curry the other night, and it is common to see them in rural areas. They are about 3 feet tall or more, but to be honest I think their boxing abilities have been over exaggerated. I wouldnt hesitate to take on one.

I think well head back on the road tomorrow or the next day and head back South to Coober Pedy, an old mining town in the middle of no where. It is so hot there the houses are all underground.