++ AUSTRALIA ++

(Chapter 2)

This is the 12 Jan 2005 edition of this page, showing the updated summary for this visit.


21 March '98 (Saturday - my 39th ex-wedding anniversary!)


So I was UP at 6.30am, for various toiletting and paperwork - which included the Novotel and SAGA questionnaires!

My first journey was on the coach from Novotel to the Circular Quay - and from there I could catch various 'out-of-town' trips. MY trip today (also with DIDI!) was to the BLUE MOUNTAINS. There were various stops en-route to the facilities in the Blue-Mountain townships, - e.g. the THREE SISTERS, Jamieson Valley, Everglades, the IMAX large screen showing of 'The EDGE' (all about the mountains aaround SYDNEY!)

It covered the pioneer walkers that crossed the BLUE MOUNTAINS etc..

I also did my OWN walk, where the train-ride (at 45 degree incline) and cable cars were other options. My 100% walk was 'topped' by an "Apricot Frozen Yoghurt", a toilet visit and a 'rewalk' of the same walk with DIDI!

Before returning to SYDNEY, we visited the AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE CENTRE, - all the animals being more overcome with the heat than we were!! The KOALAS and WAMBATS were well-asleep, as were the TASMANIAN DEVILS (which we could not even see!!)

Of unusual interest were the ALBINO DINGOS and ALBINO KANGAROOS. I didn't manage to see their crocodiles!! We were only given about an hour for the whole 'centre' - which was a ridiculously short time to see all that we required. The return coach called at our stop first (the Novotel at Darling Harbour) - and, by then, today's coach mileage had amounted to about 130 miles.

First, I took my 'solo walk' around Darling Harbour', the shopping and bar complexes (which were well 'under construction' - due to the OLYMPIC GAMES here in two years time!) Then it was 'back to my room' for coffee, packing and getting ready for tomorrow.

22 March '98 (Sunday)
Flight from Sydney to Cairns.


After a fairly sleepless night, I got up at 6.45am, did my ablutions and then wrote a card to my DAD back home in the UK. I then despatched it by post. [ I didn't know it at the time, but whilst on the opposite side of the world, my father had died and my brother and son had represented me at his funeral. Mail and phone-calls gave me the news when I got home!]

I went through a 3-course breakfast, this morning with Anne. Didi hadn't got up! I got my case outside my room at 8.30am, ready for its 9am collection. We took the coach to SYDNEY airport (12 miles) and, there, got our B737-300 to CAIRNS (1250 miles).

At Cairns Airport, I took another coach to our "PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL" Hotel (just a 5mile ride) - checked-in, used my room and paid some Aussi dollars for my coming excursion to KURANDA whilst specifying my intentions for when we get to AYERS rocks after we leave here.

I had a liitle walk to the esplanade and around town, shopping for some food supplies at Woolworths! I then wrote to some friends back home in the UK. Afterwards, there was a 'briefing' from Pamela for the next few days.

23 March '98 (Monday)
Day for GREAT BARRIER REEF.

Sleeping WELL in the CAIRNS HOTEL until the 2.07am (unscheduled) alarm woke me up, I then toiletted and, having difficulties with SLEEP again, virtually 'gave up'. I was almost continuously awake until I got up at about 6am.. Ablutions followed before my phoning the reception area to find out the place for breakfast.I then went to get my three-course breakfast - on my own - from 6.30am.

I had a good seat at the window overlooking the park - with their people 'exercising' in various ways. I reasoned that it would be far better in the cool of the morning before it got TOO HOT (both for meals & walking). Waitresses abounded this 'time of morning' with multiple coffee replenishments. One asked me "How's it going?" So I had to respond that I needed to up before it gets too hot (Like yesterday's 30deg C!) She replied that "there's no chance of that as WINTER is just about on us!"

Seems as if some people are wimps, doesn't it?

Then I got a MAP from reception (my NORMAL requirement everywhere!) after returning to the room - and went for a back-pack walk on the pier, the esplanade and multiple 'town blocks', including GRAFTON STREET. That walk was from about 7.20am until 8.10am.. It was getting QUITE HOT, although my sun-hat (whilst being carried) was NOT used! Back in the cool of my room, I was greeted by a 'growling' alarm (it had probably been 'growling' since its 7.30am "set-time"!)

I watched and 'played' with the TV system before going to 'reception' to meet other fellow-travellers and Pamela Wheeler who was our guide. We walked to the "Great Adventure Cruises" catamaran terminal near our hotel. A Catamaran, from there, took us the twenty miles to GREEN ISLAND on the Great Barrier Reef.

