Monkey Mia to Sydney

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We left Monkey Mia about 11am and drove to a place called Hamelin Pool where there were Stromatolites or Strombolites as the road sign calls them they were discovered by scientists in 1956 and were the first living examples of structures built by cyanobacteria. They are similar to 3,500 million year old stromatolite fossils. Stromatolites are an example of the earliest record of life on earth. It was very hot and when we asked for directions at the local shop (there is only one shop and two other buildings in this remote location), a long bearded local, termed “inbreed” was annoying Lizzy with comments about being put in the clink if we even tried to swim in the strombolite area. Asked again for directions - This is Australia, so no hill billies here (or so you would think) “there are only two roads going out of this area, you came in one, so it must be the other one you are looking for” Must be the heat….. Off we went to view the strombolites. They are accessible via a boardwalk which goes out quite far into the sea. We took loads of pictures and eventually headed back to the car amid swarms of flies - they seem to be everywhere in Oz. - drove to Kalbarri a coastal town in the Mid West region located 592 km north of Perth. The town is found at the mouth of the Murchison River , another very quiet place - we arrived at a Parrot sanctuary at 4.45pm to be told we couldn’t get in!!! it closed at 5pm and they needed to get home!!! As we had been on the road for quite a few hours the girls were in serious need of a toilet - asked if there was one they could use, and guess what??? Yes, but it was inside, so we couldn’t get in to use it (another “ODD” character” . The public toilet was some distance away - so we headed there and on the way back to the car we encountered dead fish all over the shore. Could be from feeding pelicans - decided to drive a little out of Kalbarri to a better beach - we watched a surfer practising - then drove a long way to port Dennon - checked in to motel in the evening. Ordered breakfast (delivered to room for preparation in morning.) Tiring day. Bed.

Sat 14th happy Valentines Day
Left motel - drove down coast road - stopped at the town of Leman then on to a place called Sandy Cove then to the pinnacles - short stop at pinnacles visitors centre - drove to outside Perth - saw some live kangaroos - nearly ran out of fuel but found a road house, filled up and got in car - discovered we were about to leave without paying for fuel -oops. Continued - problem getting accommodation in Perth as it was Valentines Day and all the hotels in Perth were fully booked checked out a number of hotels, tried to phone others so finally headed for the Airport (Always rooms at airport hotels) - stopped for a dominos pizza for late late dinner. Found Airport hotel. By 2am we had sorted out our cases for the next leg of the journey by train. Bed

Sun 15 - up at 7am to go to train station having done a recky last night - I took the car back to thrifty car hire - left Judi and Lizzy at the train station with all the cases. I then took a taxi back to the train. Judi and Lizzy had to decant some of the stuff in our cases into other bags provided by the train company as our cases were too heavy? (wimps). - Got on train and into cabin, a great 3 seater for us and a one seater for Lizzy. The seats folded into beds for the night. A Champaign reception to meet staff and fellow travellers. I had orange while Judi had the Champaign. Then it was time for dinner. The food was great and I will describe it at a later date or this blog will never get finished. - At 11pm ish We had a whistle stop tour, on a bus with smoked windows, of a town in the outback to see a super quarry, bordellos and dark impressive , old buildings. Very hard to see anything at that time of night.- 1 am ish back to train and got to bed, tired but happy. Beds were - top bunk, bottom bunk configuration. I was on top, hard to sleep on top bunk -rolling and rocking of train and no bed rail (exciting stuff).

Mon 16th - In the morning we were wakened by the steward with coffee (6.30am) then we showered (we had a shower/toilet in our cabin - very bijou ) and had breakfast - spotted herds of camels wandering the vast plains as we passed - an amazing sight. Also spotted more dead animals then some live ones. Some we didn’t know what they were. Made friends with fellow passengers - a mixed lot from all over the world. All day we had good food. The train stopped at Cook - deserted place - only 5 inhabitants, it was blistering hot. - Lizzy went walkabout down the track, much to the distress of the watchful staff. Was back in time to get on train,and reported meeting sand whirlwinds - the locals call them willy-willys. Back on train - dinner and change of clocks, back by 1 and a half hours. Saw more Camels, Lizzy saw dingoes. A woman on other table in the dining room at other side of train was jolly but annoyed she did not see them, she got in early next meal time and pinched our table, so that she could see the passing livestock, but she did not see any- - - but we did!!! and took great pleasure in shouting out “Roo’s” She swopped back to her table the next day and still didn’t see anything from her window. But we did - he-he…how juvenile!!!


