Territory and Outback - Katherine & Edith Falls

We arrived in Katherine to our hotel where it was quick shower and change before heading out to the pool for a pizza party - very much fun. Half of us chilled whilst the others played a game of Kings (never heard of it before the tour!) which ended with Falk being chucked in the pool...quite comedy.

The next day it was off on a 2 hour cruise of Katherine Gorge - very beautiful and only one crocodile so happy days...its amazing what mother nature can produce....





It was absolutely stunning and there are lots more photos on my FB page...

After we had done this we jumped on the bus as we were heading up to Kakadu that night so after some more time on the bus we were able to stop off at Edith Falls.



Being at the end of the wet season (which from what I can gather has been rather long this year!) we weren't able to go to the normal swimming pool so we went for a bit of a hike to go to a plunge pool which didn't have croc's in it...and boy after that walk did you need a swim....was super hot and when we got there I was in that water super quick...

There was a current from the waterfall that took you on this nature made water slide which was great fun, although I did learn that doing front crawl in a strapless bikini is not the best plan! So after exposing myself slightly (luckily underwater)I decided to jump out and watch the adrenalin junkies from the tour do some climbing/jumping action by the falls...




It was then time to head back to the bus....needed a quick shower after the walk - was blooming hot by that point and then onwards to Kakadu National Park where some of the tour went on a sunset scenic flight which I decided against - not that great in big planes so little planes are a definite no no! The rest of us had a quick trip to see a Uranium mine in the area then it was back on the bus for all and on to our hotel in Kakadu for a yummy dinner of fish and chips and then a bit a chill by the pool - only a little one as there were lots of mosquitos which seemed to like me so I headed back to the room.

Territory and Outback - Yalara to Katherine

So having said goodbye to the lovely Andie and to our bed in a box at Yalara it was back on the bus, a quick stop at the same rest stop as we had been to on the way to Yalara and we were back in Alice Springs for a chilled afternoon.

We got back to the hotel in Alice Springs early afternoon and had a nice relaxing time chilling by the pool and generally chilled out before getting ready for a night out at the Overlanders Steak House. A fab restaurant where we had a lovely dinner followed by a bit of dancing and sing song to "Give me a home among the gum trees" and then we all had a go at the wobble board (the one made famous by Rolf Harris) which really works your arm muscles!! Twas a lovely evening and we all headed back to what we hoped would be a nice restful night's sleep before a long driving day the next day....boy were we wrong!

Caroline, Lou and I were sharing a room again and although we had heard the stories from the other touries about the mice, bugs and general disrupted sleep when we had stayed at the hotel a few nights before we didn't think anything of it....that was until I was woken up at about 3am feeling something in my hair followed by hearing a scurrying. I thought little of it and went back to sleep. Lou then woke us up about half an hour later and told she had been listening to a rustling in one of the bags on the side. We looked through it and couldn't find anything (even with Lou's bag being emptied outside our front door!) so we would stood chatting for a little bit and before the gasp could leave my mouth a mouse shot out from under somewhere and hit Lou on the foot before going under one of the beds....much screaming and jumping on beds followed before we all settled a bit to try and work out where the bloody thing had gone. Lou went into the bathroom and Caroline and I were chatting and the next thing we saw was the bloody mouse climbing the curtain...much more squealing and pointing followed and then we couldn't work out where it had gone! So we decided to hedge our bets and push 2 of the single beds together as far away from any surface possible and the three of us decided that seeing as sleep was unlikely we would watch a movie. This must have been a true sight...the three of us in the 2 beds...absolute comedy! After about an hour I gave up and crawled back into my bed but only slept on the half away from the curtain and we all had a bit more sleep before getting up to get back on the bus.

Apparently there is a bit of a mouse infestation in Alice Springs! If I ever go back I will be staying in a hotel that has many floors and I will be at the top!

So on the bus we got and headed off on the first of 2 long driving days to get up to Katherine. We had a few stops...the first being to grab some lunch at Wycliffe Well (local UFO site and boy were they playing on it!) before heading up via the Devils Marbles to Tennant Creek. The Devils Marbles is very nice and as much as I feel bad for saying it...I was so looking forward to getting some sleep at the hotel in Tennant Creek that a stop to see some more red rocks wasn't particularly high on the old priority list! Here are a few shots of the marbles.....