The first thing that we all did, once there, was to catch a GLASS-BOTTOMED-BOAT for viewing the corals and fishes within few metres of the surface. Personally, I did much 35mm photography on the approximate 4miles in the boat.

Then we had a large hot alfresco meal on the ISLAND with friends - and that was an INCLUDED meal! Then I took a walk to the end of the island during which (and even after my return) I noticed others doing a 'group walk'. Mine was the better, more personal pace for learning about the island and its geography!

I then did some digital photography in and around the eating and swimming places - with chats to some friends as we confined ourselves to the giant parasols - as a protection from the downpour. A CYCLONE (a bit of a 'tame one') had hit us!!!



This was followed by a rainy walk back to the catamaran for taking us on the 20 mile trip back to CAIRNS. The cyclonic winds and 'storm' were a 'bit of an experience' but not too unpleasant! On arrival in Cairns we walked back to our Hotel.



Back there, I partook of various food and drink that I'd picked up from "Woollys" yesterday. Yes, WOOLWORTHS seem to get everywhere!!

After the non-traumatic Cyclone - I still layed down on the bed to 'get my breath back'. After each recovery period - I noticed that I grew progressively more tired, so when it was ONLY 8.25pm, I decided to go to bed for the night!!

24 March '98 (Tuesday)
Day for KURANDA and SKYRAIL trips.



I slept well until the 'spurious alarm' at 2.09am - as yesterday!! I shall have to enquire about this, later!!! Then another 'spurious alarm' (outside my room!) - again as yesterday - went off at 3.00am (ish). I reset my own alarm at 5am for 6.02am.. It went off with a GROWL (as opposed to the 2.09am 'bleep-bleep'!). Maybe the bleeps near 2am are from my OWN WATCH going of in an unwanted MODE??!!

Sure enough, after the 6am GROWL, I investigated my own watch which has a 2am alarm (and SET mode). Rather than try to UNSET it, I changed its alarm-time to 9am., before going down for a good 3-course breakfast at 6.15am (earlier than yesterday!)

Then it was 'back to my room' for getting my write-ups updated, - and to prepare for today's trips. I followed this by a long walk along the esplanade and back ready to start today's journey to KURANDA. Our coach took us first to FRESHWATER and CARAVONICA ( the lakes terminal in just eight miles). Then it was via the SKYRAIL (gondalas) from there to KURANDA (5 miles over the tree-tops).

At the intermediate 'stops', I got out of my gondala and had a 'high walk' in the rainforests, particularly at RED PEAK STATION and BARRONFALLS STATION. After looking around Kuranda for a few hours, buying cards and a boomerang - I then caught the "History Making Kuranda to Cairns Railway" for a 17.5 mile ride

That was a thoroughly SCENIC territory - and was followed by 3miles on the coach back to the hotel. Then some of us shopped for 'insect nets' and 'insect sprays' (mostly without success!) and spent an interminable evening waiting for the non-existent lift-service!!

It seemed an appropriate time to change £40 (Sterling travellers cheques) into some aussi-money! In the hotel, that produced $92.8 aussi-dollars. In the evening, I did my packing and sorting for tomorrow - that will be to ALICE SPRINGS and AYERS ROCK!! I got an early-night and set the alarm for 03.00hrs tomorrow.

25 March '98 (Wednesday)
Day for ALICE SPRINGS and AYERS ROCK trips.



There was quite a bit of noisy music whilst I was in bed TRYING to get some sleep ( from 1am - 2am!) - after midnight, which was, presumably, from the road or the CASINO with its 'acts'!

The 'growl' of my expected alarm awakened me at 3am, - and so I got up, got dressed, and finished the packing and put my case 'outside the door' at 3.20am. (ready for the 3.30am deadline!)

I went down the stairs (by the down-lift's shaft) at 4.05am ready for the 4.15am gathering of the clans. I got on the coach at 4.30am (ish!) [noticing the moon and Jupiter close in the sky!] and, after the late arrivals, we got away at about 4.40am.. The coach took us to the airport (just 5 miles) to checkin for flight AN401 to ALICE SPRINGS and AYERS ROCK. The boarding card showed my seat to be "7G" (a window seat) and at about 5.30am, we boarded the aircraft.

Before getting on the coach, I noticed the Moon & Jupiter in a curious closeness. The moon was like a downwards facing segment with its two pointed arms facing upwards - with Jupiter closely above and between the two arms. It was quite along walk - being coolish for THIS area - the aircraft having its 4 engines supported by the anhedral-shaped-wings of a fighter aircraft from the eastern-block. This fearsome looking aircraft was waiting for us on the tarmac, its front-wheel position being on the 'BAE146 mark' so that identified it for us.

