Young Hoovers adventure

First thing Sat morning Mark, Syd and I picked up our 4 wheel drive Nissan X Trail. Then we set off for the never never. We stpped a bunch of times to take pictures or to eat (can't forget to do that with thIs crowd). We also saw some giant paper mache animals that aussies love so much at a gas station. Don't ask. Anyways we made Ayers Rock Resort in th afternoon. We were pretty tired so we pretty much had dinner, took baths and went to bed.

Sunday we went to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. First stop the Rock. From far away it looks almost completely smooth and symmetrical. However once you're up close to it it has caves and ridges and looks totally different. It is the most breathtaking sight. We tried to walk the base trail but snicklefritz wouldn't cooperate. She thought it was much more fun to eat the dirt and rocks. So we walked about a quarter of it before we left.

Second stop was the Olgas. They are in the same park but 50 k away from the rock. They were every bit as spectacular as th rock but completly different. Instead of one big monolith, they are a cluster of different shaped ones. Mark and I had to carry Syd up one walk that went up into one of th valleys because it wasn't stroller friendly. Because of that, we couldn' really do much else, so we went back to the hotel for the night.

Day three we went to Kings Canyon. I imagine that it is very beautiful from the top, but once again, dirt and rocks were much more interesting to Sydney. Mark and I realized that our days of exploring outdoor activities are pretty much on hold for the forseeable future.

On Tuesday morning bright and early we set off for the Alice via the four wheel drive only dirt track that starts at Kings Canyon. Mark was a little hesitant to take this route at first but I talked him into it. When are we ever going to get a chance like that again? Nervermind that we might break down in the middle of nowhere without another soul in sight! So we set off armed with extra water and lunch provisions. For the first 60 k, Mark was afraid the X Trail was going to vibrate apart. However, ignorance is bliss, and I didn't have a clue that there was a prblem, so I was having a grand time. We saw lots of Brumbys, wild camels and even saw a heard of wild donkeys. I think it was my favorite part of the whole trip.

Before going into Alice, we stopped at a four wheel drive only park called Finke Gorge National park to go see Palm Valley. It's where prehistoric palm tree survived the last climate change and still grow. The drive to get to palm valley almost killed me. Mark had a grand old time climbing the boulders and swishing through the river bed, but it was my turn to think the car was going to fall apart. But we made it safe and sound. We had some lunch and set off to see the palm grove. I think Syd lasted 15 minutes. Again, facinated with eating the red dirt. Anyways, it was the fourwheeling that was fun, so off we went again.

We are back in Alice springs safe and sound packing for our trip home. Hope this finds everyone well. See you all very soon.

Love,

Barbara
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Tuesday, July 26

Today the Elder Hoovers and the Andersons drove out of Alice Springs to see a couple of gorges and a chasm. It doesn't take long to find yourself in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the desert. Don and Jeannine used to camp out at the spots we saw today though they did it during the Australian summer -- not something I can even fathom doing due to the desert heat and the flies.

Sorry I can't post any photos today -- the scenery today was awesome. Unfortunately, Meredith was not. :) Today was likely her worst day of the trip behavior wise. Given she's 3 1/2 we should actually consider ourselves lucky that it comes just 2 days prioir to our departure.

So I'm actually here in the room with Meredith while the rest of the Billabong Express is at Casa Nostra. I can't believe I volunteered to miss another night of gluttony but (1) Meredith's behavior would have ruined it for all, (2) I was weary from her crying and whining all day and (3) Lisa and Madie desered a break. I've made Meredith eggs, she's winding down and I'm here blogging with a glass of cabernet -- so all is not lost. Plus I'm counting on a significant amount of leftovers making their way back from Casa Nostre.

Yesterday's photo postings may have been the last for a few days, at least until we get to Korea where we'll actually have a full day to check out Seoul which we're all pretty excited about.

Tomorrow we still plan to go to the camel farm and ride camels. Not sure if I'll get golf in since we still have some shopping to do and laundry and packing to get done. We'll see.

All the best!

-- Big Daddy

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More Photos

A few more photos from the road.

The infamous "Road Train" -- this one was a 3 section, double decker cattle carrier. We actually were passed by and passed Road Trains with 4 sections.

Grampy/Head Bloke and Baby Sydney.

Sammy receiving his own commemorative Billabong Express t-shirt

The Elder and Younger Hoover Men enjoying a Victoria Bitters stubbie (a very common sight)

The Younger Hoovers at The Devil's Marbles (the photo doesn't do this place justice)

Monday, July 25: More Photos -- On the Road to Alice Springs

It's Monday and becoming a bit melancholy that we only have 2 more full days here in Alice Springs. This will most likely be remembered as the best segment of this journey. For the Hoovers, getting back to The Alice after some 30 years has been so special. For them it's been a time of returning to a time and place and people they cherished. And seeing them with Sammy and Carmela -- and how their family has embraced all of us and been so unbelievably generous -- is incredible.

