After a wake up knock on our door from Laurie at 7.00am (we are on holidays so we don't wake up early) we were packed up and on the road by 8.00 for the fairly long drive into "The Alice" - we feel like locals now so we can say "The Alice"
A fuel and coffee stop at Erldunda on the way, what a little goldmine this place is, as it is the only stop for hundreds of kms in three different directions, and the cost of the fuel, well it wasn't the most expensive so far but at $2.10 per litre it was pretty close, and $5 for a tiny take-away coffee.
We had a pretty good run into Alice, but there must be a hidden rule up here that we are not privy to, "you must NOT stay behind a caravan, you must pass at any cost" and they did, mostly at around 130kms, no matter what speed the caravan was travelling at, and we were cruising at around 98kms. They drive like lunatics here passing on bends, on crests of hills, anywhere, and they don't seem to know what the double lines on the road are for. If they want to pass, they pass, too bad if you are oncoming traffic!
Safely into Alice Springs, and the MacDonnell Ranges Caravan Park, our home for the next 3 days. It will give the drivers time to rest up, with the McDonnell Ranges at our back door.
We went into the casino for dinner and the place was jumping. There had been a big dirt bike race meeting here over the long weekend and all the 'guys and gals' were there celebrating or commiserating over a nice cold beer.
Jeff an I made our contribution to the local economy, but Jude came out a winner, I am glad someone
did.
About the absence of photos - Jeff has gone into town to the Telstra shop to try and remedy our problem. So hopefully I will be able to put some photos up shortly.
Alice Springs Day 2
A lazy day today, Jeff and I are recovering from really bad colds that Laurie so kindly shared with us, thanks a lot Loz.
The boys played a round of golf and said it was quite a different experience, whatever that means.
Jude and I did domestic things.
We discovered the caravan park has a 'Pancake Bus'. The bus is here for three months of the year
June, July and August, and is open every night from 5.00 to 9.00pm, no matter what the weather.
They sell strawberry pancakes with ice-cream among other things, so even though the weather was VERY cold, up we went to get our pancakes. We sat out and thoroughly enjoyed them before racing back to the vans and our heaters. The temperature is below freezing here at night.
Alice Springs Day 3
We had a lovely day today cruising along side The majestic West McDonnell Ranges visiting some of the gorges and waterholes that cross The Larapinta Trail. Each place has something different to offer, whether it be the colors, the cliffs, the water or the natural landscapes.
The first stop was The Standley Chasm (Angkerlie).
This is on Aboriginal land and is owned and operated by the Iwipataka Land Trust. It costs $10pp to walk to the chasm, and I must say we did not mind paying at all. It is an amazing place.
The chasm cuts through tough quartzite to form a picturesque natural alleyway. Surging floodwaters over thousands of years are responsible for this beautiful site, which is at its most impressive in the middle of a sunny day. Fortunately we were here at that time. As the light shifted across the cleft we
were treated with a magnificent display of colors and forms.
The Ellery Creek Big Hole.
This is a spectacular waterhole in the mighty Ellery Creek which cuts through a gorge in the West McDonnell Ranges. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this beautiful waterhole and uncovered some amazing geology.
There are lots of walking tracks, a great picnic area, camping areas and you can even swim here.
We loved this place.
Glen Helen Gorge.
The landscape around Glen Helen is spectacular- a towering sandstone wall is the first thing you see as you arrive. The area includes views of Mount Sondor, one of the highest points in Central Australia.
At Glen Helen Gorge the McDonnell Ranges part to make way for the Finke river. The permanent Finke River Waterhole is an important refuge for local wildlife and migrating waterbirds.
The areas traditional owners believe that this inviting swimming spot is the home of an ancient and powerful Rainbow Serpent, and regard it as off limits.
We enjoyed a light lunch on the deck of the resort before continuing.
The Ochre Pits.
The Ochre Pits is a registered Sacred Site and is protected by the NT Government, you are not allowed to touch or interfere with any of the ochre.
Here we had the opportunity to view ochre that is still used by the Arranta people. At this site you can see the ochres in the cliff face in its natural state. The variety of colors are just beautiful, the shifting hues make for some beautiful photos.
Last stop was Simpsons Gap.
I think we saved the most beautiful for last. This is one of the most prominent waterholes in the region. The area is an important spiritual site for the Arranta people, where several dreaming stories and trails cross. Simpsons Gap was the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors.
The serenity of this waterhole was breathtaking. The still waters surrounded by majestic ghost gums, white sand and towering red cliffs, made this such a magical place.
Another great day on our trip
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