We then jumped back on the bus and headed onto Tennant Creek where the rest of the group headed out for a night at the local pub which after hearing that when Contiki comes into Tennant Creek it is put on Facebook and loads of the town come out...this was followed with the explanation from Justine....Ladies, the odds are good but be warned the goods are odd! Caroline and I decided that after our lack of sleep the previous night we would have a grannie night in and were tucked up in bed by about 9pm watching Jonathan Creek...oh yeah I know how to live. So we were nicely tucked up in bed and our roomie had come back in and very fortunately put the chain on the door as I woke up at about 1.30am by Caroline jumping out of bed and rushing to the door as it opened and a random guy tried to get into our room....she slammed the door in his face and we were all a little bit jumpy!! We found out the following morning that two other rooms had been bothered by him as well!!

So after another disturbed nights sleep it was back on the bus and onwards to Katherine. We had a stopped for lunch at Daly Waters that has the most remote traffic light in the NT's and also the biggest burgers but I only have a photo of the traffic light!

Lunch break over we headed onwards to Elsey National Park where we had a lovely dip in the thermal springs which was most welcome having been on the bus for most of the day...

Then back on the bus (told you it was a long couple of bus days - hence the lack of photos) before heading on to Katherine!

Territory and Outback - Yalara

For those of you don’t know, Yalara is the name of the purpose built resort near Uluru and Kata Tjuta and we were there with the tour for about 3 days I think.

On the bus journey from Kings Canyon to Yalara we all got very excited when we saw this out of the window...

This is Mt Connor (aka Fuluru). It is bigger than Uluru (but not taller) and is also has the flat top that you can see in the photo. It is also currently not available to the public as it is on private property so this was as close as we got....saying that on the other side of nowhere were these beautiful salt lakes...



We stopped here for a little bit to take pictures but mostly to stretch the legs from being sat on the bus and not sleeping because of the evil swag!

Anyway we journeyed onwards towards Yalara where we stopped for lunch and I was finally able to buy a belt having forgotten to pack one...you always forget something don’t you! So quick Pizza stop and very little conversation because we were all pretty much zombies and then onwards to our “bed in a box” as Justine described it! The roomies were together again so me, Caroline, Andie and Lou all got to the room and chilled for a little bit before most of us headed back down to the bus to go to a cultural centre and have a look at Kata Tjuta. Caroline made the decision to kick back and chill at the resort...a worthy call me thinks! We look pretty good for little amount of sleep me thinks!


We walked the Valley of the Winds which is one of the few walks you can actually do at Kata Tjuta because it is not fully open to the public....in fact Aboriginal women of certain groups aren’t even allowed to look at it (I think that is what they said!). It was only a short walk which I was very pleased about because my rubbish ankles were playing up...not too badly but I am guessing the canyon hike and this one weren’t great for it as they weren’t exactly flat ground! Anyway...here are some pictures from inside Kata Tjuta....




We then went back to the resort for a free night where we had probably my favourite meal of the whole tour. Cook your own Kangaroo! It was great you went up to a counter and picked what meat you wanted and then you bbq’d it yourself....I have no photos because I left my brain in the room when I came to dinner....tiredness had properly kicked in! I need to wait for everyone to put theirs up on FB! So after dinner we (the roomies) decided it was time for bed so we all went back and got ourselves ready for some sleeping...when talking about the time and convinced it was at least 9pm which was semi-reasonable to go to bed we sadly discovered that we were all mistaken and it was in fact only 8.20pm...we know how to live! My excuse is having to be up super early the next day for sunrise at Uluru.

We got up bright and early...all feeling much better for the first of a few Grannie nights and headed down to the bus where we headed into the national park. The reason we were up before most other people was to be the first bus to arrive at the viewing point which was fab as we got a great spot and some great shots....





