Have just arrived in Melbourne after 3 days of being unable to upload photos. I just surrendered at the hotel in Alice Springs as their connection did not support an adequate upload speed and then last night in Ayers Rock just no time (and $7 an hour for wi-fi). Got all the Alice Springs photos up this afternoon while in transit in the Qantas lounge at Alice Springs Airport (ASP) and will start there.
FRIDAY
Gorgeous day here under bright blue skies and temperatures in the mid 80s. Perfect time to walk about the Alice Springs Desert Park where we spent a good 6 hours touring.
Departed Sydney Airport on the 0935 service to Alice Springs on a 737-800. I was in the third row of economy and had three seats to myself, so did get in a little sleep on the 2.5 hour flight. Gained 30 minutes in a time zone change with arrival at noon.
Group bus to our hotel, the Doubletree, and we were on our way. The city is 15km (8 miles) from the airport.
Arrived at the hotel just before 1300 which was just enough time to unpack and shower and we were back on the bus at 1330 headed to Alice Springs Desert Park.
At the park we viewed everything from lizards, snakes, birds and kangaroos to spectacular scenery. We also attended a bird show with several trained birds including an owl (incredibly silent when flying--you’d never know one is approaching you) and a falcon. The best thing here is the terrain as you’re surrounded by the MacDonnell Ranges of mountains.
Some thorny devils:
Had a cocktail hour in a picnic area with beer, wine, soft drinks and chips (one was chicken flavor, a new one for me). I enjoyed a Jacobs Creek semillon sauvignon blanc and a Coke Zero.
Back for the hour-long night time tour. We all donned headlights and turned on the red light which animals do not react to. Along the trail inside the park we saw bandicoots, an echidna, a wallaby and some other small animals. The zookeeper could pick them right out even though some of them looked like rocks. Tried to take some photos in black-and-white mode but difficult to follow the zookeepers brighter red light as she was searching for animals below the trees.
Back on the bus and we drove 10 minutes to Overlanders Steak House where the entrees were rump steak or barramundi. Appetizers consisted of camel, kangaroo, emu and crocodile. Back at the hotel just after 2300.