Tue 17th

Breakfast delivered to cabin in a box, Yuk, at 6am as we were getting of the train early that day. Off train at 7-30am.
Stopped at Adelaide went for a walk into the town, saw some hot ducks one who jumped in front of traffic and got clumped by a van - it walked off the road while all the traffic stopped to let it get to the pavement- its poor chest was heaving with the shock. We made sure it was ok then walked on into Adelaide. Saw some rats in the park - or some other creature that looked like a rat. Went into Adelaide’s china town got cheese, bread, and quince jelly in the Alidade Market.
Walk back -speed walking to not miss train, busy place, saw the Gahn train that goes up through Australia. Shopped at station bought mugs and pencils. On train for next part of the journey, Judi and Lizzy played Yatzee in the train lounge. I napped in the cabin then downloaded pictures a from the cameras on to the computer for storage. Stopped and got off at another remote town.
I spoke to an old Woman on the platform who remembered way back when it was a small town and then gold was found - interesting stories. It’s a union mining town and has a titanic memorial in the park for bandsmen from the town who were playing on board when she sunk. Walked around town to the park, hot, hot, hot, town was very 50’s in fashion, old buildings, bit boring, old dudes selling home made crafts and jam at the station, good to stretch legs though.
Late sitting for dinner, clocks forward 1 and half hours meant eating at 10pm! Lauren joined us, she is a lady from Plymouth travelling on her own, great lady with sense of humour and youthful outlook, really enjoyed her company,
Straight to bed after meal.
Rocky night!!


Wed 18th
Train not quite as rocky through the night as at the beginning of the night. Judi and Lizzie slept well. I didn’t get much sleep. Up early, nice view of the blue mountains- saw dingo or another creature, short legged chunky dog looking black thing. Saw lots of kangaroos, My first view of live herd of Roo’s, -saw lilies growing wild and agapanthas? rainy and misty as we were getting near our destination (that’s mountains for you)
Train an hour late getting into Sydney. -but we did not mind had a lot of sorting of luggage to do, and knew we probably couldn’t check into hotel/apartment till 2 ish.
Played Yatzee in the trains lounge while gliding into Sydney Station -Lizzie won again.
We had a Great full breakfast and swopped details with Lauren. All feeling little sad to leave the train yet excited about the next leg of the journey!
Said goodbyes and lifted loads of luggage off the train to the taxi rank.
A Singing mad woman jumped the taxi queue and annoyed us all.
But only fleetingly - then we pilled into a taxi (disabled type with ramp at back) with 4 suitcases, 2 backpacks, one train decant bag, camera cases hand luggage and carrier bags. And were on our way to the next bit of excitement - SYDNEY.

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Comments

[Catriona]

Train journey
Boy your holiday looks like hard work! A lot of travelling! Hope you're getting to rest and enjoy yourself in amongst all the travelling. Miss you! Love Catriona. X

[Donna]

Hi M'n'J, Kenny and i have been vicariously traveling with you, on your intrepid journey down under, we're enjoying the travel writing v much! You both look 10 years younger is that the result of having swarms of flies feast on your face every day (acid peel oz style!) Looking forward to the next installment x

[donna]

oh by the way it's freezing and snowing here, enjoy the sunshine!

[JudiMurdo]

Feedback
Thanks for all the comments. We really appreciate the feedback. It makes us feel like we are still connected to home. We are enjoying the trip and piling on the weight - but we have also just enrolled in a fitness program to (some hope ) combat the fantastic food we are eating. Miss you all . Love - Judi and Murdo xxxxxx