Got to the airport and realized that I had forgotten my lip balm on the floor of the hotel room. Seems I am doomed to not have lip balm.

Checked wtih reception about whale watching excursions, seem that the last on was yesterday. They are no longer running whale watching.

Went to Woolworths and went shopping for groceries. I have a small kitchenette, so I won't have to eat out. It also gave me a chance to get used to the bus systems here.

written by  hallanniem on November 22, 2009 from Perth, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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The climb and walk were well worth the effort (300 meter up at the start). Lots of interesting rock formations. Some isolated plants and lots of vegitation for the desert region. The rock here is sandstone and is very absorbant, so when it rains the water lasts for the plants.

Went back to Kings CAnyon resort for lunch. and another dip in the pool. Swim was great after the hot hike.

BAck down the Lassiter hwy to the Stuart Hwy again and on to Alice Springs.

We did see a witch tail eagle trying to cart off the haunch of a Kangaroo. It finally flew off without it as the bus approached.

Finished off with dinner at Bojangles with most of the tour group. off to Perth tomorrow.

3500 kms driven
40 kms walked
6 days.

written by  hallanniem on November 21, 2009 from Alice Springs, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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The walk around was 10.4 km and it took me about 2 hours and 20 minutes.The walk was very peaceful and not too hot. I took a lot of pics, but some areas are off limits for pictue taking as they are sacred places. I had to pee sooooo badly, but it was another 250 meters to the Toilets. Just couldn't do it at the time. (wish I had because you know what a bus ride feels like on a full bladder) 20 minutes back to camp and relief.

written by  hallanniem on November 20, 2009 from Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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kata Tjula in the rain

Lunch at our campsite then off to Kata Tjula. As we are driving to the heads, Keath is telling us about how much of a men's sacred place. It is so sacred that any Aboriginal women that came near it were killed. Now at this point there is thunder and lightening in the distance where we are driving to.

We are happy to see the rain, it has been 40+ degrees celcius for days, We take a long time at a photo stop just to enjoy the coolness left by the rain and cloudiness.

Our walk into Kata Tjula is lovely and there is a bit i-of flowing water here from the rain. We got some pictures of birds also.

Our guide explained some of the uses for the local plant life. Spear bush is used to make spears. but the plant has bent braches. So Mulgar wood is burnt (high heat) and the sand is heated up. the spear is twisted and slid through the sand to dry and straighten The Branch to form the spear.

On to Uluru (Ayers Rock) to see the sunset on the rock (largest Monolith [remember I cannot spell]) took a lot of pics.

Back to the campsite to "swag" it (padded sleepingbag). We all tried, but by the time it sprinkled the 5th time I couldn't take it any more. Rain was dripping into my ears. We moved into the tents (it would have been way too hot to sleep indoors without the rain.)

Unfortunately couldn't see the stars due to clouds and rain.

Had a tour of an old opal mine. view of differing mining techniques and examples of under ground living. Odl style and current style.

Managed to do a bit of shopping, but the shops closed about an hour after I finally got checked into my room. I am staying under ground. Will show you some pictures when high speed internet is available.

'This is the first internet in 3 days

Went to the Opal Beetle and made a few purchases. Unfortuantley (or fortunately) pay check was not deposited while the stores were open, so no extravagances. Did some noodleing outside the Opal Beetle, found a Stone with two small pinkish opals attached. Whooee!!.

The stars here are very beautiful, but I hope to see even more when we are at our campsite. I want to see the southern cross etc.

Didn't get a chance to use the swiming pool at the Desert cave, it closed at sunset (while we were at dinner).

written by  hallanniem on November 18, 2009 from Coober Pedy, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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Then we wnet on a few more walks . Just a gentle walk (CLIMB), of 3 km. I thought that this was 6-8 km / day. Two 8.2 km walks n two days.

Guess what?? Thursday is a 10km walk around uluru.

