Which Island?

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It wasn’t that long ago that we told you about Australia and, now that we’re about to leave for Singapore, we thought we’d finish the Australian leg of the tour with an update of the last couple of weeks. We arrived in Alice Springs to be greeted by 34 degree heat, buzzing pesky flies and the French and Irish friends we met on the East Coast.

Alice is slap bang in the middle of the Australian Desert and so 2 days of thunder storms and huge hail stones were the last thing we expected! It‘s also miles from anywhere and we drove for hours to reach the wonderful Kings Canyon. Thankfully, the weather cleared by the time we got there and we really enjoyed hiking around this lesser known gem. The views were fantastic, we’re sure the photo doesn’t do it justice but that’s true of so many things we’ve seen!

Next we headed for the main reason anyone goes to the middle of Australia, Ayers Rock (or Uluru as the aboriginals know it.) We saw it at sunset and sunrise and it’s true that it changes colour throughout the day, with sunset being our favourite. We also went to the Olgas (Kata Tjuta) which, like Ayers Rock, are hugely important to the aboriginal people for their spiritual and traditional significance. They also change colour through the day and the 6 of us had our tea there, sweet chilli and rice, while we watched the sunset. We’d bagged the prime viewing spot and the bus load of posh champagne sipping tourists seemed unimpressed that 6 scruffy backpackers had the best seats in the house!

After this we headed south through miles and miles and miles of semi desert. We got talking to a few Aboriginal people who asked where we were from, it took the Irish a while to explain which island! We broke up the long journey with a couple of nights at an underground campsite in the mining town of Coober Pedy. We had a go at searching for opals but, despite a few peculiar looking stones, we never made our fortune and we’ll be sticking to the hostels.

The rest of the journey took us through Adelaide were we said goodbye to the Frenchies and Irish who went off to pick oranges for a month. Instead, we took a few days to drive the Great Ocean Road back to Melbourne passing fantastic sites like the 12 Apostles. No trip to Australia would be complete without surfing so where else to try is that the world famous Bells Beach? (If you know your surf then you’ll know that Bells Beach hosts an international surf competition each Easter). The waves were good and after a few poundings we learnt to ride them (woohoo!) although we couldn’t stand up.

So, back in Melbourne and another stay with Simon, Jo and their wonderfully comfortable spare bed. Oh, and a little trip down Ramsay Street.

That’s the end of the Australian leg of our tour and we’ve loved the lot. There are some great things in this big country and making friends along the way made the miles between sights more enjoyable. We could easily have stayed longer but South East Asia is calling and we begin it with 5 days in Singapore.


Love
N&J
xxx

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Comments

[lizz and matt]

Which Island
Hello Nicholas and Jen, just read your latest blog, what a fantastic journey your both on, we love catching up on your travels, the photo's are stunning. They are memories that will be with you forever. Nicholas we all wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 20th November!!! ALL TOGETHER NOW Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you Nicholas Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!! Take care, love Lizz and matt xxxxxxxxx

[Tim Bullock]

Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Nick, Have a good one. Good to see you have both caught the surfing bug and hope to see you both standing up next time we go to Newquy..... Great reading your updates. Take it easy guys. Tim

[Wilb and Taff]

WOW!!!
It all looks sensational. not that we are jealous!!!!!!!! Scenery looks breathtaking. Makes our trip to Angleterre in December look insignificant. Enjo the next phase of your journey. Love to you both Wilb and Taff xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Mum and Dad Marie and John]

Which Island
Hello Nicholas, and Jen ,our love to you bothxx.Yes it is me Mum and yes my computer is up and running again.Francis came to vist and i passed the information that Sharne ,had done prior to his vist.And after a phone call to Pakistan,and a tehenology conve rsatiovn,hey presto the computeris once again up and running .F ran cis has all-so visited.Ayers rock and spent some time amist the commpaney,of the aborigeneys Francis said it was splended in view and a fantastic thing to do.Kings Canyon looks breath takeing and all-so eye brow raiseing. We hope both of you are well. the photographes are wonderfull and all the things you both have done thee adventures are just amazing.And we have said that you both look very well on the photographes so keep that up as both your well-being and safety is of the utmost to all of us. W

[Mum and Dad and MarieandJohn]

Which Island
Hello to you both again. I lost the email conection once again last night and technology is up and running once a gain.We have said that you both look well from looking at the photographes.Hope all went well in the days that you had Singapore we look forword to reading your new adventures.We are all just fine,the weather is cold and wet //brrr it is most certanley not like Ayers rock with tempratures of 34 degrees .We received the post card from Melbourn your last stop of Australia.Our love to you both take care look after your well-being good night to you both.xxmum and dad marie and johnxx.