When inside, other 'clues' pointed to its being a BAE146-200. It will knock a few AIR MILES up as we travel to the centre of this continent. It was a long taxiing to the runway - and then a taxi-phase along a runway followed by a 180degree turn on the ground. We were to line-up on runway 15 (i.e a heading of 150degrees, something like South East initially).

As we picked up speed, we didn't "rotate" noticeably, but nonchalently glided into the air at a low angle!! As we gracefully gained altitude, we turned left to eventually head west. Then we applied more power, with a more nose-up attitude, and climbed (said the pilot) to a cruising altitude of 7000 metres.

Now the Cairns to Alice Springs route, according to the brochure, is a 1459Km flight (that's 912miles) and the ALICE to AYERS ROCK is put down as 334Km (that's just 209miles!). We passed over (at 7.18am) some 'dramatic' mountains on the route to 'Alice' - with the sunlit mountain ridges and the curved faultlines. Sunrise has only just occurred - producing these stunning effects!!

Our first signs of DESERT were at about 7.23am. There were dried up (or semi-dried-up) lakes from about 7.27am, then lots of dried-up rivers, with dried up 'beds' containing multiple stranded dried-up rivulets and streams. I then put my watch BACK from 7.37am to 7.07am for a kinky-sized TIME-ZONE!!

The flatness of the desert gave way to mountainous features, fault-lines, ridges, escarpments etc. We had a 'quick' landing at "Alice" for refuelling and further passengers. Here, I bought my 'boomerang information' book for $5.95aussi. I then wandered around the terminal and re-checked-in before re-boarding at 8.20am on the same flight (AN4 01) to AYERS ROCK.

We had a gentle take-off, with a slight 'rotation' this time - and cruised up to 4000 metres - before ascending to 7000 metres. A miscellany of desert and mountain features were on this trip - including VERY DRIED-UP rivers which were still with trees though! I guessed that the 'drying up' must be SEASONAL, - just like in the conditions for WLSR sites worldwide!

It was a nice trip to AYERS ROCK, the 'rock' itself coming into view first after the OLGAS presented themselves. We called at our Hotel in the early morning - before the previous guests were out - and left our cases there until we came back in the afternoon.

That day, I did 8miles in the COACH from the AIRPORT to the DESERT GARDEN HOTEL, and later, 63 miles from that hotel to the OLGAS and back. The whole group of us walked a track between the OLGAS to a point to showed that they didn't want anyone to go beyond!

The DESERT GARDEN HOTEL is a complex of 'Pontins - type - blocks' dotted around their site. It was quite nice, but I went furthest fron the 'centre'!! The rooms are quite clever, the key to each having a 'power-lock' on its holder and this needs inserting before anything else can be used.[It sure was GOOD for making sure that EVERYTHING is OFF!]

The temperature is TOO HOT outside - but AYERS ROCK and ALICE SPRINGS are far cooler than I expected. After a while (eating stuff in my own room) - we gathered together for a trip to AYERS ROCK [a ten mile return journey] to test the ascents and watch the colourful sunset over the 'rock'!

The ascent was easy, but tomorrow, there, wouldn't be enough time - and the temperature might be TOO HIGH - thus I abandonned these ideas in favour of the BASE-TRIP and its exploration.

The evening meal was included at the hotel and was FABULOUS. Great!! I chatted with women during and after this meal, before returning to my own room to gather my own thoughts and to enjoy SOLOISM!

26 March '98 (Thursay)
Another day for ALICE SPRINGS and AYERS ROCK trips.

The alarm(checked yesterday) correctly awakened me at 06.13 hours, so I washed, dressed and packed my case and bags for the day. There was a major 'three course breakfast' eaten at the DESERT GARDENS HOTEl, AYERS ROCK.

Then I took my own bus TO and AROUND AYERS ROCK with multiple stops and sightseeing - including my own QUICK PARTIAL ASCENT (with photos by women on our trip). We left after lunch (taken in the Cultural Centre at Ayers Rock) for the coach journey to ALICE SPRINGS, with comfort and photo stops, plus refreshments, on the way (275 miles).

On this trip, we heard audio tapes of the wonderful LEN BEADELL, an engineer with a great sense of humour apparent in his presentations! He told us how he, single-handedly, designed and set-up the WOOMERA ROCKET RANGE. Absolutely hilarious! This was followed by another on AUSSI PRIDE diagnosis.

Some of the members of our trip went on an optional "Bushman's Dinner" somewhere in the evening. I stayed in my own room for relaxation, own food, TV & Radio - and prepared for tomorrow. I also got my paperwork up-to-date!!


