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Published: January 6th 2010
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Hey everyone,
So finally I find a moment to post something. I have been in AUS for about three weeks now, and man, this country is huge. We travel so many kilometers a day it's unbelievable.
Starting off in Sydney with Ilona and then on to the Red Centre. This was truly amazing. The desert has captured my heart... Of course we saw Uluru (but did not climb it, no worries mate), but Kata Tjuta and King's Canyon were at least as amazing. We also did a helicopter flight for the first time in our lives crossing some ranges and spotting wild horses and camels (lots of dead ones, though, because of the draught).
We had a true desert adventure with the van breaking down in the middle of buttf*** (anyone seen Wolf Creek?), then later on around Adelaide the van broke down again and was replaced by a superdeluxe 4 person van... which is at the moment breaking down....
But hey, we're almost back in Sydney, hopefully it will last us a few more days....
Maybe it's because I am driving half the trip that the vans keep breaking down...
Speaking of buttf***, Alice Springs does
a real effort to claim this title... A weird, gloomy town in the middle of the desert. We were shocked to so obviously see the cultural difference between the Aboriginals and everyone else (it's not a pretty sight).
I was just as amazed to learn how they used to cope in the desert, finding water and food. They have amazing stories and their connection to and respect for nature are remarkable.
In a mining town out in the desert, Coober Pety, we met this amazing guy who showed us his cave he lives in to stay cool (to survive the 40+ degrees), made us an amazing french toast breakfast and was kind enough to be our photographer for our queens of the desert photo shoot (anyone seen Priscilla, queen of the desert?).
After Sander joined our party, we spend NewYear's in Melbourne at the Sensation White party there. With free VIP de luxe tickets (courtesy of Ilona) I have to say the music doesn't sound that bad.... No, seriously, it is a cool party with beauuutiful visuals and lots of white people...
The remoteness that you find in some areas here is extreme, but beautiful.
The southern
coast line has beautiful VEERRRY long sandy beaches but some ruggid cliffs as well, the top attractions being the 12 Appostles (of which only six are still standing, nevertheless a gorgeous sight) and the Nobbies (yes, this name is for real).
Kangaroo Island was amazing, because we saw sooo many animals. On our trip we have encountered kangaroos, wallibis, echidnas, ONE snake, lizards, skinks, koalas, wombats etc... (lots and lots of dead ones along the road though).
Now we're off to another national park for a bit of hiking (swimming is not so much an option since it is unusually cold for this time a year). So much to do, but so little time...
Enjoy the pics, only a few maybe more later (internet is tooooo slow...), Cheers Marlies
PS: Marten, ik heb alleen jou toegevoegd.... Kun je dit even broadcasten?? Thanx
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