So once the sun had risen we then went to another visitors centre and read about the history and meaning of Uluru. With a specific request to read up why they don’t like people to climb it....luckily for us (not that I would have even attempted it) it was closed so base walk it was!! Now the base walk is normally about 9.6km but according to Toronto Matt we walked further because the trails we were on were further out and the ones nearer the Rock were closed. I don’t know – all I know is it took us about 2.5hrs to walk round it and I had to have my ankle strapped because it was getting really rather sore and I didn’t want to risk it....it was a classy look but worth it...

Again I have no photos as I hadn’t charged my camera so it ran out at the end of the sunrise so no base walk shots....sorry! Check FB in about a month and there will probably be some of me tagged!

Anyhoo back to the hotel we went and a quick bite of very delicious lunch and then off I went for my helicopter tour of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. It was fab...there weren’t many optional activities on this tour so I thought what the heck! It was great if a little bumpy)!! So here are some aerial shots.






So once back at the resort it was off to the box to get all glammed up for a Champagne Sunset at Uluru....so much fun although I think we kind of forgot about the rock...although this was the only time we got a picture with all the tour people as Andie was leaving us the following day :o( Oh and to say we disturbed the peace adn serenity for all the people with their tablecloths and proper glasses is an understatement!



Then back on the bus and heading back to the resort for a party at the viewing platform by the hotel and lots of dancing at the bar! It was a good night!


Next morning it was time to say goodbye to Andie and journey back to Alice Springs....most people were feeling a little jaded but we managed one last roomie shot before we went!


That was a bit longer than I expected it to be but we saw a lot in 3 days....hope you enjoyed it!

Territory and Outback - Kings Canyon

So where did I leave you....oh yes we were leaving Alice Springs to head to Kings Canyon...I have to say that this was not one of the parts of the trip I was looking forward to purely because of the fact the accommodation was going to be super basic as you will see shortly...but I survived and as Justine (tour guide) said – and which kind of became the Mantra for the trip – It was all part of the experience!

So we got up nice and early and were on the bus for about 7.30am I think (could be wrong but can’t remember) and off we headed down the Stuart Highway to Kings Canyon – it was very exciting that after about an hour and a half we were able to turn right....it is pretty much one road top to bottom in the NT’s so when you get to turn off to go somewhere it can be a kind of hysterical excitement – well it was for Nat (driver - with new hair and everything!) who did a cracking job throughout the whole trip!

We stopped for a quick break at the Mt Ebeneezer Roadhouse which was quite literally the only place to stop in the nearby area.....definitely deserved a jumping shot!

We all then jumped back on the bus and headed off to Kings Creek Cattle Station where we all leaped off the bus (that sounds a bit energetic! We didn’t really leap!) in need of food and water (and a bathroom), grabbed some lunch which some enjoyed and some didn’t and then headed over to the joy that was going to be our campsite that evening...thats right people I said camping!! But this is not camping UK style with a lovely tent and all, this was camping Aussie style with a swag. A swag is a delightful piece of canvas that goes over your sleeping bag and is meant to keep the bugs/mice/snakes/critters off you....this does not work!!! I will get back to that story later! First we have the rest of the day to get through.

So once we had set up our swags we jumped back on the bus and headed over to Kings Canyon where we went for a little hike.....yep thats right I said hike....for those of you that know me back in the UK this is not my normal idea of a good time but I did it and once I had caught my breath really enjoyed myself! Big surprise to me! So for the next 3hrs or less we hiked up and down Kings Canyon, through the garden of Eden and saw some amazing sights. The start was a bit scary....lots of very steep rocky steps to climb which definitely gave me a reason to try and improve my fitness....started at the front and ended up near the back. I soon learnt though that the nearer you are to the guide the more time you get to rest between hikey bits! Was a great experience and I surprised myself how much I enjoyed it. Here are some shots from the canyon...

We got back from the hike, jumped back on the bus and made our way back to the campsite where a much needed shower and feed was readily available (oh and a nice bottle of vino!).Caroline and I took our wine with us to dinner and enjoyed a nice glass of vino with our pasta dinner and then we all headed back to the campsite for a night of campfire music and chitter chatter....there are lots of photos of this but I was too busy staring into my wine bottle to take any....I was somewhat aware of the fact I had to sleep in the swag and decided that drinking enough wine to knock me out (sorry Mum!) was the way forward. We had a good old catch up and it was our first real night all together as a group.