27 March '98 (Friday)
ALICE SPRINGS!!

The alarm (checked yesterday) functions exactly as at home! I had a useful bath before continuing with packing and coffees!

Next, I took the "long walk" to the breakfast and reception areas. I had a tropical fruit course and a 'cooked breakfast' - and some VEGEMITE & butter on rolls. After that, I returned to my room for relaxation and the 3/4 hour final preparations for the day.

At 8.45am, I went to the Reception Area to meet fellow passengers - and wait for the coach - which took us for a sight-seeing tour and VISIT to ALICE SPRINGS. we visited the "Flying Doctor HQ", "The Old Telegraph Station", "ANZAC HILL" and the "STRECHLOW RESEARCH CENTRE" (not in that order, but 7 coach-miles covered the lot!).

Then it was 'back to the hotel' (though NOT to our own ex-rooms!) - to wait for our coach to the airport and to write up my notes.There was no need for food during this period (12.50-14.30hrs) - as there are TWO flights this afternoon and we'll have food on those!

Indeed there was:
The first Flight took us to ADELAIDE (during which we had refreshments), and
the second took us to PERTH (and that provided us with a MEAL).
Those food 'goodies' were on an 'included basis'.

At 14.30hrs, our coach left to go the 6 miles to ALICE AIRPORT, where we waited in the lounge near GATE2 to board our flight AN96 to ADELAIDE and MELBOURNE. Actually, we change at Adelaide for PERTH!! My seat on the AN96 (a 737-300) is 18A, whereas on the PERTH flight (AN 187), I had 17G which was, again, a window-seat.

The arrival in Adelaide was at about 6.50pm, where we had to advance our watches by an HOUR. The AN187 was due to board at 7.20pm and depart at 7.35pm - and turned out to be an A320-211 Skystar. At 7.47pm we put our watches BACK 2.5hours to 5.17pm, just after the captain's message was received. "We will be landing in PERTH at about 8.15pm," he said, but we landed earlier at 8.00pm!!

Those two aircraft legs of our journey were 825miles and 1324miles respectively.

Despite the need for food when the flight started, the AMOUNT of food on the 'leg' to PERTH beat me!! On the coach from the airport to the hotel it was only 6 miles.

Whilst settling in to the room, I watched some World Chanpionship Boxing (on Fin Sports) - featuring two guys from LIVERPOOL. It was the WBU World Light Welterweight title, with Neary v. Holligan - and NEARY won, the ref stopping the fight in Round6!

Then it was "Birds of a Feather" - the original BBC stuff on this Aussi TV. Before 'turning in', I requested that the 'MARGARET RIVER trip' be put on my Debit Card. That was 93 Aussi-dollars.


28 March '98 (Saturday)
PERTH & FREEMANTLE

The 'alarm', set last night, correctly awakened me at 6.30am, - so I got dressed and sorted my oddments in the cases! I drew the curtains and looked out over the SWAN RIVER - it's another great hotel!

After a big breakfast in my own room, I got the 'area map' around the hotel and went for an hour's stroll. On returning, I correlated this with the big map from (my own library) in the book "Explore Australia".

Next, I joined 'the others' before taking our coach for a half-day sight-seeing around PERTH & FREEMANTLE, taking in Kings Park, the Swan River, Sublaur, Lake Monger and Wembley - with some feeding of the famous BLACK SWANS! Here, we heard about the America's Cup yacht-race and its local base here. We also went to the market in Freemantle! I had some photos taken with the swans - and also got Didi involved with these.

In the Freemantle market, I took the opportunity of getting an ice-cream and also listening to a musician. When back in the hotel, I enquired about and shopped in a FOODMARKET to replenish my stocks. Then I ate some whilst taking my notes

Later, I went for a three-quarter-hour walk - and a sit down - in PERTH's sun and the shade in LANGLEY PARK, at the edge of the SWAN RIVER. I needed a laydown in my hotel room, for 'recovery' after this.

Then, back in Langley Park for another three-quarter-hour session, I photod some items and chatted with a guy on the organisation of tomorrow's TRIATHLON Championships (which start and end HERE!). Then more music and relaxation in the hotel room.

At 6.55pm, I went down to the GAZEBO RESTAURANT (in the Novotel, Perth!) for an evening meal. I indulged in three LARGE courses AND one large 'sweet course' - they were SO BIG that I didn't finish any of them.

I has chats with people at my table - especially a guy who used to work at WH Smith's, and has a Northern Accent (UK) but lives in Chipping Norton now.

(To be continued in the next chapter!)



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