(yes I cannot spell, nor can I read this screen to see what I am typing)

Evie and I did make it to the top of Wilpena Pound and back down withn Francious and Gerard. We put "One foot in front of the other"

We spent a second night at the Mill in Quorn (KORN). Bought a bottle of Remakable Ridge Shiraz 2005 from the local pub, and shared with the others. It was a good wine, and it was not too warm.

Wake up time tomorrow has been changed from 4 am to 6 am to may peoples delight.

written by  hallanniem on November 17, 2009 from Quorn, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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emu

Keath Is our tour guide. 20 people on the tour 14 in their twenties and 6 of us not. Song, Christine, Margarite and Martine are on this tour with me.
Our fisrt stop is the Clare Valley, on of the first wine areas of Australia, Shiraz is made here.

Still hot, already too warm by 9 am.

Arrived at the Mill, nice room.

/we had burgers for lunch then went for a nice gentle walk of 8.2 km at Dutchman's stern (named so because it looks lik the stern of a Dutch ship). It took about 3 hours roundn trip.

Then back to the mill for dinner Emu Kangaroo and Camel were all on the menu.

Doing good so far, blisters are under control and my knees are doing fine.

written by  hallanniem on November 16, 2009 from Quorn, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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top of Mt Hollow

Very hot day. We stopped at border town for lunch and a look at the white kangaroos. We stopped and took pic of ourselves crossing from Victoria to South Australia.

Not much detouring today, just get there and stay cool if you could.

Oh by the by my accomidation is in the Red Light district. (yes it means the same here). Fortunatly Adelaide doen't have hookers on the street corners, so just shops and stores that emphasize sex. Then again a shopping mall is one block away.

no bake cookies.

2cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup Cocoa (powdered)

stir over medium heat in medium sauce pan. let boil one full minute. remove from heat and then stir in:

one capfull of vanilla (liquid)
1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter
3 cups oats (uncooked any kind - quick , minute or rolled)

spoon onto waxed paper or onto a buttered surface. Work quickly as it will harden in the pan and then you will be eating crumbs. Enjoy

one cup is about 240 mls.

Rundle shopping

Could not take the Sunday Markets tour. It was too hot and it was cancelled. (Not sure if it was the Markets or the Tour, but no go).

Went to the Botanical Gardens to walk around this morning. Then a Stop at the Australia Wine center.

Murdoch lane

Exhibits of grapes and types of wines. along with discriptions of the various wine regions in Australia.

Quick stops to do a bit of shopping.

A visit to the Aboriginal center.Tandanya. picked up a few souvineers. Post cards.

Unfortunately I seem to have mislaid my lip balm. Probably fell out on the bus yesterday.

It is so hot today, I will probably just go back to the room and veg.

Spent about anhour at Woolworths in Rundle shopping center, to cool off and blog.

I forgot to mention our hosts for the first night at the 13th Apostle. Very good people.
And then there is Kate our host/guide.

Kate is perfect for her job. Outgoing enthusiastic and just a bit brash. The group is doing just what she needs and enjoying themselves too boot. Our side views and additions have been varied depending on the current need. But all is hadled with great attitude. Kate did tell me to go soak my head when I was a little too warm. I clued her in to the phrase later after reminding her that she told me to "go soak your head".

Went down Loch Ard Gorge, site of a famous shipwrech where there were only 2 survivours. (72 step and then lots of sand to wade through). More views of the 12 Apostles.

Were able to stop and view and old caldera from the volcanic past.

Sent the night at Hall's Gap inthe Granapians mts. Made no bake cookies a big hit especialy for Wolfgang. It was a beautiful night, but tomorrow it will be 38 celcius, we are starting our hike up the mountain early 7-8am so as not to be too hot.

As Kate says "it is going to be a stinker"

written by  hallanniem on November 13, 2009 from Halls Gap, Australia
from the travel blog: Great Australian Fun Filled Expedition (my GAFFE)
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