Last night we feasted once again at Sammy and Carmela's home -- lasagna, salads, sausages, steak and prawns nearly the size of my foot. A wonderful time with more of the family -- daughter (and goddaughter fo Don & Jeannine) Anastasia, her husband Matthew and toddler Hugo; brothers Tony and Santos; son Sebastian. And of course lots of good drink! 4-5 bottles of wine, 4-5 bottles of champagne. Truly the highlight of the trip. The only disappointment was that the Younger Hoovers have been out at the rock but they return tomorrow night -- we heard from them this morning and they're having a great time.

Today was a day of more wandering around town hunting for art and souvenirs and just relaxing mostly. Madie had a blast "working" at Anastasia's shop this morning. Tonight we'll find ourselves back at Casa Nostra (mental note -- buy more wine to bring to dinner) for more laughs; tomorrow we plan to head about an hour out of town to a place where the Hoovers camped when they lived here, have lunch and just enjoy the scenery. Yesterday (I think) we went to a place called Simpsons Gap -- a slim gap/pass between two mountains -- and saw wild rock wallabies. Very beautiful place.

On Wednesday, our last day, we hope to go to the Camel Farm and ride (yes) camels. Will try to squeeze a round of golf in that afternoon.

My photos have now loaded so I'll wrap this up.

All the best from the Outback!

--Big Daddy

P.S. The pictures above are from the trip to Alice -- baby Sydney, the 3 "drivers, the must have road sign photo and a glimpse of the 1-lane "highway" we grew to love/hate.

More Photos

A few more photos from Dunk Island including one of the full Billabong Express contingent (minus the kiddies) enjoying one last night in paradise. (And the next Michelle Wie.)

G'day!

Sunday, July 24

A few more shots from Dunk Island -- the view from Mt. Kootaloo, 3 hikers at the top (prior to the exhausting descent), the Anderson Girls at KidsClub and a hacker who at least took in some beautiful scenery.

Last nighte we feasted again at Casa Nostra. Today it's apparent not much happens in Alice Springs on Sunday. We picked up a paper for the first time in a while -- we're pretty clueless about what's going on in the world these days (except for the bombings). TV is extremely limited -- but you can always count on catching a game of cricket or rugby. Tried to play golf today but there was a tournament going on; Lisa and Meredith are at the room doing laundry and watching Veggie Tales while Madie and I are at the internet cafe' typing away and loading these photos.

Later today, we'll be heading to Sammy and Carmela's house for a family barbecue. They are amazing! And with each day the elder members of the Billabong Express find their trousers getting a bit more snug.

I hope you are all well. If you want to post a comment to this site I believe it's set up for that. Otherwise I'll be trying to post some more photos over the next few days.

--Big Daddy

A Few More Photos for Today

OK -- sorry these pics are out of order -- I'm still figuring this Blog out. The 2nd is the pic of the Younger Hoovers on 4 Mile Beach in Port Douglas. The 3rd is of Ric our awesome guide/driver/storyteller for our trip into The Daintree. Remember the story about the snakebite and fine bottle of scotch?

The other two pictures are from our second destination -- Dunk Island. The first is as we disembarled the ferry; the second is of the unreal view at night from the main resort restaurant and bar.

As I wait for the pics to upload to the blog, here's a brief update for today...

This morning (Saturday), the Elder Hoovers drove the Younger Hoovers to their 4WD rental for their 4 day trip out to Ayers Rock or Uluru which is the new official/Aboriginal name. The Andersons walked to town for some browsing, bought a kangaroo friend for the kangaroo purchased for Meredith yesterday (they get lonely, you know), visited Anastasia's funky clothing and accessory shop (where Lisa bought a purse we're all convinced won't be seen on another soul in South Florida -- the ladies tell me that's a good thing), bought a piece of Aboriginal art, and met up with the Elder Hoovers for lunch. Tonight we plan to dine (I should say stuff ourselves) at Casa Nostra and start anew tomorrow.

The photos are loaded so that's it for now.

G'Day!

--Big Daddy

Internet Access (and photos) Finally

Quite a few internet cafes here in Alice Springs but no open access hotspots. It's a very neat town -- young, lots of tourists and backpackers, large numbers of Aborigines. Here are a few shots from my camera. Besides me, the Younger and Elder Hoovers have been taking pics so when we return we'll be combining them into an album. Mark has also been taking some short video clips. Not sure how many I'll get loaded today -- it's not the fastest process uploading higher resolution images -- but I should be able to get quite a few loaded before we start our way back to the States next Thursday.

