Friday, July 22

We arrived in Alice Springs on Wednesday afternoon, 1 day earlier than planned and fortunately the hotel had rooms for us. We could have survived another night in the camper vans but we were certainly happier at the hotel. Sammy may have been the most happy having spent so much time with this crazy crew.

The last day of driving was relatively uneventful with 2 exceptions. Wycliffe Well was the first -- a speck of a place that consists of a gas station and camper park -- that is known throughout Australia as the country's UFO siting capital. Naturally I took a liking to this place. (I haven't discovered an Elvis shrine however.). Hopefully when I get internet access I'll be able to share some great alien photos with you.

The 2nd event of the day was the Andersons sputtering into Alice Springs on fumed, the camper van literally bucking and convulsing to a stop at the Shell station on the fringe of town. We'd like to think it's a sign that we're living well and being watched over -- but most everything on this trip has gone very smoothly. You couldn't ask for much better flow the past few weeks.

So Wednesday night we were treated to an Italian feast at Sammy's place -- Casa Nostra. Incredible. The next day the feast continued. Besides getting situated, stocking up, and cleaning and returning the campervans, we feasted at Sammy and Carmela's home for lunch and on awesome pizza at Casa Nostre for dinner. It's a BYO place and I picked up an awesome box of Cabernet/Merlot -- I don't think they see too many boxes walk in there but oh well -- I don't think there was any left when we were done. Sammy partook so we too that as a seal of approval.

Today we pretty much went our own ways -- the Younger Hoovers went shopping for Aboriginal art and souvenir gifts, the Elder Hoovers hung out with Carmela, and the Andersons went to the Alice Springs Desert Park. It was a great recreation of the different habitats found in the desert of central Australia. They had kangaroos and emus but of most interest was an exhibit of nocturnal wildlife -- lizards, snakes, and a strange collection of rodents, marsupials and who knows what. Madie and I walked to and fro town to pick up a few supplies, hunt for souvenirs and look for a wireless hotspot (unsuccessful on that front) while Meredith and Lisa got some rest.

Tonight we think we'll head next door to what we've been told is a good Indian restaurant. Sammy and Carmela have refused to take our money (not even letting us tip their staff -- Carmela chased us down when we tried to do that last night) so we know we can't eat there each night. Plus they've planned a big family barbecue on Sunday!

Not sure the plan for tomorrow -- will try to post photos to the blog at Sammy's daughter's clothing shop, maybe shop for art and souvenirs, maybe hit the driving range at the Alice Springs Golf Club (a very nice desert course that I hope to play 1 or 2 times).

We're here until next Thursday before making the trek back to Florida via Korea. The Younger Hoovers head to Ayers Rock tomorrow until next Tuesday night.

Cheers for now -- I sense a glass of boxed wine coming over me.

G'day and no worries, mate!

-- Big Daddy
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