At about midnight I left the fire to utilise the facilities and as I was returning the desire to sleep hit me so I went straight and jumped into the swag – pretty much passed out. The one thing I hadn’t accounted for is my incredibly rubbish alcohol bladder waking me up 3hrs later!! When I woke up I heard all this scurrying over my swag, down the side of it and was trying my best not to freak out – there had been a lizard incident earlier in the night with one of the other girls locating one in her sleeping bag! It turned out to be bush mice who were very keen on the packet of crisps that somehow appeared next to my swag! :o(

Anyway, I decided it was too cold so I chucked the ipod on and dozed on/off for about another 1.5 hours before the desire to pee was just too great to stand any more. I decided it was time to go so pretty much jumped out of my swag as quickly as I could and ran to the ladies. I noticed, in my run, that there were people still sat round the fire so on my way back I grabbed my sleeping bag and wrapped it round me and sat by the fire chatting with them until everyone slowly woke up from what most people would have to say was a disturbed nights sleep!

But once everyone was up there was some excitement as people were doing camel rides and quad bikes in the morning and then after they had done that it was off to Yulara to see one of the best known landmarks of the great country called Oz.....but that is the next blog!

Territory and Outback - Alice Spings

So I have just got back from the Northern Territories (well on Thursday!) from an 11 day tour with Contiki which was AMAZING! I met so many lovely people, saw some amazing sights, hiked (yes hiked!) and walked some amazing paths and just had a pretty damn amazing time! This is the story of Contiki - Territory and Outback tour May 2011.

I left Brisbane at silly o'clock on the Saturday morning, the lovely DG & SP gave me a lift to the airport - much easing the pain of the early start following a few bottles of bubbles watching the royal wedding aussie style!

All went nice and smoothly (and I am pretty much loving the comedy cabin crew / pilot action from Quantas - made the flight really quite funny!) and I arrived in the delights of Alice Springs where I got the shuttle bus to the hotel in preparation for the tour starting the following morning. As I was exiting the shuttle bus I met the lovely Andie (Gold Coast) who ended up being my roomie on the tour for the first five days or so. We got to the room, dumped the bags on the beds, left a note for anyone else joining the room and headed to the bar for lunch and refreshments...about half an hour later these 2 girls came bounding up and introduced themselves as Caroline (Toronto) and Louise (Cornwall).

We sat around in the bar chatting and Caroline and Lou were telling us about the East Coast tour that they had just finished and how there were about 11 of them who had done that tour and were joining the one that we all were doing starting in the morning. Slowly whilst we were sat there the rest of their group came and joined us and we all sat around chilling out and having a couple of drinks before some headed into town and the rest of us kicked back either by the pool or in the room.

The next morning the tour started at 8am and we met up with the rest of the tour group (I think there were about 26 of us - from Australia, NZ, USA, UK, Germany) and we headed out to a number of different places around Alice Springs starting with an aboriginal community where we were given a talk about some of their traditions and things they do like eat Kangaroo tail (which tasted a lot like lamb!), throw boomerangs, painting and an explanation of some of the rules they live, for example the marriage arrangements they have to stop inbreeding....it was really fascinating and definitely something I want to learn more about. One of the amazing things is that as a tourist you are only really given the child's version of any story and they don't always make sense. Here are some shots from the talk:

I think the most fascinating thing I found out about them is what they refer to as 'Sorry Business'. It is basically what happens when someone dies and it is their way of seeing the soul back into the ground, or at least that was my take on it. The bit that amazed me though was that once Sorry Business has been conducted that person is never spoken of again, even some photos you see will have black marks as that person no longer exists. I really want to learn more about the culture, might have to do a whole lot of reading on this one!!

We then went on to Simpsons Gap, the Telegraph station and Anzac Hill.

Then on the way home we went into the Royal Flying Doctors Service and to a reptile centre where I was all brave and let a snake attempt to crawl across my shoulders - not doing that again!!

We then headed back to the hotel where we were advised if you are going out to take a taxi - Alice is not the safest of places after dark! So a few of us made the decision to stay in the hotel and chill out. Especially as we were up early the next day to head on to Kings Canyon...