The firstand last shots here are from our first stop in Australia -- Port Douglas ... the Andersons at the beach (no more than 100 meters from our hotel; thought I loaded a shot of the Younger Hoovers so I will load that next). The other 3 shots are from our trip into The Daintree rainforest and out to Cape Tribulation (where everything started with Captain Cook).

Barbara's Posting

Just so you all know, Barbara of the Younger Hoovers has been the only guest blogger (everyone else seems to be a bit timid). The Happy Birthday posting was Barbara's for those who may have been confused. I'll ask her to sign off on her postings so as not to confuse them with those of Big Daddy.

The boxed wine is most fine here Down Under.

-- Big Daddy
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Happy B-Day from Down Under

Happy belated Birthday to my wonderful father. Also, happy early birthday to my wonderful sister Lynn. Mark and I are off to see the sights and will be incomunicado for the next four days. I'll post pictures when we get back.
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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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Tuesday, July 19

Not too much to report today. Left Camoowheel (after recording the memory with a picture of Mark next to the kangaroo with bull horns) and nearly ran out of gas before reaching a town ( or truck stop) called Barkely Homestead. Now let me tell you it was about 3OO kilometers between gas stations. That should give you an idea of how desolate this place is.

We entered the Northern Territory this morning and quickly noticed 2 things -- the roads got much better (2 lanes) and there was no speed limit. Mind you that doesn't mean much when you're in a Winnebago and you have some precious cargo aboard. We also think we saw a police sting operation against the local hells angels -- even with airplane surveillance. Per Sammy they have a few nasty motorcycle gangs here.

Another 2OO kilometers and we parked at a 4 star camp site in Tenant Creek, a gold mining town of 35OO. Red dirt and lots of flies. Per Sammy this is the land of flies. But the sun is down and the flies have gone somewhere, thank the Lord. And we're drinking some gooooood Australian wine. They,re having Bush Tucker tasting (food tasting) tonight but we chose not to partake because they were serving kangaroo tail.

Instead we had a great dinner grilling our own steaks.

Tomorrow we'll head out and probably stop just short of Alice Springs and camp for one more night before getting back to some sense of civilization (and golf).

Time to put the gilrs down for bed (and drink more wine). Will report more tomorrow.

G'day!

-- Big Daddy
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Monday, July 18

Sitting out in a somewhat chilly evening here in a postage stamp town named after a windmill (I think) -- Coomawheel. About 2OO people and the last outback town before heading into the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory is a vast area that has yet to become a state of Australia -- they vote and pay taxes but they voted down a chance to be the last state just 2O or so years ago.

We had a fine brekky this morning before heading to a town called Mt. Isa. Told it was a town of 3OOOO I was expecting something a bit more than a town of 15OO but it wasn't much more. It's basically a copper mining town and not much more. However, ABBA was in town tonight and against my protestations we departed after lunch. We lunched at the Buffalo Club which was our first "club" experience here. For some liquor law reason, you becomea member for the day (or moment) just to get in for a burger. A bonus is that you can get some casino gambling in.

So we headed out of Mt. Isa and quickly learned we were not done with the fun of doing 1OO kilometers per hour (klicks)on a 1 lane "highway" and driving into a ditch before getting run over by a Road Train.

But we made it to this windmill town, parked our camper vans in the camper park behind the gas station and set ourselves up for the night.

And tonight was the night we'd see what our Aussie friend Sammy could do. In the kitchen. Tonight would be pasta night and Sammy, with very limited resources, threw together a spaghetti dinner to die for. Sammy (did I tell you he was Sicilian?) owns a restaurant in Alice Springs called Cosa Nostra (?) So we knew it would be good.

OK I'm starting to get very cold out here and I need to finish my wine and get to bed. Tomorrow I'll try to remember to take a picture of the big kangaroo with bull horns outside the Shell station. We have a couple more days of driving before getting to Alice Springs. Amazingly we're all still getting along and Sammy doesn't think we're too crazy.

OK that's it my fingers are cold typing on this Blackberry.

G'day from the Outback.
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Barb's blog 2

July 18, 2005
Today we drove from Cloncurry (blink it's gone) to another C name (blink again.) Rich and I are sitting outside the campers drinking wine and watching the satellites go across the outback sky. We definitely don't see stars like this at home. Mark didn't let me drive today. I think our little road train incident might have made him a bit more cautious. We'll see tmorrow. We spent some time In Mt Isa today. It's a town of 40,000 but shall we say rough. Off to Tenant Creek tomorrow! Hope all is well!
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